S&W 649, stuff getting into hammer area?

R

Rich357

New member
I'm in the market for a stainless S&W J frame .357Mag revolver. I like the idea of the 649, not likely to snag and you can use single it in action if you wish. I was thinking of it as a gun when hiking where you might have to dispatch a dog or other modest sized 4 legged critter.

I'm a little concerned about a piece of something getting into the
channel where the hammer moves and jamming the gun at a bad time. Is this really anything to worry about?

Thanks,
Rich
 
If you carry it loose in your pocket...and have a tendency to drop loose change in your pocket on top of it...it could be a problem. A dime, as I recall, will fit right in that slot and lock things up...
 
The important thing to remember if you carry a weapon in your pocket is nothing else besides the weapon goes in that pocket--not change, not spare ammo, not your keys, nothing. Other than just practice good routine maintence. A good pocket holster is a good idea. Even with stainless steel it wouldn't hurt to wipe it down once a day and be sure and do a visual check of the hammer shroud area--it wouldn't even be a bad idea to drop the ammo out and do a quick functional check. After all, it's your life.

I carry a Bodyguard with absolutely no problems. To me, it is the J-frame that makes the most sense--all the advantages of the Chiefs Special and they Centennial in one package.
 
Right now, both my snubbies are internal hammer for this very reason. I had an exposed hammer snub for my ankle holster, but at the end of the day, the hammer area was all full of fuzz and lint. So I switched to hammerless snubbies (S&W 342 and Taurus 650).
 
Originally posted by Rich357

I'm a little concerned about a piece of something getting into the channel where the hammer moves and jamming the gun at a bad time. Is this really anything to worry about?
Click to expand...
Hello Rich357,

I would worry more about the enclosed-hammer, Centenial series not working when you pull the trigger........ in an emergency, if the cylinder didn't rotate, the first thing I would do, is cock the hammer...... You can't do that with the enclosed-hammer design.

Also, with the Centenial series, you can't safely do a cylinder rotation check with the loaded revolver. This makes it more likely that the cylinder would bind, due to a high primer, residue under the extractor star, a loose extractor rod, or other problem.

Any dust or lint that collects in the hammer-shroud area can be easily removed with a Q-tip and a drop of Break-Free CLP.
 
Thanks very much for you replies. I think I'll go for it. This particular one has an outstanding DA pull.

Rich
 
I've carryed a M38-2 for over ten years in my pocket..

Sitting here, I cleared the S&W and checked - no American coin will tie the gun up during a double action stroke. If you thumb cock it, it's possible to drop a dime, penny or nickel between the hammer and frame. Not sure why you'd do that, but it's possible. Perhaps this is a concern if you plan on shooting from your pocket. The tips on "nothing in the pocket except the gun" and "get a pocket holster" are right on target.
 
Some time back I did run across a story--possibly apocryphal--to the effect that a detective once got himself shot when his M49's hammer was blocked by some sort of pocket debris. Unfortunately I didn't save the reference for what value it might have had.

However, long before that I viewed that slot askance. I have seen guns malfunction for lesser reasons, and I am a devout apostle of Murphy. A dehorned standard J frame can be cocked if need be, and in the meantime it's lighter, smaller, and IMHO better looking.

I have had a M442 Centennial for about six years now, with around 1000 rounds through it. It has been extremely reliable (zero problems). If the extractor rod is kept tight and the star recess kept perfectly clean and dry, the cylinder will turn freely every time. As I said--zero problems.

FWIW.
 
in an emergency, if the cylinder didn't rotate, the first thing I would do, is cock the hammer......
Click to expand...
There you go, bashing the Centennial again.:rolleyes: :p

IF the cylinder didn't rotate, I certainly don't see where cocking the hammer would help or change anything.:confused: I'd reach for my BUG, ASAP, and continue with the business at hand.

The loaded cylinder can be inserted just to the point of being fully closed, then rotated in front of the breechface to check for high primers or binding.:)
 
There you go, bashing the Centennial again.
Click to expand...
Hello VictorLouis,

No, I'm not bashing the Centennial, it's a fine gun.

I just believe that the Bodyguard has all of the good features of the Centennial, and more.

IF the cylinder didn't rotate, I certainly don't see where cocking the hammer would help or change anything. I'd reach for my BUG, ASAP, and continue with the business at hand.
Click to expand...
My freind had the cylinder on his M64 bind. The hammer could be cocked. I believe that there is a mechanical advantage of cocking the hammer versus having the trigger mechanism do it for you.

Many people who carry snubbies don't carry a back-up.

The loaded cylinder can be inserted just to the point of being fully closed, then rotated in front of the breechface to check for high primers or binding.
Click to expand...
Yes, you can do that......but you won't be checking it where it must rotate......all the way home as part of a mechanism.

If I point the loaded Bodyguard in a safe direction, then cock and de-cock the hammer six times, I am pretty sure it will work when I need it.
 
I've carried my 649 numerous times without getting anything more than lint in the shroud. About the same amount that collects in the barrel and around the cylinder when stuffed in a pocket. Does not hamper operation and easy to clean.
 
My freind had the cylinder on his M64 bind. The hammer could be cocked.
Click to expand...
The hand rotates the cylinder, and it is connected to the trigger. The trigger MUST move to the rear in order for the hand to rise upward and move the cylinder. Leverage aside, the hammer cannot be cocked unless the trigger can move to the rear. I really would have like to have seen that one. I just can't fathom how it could occur.

Bodyguard is a fine gun, and a fine choice, and I certainly won't knock it. I've just grown so fond of the Centennials that I've not seen the need to change.
 
I had an M649 start failing to fire in double action once. It would still fire when thumb cocked. That experience has made me wonder since if revolvers that can't be thumb cocked are such a good idea.

You might figure that the opening at the top of the M649s frame let in whatever temporarily "unhinged" my snubbie. I think it is just as likely that something, an internal burr maybe, was what gave me fits for a couple of hours. Whatever it was a good and the addition of some more FP10 took care of the problem, whatever it was.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top