EDC classic

Super Blackhawk · October 26, 2018, 06:36 AM

I’ve tried numerous pistols for everyday conceal carry over the years but I keep coming back to the Smith &Wesson Jframe model 638. This gun introduced 63 years ago is just a masterpiece of reliability , concealability , safeness n with some practice great accuracy.
S&W is it for me... 638 for EDC n my model 29 for home protection.
Anyone else breaking thru to the appreciation of such revolvers amid the semi auto polymer striker fired craze?

Rob228 · October 26, 2018, 07:07 AM

There are people on this board that can put five rounds into a very small group at 25 yards with a J-Frame. I am not one of them. I sold my first J-frame and gave my second one away to a good friend who could shoot it a lot better than I can. I loved how easy it was to carry, hated how hard it was (for me) to shoot.

Targa · October 26, 2018, 07:33 AM

It took an Apex spring kit for me to like my 638, before the spring kit the trigger on that thing was ridiculous. I am a revolver guy over auto but if I am honest with myself I would say that my Kahr CM9 did everything better than my 638. It shot better, carried better, had a better trigger and was more accurate.

KyJim · October 26, 2018, 02:54 PM

I have occasionally carried a Model 38 Airweight in a pocket holster for years. I've always considered it, at least in my hands, to be a weapon of limited range. Like Targa, I also shoot my Kahr CM9 better and it carries well in a pocket holster. I'm working on retiring the Model 38 in favor of a Ruger LCR in 9mm.

shafter · October 26, 2018, 03:09 PM

I like revolvers, and have a bunch. They still do what they've always done just as well as ever. But for my current needs a semiauto just does it better. More capacity, flatter carrying, and the ability to mount a light if needed.

dscampbell · October 26, 2018, 06:56 PM

My primary EDC a 38 M&P from 1954. I always shoot my best qualification score with it. Front pocket carry in cargo shorts or AIWB

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dave T · October 26, 2018, 08:05 PM

Like Rob228, I could never shoot a J-frame worth a hoot. Guns was too small and my hands were too big. For most of my LEO career my off duty/ concealed carry weapon was a 45 ACP Commander (back before they started calling them "Lightweight Commanders").

Now that I'm old and have bad arthritis in my hands and wrists it's a Glock 30S.

Dave

WheelGunMan · October 26, 2018, 09:19 PM

Inasmuch as we're talking EDC...mine is the LCR 357. . .small platform like the J frame. . .and a great shooter.

ARgon · October 27, 2018, 07:35 AM

Love the Tyler T on the grip.

2wheelwander · October 27, 2018, 08:13 AM

Right there with ya OP. The only polymer striker fired that catches my eye is the P-10, and thats just because I'm a CZ guy. The only modern revolver that grabs me is a nice GP-100, maybe a custom shop 686.

Now I'm always on the look out for classic revolvers in great shape.

2-3 LGS each have had several no dash to -3/-4 Smiths in the original walnut boxes. Every one you see are safe queens. A few months ago I bought a 29-2 and K38 Masterpiece among a host of other classic Smiths. Near new condition, all the papers. Another shop had 4 Smiths, as new in their walnut boxes in their display case by the front door. They confessed to me a older local gentleman has a collection of 800+ revolvers, primarily Smiths he is liquidating in his advanced age. Nickel, blue, stainless, the only thing I haven't seen are snubbies. .357, .38, .41, .44. Haven't seen any rimfire, shortest barrel I've seen so far is 4". Seems he was very narrow in what he bought in that respect but most have never had a round through them. I'd love to meet this guy and bring a bib to drool over his collection. I say good on him for not letting these go to an estate sale after he passes. I imagine a retired farmer who just knew what he liked.

mk70ss · October 27, 2018, 08:18 AM

My EDC gun is a Ruger SP 101 .357. Wheelguns can definitely do the job if you can shoot them well.

HighValleyRanch · October 27, 2018, 12:18 PM

My new favorite around the ranch. It's heavier than my LCRX, but with the proper holster can be comfortable.
1989 Ruger Police Service Six in 2 3/4 inch barrel.

I blued the hammer and trigger for a more classic look.

I made the grips from fiddle grain Claro walnut with an oil stain finish.

osbornk · October 27, 2018, 02:41 PM

I trust my Taurus 605 copy of the J frame over my several plastic semi-autos. I feel 357 magnum will be adequate with only 5 rounds.

Bob Wright · October 28, 2018, 09:05 PM

Yup, a good revolver is a good companion:

Bob Wright

jar · October 29, 2018, 09:58 AM

I certainly almost always feel more comfortable and secure with a revolver than with a semi-automatic. My experience with both formats is somewhat limited in sample size but over a fairly extended period. Most of my revolvers are ones I've owned and shot regularly for at least two or three decades minimum with just a couple newer examples. The semi-automatics though are all much more recent acquisitions, one having only a decade or so of experience.

aarondhgraham · October 29, 2018, 10:22 AM

The 638 is perhaps the ugliest S&W revolver ever made,,,
But having said that it is a very practical choice.

No hammer to hang up on your clothing,,,
But the ability to shoot in single-action when appropriate.

In my not-so-humble opinion,,,
It's a much better choice than the 442 or 36.

But again, it is one ugly humpback of a gun.

Aarond

.

D-Ric902 · October 29, 2018, 02:59 PM

I was decent with s j frame.
Sent it to Actions by Teddy Jakobson after it failed on me.

Just a few fluff and buff and I’m a lot better with it

October 26, 2018, 06:36 AM	#1
Super Blackhawk Member Join Date: October 23, 2015 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 50	EDC classic I’ve tried numerous pistols for everyday conceal carry over the years but I keep coming back to the Smith &Wesson Jframe model 638. This gun introduced 63 years ago is just a masterpiece of reliability , concealability , safeness n with some practice great accuracy. S&W is it for me... 638 for EDC n my model 29 for home protection. Anyone else breaking thru to the appreciation of such revolvers amid the semi auto polymer striker fired craze?

October 26, 2018, 08:05 PM	#7
Dave T Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2000 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 1,456	Like Rob228, I could never shoot a J-frame worth a hoot. Guns was too small and my hands were too big. For most of my LEO career my off duty/ concealed carry weapon was a 45 ACP Commander (back before they started calling them "Lightweight Commanders"). Now that I'm old and have bad arthritis in my hands and wrists it's a Glock 30S. Dave __________________ RSVN '69-'71 PCSD Ret

October 27, 2018, 08:18 AM	#11
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	My EDC gun is a Ruger SP 101 .357. Wheelguns can definitely do the job if you can shoot them well. __________________ Say when.....

October 28, 2018, 09:05 PM	#14
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	Yup, a good revolver is a good companion: Bob Wright __________________ Time spent at the reloading bench is an investment in contentment.

October 29, 2018, 09:58 AM	#15
jar Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2001 Location: Deep South Texas Posts: 1,669	I certainly almost always feel more comfortable and secure with a revolver than with a semi-automatic. My experience with both formats is somewhat limited in sample size but over a fairly extended period. Most of my revolvers are ones I've owned and shot regularly for at least two or three decades minimum with just a couple newer examples. The semi-automatics though are all much more recent acquisitions, one having only a decade or so of experience. __________________ To be vintage it's gotta be older than me!

October 26, 2018, 07:07 AM	#2
Rob228 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Hampstead NC Posts: 1,450	There are people on this board that can put five rounds into a very small group at 25 yards with a J-Frame. I am not one of them. I sold my first J-frame and gave my second one away to a good friend who could shoot it a lot better than I can. I loved how easy it was to carry, hated how hard it was (for me) to shoot.

October 26, 2018, 07:33 AM	#3
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	It took an Apex spring kit for me to like my 638, before the spring kit the trigger on that thing was ridiculous. I am a revolver guy over auto but if I am honest with myself I would say that my Kahr CM9 did everything better than my 638. It shot better, carried better, had a better trigger and was more accurate.

October 26, 2018, 02:54 PM	#4
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	I have occasionally carried a Model 38 Airweight in a pocket holster for years. I've always considered it, at least in my hands, to be a weapon of limited range. Like Targa, I also shoot my Kahr CM9 better and it carries well in a pocket holster. I'm working on retiring the Model 38 in favor of a Ruger LCR in 9mm.

October 26, 2018, 03:09 PM	#5
shafter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 1,624	I like revolvers, and have a bunch. They still do what they've always done just as well as ever. But for my current needs a semiauto just does it better. More capacity, flatter carrying, and the ability to mount a light if needed.

October 26, 2018, 06:56 PM	#6
dscampbell Member Join Date: August 28, 2011 Location: Central valley of California Posts: 84	My primary EDC a 38 M&P from 1954. I always shoot my best qualification score with it. Front pocket carry in cargo shorts or AIWB Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

October 26, 2018, 09:19 PM	#8
WheelGunMan Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2017 Posts: 112	Inasmuch as we're talking EDC...mine is the LCR 357. . .small platform like the J frame. . .and a great shooter.

October 27, 2018, 07:35 AM	#9
ARgon Member Join Date: October 23, 2018 Posts: 16	Love the Tyler T on the grip.

October 27, 2018, 08:13 AM	#10
2wheelwander Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2018 Posts: 539	Right there with ya OP. The only polymer striker fired that catches my eye is the P-10, and thats just because I'm a CZ guy. The only modern revolver that grabs me is a nice GP-100, maybe a custom shop 686. Now I'm always on the look out for classic revolvers in great shape. 2-3 LGS each have had several no dash to -3/-4 Smiths in the original walnut boxes. Every one you see are safe queens. A few months ago I bought a 29-2 and K38 Masterpiece among a host of other classic Smiths. Near new condition, all the papers. Another shop had 4 Smiths, as new in their walnut boxes in their display case by the front door. They confessed to me a older local gentleman has a collection of 800+ revolvers, primarily Smiths he is liquidating in his advanced age. Nickel, blue, stainless, the only thing I haven't seen are snubbies. .357, .38, .41, .44. Haven't seen any rimfire, shortest barrel I've seen so far is 4". Seems he was very narrow in what he bought in that respect but most have never had a round through them. I'd love to meet this guy and bring a bib to drool over his collection. I say good on him for not letting these go to an estate sale after he passes. I imagine a retired farmer who just knew what he liked.

October 27, 2018, 02:41 PM	#13
osbornk Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2012 Location: Mountains of Appalachia Posts: 1,598	I trust my Taurus 605 copy of the J frame over my several plastic semi-autos. I feel 357 magnum will be adequate with only 5 rounds.

October 29, 2018, 10:22 AM	#16
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	Ugly as homemade sin,,, The 638 is perhaps the ugliest S&W revolver ever made,,, But having said that it is a very practical choice. No hammer to hang up on your clothing,,, But the ability to shoot in single-action when appropriate. In my not-so-humble opinion,,, It's a much better choice than the 442 or 36. But again, it is one ugly humpback of a gun. Aarond . __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

October 29, 2018, 02:59 PM	#17
D-Ric902 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2004 Location: Northeastern Indiana Posts: 402	I was decent with s j frame. Sent it to Actions by Teddy Jakobson after it failed on me. Just a few fluff and buff and I’m a lot better with it __________________ mercysdad.com