Smith and Wesson Model 649 — S&W’s Best Snubbie(?)

[Catskillkid]

Review: Smith and Wesson Model 649 — S&W's Best Snubbie

This came in my email today and thought I would share. The model 649 was actually my very first revolver. I agree with the reviewer on many of his points and genuinely like the gun a lot. It's a bit tough when firing the .357 Mag rounds but as the author states it's mitigated if you use .38 Special +P.

My biggest problem with it is finding a good quality holster for it. So many snub-nose wheel guns are 2 inches and that seems to be all I can ever find. That extra fraction of an inch basically means that most holsters won't fit it.

 

[Deplorable Me]

You trying to start a riot?

If you don't mind the weight, the SP101 is a great challenger. I know a guy who pistol whipped a Kodiak bear into submission with one. They're indestructible.

 

[Catskillkid]

You trying to start a riot?

If you don't mind the weight, the SP101 is a great challenger. I know a guy who pistol whipped a Kodiak bear into submission with one. They're indestructible.

You know me. Always the trouble maker.

 

[HEX]

I'd agree that the 649 is a really nice gun. I'd personally give the edge to the Model 60 as the best .357 j-frame S&W, but it's really a matter of personal preference. I don't personally love the hammer shroud on the 649, but I'd take it over the DAO 640 any day of the week. The reviewer here compares the 649 to to the Airweight 442 (in the picture anyway) and that seems a bit more apples to oranges than a comparison to the 640 (which he doesn't even mention). Some will inevitably say that a single action pull is relatively useless in a small defense revolver, and that the hammer is a potential snag liability, and while I kind of agree with those things.. darn it I just plain like being able to control SA if I want to.

As to the SP101, also a great gun and I would never argue that it's definitely built tougher than any J-frame but it loses out in my book on the action and overall perfect weight and balance (in my opinion) of the mod 60. Doesn't fall under S&W vs S&W anyway, so not a contender in the reviewer's matchup.