Clark Custom Carry Piece

I'm starting to become anxious to receive the call to drive over to Shoot Out Lane and pick up my Smith & Wesson Model 649. Back in July 2009, I dropped it off with Jim Clark for some remodeling. I purchased the little snubbie a few years back from CDNN. I think I paid about $230 for it. It looked like it had hit the concrete a few times, but the crown was good, and it shot reliably and as accurately as I could muster from any snubbie.

The plan was to give the gun a Meltdown treatment and a bead blast finish. Then, a tritium XS shotgun front sight would be dovetailed onto the muzzle. The rear notch would be hogged out to match the front sight. The lone example that Jim had to show me had the topstrap checkered ala a Model 27. I liked that too. I'm thinking I will stick with the Uncle Mike's grips.

I'm wishing now that I had weighed the gun to see how much metal is removed in the Meltdown. Perhaps when I pick it up, a reader can help me with that.....

The Snubby Revolver

Steve Denny, Chris Christian, Gail Pepin, Mas Ayoob, Jon & Terri Strayer, and Herman Gunter talk candidly about the snubby revolver.

Shooting the Bodyguard Cold

I was back at the range this afternoon, and I intended to shoot my Smith & Wesson Model 649. I purchased the 649 to alleviate some of the wear on my old aluminum framed Model 38. They shoot pretty much the same, but the Airweight 38 is much easier to carry in a pocket holster.


I had been shooting the Model 649 for a bit when I realized that my Colt Defender was still holstered on my hip. I unholstered it and put it on the table.

I ran 150 rounds of Winchester White Box through the 649, enough to turn the barrel blue with soot. I like having a snubbie in my pocket. Such a carry arrangement allows me to converse with a person with my right hand placed casually in my pocket, in a firing grasp on the weapon. The potential threat never knows it is there, unless I need it. That is a decided advantage. It gives a person time to assess the threat and make an accurate determination on whether lethal force is warranted, and have the gun into play in the blink of an eye. Or, if the conflict can be de-escalated, a person using pocket carry can do so with a gun in hand and nobody is the wiser.

One of the oft disregarded advantages of a snubbie in a pocket is speed. The short barrel of the snubbie revolver is frequently thought of as an aid in concealment, but it also enables the shooter to clear leather and bring the muzzle to bear quicker. While peak muzzle velocity may not be reached with a snubbie, clearing leather first and getting hits on target first has it's benefit.

I alternated shooting the snubbie with shooting the Ruger MKII. I wasn't so much working on marksmanship with the Ruger as I was attempting to decondition any advantage I gained from firing the Smith over and over. I wanted to shoot each cylinder cold, as though I had just drawn it from my pocket after a week or two of not shooting. I would draw and put two on target, then three. Other times, I loaded four rounds only. When I clicked on the empty chamber, I had to make a quick decision to pull that trigger again for another shot.

Shooting a snubbie revolver accurately in double action is demanding shooting. Shooting a snubbie revolver double action to get controlled couplets or trained triplets with holes where you want them to be, as fast as you can pull the trigger is a skill that eludes many shooters. Many shooters eventually move on to easier guns to shoot in a search for greater accuracy. I can not place the holes as close to each other with a rapidly fired snubbie as I can with a Government Model. But I can place them close enough with a snubbie for government work. The other advantages of a snubbie frequently out weigh the more difficult shooting, and the more difficult shooting presents a challenge.

I have given some thought to dropping this revolver off at Clark Custom when I pick up my Colt Commander. A couple of years ago, Jim Clark had a matched set of S&W 629 snubs that he had melted and bead blasted for a customer planning on going into Kodiak country. That brace of pistols was one of the sharpest best thought out sets of guns I have seen. I'm thinking that a Clark Meltdown and bead blasting on this little pocket pistol might just make it ideal.

Thoughts on the J Frame Grip

The small pocketable revolver is perhaps one of the best options for a true concealed fighting gun. The reasons for it's continued popularity are plentiful and sound. The Smith & Wesson J frame makes no pretense of being a he man gonna getcha at 25 yards threat neutralizer. It is a close in hand to hand get the hell off me weapon.

The Smith & Wesson pocket protector is not the gun for everyone. Although available in a wide variety of styles and chamberings, more is not always better. As the revolver is chambered in more powerful cartridges, the ability to control it for rapid second or third shots quickly diminishes. The muzzle rise is often extreme and torqued. Returning the sights to target is frequently compromised. In flyweight magic metal versions, the more powerful cartridges are often more than some shooters want to detonate in their mitts more than once. They revert to less powerful loads in an effort to better control the gun. The problem with the Smith & Wesson J frame is often the grip. The rubber boot grips that come on these revolvers, like the older factory wood often leave the shooter's pinky finger dangling uselessly beneath the grip.

Some shooters try to adapt to the recoil by gripping the revolver higher on the grip frame. I have found that this not only allows the gun to squirm around, but worse, it changes the relationship of the trigger finger to the trigger. Instead of pulling the trigger straight back, gripping the gun in this fashion leads to a 45 degree trigger pull and reduced efficiency in double action. The end result is reduced accuracy with a weapon containing only five chances at survival in the cylinder.

Fortunately, the selection of grips can radically change the handling characteristics of the J frame revolver. There are so many styles of grips available that there must be one on the market for every shooter's needs. The problem becomes determining which grip is best for the individual shooter. My friend Stephen A. Camp has penned an excellent piece regarding the differences.

I happen to be a rather large fellow, with big hands and big pockets. For me, a grip which allows me to wrap a third finger around the gun gives the leverage against recoil needed to control the revolver when firing it. My pockets are big enough that concealability is not compromised.

Unlike Mr. Camp, I actually like the Uncle Mike's grips that extend beneath the grip frame. You can see them on the Model 649 in the center, above. The extra finger on the grip helps me control muzzle flip, and the extra material behind the grip frame allows me to control the trigger without a cramped trigger finger. The result is better shooting, for me. Unfortunately, Uncle Mike no longer makes this grip. It can still be found at gun shows and on ebay though.

An extended grip works for me, but every shooter is different. Our hands are as individual as our fingerprints. Among J frame grips, I divide them into two basic types. Forget about wood or rubber, grip adapters and such. Consider how you hold the weapon. I divide J frame grips by how many fingers I can use to hold the gun: three finger grips and two finger grips. Once separated in this way, each type has selections that fill the area behind the trigger guard, and those that leave it open. The factory wood gives a two fingered grip with the area behind the trigger guard left open. Of course, grip adapters such as the Tyler "T" used with factory scabs result in a two finger grip that fills the area behind the trigger guard.

Beyond that, J frame grips either leave the revolver's back strap exposed or they cover it. I have found that people with shorter fingers generally shoot better with an exposed back strap. The covered back strap simply increases the distance between the web of the hand and the trigger. Finally, if a shooter plans to carry a speedloader, they must make certain that the grip they have chosen does not interfere with it's function. Not all grips are speedloader compatible.

There is no doubt that smaller grips help conceal a J frame revolver. The person who chooses to carry such a fighting gun must first consider the reason they carry it though. They carry it to stop a threat, using accurate and effective fire. If their grip choice does not allow them to shoot the gun accurately and quickly, they might be better served with another choice, either in grips or in the gun itself. The J frame only gives five chances before a reload.

Getting a Grip on J Frames by Stephen A. Camp

The Smith & Wesson Model 438

I am very happy to discover that Smith & Wesson has brought back the Bodyguard frame style in the Airweight Model 438. I had the opportunity to examine one hands on at the past gun show, and the +P rated pocket revolver seemed to be a good choice for the concealed carrier who is looking for a brand new pocket gun.

The Model 438 is the modern incarnation of my beloved Model 38. There are, of course differences that do not appeal to my old fogey sensibilities. The integrated locking mechanism is of course, one of the new features that I do not like. Beyond that, I was quick to note the MIM trigger and hammer, and the exposed nubbin of the hammer seemed to be smaller and less well finished than that of the Model 38. I also did not care for the rubber boot grip, but that is easily swapped out. If the revolver had come with the rubber grip that is on the Model 640, I would have no complaint. The matte black finish is a plus in my opinion.

It is my contention that the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard is one of the best pocket guns ever devised. As a revolver, it will not be thrown out of battery and refuse to fire when jammed into an attacker's ribs or under his chin. It is the ultimate "get the hell off me" gun.

I am fortunate to have a collection of five Bodyguards in several variations. In the Airweight variation, the J framed revolver barely weighs more than the five rounds it carries. Once loaded, it can be stuffed into a pocket holster and carried in a front pants pocket all day and forgotten about. The hump on the back of the Bodyguard frame helps the gun stay put in the carrier's pocket.

Another often uncited advantage of the pocket revolver is that a citizen can have their strong hand on their concealed gun in a firing grip while assessing a potential threat. The gun remains concealed, and the element of surprise is maintained until de-escalation options are exhausted and the introduction of the weapon is deemed necessary.

The other benefits of a pocket revolver for a person new to firearms and concealed carry are many. A round is always chambered and ready when the gun is fully loaded. There is no safety to disengage when presenting the handgun. Pull the trigger, and it goes bang. Maintaining concealment is as simple as finding a pocket large enough to contain a holster that will obscure the shape.

It will need some dry firing to smooth out the trigger, but I am happy to see that Smith & Wesson is producing a modern version of the Model 38. I have long maintained that the S&W Model 38 is the ultimate pocket revolver. If a person wants a new Smith & Wesson, the Model 438 may well be the closet they can get. If I can find one used I might just add it to my Bodyguard collection.

The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard

Syd has penned an excellent synopsis of this classic S&W snubbie. Hell, he even quoted me. I'm honored.....

The S&W "Bodyguard"

Sayeth the seller:

"This auction is for a rare factory 3 inch S&W Model 49 Bodyguard. I have never seen an all original factory 3" Bodyguard offered for sale. This gun in in fantastic condition. It easily rates 99%. Please look closely at the pictures.

The only sign of use is a fine turn line. There are no shadows on the recoil shield and the case coloring on the trigger is vibrant. Any flaws you see in the pictures are either reflections or lint. The grips are also in near mint condition but do not number to the revolver. No box or accessories but I will include the original S&W factory historical letter that identifies this revolver as having shipped with a 3 inch barrel. I have no doubt that in a few years my price of $2499 will seem like a bargain basement price for this revolver."

A three inch Model 49 is indeed a rare gun. This particular one is lettered as being genuine. It is in great condition. The finish likely is 99%. The flatlatch makes it even more desirable.

The grips, however admittedly do not number to this revolver. There is no box or papers. I give the seller a lot of credit for his honesty. Unscrupulous sellers have been known to stamp numbers into grips and have serial numbers magically appear on brand new box labels.

Now here is the goocher........a ANIB Model 49 with a two inch barrel lists at $400 in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd Edition. An "excellent" Model 49 lists at $350. Is an extra inch of barrel worth $2149? As the photo to the left illustrates, I am a big fan of the Bodyguard frame. I believe it is the best pocket revolver ever designed, bar none. The only way to improve the gun was to make it lighter and stronger. If Smith & Wesson were to produce this frame in scandium, I might buy it today, regardless of the new gun price.

A buyer not only has to wonder if an extra inch of barrel is worth two grand, plus a Franklin and a half, but was it even a good decision when this revolver was special ordered? The Bodyguard revolver is a primo pocket gun, made for discreet, but instant self defense. It carries easily in a standard pocket by virtue of it's odd humpback shape. The shrouded hammer did allow single action as well as double action fire, but the real benefit of the Bodyguard frame is maintaining an upright and ready position all day long in a trouser pocket. These revolvers were not target guns, they were dedicated, life saving fighting guns. They were intended to be used at ranges under 20 feet, deployed swiftly from nowhere, and lit off at close range.

The three inch barrel would require a deeper pocket, and it would destroy the balance of the Bodyguard within the pocket, as well as slow the draw. The advantage of the three inch barrel is not in the increased sight radius for accuracy. If anything, the longer sight radius would be slower to come to sights if the sights were even going to be employed.

No, the advantage of the three inch barrel was a full length extractor rod, allowing for complete cartridge extraction and therefore greater insurance of a swift, sure reload. To reload the gun, of course, one must carry the weight of extra cartridges in a speedloading device. It begs the question, however, if a rapid and certain reload is the goal, why not carry a pair of two inch Model 38 Airweight Bodyguards and employ the New York reload? The total weight would be comparable to the heavier Model 49 and a prepared speedloader, the technique is faster, even more certain, and your pants are evenly weighted.

So getting back to the auction at hand.......I, personally, would not buy. The barrel length was an arguably poor decision when it was ordered, making the revolver an aberration, a deviation from a design that was at it's zenith. I give the seller kudos for honesty, but the revolver lacks original grips and the original box. That removes it from the collector realm, at least in that price range. The flatlatch and barrel length does make the revolver unusual and therefore desirable, but to me, it seems to be priced about two grand too high. Of course, the seller could be right, and a buyer may just be buying it a few years early at that price.

More on the S&W Bodyguard

My Next Smith & Wesson (I Hope)

One Smith & Wesson revolver I am still looking for is a M&P snubbie. A two incher with a round butt, and a half moon front sight.

At one time, these fine carry pieces apparently cost all of $55. Heck, for that kind of money, I would buy twenty and then another twenty next pay day!

I have several Model 10 snubs, but the M&P snub seems to be as unusual as turtle teeth around here. When I finally do find a Military & Police snub, I hope it will be finish worn, so I will consider it for carry.

A Tale of Two Bodyguards

When I titled this article a Tale of Two Bodyguards, I actually ignored two Bodyguards in my possession. I own a Smith & Wesson Model 49, Model 649, and now, two S&W Airweight Model 38's. This article is about the Airweights. The Smith & Wesson Model 38 is a superb carry gun. In my opinion, it is one of the best defensive carry guns, period.

My first Model 38 was a Michigan police supply gun, easily recognizable by the blued frame and stainless cylinder. It is not a pretty gun, it is entirely functional, with a custom grip given to me by a retired State Trooper. It has ridden in my pants pocket for several years.

There is a decided advantage to a J-frame in a pants pocket. You can have your hand on your weapon, in a firing grip, before your adversary even knows it is there. The snubby revolver will fire time and again with the muzzle pressed into a rib cage. If a fight goes to the ground (as most end up doing) this little lightweight power house is the gun to have.

The Model 38 has an aluminum frame, making it substantially lighter than it's steel framed brethren, the Model 49 and 649. The humpback configuration of the Bodyguard frame assists the revolver in staying positioned in a front pants pocket. The exposed nubbin of the hammer allows a single action shot if desired, while the concealed hammer prevents snagging on the draw.

Thus, when I found a pristine nickel Model 38 in a pawn shop, I jumped on it immediately. For $225, it was a steal. Along with the nickel finish, it has a smooth trigger face. Five years ago, there was a line drawn between pinned and unpinned revolvers among collectors. This revolver does not have a pinned barrel. Now, though it seems the dividing line is drawn between Smith & Wesson revolvers with and without locks. This revolver is a lock free dedicated carry gun. That it is a Model 38 is just gravy on the cake.

Smith & Wesson Model 34-1 .22/32 Kit Gun

When I went to the gun show, I was hoping to find an affordable S&W K-22. I found a Smith & Wesson in .22 long rifle, but it wasn't a K-22. The revolver I found was a Model 34-1, or a .22/32 "Kit Gun". A "kit gun" is a small handgun designed to be taken backpacking, camping, or hiking. In other words, it can fit in one's "kit" or knapsack.

The first .22/32 Kit guns were built on an I frame in 1935. The inexpensive ammunition and high quality craftsmanship made the little shooter an enduring combination. There were some improvements over the years, and in 1957, the .22/32 Kit Gun was assigned a model number of 34. In 1960, the J frame was adopted.

My Model 34-1 is easy to date as a 1968 revolver because it has no diamond on it's grips, and it does not have a letter prefix on it's serial number. That combination only occurred with the Model 34 in 1968. In addition, it is a round butt, pinned and recessed gun. When one considers that it can be carried in a pocket, and it digests the cheapest ammunition available, it is amazing this revolver can still be found for sale! The closest revolver offered by S&W today is the Model 317. Even so, the alloy framed modern rendition cannot hold a candle to the older gun.

Due to work constraints, I had to wait a few days to try out my new kit gun. After work today, I finally had the time. I thought about taking it to the range after work, but that just did not seem appropriate. Instead, I tossed the gun and a box of cheapo Federal ammunition into a rucksack, and I headed for a secluded spot along the river. I loaded up the revolver and walked among the willows looking for moccasins or at least a couple of dangerous tin cans to dispatch.

The snakes were avoiding the hundred degree heat, but I soon came face to face with a tomato can. It was a large Italian son of a bitch. It stared at me with an empty heart and piercing eyes. I took aim with the micrometer adjustable sights on my precision can killer, and I ventilated that empty can with a full cylinder of red hot .22 lead from a distance of 20-25 feet. The can tried to escape as I quickly fumbled six more rounds into the cylinder. I blasted away again as I approached the can, dispensing cold hard can justice on the soggy riverbank.

Because of it's size and caliber, it is inevitable that the S&W Model 34-1 will be compared to less expensive revolvers such as the H&R 923. The Model 34 Kit Gun is indeed a premium handgun for the person who wants a .22 pistol in their pocket. I paid $300 for this Model 34. A used revolver similar to this H&R 923 usually sells for $50-100. There is a huge difference in the craftsmanship, trigger pull, and ease of use that elevates the Smith & Wesson above the H&R. The H&R, however, carries nine rounds instead of six. Is the Smith six times better than the H&R? Hardly. The Smith, however, is worth $300. I have a feeling it will be traveling with me for a long time to come.

The Snubbie Formula

I went to the range this morning and I took along my most recent purchase, a Model 10-5 snubbie, among other handguns. The snubbie performed well, although every other handgun I shot punched tighter groups. "How can that be?" some might ask.

A snubnose revolver was never meant to be a target gun. They are dedicated defensive weapons. Accuracy is important in self defense, but so is speed. There is a compromise between "accurate enough" and fast enough. It is in this world that the snubbie comes into it's on. The short sight radius of the snubbie allows it to come to sights faster than a six inch or even a four inch barreled gun. Noticeably quicker. Measurably quicker. Not as accurately, but accurate enough to consistently hit a paper plate at 20 feet. On the move.

The snubnosed revolver has other advantages. It will fire when the muzzle is pressed into a target. It has second strike capability. It has revolver reliability. Diligencia, vis, celeritas......Accuracy, power, and speed. If the equation is reliability plus speed divided by accuracy, the answer to the formula just might be a snubbie.

A Nickel Model 10 Snub

A couple of days ago I had swung into Amber's old pawn shop, now managed by Kenny, and discovered a rather scarce Model 10. Kenny had this nickel Model 10-5 snubbie priced at $179. Unfortunately, it wore some horrendous grips but the finish had just enough wear to make it a gun to continue using.

Looking at the pinned barrel and the level of workmanship, I suspected the hillbilly grips covered a C or a D prefix on the serial number. When I got the revolver home and removed the Bubba wood, I was rewarded with a D prefix, and a probable seventies era date on the revolver.

I used some 0000 steel wool and BreakFree to polish up the nickel until it glistened like a new dime. Next, I took off the sideplate to inspect the lockwork. The revolver housed some hidden rust in it's interior, but a bit of elbow grease got rid of it. I then lightly oiled the lockwork with BreakFree, and placed a dab of Tetra grease on the sear.

Digging through my box of spare grips, I was pleased to find a set of Seventies era magna grips with no serial number stamped inside. They would be perfect. Only the rear corner of one grip had to be massaged to achieve a fit that rivaled a factory set of grips.

Months ago, I had purchased an absolutely pristine Model 10-5 snub in blue, that I have declined to carry. It is just to perfect. This nickel snubbie will give me a perfect K frame revolver for carry. It's a crying shame they don't make them like this any more!

A New Gun, an Old Memory

I gained a new gun today. It was quite unexpected. The Coroner contacted me and asked if I was interested. A swirl of memories enveloped me from the time I was a young nurse in home care.

She was a little black lady who sweltered in a one room apartment hellhole that summer. It was an old cinder block motel that had been converted to quarters for the disadvantaged and elderly. Window unit air conditioners had been removed, sold, and the resulting holes covered with cardboard and chuffs. The doors were screen door frames with cardboard scotch taped and stapled on. When I first saw her, she was sitting on a stool eating a bowl of Cheerios and water. There were as many roaches in the bowl as cereal. With each spoonful more vermin scampered up her arm and into her hair to escape her toothless mouth. She did not care. She was quite blind and psychotic, babbling along about Lazarus and twelve thieves. Adult Protective Services had closed her case because she said she liked where she lived.

She had neither family nor friends. I contacted the Coroner to have her removed. As the toilet flushed in the adjacent room, raw sewage spewed across her floor through a broken clay pipe. A crazed crackhead cursed the cold while warming his hands over a 55 gallon drum of burning garbage outside as the Coroner arrived. The slum lord later arrived at the psych ward to try to gain her release. My administrator assisted the slum lord in having her placed right back in the same hellhole. I was called on the carpet and threatened with my job. I told them they could have it.

Today, years later, as I hold her effects from that day, I realize she was not as unprotected as I once thought she was. I wonder, too, if she was as blind.

Range Report

Gun Show Night Excursions

After dinner tonight, I excused myself to return to the gunshow. The rain had ceased, and I had a couple of hours to wander the aisles. Not many people were there, the rain had chased them away. The "rare" Model 28 chambered in .44 Special had sold. The Seecamp Commander was still there.

As I was digging through a pile of holsters, someone poked me in the ribs. I turned to see a nurse I used to work with in the hospital. Along with her smile, Leigh carried a brown paper sack. We made a bit of small talk, and I remarked that I never expected to see her there. She laughed and said that she needed to sell a gun, but did not really know how. I asked to see it.

Leigh pulled an absolutely flawless Smith & Wesson Model 10-5 snubbie from her paper bag. Even the backstrap was pristine. There was a little soot on the front of the cylinder to show that it had been fired at one time. I asked what she wanted for it, and she said she did not know. She said she had found it in her mother's dresser drawer after her death. I gave Leigh my condolences, and told her that any of the dealers would likely offer her $100 or so for her gun.

I asked her if she wanted to keep it, after all, it was her mother's gun. Leigh said no. So, I offered her $200. I had long ago decided that I would pay up to $200 for a Model 10 snubbie if one ever surfaced. Leigh asked me if I was sure. I assured her I was, and broke out the cash. Then Leigh asked if it was legal. To ease her fears I waved over a Sheriff's deputy I knew for her to ask. Lester assured Leigh the sale was legal and she would not end up in Angola. Money and property changed hands.

At last, I had located a S&W Model 10 snubbie, and the irony is, it is so nice I am loathe to carry it! It is a 100% original gun, with a pinned barrel, and a deep lustrous blue that would make the Pacific jealous. I left the show with a spring in my step, and found the stars sparkling outside.

Reasons I Like a J Frame in My Pocket

1. It's better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it.
2. I never have to wonder if a round is chambered.
3. It will fire with the muzzle pressed into ribs.
4. There is no safety to disengage.
5. I never have to worry about keeping it covered.
6. I can discreetly have my hand on my gun while assessing a situation.

My old beat up Smith & Wesson Model 38 wears grips that were given to me by a patient who was a State Trooper. I once compared it to a modern S&W scandium gun at the gun counter, and it was every bit as light in the informal lefty righty hand heft test. The bodyguard style frame rides in a pocket superbly, and cannot snag on the draw.

I will often carry a 1911 if I take time to strap on a holster, and have a cover garment. All to often, I just take the little J frame from the hook it hangs on in it's holster, slip in my pocket and go.