Somewhere circa 2007-2009 Smith built a variant of the venerable Airweight that is probably the one most of us want. They made 2.5” barrels, with pin-on front sights, of the 637, 638, and 642. These particular guns not only have a little more barrel length to improve shooting, they have a full length ejector rod, that is also fully shrouded. But err on the side of just short enough for pocket carry where the 3” guns are a tad too long. For whatever reason, Smith discontinued this variant after ~18-months on the catalog and finding one is a challenge. I’ve lusted after one for years and in the middle of last year, I spotted a 638 version on Gunbroker. Unfortunately, I wasn’t going to be back on Texas anytime soon, but a good friend offered to help me out, he bought it and held on to it, until I could get down to see him. $460 and 7-months later...I am quite happy...
It’s not done yet. Firstly, the early gen CT grips are heinously thin in cross-section and have no flare at the butt and make recoil terrible. A set of VZs should solve that problem. Second, what good is a pin-in front sight if it’s just a black ramp? A Trijicon night sight will soon make it’s way onto this gun. Finally, the hell hole has got to go, so a fresh “plug” will solve that. The trigger on the gun is actually quite good, better than my 642 and frankly one of the better J-frames I’ve felt. I find myself of a mixed mind on the humpback, but I don’t hate it. And besides, in 10+ years of searching this is the only one I’ve found for sale...