S&W 649, what velocity and weight are the factory fixed sight regulated at?

[308w]

Had a s&w 637 it was regulated for 158 about 750 or 800 fps, it worked out real well because a +p 158 hit about 5 or 6 inches high at 25 yards and was back on at 50. It went the way of the cracked frame, so got a 649 that is steel, but have not had a chance to shoot it enough to tell what its regulated for. It shoots way low with any 38 load.


Would like to know what combo has shot to the sights for any of you who may have a current made version of the 649. Thanks

[Treeman]

Low is good -you can pick the load you like and file down the front sight until it is "on".

[308w]

Tree man you are right about that but the front sight is so low now there is not much room for filing, its not but about .200 tall maybe a little less, and my 48 year old eyes ain't near as good as they once were so a smaller front sight is not a good alternative.
I was just wanting to know at what velocity a 158 would hit poa at 15 or so yards.

[bhn22]

My 649 357 mag shoots to the sights out to perhaps 15 yards with 158 gr Federal Hydrashoks. I have a Pachmayer "Compac" grip on it, which plays a major part in how naturally the gun "points". The factory 3 groove Uncle Mikes grips worked pretty good, but the slightly larger diameter of the Pachs made a major difference. Now, same gun, but with 38 wadcutters shoots four inches high out to 15 yards. 125 gr 38 Spl +P shoots high too. Mine shows a definite preference to fast, heavy bullets. In your situation, I'd try hot 158 gr.

[FergusonTO35]

My 10-5 and 642 are dead on with any 158 grain load. I would be surprised if the 649 was sighted for something else.

[Scharfschuetze]

That 649 will jump quite a bit with 357 loads so I would not do any filing until you try a full gamut of magnum loads to check for its true zero. With the increased recoil and muzzle whip, they should shoot higher than the 38 loads that you tried. As Ferguson suggests, try a 158 grain 357 Magnum load to get it to shoot at or close to the point of aim.

These little J frames are not all that comfortable to shoot with magnum loads, but that's probably what its regulated for.

[Treeman]

308w, Ah. No sight at all IS a problem. FWIW, Velocity has virtually no effect because as you speed up you also increase recoil AND decrease barrel time so a given weight bullet winds up exiting the bore at almost the same angle of departure at any achievable speed. How you grip can have a significant effect on POI because it changes how the gun rotates in the hand due to recoil. A change of grip or stocks could make a difference for you. Another option would be 200 grain bullets- "Return of the 'Super Police' load".

[catboat]

I have a S&W 49 (blued) in 38 special. I load a wheel weight alloy Lee tumble lube 148 grain wadcutter over 3.25 grains of Bullseye. I don't have a chronograph. It shoots about 1 inch to the right of point of aim, and dead on for elevation at about 10 yards.

I have both Pachmayr compacs and Uncle Mike's "boot" grip. Both are MUCH better for me for pointability, comfort and "holdability" for my big palmed, average finger size hands, than the tiny factory wood grips. I like the boot grip best overall for pointability and packability.

If I had to guess at my MV for that load, I'd say about 800-825 fps.

I want to say, but not 100% sure, that the sights on the model 49 were regulated for a 158 grain lead bullet at "factory" velocities. Again, not positive.

I've loaded up to 3.5 grains of Bullseye in my model 49 with the Lee 148 grain TL bullet. Very snappy (and accurate). I dropped the load down to 3.25 grains of BE. Snappy enough, and still accurate (as in 5 shots in about 1 inch at 10 yards, with 2 handed, rested shooting. Works for my needs.

[308w]

I wish it had a set of sights like smith puts on their hi falutin 640, a fixed rear in a dove tail and a taller front sight. But oh well, I just have not fired much 357 ammo thru it yet and I figure that a full power 150-160 will regulate, I was just seeking imput from some who may have gone before. I figure somewhere between 950 and 1150 it will hit point of aim. And if that still shot low I'm sure a 180 would work. I'll just have to experiment and see what it takes. Thanks all....

[bhn22]

BTW, the factory "Combat" wooden fingergroove boot grips are a cruel joke with heavy loads. If you're going to shoot heavy loads I recommend rubber grips, preferably long enough for 3 fingers.

[35remington]

Catboat, a much better than guess because I have actually chronographed the same bullet with same same charge in a similar length barrel is about 750-760 fps or so for your Bullseye/wadcutter load.