SIGforum
P365 vs. S&W 638

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https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/2850044654

May 06, 2019, 04:41 PM
Warhorse
P365 vs. S&W 638
I bought my 365 two weeks ago, and today I put my 500th flawless round through it. It is an amazing little pistol to say the least. I have wanted one for about a year now, but wanted to wait for the "bugs" to be worked out of it. Today it is going to become my primary EDC, completely replacing my 638.

I never thought I would be saying this, but This little gem has made my 638 "obsolete". It fits in the same pocket holsters that I have used for years for my snubby, carries six more rounds, with ten more on tap for a much speedier reload. The sights are far better, and coupled with a one inch longer barrel, it is decidedly easier to shoot superior groups, much faster than the 638. The 9mm also supposedly has a little more "oomph" than the .38Spl.

I am more than pleased with this choice!


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May 06, 2019, 07:23 PM
ScotP7
Agree with all your points.
But that knowledge of a 638 BANG is just so comforting.
May 06, 2019, 08:00 PM
ARMT Guy
My 365 replaced a G43, 938 and a Kahr P380.

For just over year and 1500 rounds later, my 365 is still the daily carry/BUG.




"Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying who shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, here am I, send me."




May 06, 2019, 08:11 PM
G-Man
Agree completely. My Smith 642 is gathering dust in the safe.
May 06, 2019, 08:12 PM
sigarms229
Agree with your logic.

I currently have 2 P365's and 2 J frames but will probably sell of 1 of the J frames as they are somewhat obsolete for me.....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sigarms229,



Sometimes, you gotta roll the hard six
May 06, 2019, 08:45 PM
Strambo
Welcome to the 20th Century pal! Big Grin

Totally kidding of course! Wink I do like revolvers, but they are just so size-inefficient compared to an auto.

On its own, my wife's 686 Nightguard with it's 2.5" barrel doesn't look that big. Until one day I compared it to my P226, and it is pretty much the exact length and height, wider 'cause of the cylinder, and under half the capacity (similar weight with edge to the Smith). I know it's not a j-frame, but it is a short barreled "medium" frame revolver and it is full-size auto in size. Sweet trigger though and she really likes it, all that matters.

P365 will be the next gun I buy...I don't have a pocket gun.




“People have to really suffer before they can risk doing what they love.” –Chuck Palahnuik

Be harder to kill: https://preparefit.ck.page
May 06, 2019, 09:23 PM
tgmr05
The 365 is definitely a game changer. It shoots so well, it competes with guns almost twice its size. It is compact enough, it competes with pocket guns with half the capacity. Were it not for the ability to fire repeatedly while enclosed in a pocket or other close quarters that would impede a slide, the enclosed/covered hammer j frames could be considered obsolete.
May 06, 2019, 10:23 PM
radioman
It is interesting to compare the size to that of the P365 to the J-frame. interesting indeed.

But don't sell that j-frame just yet Wink it's an old friend.


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Let's Go Brandon!
May 06, 2019, 10:48 PM
dehughes
I think I'm headed this route as well. Have a Ruger LCR or a HK P30 as my current carry options. My P320 Carry shoots so well that a compact version of it that's as or more portable than my LCR is appealing...especially with the P365 manual safety version on the horizon.


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tempus edax rerum
May 07, 2019, 01:33 AM
BBMW
Since you have both, I'd like to request that you take some size comparison shots of the two of them together, showing the length, width, and height differences.

Thanks.
May 07, 2019, 02:59 AM
longjohn
You will come back to the j frame. Your 365, while a great pistol is 6 oz. Heavier when fully loaded. The first time you need something light weight for your pocket you will be glad for the airweight all over again.
May 07, 2019, 06:38 AM
18DAI
With all the advancements in single stack sub compact 9mms - and the advent of the P365 - the 5 shot snub is at the very least, obsolete.

I sold my last J-frame when I aquired my single stack CS9. I have never missed it.

Congrats on your 365 OP! A very fine little 9mm! Regards 18DAI


7+1 Rounds of hope and change
May 07, 2019, 03:51 PM
arfmel
I have both and carry my 638 more than the P365. The 638’s easy use with a snake load outweighs magazine capacity for my purposes on the ranch.
May 07, 2019, 04:25 PM
BBMW
Okay, but that's a very specific use. Most people carry these guns for use on two legged critters, not no legged critters.

quote:
Originally posted by arfmel:
I have both and carry my 638 more than the P365. The 638’s easy use with a snake load outweighs magazine capacity for my purposes on the ranch.

May 07, 2019, 05:16 PM
dewhorse
quote:
Originally posted by arfmel:
I have both and carry my 638 more than the P365. The 638’s easy use with a snake load outweighs magazine capacity for my purposes on the ranch.


I was going to say the same...I carry a PM9 or a LC9s daily but when hunting the snake load made my LCR my go to.

Then I started carrying my M29 with 2 snake loads followed by the normal Hornady 300gr'ers.

Works for me.

Still looking for a cheap Bulldog but I think that's just nostalgia speaking......pocket 9s make more sense.
May 07, 2019, 08:02 PM
longjohn
See thread about "interesting malfunction with my P365".
Yep- you will return to the j frame so don't sell your 638
May 07, 2019, 08:45 PM
parabellum
Obsolete? Snap out of it, gents. The J frame's been around since the 1950s. These are superb little revolvers. No, they're not fun to shoot with +P ammunition, no fun at all. Kinda hard to hit your target at any distance, too. These little revolvers take practice. You don't want to half-ass it if you carry one, and I did carry a pre-lock 638 for many years. I still keep it loaded, and at contact distance, I'll screw up a BG's day.

The only time I've ever experienced a malfunction with a J frame was with an old Model 36 a friend of mine had, that at some point been exposed to moisture. The internals were a bit rusted, I think. Every few rounds, pulling the trigger resulted in the cylinder indexing to the next round, but the hammer wouldn't move, so, no bang. I squirted about a half can of WD-40 into it, dry-fired it a bunch, shook it dry and we were back in business.

Let's have a bit of perspective, shall we? The J frame was in service before most here were born. The P365 is is a puppy that's barely gotten its eye open.


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"I am your retribution." - Donald Trump, speech at CPAC, March 4, 2023
May 08, 2019, 04:47 AM
Gibb
Until I can see the P365 shot and cycle rat/ snake shot, I'll keep my 638 for lawnmower/ yard work duty at least.

2 shots of cci shotshells, 2 shots lawman .38, 1 shot FMJ should cover most things in my yard, at least enough to get me back to the house.




I shall respect you until you open your mouth, from that point on, you must earn it yourself.
May 08, 2019, 05:52 AM
druryj
The S&W 340PD and it's sibling, the 360PD, are amazing little revolvers. What are we talking about here...like 11 oz of lightweight .357 power at the ready? Holy Cow, it's darn sure a handful to shoot, but very comforting knowing that kind of power is in your pocket. I carry it with .38 + p though, I figure out of that tiny barrel, it's about all I'm gonna be able to get anyway, plus, it doesn't put your wrist and arm in a sling quite as fast as shooting full power .357 loads through it! I love me some tiny Airweights, especially the Scandium/Titanium Airlite models.
May 08, 2019, 11:33 AM
Warhorse
quote:
Originally posted by longjohn:
See thread about "interesting malfunction with my P365".
Yep- you will return to the j frame so don't sell your 638

Why... do you think this problem is common to the 365 platform?


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