Ok after searching the net a bit I found this info....is it correct?

The Chiefs Special and Bodyguard are the same except the hammer is shrouded on the bodyguard and it has a manual cocking button, both are SA or DA while the Centennial is DAO.

If that's correct guessing it all really just comes down to preference. If you want to shoot SA and DA you need to choose between bodyguard and chiefs, probably lean bodyguard if you are carrying. If you don't care about SA then the Centennial.

So I understand the functional differences in SA and DA, but why/when would I use one or the other?

Before you get hung up on the SA issue, consider how the weapon was meant to be used. It is an up close rapid fire weapon. I have both visible hammer models (60, 317 and 637) and enclosed hammer (640 and 642 ),there is no such thing as a hammerless J Frame. SA is for precise, aimed fire which is not a real purpose for the J Frame, albeit this can be done. I have the visible hammer models primarily just because I wanted more J Frames! Besides that they are cute and sexy, remind me of all my favorite private eye movies! That said, I EDC the 642 in the pocket or the 640 in a belt holster. There is less to snag and less chance of gumming up the internals with lint and cookie crumbs!

the dao versions reduce the possibility of a "hair trigger" and removes the "accidential discharge" argument in a self-defense shooting......

the single action function is to obtain a greater level of "pinpoint" accuracy easier.....though many a fan of dao shooting just might argue different.....

dao shooting can be very accurate with practice.

for ccw, i prefer a snag free profile in the model 640 and the 638. All shooting i do is double action, center mass, and quick.......

Originally Posted by wjh2657

...consider how the weapon was meant to be used.

that's actually whats making the process harder. I carry a semi-auto now. More then likely it will be in its case and used at the range. It could be used for home SD...not sure if I will ever carry it. I am also considering the larger framed ones to....but was leaning towards the J frame since the possibility of carrying exists.

What frame S&W's are the most fun to play with at the range? Unfortunately you don't see a bunch of different revolvers at the range to rent....I guess I need to make some friends with guns so I can shoot their stuff!

The process just got harder: All J -Frames are fun to play with! For all around general purpose the Bodyguards are probably your best bet.

The one I have the most fun with is my 1 7/8" barreled 317 in .22 LR. I shoot it daily with CCI CBs at a bullet trap in my gargae for practice.

i am looking at the revolver for my next purchase also. not intending to cc i have moved up to the k frame in s & w. when i started looking, the 686 with a 6" barrel really got my attention. i like the added value of the 357 for self defense/home protection with the option to shoot 38 at the range for practice.

a friend has the 686 with a 4" barrel and is much more accurate at the range than i am. if you will be shooting/practicing beyond the 25-30 yard, look for a longer barrell.

just my thoughts

john

Originally Posted by chris441

...[Models] 60(Chiefs Special), 640(Centennial), and 649(Bodyguard)...Do any of them have a manual safety? [emphasis added]...

Double-action and so-called double-action-only revolvers have no need for a separate safety. The long, fairly stiff DA trigger pull is safety enough, and you must never put one into SA (pre-cocked, as it were) unless you really, truly intend to shoot something.
(You—or someone—said "hair trigger": Well, that isn't exactly correct, because the SA trigger pull will be somewhere between three and six pounds. "Hair trigger" implies a pull weight in ounces. But it will be much easier to set the gun off from SA-cocked than ever it would be by DA.)
Someone does make an accessory safety device for S&W revolvers. It (expensively) turns the gun's cylinder release into a safety lever. Push forward to release the cylinder, or push upwards to put the safety "on." You can perhaps see in your mind the possible SNAFUs to which this device could lead. Bad idea for a defensive weapon, I think.
Rather than relying on unnecessary mechanical safety devices, I suggest that you would do better to rely instead upon the "universal safety device" that resides within your head, between your ears.

Originally Posted by chris441

Do any of them have a manual safety?

Of those models, no.

The model 40 does have a grip safety and is commonly referred to as the "Lemon squeezer"

I'm not sure that I'd call a grip safety a "manual safety."
Maybe I misconstrued the OP's question, but to me a "manual safety" means a device like that of a 1911: something that you turn on or off as a separate act.

Originally Posted by Steve M1911A1

Rather than relying on unnecessary mechanical safety devices, I suggest that you would do better to rely instead upon the "universal safety device" that resides within your head, between your ears.

I agree with your statement 100% and thanks for the trigger information. I haven't shot a revolver yet so I haven't felt that long trigger pull....I prefer no safety but it always seems easier to get the wife's buy in if the gun has one Its always the first thing she asks me about any weapon I am considering and this would probably be the weapon that she would grab if ever needed since she can't rack the slide on my XD quickly.

Thanks for everyone's help. I still haven't decided what I want but I have a lot info to make my decision.