[combatpreacher]

Just retired the old model 60 for a new 642 (38 +p)...was wondering just how strong these really are and if anyone has encountered any problems.

I will fire mostly standard 38...with Cor Bon 110 +p for carry...any thoughts?

[Technosavant]

Unless your hands are made out of cast iron and impervious to recoil, you'll be handing the gun down to your children.

Now go make sure you say hi in The 642 Club thread. :D Be sure to read it all; there is a test.

[combatpreacher]

Thanks techno...its good to hear!

[bpisler]

The cor-bons might shoot low from your
642,i believe they are sighted in with
158gr 38's.That being said my 642-2
shoots 125gr +P's POA at 10 yards.The
158's print about 2½" high at the same
distance.

[combatpreacher]

Thanks bpisler...I plan on trying a mixed bag...I'll start with the 158/125 +p range and see what happens.

[Doggieman]

The 642 eats +P like candy. It ain't the prettiest thing, and you'll get plenty of wear on the alum. where the stainless contacts it, but it'll last.

[Sistema1927]

The Speer Gold Dot 135 +P is the preferred carry round for your 642. Specially designed for the short barrel revolver, this is the bullet that makes the 642 almost perfect.

[combatpreacher]

Excellent...we carried speer gold dots in our duty weapons when I was on the road...never let anyone down that I heard of...Thanks!

[Ohen Cepel]

I don't see me ever wearing one out. Not much fun to shoot , too many other more pleasant guns in the safe.

[StrikeEagle]

I don't see me ever wearing one out. Not much fun to shoot , too many other more pleasant guns in the safe.

I agree with this.

I LIKE the 642... and it lives in my pocket. But yeah... it sure isn't fun to shoot. :uhoh:

[ArmedBear]

There's a built-in anti-wear mechanism engineered into the gun. Your hand will wear out before the 642 does.

[JNewell]

There's a built-in anti-wear mechanism engineered into the gun. Your hand will wear out before the 642 does.

That's the most clever expression of this general thought I've read in years. Very nice. :D

[combatpreacher]

Amen...

[gopguy]

I would still advise doing most of your practice with standard factory loads to reduce wear and tear.

[silverstar]

Has anyone tried shooting a 642 ( I have one) with a M60 original S&W rubber grip (which is larger than the original 642 grip)?

I've yet to shoot mine but have a M60 rubber grip on it.

[John C]

Silverstar;

Yes, I've done the exact same thing (well, the grip off my 640-1, which I assume is the same grip). I had to qualify with my 642 in order to carry it on duty as a back up. Our qualification runs all the way out to 25 yards, so I changed the grips in order to make it easier to hit at that distance. I liked them so much I kept it on. I then ordered a similar, aftermarket grip from CDNN for $3.99 so they both have larger grips. The minute extra size is worth it, especially since I don't pocket carry, where the larger grips wouldn't work.

BTW, I scored higher on qualification with the 642 than my G17. It's really accurate, even to 25 yards.

-John

[silverstar]

Cool......THX John....I figured the larger grips would make the 642 easier to handle......I have wood on my M60 so I put its rubber grips to good use on my 642....I just ordered a Don Humes JIT OWB for the 642...I've been pocket carrying it 'til now...

[Ichiro]

My new 642 has CTC 205 laser grips, which make it really, really fun to shoot. Even with FBI loads, it is really, really fun to shoot. Without the laser grips, who knows? Never tried it.

~Ichiro

[rickr44318]

Combatpreacher, congrats - I think you will like the 642 as a carry gun.

Grips: After a few firings, I found that the stock stubby grips didn't give me enough to hold on to. I tried the Uncle Mike's Combat grips - they fit my hand better but made front-pocket carry just a bit too awkward. I took the Pachmayr Compac grips from a S&W 36 that I have, and that arrangement has worked the best for me so far - it provides something for my pinky to latch onto, yet I can wear it, even in jeans, in a Mika pocket holster with a hangout shirt covering the front. In Docker-type biz-casual pants with deeper straight front pockets, no problem. In a belt holster that snugs the gun into your waist, even better.

Welcome to the Club. r/