[Polishrifleman]

I am a proud owner of one and after finally shooting it regularly I can't hit the broad side of anything let alone a barn.:banghead: I am shooting at 7yds and after some general discussion am leaning toward re-griping it. It doesn't seem to line up in my hand very well, any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks ahead of time for your help.

[fiVe]

Polishrifleman:

I would never claim to be a 642 marksman, but I found that it helps (for me, at least) to hold the grip lower such that the web of my hand is more mid way of the grip (I use the standard boot grip). My pinkie has nowhere to rest so I just sort of curl it up underneath the bottom. This may seem kind of strange, but for me, accuracy and recoil control are better.

Hope this helps. YMMV.

R/fiVe

[CPLofMARINES]

From one Polish rifleman to another, S&W 642, that's my wife's carry pistol.
She did'nt like the factory grip so she had a set of Hogue grips installed, the one's with the finger grooves, not to big, not to small, not sure of the model
number. Has a better feel and reduces felt recoil. The 642 with +p's does feel like a .357 mag. Practice squeezing the trigger real slow (milk it). There should be a pause just before it breaks. Sit at home and dry fire the hell out of it, break it in.


Semper Fi!!

[TX1911fan]

Yep, dry fire, dry fire, dry fire! I improved greatly as a result.

[BluesBear]

Double action shooting the small frame does take some discipiline and practice.
Chances are it's your technique that's causing the problem.

Try using this target;
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=21640

[BluesBear]

Print it out first. :D

[The Good]

"Print it out first. "

oops. lucky i was on my downstairs computer

[magnumcarry]

the 642 has a two stage triger, slowly pull back the triger until you hear a "click" then pull back a little more until you hear the second "click" hold it right there, take aim and then a little more on the triger and "BOOM" it takes a little to get used to it but lots of dry firing will help.

[rich e]

Try some reloads that are not that stout..I shoot the tightest groups with mild reloads..

[fiVe]

the 642 has a two stage triger, slowly pull back the triger until you hear a "click" then pull back a little more until you hear the second "click" hold it right there

Interesting. The trigger on my 642 has no clicks--just a smooth pull until the trigger breaks.

[Nortonics]

It doesn't seem to line up in my hand very well, any suggestions would be appreciated.

Use the sights. ;)

Then get used to the way it feels like you're shooting toward the ground. Plant your hand high on the grip - get the web between your thumb and finger right up there at the top of the grip and grip tightly.

[pfgrone]

My 642 trigger was very "gritty" and I had a hard time holding on target while pulling through the trigger pull. My shooting was so bad that I was considering selling it. However, I had a trigger job done by a good gunsmith - slight change in springs, polishing the trigger mechanism - and it made all the difference in the world. Cost around $90. Now I really enjoy shooting the 642 and accuracy has improved very much because the trigger is very smooth. Now its a keeper.

Haven't heard of many other 642 owners who had a problem with their triggers but if yours feels rough, a trigger job might be worth considering.
Paul