[Fenderskirt66]

Hey all! This seems like a super great forum and I am looking forward to both contributing and learning from all of you. A bit about me - Name is Kelly and I have been an avid firearms fan and recreational target plinker for 20+ years. I have 4 years active duty USMC experience and enjoy shooting all types of weapons. My favorite pistol is my trusty Ruger MKII competition target. I am relatively new to revolvers and am looking to Conceal Carry.

I have my sights on a used 642 with Crimson Trace grips, Dom Hume IWB leather holster, with matching speed loader and pouch, with a box of ammo. The revolver is reported to have approx 250 rounds shot through it and looks new. All the original documentation and case come with the gun. The seller is looking to finance another firearm purchase is the reason for selling. He started at $525, then came down to $500 and is now down to $475. He has offered to meet me at a pistol range to let me test fire it too. He seems very honest and I haven't seen a better deal to date.

What do you all think? What should I check for on a used 642? I have attached some pics that they guy sent me as well.

Yay or Nay?

Thanks!
Kelly

[rainbowbob]

With the CT grip it sounds like a good deal to me. You should check out the 642 club thread here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=314422

[Fenderskirt66]

Thanks for the thumbs up RainbowBob...I also posted over in the 642 thread. That thread looks very informative..I have some reading in my future.

[brockgl]

Absolutely a good deal. Those CT grips + the Don Hume Holster alone probably cost him over $350. I would take him up on his offer to let you test fire it, and if it shoots straight and feels solid jump on it!!

[swampshooter]

my ccw is a S&W 342. same gun only scandium construction. i like it very much. some individual examples shoot to point of aim and others do not. by all means i would test fire it and if it suits, you buy it. crimson trace grips are great,and adjustable, i can see the dot at over 300yds. at nite.

[rainbowbob]

brockgl is right about the value of the CT grips and the holster. You really should grab this deal!

I also suggest you purchase a Mika pocket holster (hand made by Chief Robert Mika). For about $20 you will have the perfect pocket concealment. The 642 is light-weight and works well in most pockets.

Click here for more info on Mika's pocket holster:
http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/

P.S. Welcome to THR!

[Fenderskirt66]

Wow, I am truly impressed with the amount of feedback I have received in such little time. You guys rock! I sounds like a pretty decent deal from the sounds of it. I am communicating with the guy now and will keep you all posted as to how it all works out. He lives about 4 hours North of here so we are going to meet in the middle at a range for testing and possible transaction. Im getting pretty excited about the possibility of CC my 642.

Later,
Kelly

[TonyB]

get it..now....I carry a 642 in my pocket everyday.....I was looking for the CT grips,but for the price I can buy another used gun;)
welcome to the highroad,it's addicting.
the only draw back.....jealousy when people like YOU get the good deals.:cool:

[Fenderskirt66]

HA! Appreciate the nudge TonyB :)

Hey all- the seller says he is fine doing a bill of sale transfer on the gun. Question is, how do I go about registering the firearm via this process? Anybody have input on this transaction? I wonder if perhaps the range we meet up at can do some sort of registration for me?



Thanks,
Kelly

[Master Blaster]

You dont need to register a gun unless there is a specific KS law that says you do, there is no federal registration requirement.
You do need a concealed carry permit to CCW check your states Laws for the rules.

Do you like the CT grip?, many folks pocket carry 642s myself included, The CT makes it less pocketable,its an up close personal defense weapon. IMHO if I need to use it the CT while cool, will not come into play.
The Don hume holster is an IWB does that style of carry fit your lifestyle??

You may be better off spending $400 on a new 642, and getting a pocket holster. If you dont plan to ccw the weapon, then consider a 686 or a 4" barreled K frame, easier to shoot and you can shoot magnums with less felt recoil, than the 642 with .38 +P.

OTOH you may be able to sell the CT grip and the holster and recover $150-200 of your investment right here on the for sale forum.



JMHO YMMV.

[Noxx]

get it..now....I carry a 642 in my pocket everyday.....I was looking for the CT grips,but for the price I can buy another used gu

CT grips, especially on the 642, are worth more than another gun, imho. I love those suckers. A 642 is a "right here, right now" sorta gun, I don't foresee being able to get a good sight picture if I need to use it.

That covered, if the gun is in good shape, it's absolutely a good deal, jump on it.

[Fenderskirt66]

Hey Master Blaster, that's some really good advice about possibly selling the grips and holster if they don't work out. I rented a 642 last weekend to try it for the first time, and the rental only had the factory grips with the exposed aluminum, which was pretty harsh on the old hand after 2 boxes of ammo. Anyone know what the used Crimson Grips might sell for? I'm going to search right after this post.

Thanks Again,
Kelly

[JCMAG]

A good deal on CT grips can run you around 250 bucks and up. More if they have the S&W logo.

I'd bet you could get 150 dollars on them if they're in excellent condition. Not bad. But don't rush into selling them, you just might enjoy using them. My father has a set on his Sig 220 and it's great fun, especially in low light.

[glockman19]

YES it's a good deal. A S&W 642 nib runs $400 ans $229 for the CTC Laser Grips. I bought a used 442 for $325. adding grips would put it in the range your seeing.

[GEM]

How are you going to carry the gun? That's the decision point for me.

For me the 642 exists to be a pocket gun. If I belt carry, then I have better guns for that. The CT grip on it isn't a good pocket grip. The 405 is the best.

A new 642 goes around here for $399. The 405 grips for $230 ish.

So I say, if it is going to be a pocket gun, try to make a deal for the gun itself for about $325-350 and let him keep the grips and holster.

I have a 642 and 405s as a pocket combo but if I go IWB, it's a more potent semi.

[Fenderskirt66]

I really appreciate all the helpful advice you guys are offering, it is weighing heavily in my decision to purchase the gun. Can you all tell by the pics I posted if this 642 has the lock or not? I forgot to ask the seller and just emailed him for clarification.

Thanks,
Kelly

[Master Blaster]

Yes the pics you posted show the gun has the lock its the black pimple above the cylinder release.

Its easy to remove the lock flag and disable the lock, its what I did to mine.

[Fenderskirt66]

Hey Fellas, please help me with my delima, and it is not my intention to open up another thread in discussing the integrated lock for S&W's. I merely just want to ensure I am making the right decision here before buying a used 642.

Since I read about the $30 rebate S&W is doing starting in OCT, this now brings the cost of a new 642 W\O Lock down to $400. I can maybe pick up this guys CT grip for $125 bringing the total cost of ownership to approx $550 by the time you add in tax.

I hesitate to buy this guys used 642 CT for $475 because of the following-
1. He has shot approx 500 rounds of +p ammo through it, who knows if that number is accurate. Worried about wear and tear I guess.
2. He later told me there is a cosmetic scratch on the outside frame ( not a biggie, but still a factor to consider)
3. Integrated lock concerns me just a bit.
4. For about $75 more, I can have a new 642 without the lock and used CT grips and have the peace of mind of knowing the history.

Am I worrying too much and should suck it up and buy the used pistol?
Or should I shoot for the new configuration and never look back?

Thanks In Advance,
Kelly

[rondog]

You don't have it yet?!?! Let's see, how fast can I get to Wichita.....

[thesecond]

The club 642 thread, parts one and two, is a great source of information, from grips to training, ammunition, refinishing, and maintenance. Everything. If you're not in a hurry, I'd suggest having a read. The Crimson Trace grips offered are the 305 version. If you're looking to CCW eventually, the 405's will be a better choice, with a recoil-reducing air-pocket backstrap, and a slimmer boot-style grip. The 305's and 405's are about the same price, and you can find a pair of either on this site. (I just sold two pairs of new CT-105's for $130, shipped, just last week.) The IWB holster shown is a nice one, and expensive, but a synthetic Uncle Mike's, or Mika, or Ace Case, Bianchi pocket holster will do the trick forever.

The lock/no-lock (pre-lock) debate is another often-discussed subject on this, and other forums. Short answer: reports of engagement of the lock to the "locked" (non-firing) position through the use of "airlite" (scandium/titanium) and +p or magnum rounds, though I've not heard of an "ILS" (integral locking system) 642 "airweight" doing that. It's enough to make you think twice, but many here don't see a problem with it. (I only buy used pre-lock or no-lock models.)

Smith and Wesson just had a run of 3,000-4,000 NEW no-lock models, through authorized distributors in the last two months, and there are quite a few available, even today. Check Topgunsupply, and Wild West Guns, Gunbroker, and Auctionarms. They are selling from a low of $420 with free shipping.

And if you can't find the no-lock 642 you want, I'll sell you one of my extra NEW no-lock 642's for $410, shipped. Send me a 'pm' for my one-time "USMC discount". I'll be taking the loss on shipping and my transfer/NCIC fees ($50), as well, but thanks for your service in the USMC. :)