[REAPER4206969]

The 637 with exposed hammer.
http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/smith_637.jpg

The 638 with shrouded hammer.
http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/smith_638.jpg

Or the 642 with a concealed hammer?
http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/smith_642.jpg

What is the difference between the 442 and the 642?
http://www.impactguns.com/store/media/smith_442.jpg
So far I am leaning towards the 638.

[ArmedBear]

Which S&W revolver should you get?

Get all of them.:D

Which of the above should you get?

Depends on what you will do with it.

The 642 and 442 don't get filled up with lint or get hung up on anything. I pocket-carry a 642 a lot.

637 is the closest to a "regular" revolver. Believe it or not, the guns are accurate, and single action does allow some really tight groups. But it's too light to be a fun target gun unless you use special handloads (which I occasionally do).

The 638 doesn't get hung up on things as easily as a 637, but it still is open to dirt and lint.

[farscott]

What is the difference between the 442 and the 642?The 442 has a carbon steel barrel and cylinder, and the anodized aluminum frame is black. The 642 has a stainless steel barrel and cylinder, and the anodized aluminum frame is clear-coated. The basic difference is the materials used to fabricate the barrel and cylinder.

[ArmedBear]

BTW I'd pay for the stainless.

The brass that sits in my pocket gun is getting tarnished slowly by moisture from sweat. It's not a LOT of moisture, but it's not none, either.

[KBintheSLC]

I have a 637 and I like it a lot. I prefer the exposed hammer because that is what I grew up shooting.

[Deanimator]

If it's for self-defense, whichever one doesn't have the internal lock.

[searcher451]

Give them a try. Rent them or borrow them from friends. Then get the one (or two) that best fit you hand and eye and pocket book.

No offense meant, but asking for advice from the participants on a gun board might be an indication that you need to do a little more hands-on homework before you make the right choice for you. It's a choice, after all, that only you can make.

[BlindJustice]

S&W 640 - 2 1/8" Bbl. Stainless Steel frame, cylinder and Barrel
approx. 24 oz.

R-

[nonseven]

The new reintroduced classic is both lightweight and doesn't have an internal lock - it has the grip safety. AKA the lemon-squeezer.

[REAPER4206969]

I like the 42 but it is +/- $200 more.

[REAPER4206969]

Searcher451, these revolvers are all basically the same I just want people’s opinion on what hammer configuration to get. Thank you.

[ArmedBear]

The x42 has a better DA pull, AFAIK.

My 642 feels pretty good, for a tiny gun, and I can keep 'em on a pie plate at 25 yards with it.

If you don't NEED single action, I'd get the DAO for self-defense.

If you want to carry it close to your body all day, I'd get the stainless.

[HoosierQ]

I am a 642 man all the way for the added benefit of pocket carry. The 642 is really one of the best all time pocket carry guns. It is potent being .38 +P capable, it doesn't snag having no hammer spur, the DAO is a safe operating mechanism for pocket carry, the price is right...and it doesn't have a doggone light rail...just kidding...sort of.

For what most people want a snubbie for...close quarters self-defense...being able to cock the hammer will not be missed and you gain so much.

[Racinbob]

I picked up a no lock 442 a couple months ago. I like the design for a ccw. No need for single action in a defensive situation. I found that, at the range or dry firing, I can shoot it as accurately as my 60 in single action. AFTER getting your sight picture the trigger is a bit heavy but as I slowly pull it I can feel the hammer set as it would in single action mode. From there it's just like firing my 60 in single action. Just let the hammer "set" then it's sweet at the range. Although I did switch to my 66 as I was going through a batch of +p's. Even my 60 was comfortable with + p's but it's not rated for them so I just tried a few before going to the K frame.

[Racinbob]

Sorry, didn't really give you my answer for your question. The hammer does snag. That's why I replaced the 60 with the 442 as a ccw. I never liked the looks os the shrouded hammer plus it does leave the insides a bit more exposed. Personally I don't think you can beat the x42. I liked the black version but that's just me. I love stainless (or the look as in the 642) but the dealer had one of each WITHOUT the lock and I went with the 442.

[ceadermtnboy]

I put my money on a 638! If you can get past the ugliness it is a great compromise between hammer and shrouded! Shoots great to boot.

[Stainz]

In SD what you need is a DA firearm. You likely won't have the time to take the additional step to cock a SA revolver in an emergency. Additionally, as said, a totally enclosed hammer won't allow lint in or catch on a pocket. The function here is to protect your bacon - not to give you a plinker. Buy something far better suited for plinking. Totally different roles.

A 642 or 442 in a pocket holster is a 24/7 CCW. In total boredom Wednesday AM at the range, and out of .357M poppers for my 627 Pro, I took some 125gr JHP poppers out and ran the SPC plates again - five for five and never missed - with my 642. A bit slower to acquire the targets due to the limited sights, but still a great indicator of the J-frame Airweight's capability. I had to clean it anyway, after a few proper SD rounds, so it was no problem there. I kept thinking what a shame it was to clean it after 20 SD rounds, anyway. It's cleaned, loaded, and in my pocket. My vote is for the 642.

[easyg]

I prefer the 637.
Sure you might never need to shoot it single-action, but it's nice to have the option (especially for a long distance shot or for shooting a rather small target like a snake or rat).
When drawing it from my pocket I just place my thumb over the hammer-spur to prevent snagging.


I'm a little leery of the 638 because I can envision crud or some object (like a coin) getting stuck in the shroud and preventing the hammer from working.
Perhaps this is a baseless fear, but it would bother me all the same.


Good luck,
Easy

[Master Blaster]

If you want a hammer get the 638, if you can live with DA only get the 642.
I pocket carry the 642 myself. Its a great gun, and the lock is a non issue since its easily removed, did that on my 642.

[BigGuy52]

I have a model 637. I love this gun, never had a problem with it and I always shoot +P rounds. It's very accurate. I use it as my primary HD gun.
Here's my last time out shooting with it... Distance was 25'

99442

[REAPER4206969]

I went to the gun store yesterday and handled them all. I really like the 638.

[popeye]

The bodyguard style (638, 38, 49, 649) lacks a certain aesthetic value for sure. To my eternal regret I sold my lockless 638. The bodyguard style gun will fit in a jeans front pocket and due to the "hump" will not roll over but will stay with the grip up and ready to pull. The 637 hammer style on a 638 stinks as opposed to a 38, but it's serviceable. I vote 638.

[REAPER4206969]

I think it has a lot of aesthetic value. Its oddness makes it beautiful.
Thank you for your post!

[ReadyRob]

From the list you mentioned, I have a airweight 642 and like it very much.

I have a hunch if I owned ANY of the others I would like it very much also. Some who have shot my gun do not like it because of the recoil. If you are talking 38 Spl BE SURE AND GET THE +P.

The above advice to try as many as you can is the best advice, I think. Gun shops, gun instructors, friends, not always easy to get someone to loan you a gun, and then there is the ammo, but - try as many as you can.

[REAPER4206969]

Thank you.

[Firewall]

I've had a 637 and and currently have the 642. Having a hammer on it is not really a big deal for pocket carry if you learn to put your thumb on the hammer during the draw. I found this motion helped for pushing the pocket holster down and away anyways.

It could be my individual guns, but the 642 has a better double action pull for me.

You could always get the 637, and if you change your mind get the hammer bobbed.

[junior geezer]

me personally, i'd go with the 638. had a M38 for years; really loved it. it might be only me, but the Bodyguard look rules. kojak carried one. and the M49 carried by Nguyen Ngoc Loan (win wok lo-an) served him very well that day in saigon. the recoil of an alloy framed "j" has never troubled me; my M38 kicked no harder than my M60.

[REAPER4206969]

the M49 carried by Nguyen Ngoc Loan (win wok lo-an) served him very well that day in saigon.
That is a very compelling argument.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f9/Nguyen.jpg

[REAPER4206969]

I think I am going to order the 638. Any more opinions?

[popeye]

I saw a new 638 the other day. It looks like they've changed the hammer spur for the better. The hammer I saw was wider unlike the skinner 637 type I had on my 638. The hammer spur was more reminiscent of the 38 - 49 models.

[REAPER4206969]

Thank you!