S&W 642 or 638?

[Upstater]

I have and carry a 642 no lock, when I got it it was a toss up between an lcr and the smith, I liked the grip better on the lcr, but it didn't fit the pocket as well.

 

[TennJed]

Dont forget the 442 has a carbon steel barrel and cylinder where 642 is stainless.

If youre in a humid environment or a an individual with corrosive body chemistry, the 642 is MUCH more appealing.

Interesting that the 442 has carbon steel while the 438 has stainless

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Dont forget the 442 has a carbon steel barrel and cylinder where 642 is stainless.

If youre in a humid environment or a an individual with corrosive body chemistry, the 642 is MUCH more appealing.

I live in NE PA and it's not a dry environment but I have no problems with keeping the M442 from rusting. Normal maintenance is a wonderful thing...

I also see no advantage with the Centennial frame compared to the Bodyguard frame when trying to conceal the revolver. Both conceal equally well for me.

As for pocket carry, you will never make any handgun disappear. Any good pocket holster will break up the outline of the revolver well enough to pocket carry without anyone knowing what's in your pocket. Seeing a bulge in your pocket is not printing.

 

[RustyShackelford]

Lint, grit & crud.....

The post about lint, grit & crud is worth knowing.
I may re-think buying a no-lock S&W J frame 642.
Really, I'm looking at a new M&P Shield, "no thumb safety" semi auto pistol in 9x19mm. The Shields are great & there's a lot of holsters/parts/custom work for them.
A LCR or 642 might come later. The .22mag LCR is slick too. Speer Gold Dot offers a new JHP designed for the snub revolver.

Side note; many years ago, author & use of force trainer Massad Ayoob did a article about back up guns/deep carry guns. He said he didn't like to carry semi auto pistols in ankle rigs because a lot of grit/crud/lint would get into the weapons. He suggested J frame snubs or Colt D series revolvers.
Pocket holsters like the Mika or the new www.Stickyholsters.com are worth a look.

 

[bannockburn]

My choices in snubbies for CCW is fairly simple and straightforward. The heavier all stainless Model 649 sees more use in the colder months while the lighter weight aluminum framed Model 638 is perfect right now for this time of year.

 

[Kernel]

This topic comes up a lot on the various handgun forums. They're both good guns and once they go in your pocket you really can't tell a difference between their "humps".

One guy had an opinion that I agree with. He thought the M638 was better for "country carry". Situations where you might want to take a slow aimed single action shot at say - a rabbit in the garden. A skunk that's foaming at the mouth in the backyard. A pack of feral dogs chasing one of your cows. Situations where you would discharge a firearm legally in a none personal defense situation.

So, if you have a living situation where you might need to legally shoot your revolver on a day-by-day basis for utility purposes, then the M638 would be a better choice because of the higher degree of accuracy that goes with single action fire.

 

[gun_with_a_view]

You can develop considerable accuracy over time with the hammerless Smiths with practice. You won't need a hammer to cock for the same result. The best way to use these small Smiths is so close you don't need to aim. Within ten feet, one should be accurate with one-handed wing shooting. Better yet, make contact between the barrel and the head or other vital area, or fire down into the pelvic area.

 

[NMPOPS]

I have both and carry them interchangeably. They only differ in grips. I always keep one with either Boot grips or Magnas w/ a grip adapter for pocket carry and the other usually has larger Pachmyer Compacs on it.