642 Club Part Three

[Nematocyst]

Page 2 of partie trois.

Carry on.

Smoke 'em if you've got 'em.



only if you have the post count per page set to the default, 25, I have mine at 50

[LawofThirds]

*reloading your own: I've found it roughly cuts my costs in half on .38 (bear in mind I have a fairly large stash of .38 brass from buying the occasional box of factory and picking up every last .38 I see on the ground at my range) If you reload light wadcutters or middling 158's you should see at least 7 loadings out of your brass before it even needs to be looked at for a trim or replacement.

[BamaUmp]

Thats something to consider. I wont to practice as much as finances will allow.

[LawofThirds]

There is a fairly steep initial investment for reloading, quality reloading gear will set you back at least 200 with the absolute cheapest route. I went with a Dillon Square B, which while not the cheapest route, certainly is awesome for cranking out 200+ rounds an hour. All told, I spent around 500 for my reloading setup, which has already paid for itself in the first year (and more. Instead of shooting 50-100 rounds a month, I'm able to shoot around 200 at the same cost).

Plus, loading up 148g wadcutters over powderpuff loads is a great way to learn trigger control on your 642 without beating yourself or your gun up.

I still haven't figured out a load that really matches my carry ammo though. Buffalo Bore gets a full 1000 fps out of a 642 with a 158 grain bullet. I can't touch that number though I can get equivalent recoil out of a nice stout +p load using clays universal.

[BamaUmp]

Sounds great if I can convince the wife the investment is worth it lol

[308win]

(and more. Instead of shooting 50-100 rounds a month, I'm able to shoot around 200 at the same cost).

As often stated on the reloading forum; you don't save money reloading you shoot more - not a bad thing mind you. I have reloaded for every gun I own although I don't reload shot shells anymore.

[johnnylaw53]

I got my 642 a few years ago and then found THR and the 642 club when that ran it course the 642 club 2nd part now I'm proud to post in part 3. I first got the 642 after being away from snub nose's for awhile had owned 5 in the pass and always wanted something either flater, more ammo or what ever. Ended up for awhile not carrying a weapon off duty since small auto's just never seem to work for me. When I got the 642 one day on a spur of the moment thing, I took it to the range began carrying it again and wonder why I gotten away from the small snub nose in the first place. They are in general to include the 642 which is my choice just about the perfect EDC there is for what most of us have which is a low threat envoirement.

be safe

[DAdams]

Sounds great if I can convince the wife the investment is worth it lol

Over two years ago I decided to start loading/reloading. I began purchasing the equipment thinking my son might find it interesting (he doesn't) and a father/son thing to do. It didn't work out that way but I continued to purchase the gear and appropriate supplies in any event.

Along came BHO and the great hoarding of 2008. Ammunition, primers, brass, powder, dies, and virtually anything that went along with the makers craft was not available and that which was, featured much higher prices although still commesurate with the higher price of ammunition in general.

Roll forward to the present. Shelves are awash in ammunition, and all the loading components are readily available and at almost 2007 prices.
Word to the wise then, if you want to take up the brewers art or think you may, now is the time to do it. Commodity prices are on the way back up and once the stuff that is on the shelf is gone, new inventory will reflect the higer price...not bad though because at least you can get it.

You can certainly reload .38 spl, plus P and .357 very reasonably (not for the X42) and you don't need high throughput to enjoy rolling your own sufficiently to take you to the range and save a few $$. Don't just do it for the cost savings though get into the zen of the craft because there is a great deal to learn and various levels in approaching what and how you do it.

If you visit/search on the loading site (there are links even in Parts I & II) and look for "replica loads" you will find recipes for some of the favorites, Speer Gold Dot for Short barrel 135 gr plus P and the "FBI" loads. Also lots of good "sticky" information on getting started.

The formative period. The brown truck came fequently. The wait for many of the items then was months.





The loading Zone back then:

[308win]

Quite a man cave there DA. If I kept mine that neat my wife would be nagging me to straighten the closet

[rromeo]

Awesome, I made page 1 of part 3!

I enter with a frivolous photo.

[Nematocyst]

^ lol.

oh, that's a gem. Rromeo.

I'm curious. Is it attached, to just sitting loosely?

And, if one wanted to , could it be attached and fired? Would the cylinder rotate?

I'm guessing it could not be attached ... no rail, but I've never worked with such scopes....

[manthony4563]

One of the online wholesalers offers the 442/642 with a trigger job for extra cost. Does anyone know if it's worth the money and if it makes much of a difference? Sorry if this has been addressed before since I am just getting through Part One.

[motorcycle-charlie]

i'm new to this forum and look foreward to scootin around here. i have a 442 that i carry every day. it's a great gun and it conceals well. contrary to what some people say, it can be a range gun. it kind of has to be if you plan on carrying it and want to be a decent shot with it. i ran 200 rounds through it today at the range. usually i can only afford to shoot 100, but i have been working some overtime. i just wish ammo wasn't so expensive.

[RetDep310]

Originally Posted by johnnylaw53

I got my 642 a few years ago and then found THR and the 642 club when that ran it course the 642 club 2nd part now I'm proud to post in part 3. I first got the 642 after being away from snub nose's for awhile had owned 5 in the pass and always wanted something either flater, more ammo or what ever. Ended up for awhile not carrying a weapon off duty since small auto's just never seem to work for me. When I got the 642 one day on a spur of the moment thing, I took it to the range began carrying it again and wonder why I gotten away from the small snub nose in the first place. They are in general to include the 642 which is my choice just about the perfect EDC there is for what most of us have which is a low threat envoirement.

be safe

My situation closely mirrors johnnylaw53. About 5 years into my career, we transitioned from S&W Mod 66's to semi-autos. I completely ignored revolvers from that point on, thinking the auto was the way to go off-duty. Never found any that I liked for any period of time, and also wound up not carrying one on me all the time. Had several snubbies prior to that, but the love was gone. Thank goodness I came to my senses, and fell in love with the snubbies again after I retired. Finally got a 642 a few weeks back, and that relationship will be forever!

[Brian Williams]

Manthony, just shoot the thing, otherwise dryfire it. The gun will smooth up after about 1000 to 2000 trigger pulls

[jfh]

DAdams: So, the reloading bench really does exist!

Now, get a Lee Turret, and you are all ready to go for all calibers...BG.

And, with that sign-in, I will now get notifications for Part Three....

Jim H.

[Nematocyst]

That is a sweet loading setup, DA. I'm envious.

[19-3Ben]

About to become a member TOMORROW!!!

I can't wait to finally get my very own 642!

[19-3Ben]

Ok, before I go get my 642, I have a quick question. Is the cylinder on the 442 blued steel, or is it just black painted stainless?

I have a choice between 642 and 442, and this may make a difference.

[Nematocyst]

It's stainless steel, Ben.

Here is SW's description.

If I was doing it again, I'd go with the 442.
Still hope to trade my 642 for a 442.
I just like the black better.

And which ever you get,
welcome (officially) to the club.

[19-3Ben]

Oh shoot. It's funny. I was just looking at the website earlier. I must have missed it. thanks.

Thank you for the welcome. I suppose the least I can do is take a couple pics tomorrow when I get it.

[rdrancher]

Wow...I haven't dropped by for awhile and when I do, the first thing I see is Part Three! What a testament to a great little gun. My worn and trusty 642 still rides along with me everyday, usually in an equally worn Mica round-cut.

[BamaUmp]

I appreciate the loading info....I suppose for right now I will just have to deal with high priced ammo. I just dont think I have the time or the funds to invest in the equipment but will keep it in mind for the future.

[BamaUmp]

While my Alabama Crimson Tide havent done as well as I had hoped this year my real team, my alma mater Jacksonville State Gamecocks had a huge win yesterday (if you remember we are the team that beat Ole Miss in OT) The Assoc AD for Sports Medicine at JSU is a huge gun man even spent some time as the Chairman of the NCAA National Rifle Committee. JSU has a few National Championships in Rifle as well. Sorry just in a proud bragging mood.

[rromeo]

oh, that's a gem. Rromeo.

I'm curious. Is it attached, to just sitting loosely?

And, if one wanted to , could it be attached and fired? Would the cylinder rotate?

I'm guessing it could not be attached ... no rail, but I've never worked with such scopes..

It's not attached, just sitting loosely. I took the pic for a thread on tacticool handguns on another forum. The cylinder was not restricted, but the eye relief is too small for a handgun.