642 Club Part Three

642 Finish

Try this Google search on for size.

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1W1RNWO_en&q=s&w+642+finish&aq=0&oq=S&W+642+fin

A worn finish gives the 642 "personality".

A worn finish gives the 642 "personality".

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Agreed. Scars are souveniers, just like on me...

Mine is showing some nice love marks on the right rear where the backstrap stops and on the front left at the crane from being snuggled tight in it's Mika or Nemesis.

Cheers!

A worn finish gives the 642 "personality".

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Also agreed.

I suppose I worded the question wrong. What I'm wondering is if the clear coat provides any sort of protection against corrosion. If it's nothing more than cosmetic, I don't give a rats ass how it looks, but if the finish is there for protection I want to go out of my way to preserve it.

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Also; got my rebate check in the mail today. It took a total of a week and two months to get it in, in case anyone is waiting on theirs.

Nasser

I would use the 642 the way it is intended; carry it, your way.
I would also wipe it down at the end of the day with Hoppes Elite (nothing with ammonia which was used in cleaners apparently), particularly in humid, salt ladden environments, body oils etc.
Lead Away Cloths only on the cylinder if "racoon eyes" bother you and keep it off the clearcoat.

It seems (from reading 10 threads going back to 2007) that if the clearcoat finally wears off to a point of annoyance S&W will refinish it.

Here the rub... Clearcoat finish over anodized aluminum alloy. Once the alloy is laid bare then I guess you might see corrosion, maybe. If you have ever seen aluminum oxide, it looks like a white powder and cleans right off. Hence long term degradation with zero maintenance is in decades if not longer. Aeshetics yes, operability issue I can't see it with my limited metalurgical experience.

I went over to the S&W Forum and came up with these threads. It validates my data:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/search...iodb9lchnk&cof=FORID:9&q=642+finish&sa=Go#866


I will certainly stand corrected if anyone comes up with something more of substance since my 642-2 does night stand duty, and doesn't even see daylight.

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1W1RNWO_en&q=s&w+642+finish&aq=0m&oq=642+finish

Thanks DAdams, that's what I wanted to know.

Okay, let me hijack for a minute...

What's the best grip for arthritic hands? Pach/Decelerator?

Mom carries shot shells in her 642 because she can't stand the recoil of any other loading at all. Maybe a better grip will get her shooting wadcutters.

CoRoMo

Does Mom carry or is this a HD revolver?

If size is not an issue you might try the Hogue Monogrips unless here hands are very petite. The other popular grip here around are the Hogue Bantams but I cannot personally atest to their felt recoil mitigation characteristics.

In my view the Crimson Trace 405s are helpful in that department with the backstrap rubber being relative thick and an airspace void setting up additional cushioning. The 305s even more so since the rubber covers the entire backstrap. Of course a laser dot is certainly no hinderance when the chips are down. Get this, they even have a thirty day risk free offer.

I have found best prices for CT from Optics Planet, although CT has $30 off ($269 total) any laser sight plus free shipping through 12.25.10. Merry Christmas Mom?

Yep, this is her carry gun. She has average size hands I'd say.

I'll check those grips out. Thanks!
I'm thinking about this for Christmas, but I'm not going to get CT grips. I'm looking in the Hogue/Pachmayr price range. She told me that she'd trade me her 642 for a Taurus 941 snub, if I'd find one and buy it. I don't want to do that, but for the price of the CT grips, I could just get her the Taurus.

The Monogrips look about as good as the Decelerators. The Bantams might be a bit small. I figure giving her more handle will do a lot to tame the blow.

Thanks again.

I LOVE my Monogrips on my little beast.
They allow exquisite control.

Of course, I don't pocket carry.

Would Monogrips be a Bad Thing for pocket carry? It's pretty much the only way I carry, on those rare occasions that I do. If they make for better shooting, I may need to consider getting them (considering how badly I shoot at the moment).

bob, I think the only pockets that will hold j-frames / et.al. with a Hogue Monogrip installed are 'cargo' pockets, the odd pair of jeans with really deep pockets, or those of us who have custom-tailoreded our carry pockets.

The price on them is right--so just get one and try it.

CoRoMo: Do look hard at the Pacmayr Compacs. See my gun pictures (360, 340, etc.) about page 41-42 of part Two.

Jim H.

bobmcd

Would Monogrips be a Bad Thing for pocket carry? It's pretty much the only way I carry, on those rare occasions that I do. If they make for better shooting, I may need to consider getting them (considering how badly I shoot at the moment).

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At around $20 I would get a set and give them a try. When it comes to range practice, they are a bit like "training wheels" and you should be able to improve your skill sets with them since they provide A) Large secure platform B) Recoil reduction potential. If you have adequate pockets for concealment they are fine. I tried them and they were only suitable in about 1/3 of the slacks and shorts I wear, otherwise they would expose.

You know what I would like to see....overlay or dimensional comparison of Hogue Monogrips with Crimson Trace 305s (the larger ones). I'm (continue) toying with picking up a set.


I know I would like them, but are they too large for most pockets?

Here is a CT Forum link to FAQ section on the CT Website. No dimensions, but described as full grip.
Guess I will have to get my Hogues out and refresh my memory.

http://forums.crimsontrace.com/index.php?topic=33878.0

I have both a 305 and the Hogue Monogrip, DAdams, but no comparison photos. I'll see if I can't do a couple and post them up here. I'm out of town for a couple of days, so by the end of the week, perhaps...

added on edit: I can tell you right now, however, that the conceal-ability of the 305s is about the same as the Monogrips--very close. The grip material is pretty firm, but does offer some cushioning in the web, so not quite as helpful there. But, overall, a comfortable grip for me shoot with. Were I to have a j-frame as a bedside gun, the 305s would be on it.

I currently have them on a 640, which I usually underarm carry now.

Jim H.

JFH

I currently have them on a 640, which I usually underarm carry now.

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Hey Jim hope all is well. What underarm rig are you using? Is that mostly a cold weather carry option?

What underarm rig are you using?

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I'm interested in that as well,
and how the accessibility is relative to pocket or OWB carry.

Pocket carry doesn't work as well as other forms when you are sitting. I don't pocket carry that often any longer for that reason.

Shoulder Rig



How about this lashup? Dueling 642s.



If jt1 got two more X42 he could do a QUAD Carry.

Here's an interesting and relevant thread.

Here's an interesting and relevant thread.

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That's an awesome thread. Thanks MC Charlie. We love snub stuff.

DAdams said:

That's an awesome thread. Thanks MC Charlie. We love snub stuff.

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No problem DAdams. a BIG thanks to you and everyone that posts there. i really am enjoying checking out all the makes and models people carry and collect. i cant get enough of the snub pictures. keep em comming. the 642 club is what inspired me to start that thread. snubs are just cool.

I'm starting to think I want a cheap 22 lr revolver. I own a glock 22 and a 642. I have found the revolver very enjoyable to shoot. 5 round through the 642 are more fun than 15 through the glock. Anyway I want something cheap for plinking, target shooting, snake and rat killing thais wt kinda thing. My grandfather had a 22lr revolver when I was growing up and I have no idea what happened to it. So any suggestions on an inexpensive 22lr revolver, I prefer snub nosed if I can find one. Really dont care what it looks like as long as it fires.


Got my mika pocket holster today....WOW that sucker really is well made. I'm set now after getting a pair of speed strips off of ebay. Might spend some time at the range tomorrow with the two boxes of georgia ammo I picked up.

Has one had engraving done on their 642?

BamaUmp

If you like that Mika now, just wait till it gets worn in!

So any suggestions on an inexpensive 22lr revolver

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If you can find a High Standard Sentinel for the right money you can't go wrong for a well made, inexpensive 9 shot. There aren't a lot of inexpensive .22 revolvers to pick from that are worth owning. I don't remember what I gave for my Sentinel (bought it new in late 60's; probably around $50-60) but it has been one of my best buys.

If you like that Mika now, just wait till it gets worn in!

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Mine's coming up on 3 years old and gets carried probably 65-70% of the time over my Nemesis for the 642. Both are really broken in. Mika is also flexible enough to not be an issue if I move it to the other pocket.