The 642 club

Prospective 642 Club Member

Hi there!

I have been reading this forum for about a month now, and will most likely be buying an SW 642 in the next couple of weeks... Thank you all for such great in depth information!

My dad owns one and I will be trying it out in the range first, the local gun shop sells it for $349.

I plan to carry it with me all the time (even while driving) in my front pocket (Levi's 550 Jeans), I will probably buy a Mika Pocket Holster Round Cut...

Any suggestions to what I mentioned above? Carry while driving? Front Pocket vs. Back Pocket? Mika Round Cut vs. Square Cut?

The reason I ordered the Mika was just as a temporary until I buy a Milt Sparks PCH or PCH-R
Do any of you own either a PCH or PCH-R? What are the advantages? and how well do they fit in Jeans or Dockers, etc...?

Also, what information do you have on stopping power? Since this will be my only carry it is a concern, I have heard the +P ammunition is better but your second shot will be off... Is the stopping power around 65%? What about shooting twice what is the stopping power then?

Anyone use the Speer GoldDot 38 SPL+P 135 gr. GDHP 23921 on the 642?

Thanks in advance,

Michael

MRBCID

it's all about shot placement. A hit to the right spot with a .22lr beats a miss with a 44 magnum!

fist pocket holsters

Has anyone on this thread have any feed back on the fist kydex pocket holsters for the 642 and its clones. Do they hold up well ie. crack with use, does the thumb push feature work well for a consistent draw without the holster coming out of the pocket? Please post any info anyone might have, this holster looks ultra thin for pocket carry and looks like it might handle Miami's hot, humid weather well.
thanks and keep on posting
on the best thread out there

rafa45 - Have you tried the Mika pocket holsters. They are made of a synthetic that doesn't absorb moisture and they are naturally 'tacky' so they don't slide out with the weapon when you draw it. The opening is ample to make reholstering easy. I have the square cut and am going to get a round cut as it appears less bulky when pocket depth or tightness of fit of clothing is an issue - a definite problem all to often in my case

Bianchi 55L Lightning OWB

I feel like such a doof! I hope the 642 Club can forgive me, but I have actually had a Bianchi 55L Lightning OWB for some months now. Never thought to mention it here or, worse yet, to post a review.




In a belated attempt to make ammends let me give my impression of the Bianchi 55L for the S&W 642. I don't like it. Seeing JAMZ post that he ordered one is what made me feel bad. The Lighting does NOT hug up your side at all. Bulges out way to much for my likings and even under a jacket is hard to conceal. To me its only value would be for an open carry, but if I'm going to open carry why would I do so with such a small gun? My other carry piece is a Beretta 92D Type-M Compact, and it is far easier to conceal than my 642 in that Bianchi 55L.


I also don't like the strap location. I understand why it is where it is, and must admit I typically avoid holsters with backstraps anyway, but it is such an un-natural location to really delay my draw. I can't imagine in a SHTF situation remembering to snick it off.

Though too late for JAMZ, I hope my review is in time to save others.

Informal Test: Speer Gold Dot and the FBI Load

I just posted to another thread the results of my very informal and limited test of the 135 Grn Speer Gold Dots +P and the 158 Grain Remington Lead Semi Wadcutter Hollowpoint (LSWCHP) +P (aka the FBI Load). My observations are pretty basic and don't really touch on accuracy differences (plus the Speers were fired during an earlier range trip), but thought you might like to read it anyway...

I carry the Speer GD 135 grain stuff in my 642, mainly because the Speer bullets are more tightly crimped to avoid the bullet pulling loose under recoil. I've tested them and they do in fact retain their crimping. I wanted to test this with the FBI Load, from Remington (R38S12).

I loaded the first 4 chambers with some 125 low recoil (weak) Hi Shok crap I had laying around that I don't use anymore and the last one with a Remington. After firing off the 4 Hi Shoks, I removed the Remington and compared it to one out of the box and noticed that the bullet was starting to pull loose, but only barely. I'm talking well under 1 mm. I repeated the test 3 more times using the same cartridge, and each time the bullet pulled a tad further out of the case. I didn't measure it, but it looked like the bullet had backed out 2 mm or so. That round still fired properly, so the crimping of the FBI Load (Remington) does seem to hold up adequately.

What I did notice was that the FBI Load produced a LOT more muzzle flash than the Speer. In my 4" 686, the muzzle flash was barely noticeable, but in the 1 7/8" 642 it was pretty obvious. Looked like a small nuke detonating! The Speers produce little if any flash, because as I understand it, Speer uses a faster burning powder that allows most of the powder to burn off before the bullet exits the barrel.

Note that I did not notice a meaningful difference in POI. My tests were performed at just 7 yards.

So I decided to retain the Speers for my snubby, but my 686 is stoked with the FBI Load .

Click to expand...

One More 642...

Hey everybody:

I just picked mine up, NIB earlier today. I usually carry a 1911 but
this 642 is something I can ALWAYS carry.

It's a hassle holstering-up for a short trip to a local Lowes, etc.
Not anymore.

jad0110

Thanks for posting your review here jad0110. Good info regarding the flash and something I had not considered. Makes me happy to be loading my 642 with Speers!

I had a lightening rig also...it is at best a range/hiking rig...offers no real concealment as the holster is not pulled into the body at all...Jamz, if you can cancel and pick something else up, go for it....your best bet for ultra concealment is a nice pancake style like this Del Fatti LP...disappears under a t-shirt..most of your better leathermen make something like this....

Well, better late than never.

I think I can ebay (boo hiss) the lightning for as much as I paid for it so I can try another one.

I actually also picked up a used Galco paddle holster a few days ago and have been wearing it around a bit to get the feel for it. I'll do a review after I've made up my mond on the thing.

Good info regarding the flash and something I had not considered. Makes me happy to be loading my 642 with Speers!

Click to expand...

Yeah, I was kinda surprised by the flash of the FBI load myself. It was a nice bright fireball belching forth from my diminutive little wheelie, kinda funny actually! I'd love to see a snubby .357 stoked with some hot 125 gr loads going off!

Personnally, I prefer the FBI load in my 4" 686 where there is not a lot of muzzle flash. This combination serves as my HD gun. And it is an excellent choice in the snub too, but I just like the lack of flash with the Speers.

Something else I've noticed in my many range trips that I know most of you are well aware of. The way you grip the little gun has a HUGE effect on felt recoil, and therefore how much pain you feel. I've been experimenting with different grip techniques for months (I use the stock boot grips) and find some produce wicked nasty pain !

But I think I'm getting close to that ideal hold that allows for decent, consistent accuracy, and with little pain to boot. So if it hurts to shoot your 642, try gripping your 642 in a little different way than you are used to. You may surprise yourself!

Well, better late than never.

Jamz said:

Well, better late than never.

Click to expand...

I truly am sorry jamz. If I had only thought of posting it sooner.

Does this qualify to be a full member???



I am not sure if you can see it or not but the 642 is magnaporter. It is my left hand gun. The 442 is in what I think is the best pocket holster that exists. While not really part of this club there is the 640 if nice as well.
The 60 is not really part of the club either but I love it. Then there is the CZ-75
I Have had a ton of different gun in the past but this is what I carry now.

I started with big revolvers when I was in grade school back in the late 60s. When I started to carry I went from one fullsized, compact, subcompact, and mouse autos.

I learned that I could not draw a mouse auto from a pocket and it printed bad even thought small. I finally tried the 640, it worked and hid, but sometimes it was too heavy. I started carrying the 640 with a hib grip and the 442 in the pocket if I could not conceal an auto on the belt. I was then involved in a shooting and I changed the way I thought. I wanted a gun that I would carry for left hand access. One day I realized that a three inch gun would hide with a hipgrip as well as a two inch gun so I got a 60 and had Novak type custom sights built.

No more small autos for me. I carry full sized and compact version of full sized auto or the 3-inch 60 on the belt depending on how I am dressed. Than there is a 642 in the left pocket. In winter the 642 moved to a left jacked pocket, the 442 is in the right jacket pocket, and maybe the 640 can ride in the right front.

I do not like the idea of reloading a J-frame in a bad situation. Just grab another one.

From looking at posts in this thread, it seems that many of you like the 135 ground Speer. For some reason I thought the Winchester 130 grain load was top dog in 2 inches but I could well be wrong.

So is there any kind of concensus and the best .38 plus P load for 2 inches.

Im shocked that so many prefer the 642... I prefer my 637 with a hammer. This isnt the Wild West and im not trying to quick draw.

That said, I usually use an ankle holster and have had no problems with weight/size/concealability.

It may not be the wild west but if you don't think a quick draw is a major concern for CCW, you might not be thinking it all the way through...when the SHTF, having one less thing to worry about, like snagging your hammer, is definitely a plus...

Anybody wear a Tuckable Holster?

Just got a tuckable holster for my j frame and am trying to figure best way to wear it. No matter how I 'tuck it', it still looks like a lump on my waist. Any thoughts would be most helpful!

Im shocked that so many prefer the 642... I prefer my 637 with a hammer.

Click to expand...

Hence my love for the ole' 638. All the concealability and easy draw capability of the 642 with a sweet single action trigger pull when desired.

Sloman, try tucking it at 1:00....there's more of a hollow there and it will be less noticeable...but if you are comfortable with it on your hip, don't sweat it...no one is going to notice but you....

LOL

Serpico, with me, one o'clock is shadowed by my belly! I have tried around 2 o'clock but still see a noticeable bulge in the mirror (like I got a goider!). Maybe I am just being too picky!

Pull that part of your shirt you have pulled up for the picture down and let it blouse over your belt and no one will have any idea what is going on..

How much time did you spend looking at other peoples waist lines before you started packing?? Think about it!!!

I can't tell, but it looks like the "hook" or "clip" is located right over the widest part of your firearm, thus increasing the bulge.

Take a look at holsters that have the "loops" or "clips" offset from the gun.

My photo I posted earlier seems to be a red X now. Trying again.

hmmm, the red X vanished from my other picture post and the image is there again. That is strange. Sorry for the double pic post guys.

In one of the posts I noticed someone asked why would someone want a revolver they cannot thumb cock.

I for the longest time felt the same way and I have way past 30 years of shooting under my belt. I finally came around about a decade ago.

For a field gun I do want to be able to thumb cock. For a defensive gun that I will carry in a pocket or a hipgrip, I don't want that hammer snagging on things. I don't feel thumb cocking offers any advantage at ranges of 15 feet for what this revolver is intended to do. I do carry two gun all the time and select from a limited number for daily carry. In the woods I select different guns. If I need a gun to fire in single action mode I will have one of those on me. For how I intend to use the Centenial revolver, I will never miss the fact that I cannot use it in SA mode.

There is the body guard and it tries to be dual purpose and I think it is fantastic for those that insist on it but to me the internal hammer gun has advantages and the standard Smith has advantages. It all depends on your usage for the gun. Since I will never need to thumbcock this gun I would rather have the more streamlined, more snagfree gun that keeps more crud out of it.

Just got a tuckable holster for my j frame and am trying to figure best way to wear it. No matter how I 'tuck it', it still looks like a lump on my waist. Any thoughts would be most helpful!

Click to expand...

Sloman, I just received my High Noon "Split Decision" tuckable and it hides great but you have to wear a shirt that will "blouse" correctly (as in the way that we would "blouse" our fatigues over our boots... it's not a sissy thing; honest ).

If you look at the average guy on the street who tucks in their shirt, you'll notice that the shirt forms a loose, bloused area all around the waist UNLESS their shirt is form fitting or if they've "tucked tight".
Even a tightly tucked shirt will pull out around the waist as you go about your day so just tuck your shirt in to start that way and the 642 in a tuckable will absolutely disappear.

One thing I like about the Split Decision (and probably others like it) is that it works just as well if you wear a shirt over it as if you tuck so it's sort of a dual use holster.

Carter

grips

Does anybody recommend buying these houghes grips either rubber, shorty or the one with the extra finger groves or should I leave my 642 alone?