642 Club Part Deux

Welcome Michele. The best load for me as far as recoil would be the 148gr wadcutter.If you don't reload you can buy them from georgia arms. delivery is running about6-7 weeks. I know it's a long time. Buffalo Bore makes a 158gr LSWCHP standard pressue. Still not fun to shoot but a little bit better then +P.

I carry mine in a Side Guard IWB holster at 3:30. I see nothing wrong with cross side appendix carry. You have to use what works for you. If it works well do it.

Indiandave, when you say 3:30, is 12:00 belly button?

Do you know if the Winchester 130 gr are similar to the wadcutters? I picked up a 100 rd box last week. One of the local gun shops can order some wadcutters but he hasn't gotten back to me whether I can get just one box or have to buy a case. I'd prefer to get something that can be found locally rather than pay for shipping especially with a 6-7 wk wait.

Like a clock staight ahead is 12:00, the middle of your back is 6:00.

The Wincester 130's have more of a kick than a wadcutter, but not that bad. Your laser grips should help with the recoil. If you're not pocket carrying you could try some Houge Mono grips. they are a little bit bigger(longer). They absorb recoil very well.

Hi and welcome chele519. I had a simiar experiance with the LCR that helped in my decision to buy the 642. Being 5'.10" with medium sized hands although somewhat strong. I found that the LCR challanged my trigger finger for reach. The 642 fits perfectly. Good luck with your choice. Dry fireing sure sure helps settle the trigger to a comfortable level pull. You will love it.

WMK1911, I think that's the same problem I had, it made it turn a little in my hand as I had to reach for the trigger making it hit the bone. The 442 feels so much better and I really like the CT grips. I've been working on dry firing. Did some tonight and noticed I really have to work on the strength in my trigger finger. Each time I stop dry firing and later go back, the trigger feels a little better than the last time. It'll get there in time.

I carry a 642 or 637 depending on my mode of dress. I have been shooting Winchester 130 FMJ from Wally World for some time. I carry 125 gr Hornady XTP/JHP and the Winchester 130 has same point of impact. I think you will find the 130gr an excellent and manageable practice round.

I've shot a few hundred of the Winchester 130 FMJ through my 642 with no issues.

I think I'm a little recoil sensitive especially after my experience with the LCR. I found the Speer +P pretty uncomfortable but my hand was only slightly sore the next day and I probably could have shot a few more.

I'm still trying to read thru posts from the 642 club part one. I've read on there and also on other forums about how practicing with a DA .22 can help with all other guns. I've read the link about how to get the most out of the j frame (or something like that). I'm going to a gun show this weekend and hopefully will be picking out a .22. I've already tried a few and narrowed it down to a Beretta Neos. That's pretty much the only one in my price range that didn't feel too big for me. Once I do get it, what would be the best way to practice to benefit my 442 skills?

My next range trip I plan to just concentrate on 5 yds and getting as tight a grouping as I can before going to 10 yds. I also need to adjust my CT I think. I think I should also try doing a couple rounds rapid fire, just to see how quickly I can accurately get back on target.

Does anyone have any better suggestions for what to practice next range trip? At home I am practicing drawing and getting on target. I've found I had to adjust a little in order to grip the gun right the first time so I don't have to adjust once it is out. That needs more practice and I am also dry firing to smooth out the trigger and also strengthen my trigger finger.

One other question. I have the Winchester 130gr ammo and a store near me has Winchester Super X match ammo. The store employee did not know whether this would be more or less recoil than the regular match wadcutters I used the last time. Anyone know if the Winchester Super X match would be better for me than the Winchester I bought at Walmart? I don't have the opportunity to go to the range until next week but I don't know if I should grab the store's last box of the Super match. Thanx
Michele

Go here and you can compare the MV and ME. This should give you some idea of what to expect. The two rounds you mentioned are only 20 ft lbs of ME apart; I don't know how much felt recoil that will translate into but it is not a large difference.

Thanks. I did go on there but I wasn't sure what numbers I should be looking at. They both say controlled recoil so if I don't like the ones from Walmart, I'll grab the box of the others and try them.

I suppose they are controlled recoil in the context of recoil from a +P (about 60 ft lbs for the 130gr while the Gr lead SWHP (SD load carried by many) is about 110 ft lbs more than the 148gr you asked about. Keep in mind that everything else being equal, the 148gr is going to shoot higher because of the recoil profile (heavier bullet takes longer to get moving therefore more barrel rise).

PA150015.jpg
Can I join? huh?
442-2 supertuned.

dan

joined the club!

I'm still reading my way through this thread, but I thought I'd jump to the end to say that I've recently joined the club with a 642 and I love it! I've taken it to the range a few times with very pleasing results. Living in NJ doesn't afford me many opportunities for CC, but I was able to on a trip to PA last weekend. I barely noticed it in an Uncle Mike's IWB. Completely stock for now, but here's a pic anyway because I know the rules

Well... I did it!! I got a 642 today!! Life just hasn't felt right since i sold my 442 a couple of years ago - finally today I found exactly what I was looking for. A stock 642 in decent shape - I shelled out $350 and felt that was an ok deal - what do you all think? Well - anyway - Its great to be back!!!

Welcome

Slyde, Super Tuned....I like it.

Tenfiftyfour and indeed you do know the rules. Thanks for sharing.

Copper and The price is right!

Chele, I missed you coming in as I have been out and about, welcome.

Good to see the welcoming committee is on top of things.

Welcome in, new members.

(DA: I owe you a mail; super busy; thanks for the last one.)

Greetings, Earthlings!

Michele,

That Win Super Match round is a 148gr lead wadcutter - and makes 710 fps from a 4" barrel - less than the 765 fps of their 158 gr LSWC loads, so, yes, it will have less felt recoil. Grab it for decent carry loads with lesser recoil. I'd still order from Georgia Arms - they are nice folks, offer a fairly priced and decent value product, and the weeks of delay will pass quickly.

As for practice, the J-frame .22's are pricey - my local 'pusher' has them at $600-$610, a decent discount these days. The 'Small Chief's Special' is similar to the 637, the exposed hammer version of your 442, but weighs over 4 ounces less, unloaded, than your 442 - and holds 8 rounds. There is also a similar to your 442 model in .22 Magnum - the 351PD - it weighs the same as the 317, but only holds 7 rounds. The bad news with the J-frame rimfire guns is their trigger in double action - it's miserably stout. Where the centerfire (.38/.357M) models may have an 8.5-9.0 lb spring stock, the rimfires are 12 lb. The complete lack of recoil, even in the loud and high muzzle flash .22 Magnum 351PD, makes them easier to shoot - once you master that stout trigger. Rimfire ammo is cheaper to shoot, but won't offer the recoil experience you need to master in your 442. I'd just order/buy some more wadcutters. You could always buy another J-frame .38/.357M - in stainless steel - like a 60 or 640 - to practice with and use as a house gun, saving the 442 for carry. The added mass would be good for recoil, while the trigger would be nearly identical. Sadly, they run ~$150+ more than a 442.

Of course, a larger K-frame - like a 4" 64, often found used as a security guard's trade-in and available $300-$350 used - is a far better plinker. Great shooting experience - it'll make a plinker out of you, for sure, and also be an excellent home defender. You won't mind the +P ammo in it, either. It can have whatever grip you want on it, as well, as there won't be a concealment problem. Welcome to the group.

Stainz

Stainz, thanks, unfortunately I found that no one in my area even carries wadcutters. I went back to get that 1 box of Super match for $16 but it was a different salesperson and he said the price was $34.95 so I said forget it. I think i will end up sticking with the Walmart 130 gr, I'm sure it won't be much worse than the wadcutters.

I can't see paying shipping on ammo when it can be found locally. Even at the gun show today they were asking outrageous prices compared to what I find in the local stores. I thought those were supposed to be good places to get deals but I guess not.

Those .22 prices you quote are WAY out of my range. I'm just really looking for something cheap to use at the range for fun. Don't want to shoot the 442 for a whole hour, 1/2 hr is about all I can do at one time right now but I'm paying for an hour every time. I'm getting a Beretta Neos next week. Really liked the Walther P22 but even used they are more than I can spend and I didn't like the Ruger MKII at all. Maybe someday.

Dual Post...

ALL - As usual I return to find the 642 Club alive and well...not surprising knowing the caliber of the core membership, but I must say I am impressed with the quality posts of the new members, welcome to you all...

.Org:
lotstar, smallbore, WMK1911, Dynawhite, stealth, Fryerpower,
mywytefeet, sniknah, Old Bull Lee, M60, rhopf79, RetDep310, chele519,
slydel0kt, tenfiftyfour.

.US:
MO_mule.

copper4262 - Welcome Home

It just keeps getting better...


My latest trade
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=481362

Welcome back, President JT.

Guessing you've been traveling a bit, like MSA DA.

Hail, hail, (most of) the gang's all here.
('Cept King fiVe ... )

hail, hail, (most of) the gang's all here.
('cept king five ...)

Click to expand...

maybe time for a...ROLL CALL...

The Incredible Thread

Hello J-frames lovers, it was long time after my last post but now I’m back!
This Thread is keep going strong. A bunch of new good members and the historical ones are still here with their great posts!

Purchased a set of Hogue Bantam from Midwayitalia for my 649-1 because with Pachmayr Compac Professional the little beast scratched my thumb knock after only few rounds the last time I shoot it.
To prevent thumb scratches I also worked on the release button to approach it to the frame.

I’ve also purchased a Uncle Mike’s inside the pocket holster (size 3) and a UM’s inside the pant holster (size 36).
I’ve tried both and I’ve found them very comfortable. I can pocket holster the Bodyguard without feeling it too heavy and I cannot imagine how your airweights 642,442 or 638 could feel on my pocket !
With the inside the pant holster is even easier to carry the 649 (I carry it at 3:00) but you really feel that the gun is there. I carry the gun inside and outside my house when the darkness come, so I do not feel that bad carrying a 21 ounces gun. The Bantams are very conceleable, plus they are lighter and shorter than the Pachmayrs. Now the gun weights the same with the Bantams and with the stock wood grips.

Sunday morning I went to the range with my father to test the new grips. Shoot 65 Fiocchi 158gr FMJRN: the recoil was stout as expected but no scratches on my thumb! With those grips and ammunition the gun shoots exactly at POA for me. I’m very happy with the Bantams even if today my right hand is a little sore (I hold the gun very tight and high so every pound of recoil hit the space between my thumb and forefinger very hard). You can see the pic of some groups I've shot on a paper (for the most of time I was shooting against iron tergets): two hands, slow fire but not staging the trigger (same continous pull from start to end). Think I was anticipating recoil too many times.

That snub surprises me every time I took it to the range. Now the round count says 515 (none +P fired) since December 2008.

Even my father had a good morning with his wonderful CZ 75B Stainless (a gun that everyone should own !).

And now I wold like to have some advices from you guys: I’m thinking to sell my S&W 686-6 Plus 2.5’’ barrel (lock!) and buy one of the new "Classic Line" blued S&W 40 ‘"lemon squeezer" (no lock!) (actually available in Italy) or a 42,442,642 no lock if these last three models will arrive here. Good idea or not? Don’t call me crazy if I’m thinking to sell a L-frame for a J-frame since the first in not going to be a collector piece and the other probably yes (even if my intention is to shoot the lemon squeezer as long as I can). I’m not using the 686 very much, nothing wrong with it but I simply like snubs more. Moreover here in Italy you can own six "sport guns" in addition of three "defensive guns" (that I actually own) and for example the 686 with a 6’’ barrel is stated as "sport gun" (so I can simply replace mine with the longer barrelled one and save a place for a "defensive gun" which all snubs are stated), so the 6’’ Ruger GP100 is , the Colt Python 6’’ is and many other firearms including a bunch of semiautos. Another "sport gun " that I love is the Ruger New Vaquero 4’’5/8 Stainless .357Mag (what do you think Nem? ).

It is not a tomorrow decision but I would like to read your opinions to help my choice.

Best regards, 5-SHOTS.

Just checking in

We have been long time lurkers. Thanks for all the good info in this thread.

We bought our 642 three days ago. I say "our" the wife took possession of it and I haven't seen it since. Going to have to get one for myself now.

We haven't had a chance to go to the range yet. Are the factory settings on the crimson trace sights usually accurate or do you have to tweak it a bit?



Rod

Welcome

Rodpumas. Excellent Choice. Someday I would still like to get a set of CT305s.

Common occurance the wife making off with the X42, you are just going to have to get his and hers. You won't be the first two J Frame family.

Hard to say about the grips. IIRC they are supposed to be calibrated for 50 feet from the factory. You will have to check it out.

I have two sets, one that was close enough for my skill sets and one set that needed a bit of adjustment. Remember these are designed to get you on target faster and with better gross accuracy ie point and shoot (COM) under stressful conditions and in moderate to low light. Until that event occurs, they do a nice job of recoil reduction and I find them comfortable. I actually do better at the range as far as slow measured accuracy shooting without the laser. Practice both ways.

If you need guidance there are instruction on the website for adjustment. Just remember to take your hex wrench. Don't get cleaning fluids on the lens it will diffuse the beam and make it look like a star field. Change your batteries once a year, although I had one set that lasted two and were still going strong. Changed them anyway, just in case.

CT will supply free cleaning swabs, wrenches and calibrate for free if you send it in. Great product support and even a CT Forum!!

Welcome back jt and stainz.

Nem, busy here too. I think it took me a month to swap our last emails.
We are comparing notes on lightweight camping/backcountry gear. FYI.

5-Shots, that's some impressive shooting.

Figured I may as well "check in" on the thread. I have a 642 (with CT grips) enroute from a store (either famous, or infamous) in Jax, FL., so I've been skim-reading a lot of your posts. Particularly interested in recommended ammo (both for carry and range practice); also, holsters (pocket and probably IWB). I've already gotten a lot of good info from your posts and it's all appreciated greatly. NOW, if I can just find some ammo locally, I'll be ready for the range in a couple days. Hope my M&P 9FS and C don't get lonesome while I familiarize myself with the 642!