642 Club Part Three

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hello to all S&W 642 users, I recently joined THR due to the vast info. I have been carrying my 642 for a little over 4 years. I received this piece from my dept. before leaving after approx. 22 years of service. The S&W 642 is the perfect pocket gun if there is such a thing. I have noticed 1 negative thing, I have found that the grip screw does indeed have rust issues, but that is a little thing. All in all I will state that my S&W 642 is one fine piece of equipment. I truely believe that the words "5 to stay alive" was first said by someone holding a S&W 642. Just my 2 cents worth. Westy39
 
I have noticed 1 negative thing, I have found that the grip screw does indeed have rust issues

I had issues with mine also. I just found it when I switched out my stock grips for a set of crimson trace lg-405's
 
Nasser, they're going to have to look at it if they're going to be able to do anything about it. And they will refinish it, if you send it in to them.

If you are worried about it, that is what I would do.
 
westy39 Welcome!

I have noticed 1 negative thing, I have found that the grip screw does indeed have rust issues, but that is a little thing

I also found this to be the case. I switched out the original grips on my 642-1 right after I purchased it, but reused the screw. I found a black screw at a gun show to replace it. I guess you could clean the original with some rust remover and dab some clear lacquer or nail polish on it.
 
Looks like my wife and I will be getting our Texas chl in a few days.she will be carrying
Her 647 s&w and I will carry 642. Proud to be a TEXAN!!!
 
My 642 got a new friend:

006.jpg

That's a new S&W Governor, sporting some .500 Magnum grips. Below you'll see it with the OEM boots alongside. I shot an ssortment of the shown ammo with them on it... yucko. The backstrap-covering .500 Magnum monogrip should help.

003-1.jpg

Various .410 shot were tried, along with 250gr Gold Dots in .45 Colt, 250gr LRNFP in .45 Schofield, and moonclipped .45 ACPs (Same 6-shot 'clips as the 625JM, 22, 1917, etc.). Fun revolver. I don't think it'll replace the 642 as my EDC CCW.

Stainz
 
Last edited:
I just got my 642 (no lock) today. I ordered it from budspolicesupply for $320. It's my first personally owned weapon and a present to myself for my upcoming EAS.

There's a lot of good information on here. I'm glad I found the place. Now, I just need to figure out how I want to carry this thing. I'm debating between IWB at about the 1 o'clock for cross draw (I'm a lefty) or on the hip. Any suggestions?
 
Welcome ceholts! Great price on your 642 as well.

If you're going to belt carry, do yourself a favor and search out a holster that has a clip(s) or strap(s) that do not sit next to the cylinder. Those that do add bulk to the gun/holster package right where you don't need it. I have a very thin and inexpensive IWB that I found online with one clip that sits next to the trigger guard. Very comfortable. I can't locate the maker anymore though.

642_IWB.jpg
 
OH MY GOSH.........did I make a mistake this week???? :uhoh:

I just got my new Ruger LC9 for "pocket" EDC, haven't even fired it yet and ran across the 642! :banghead:

Would you boys mind if I join your club?? :D
I see a 642 in my future!
 
straightshooter9 - I don't think you made a mistake. Not my cup-o-tea, but the LC9 looks to be a nice little bottom feeder. But...everyone should own a 642. ;)

Sounds like a good excuse for another firearm purchase as well.
 
rd - You are right about the LC9, it actually is a well built, solid little gun, better quality and feel than I expected!..........but I'm assuming that's because it's a RUGER which I've never owned, but I am impressed with this gun.....
I went to SHOOTERS OF JACKSONVILLE today, got to play with the Ruger SP101..VERY NICE! A little heavier than I want but a SOLID weapon.....
also the "642" which I really like and I'm leaning toward!

The Ruger LCR looks like a great little gun also.......
anybody got have any guidance on the LCR?

Looks to me that "pocket" guns are very popular!
I WANT ONE!
 
"Various .410 shot were tried, along with 250gr Gold Dots in .45 Colt, 250gr LRNFP in .45 Schofield, and moonclipped .45 ACPs (Same 6-shot 'clips as the 625JM, 22, 1917, etc.). Fun revolver. I don't think it'll replace the 642 as my EDC CCW."

Stainz: How's the accuracy with the .45 ACP? Didn't realize that was an option with this gun -- I like to see multi-caliber verstaility, though, and four kinds is pretty good!

timothy
 
I just put the Apex carry kit in my 642. 12lbs to 9lbs. Great upgrade. Now my wife might shoot it.

to straightshooter9: The 642 is my favorite guns. It is lighter than my PPS and a dream to shoot. It is a very easy gun to conceal.
 
Pocket Pistols

I just got my new Ruger LC9 for "pocket" EDC, haven't even fired it yet and ran across the 642!

The LC9 looks like a fine 9 and I hope it serves you well. Since you call it a pocket EDC I will be interested on your feedback after you add a pocket holster and get it loaded and then how you like carrying around 18 ounces in your pocket?

Since I hope to never have to use my EDC but may have to tote it around until tomorrow or 10 years from now, weight to me (lack of) is paramount.
Nothing like having to wear cargos or suspenders from here on out. ;)

It tried pocket carrying a 17 ounce loaded PM9 and it was even too heavy for my tastes.

If you continue to look at pocket revolvers continue looking at S&W but check out their lightest offerings, features, prices and see what fits your bill.

The S&W Bodyguard Series at 14.3 ounces and including a CT laser would make my short list if I were just starting out shopping for a pocket snub.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57893_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

Or the Ruger LCR at 13.5 ounces. I know...blasphemy. :what:

Moving on to even lighter units in the S&W line-up, the M&P 340 at 13.3 ounces and the 340 PD even lighter yet (at a price) might be of interest.

If it is too large or heavy, in the long run it will be tempting to head out the door without it. Just when you might need it.

I couldn't get too fired up about pocket carry until I got into the 12-13 ounce range.

Just some considerations.
 
Last edited:
I'm a 642'er

Hello everyone! My no-lock 642-1 is about a year old, bought it new as my first ever personal firearm, and it started the flood (I have acquired new firearms at the sad rate of about one/month since then). I'm a cross-dominant lefty with handguns, but I shoot long guns as a traditional righty.

I have largish hands and could not achieve decent accuracy with the factory grips--had to get my pinky on the grip. So I switched to a Hogue Monogrip and pretty much scratched any chance to pocket carry. I've not yet figured out a way to get comfortable with any IWB arrangement, so I belt carry my little Smith in a Masters holster at 3:00 (yeah, cross draw) and wear a ventilated vest.

My current defense load is 125 gr Nyclads, but I've carried 158 gr SWC a lot and most of my range rounds have been those (I buy them from Georgia Arms at shows to avoid shipping charges). In cold weather I like Hornady CD rounds but prefer the standards to +Ps. In fact, I really don't see the need for +Ps when the bullets go where you mean for them to go.

Just started reloading and I plan to eventually load for all my calibers, but for now just .38 Special.

So...I'm in, right?
 
DAdams, I've got the DESANTIS Pocket holster as well as a belt holster on the way from opticsplanet.com, tracking sez it'll be here Friday, I'll let you know how the LC9 works in the pocket! :)
 
beatledog7 - I also have large hands with longer fingers and switched to the Hogue monogrip. The butt does stick out of smaller pockets.

A couple of ways I've found around this are pants with deeper pockets (work pants work great) and wearing a longer shirt.
 
OBL, thanks. I've considered those options and will try them from time to time. Might experiment with cargo pants (perhaps the same thing you're calling work pants). At any rate, I love my snubby little friend.
 
beatledog7 - I am actually talking about heavy-duty work pants, the kind made by Dickies, Lands End, etc. The pockets are much deeper (and sturdier) than casual cargo pants. They could be considered less fashionable though. :)

Anyway, it's all going to come down to what works for you personally, I'm just sharing what I've learned from my experiments. Welcome to the club.
 
Cylinder gap effecting bullet speed

I read on an old thread about "slow" J frame revolvers. Many know that if you are using a HP bullet you need a certain amount of ft/sec. to achieve reliable expansion. The design of the bullet determines what ft/sec. you need and I don't want to debate this. I don't have a chrony and want to make sure that the defensive bullet I choose will reliably expand.

What I have heard is that if you have a larger cylinder gap your J frame may be a "slower" shooter. What is a typical cylinder gap on most J frames?

My 642 is measuring about 0.009.
 
My limited (so far) experiences with a 642.
To whit:

At 15 yds.
First 50 rounds landed on the Earth somewhere, perhaps in the same area code of what I was aiming at.
Next 100 rounds ... well ... I could have put car in front of the impact points and covered most of them.
Next 100 round ---> On The Paper! (mostly)
Next 3-5 boxes of ammo ...well, some closely spaced 3-4-5 ring hits. (I said "Some")
Next 500 rounds ... 50% inside the 7 ring.
Next 200 rounds ... In a pie plate.
Next (whatever amount) of rounds ... Mighty close to to the 9 ring ... mighty close.
Last few times ... call it 100 rounds (after painting the front sight) ... 4-5 in. groups all inside the 7 ring.

The 642 is as accurate are your constant practice makes it.
 
Hammer

Next 200 rounds ... In a pie plate.
Next (whatever amount) of rounds ... Mighty close to to the 9 ring ... mighty close.
Last few times ... call it 100 rounds (after painting the front sight) ... 4-5 in. groups all inside the 7 ring.

The 642 is as accurate are your constant practice makes it.

These are the ones that count. Funny post and thanks for sharing.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top