642 Club Part Three

I shot it and ate it... tomato huntin' some more next week

Hello, I just joined this 642 club, gonna have to wait a few days for a picture though. (8 and counting). where can I find a speedloader for this little guy?

Speedloaders don't fit with most grips that I am aware of, including the stock grips

S&w 642

HKS Speedloader
Altamont Grips
Excellent Combination

Is it the same cylinder for a 637? I got thinner grips for it too

You want the HKS 36-A speedloader as seen here:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=466721

I bought two Safariland comp II speedloaders because I was told they fit the UM boot grips that come stock. But they did not. I like the grips so I am using speed strips for now.

The HKS or Safariland loaders will not work with the stock grips. They will work with the Hogue Bantom grip.

Is it the same cylinder for a 637? I got thinner grips for it too

Click to expand...

Yes, all of the .38 and .357 J Frames use the same speedloaders. In the HKS, it's the 36-A.

I have one, and it works with some fiddling. Not as smooth as the HKS 10 is with my K Frames, because of the grips on the 642 being in the way. Part of the consequence of using a smaller gun. *shrug* Speed strips are smaller and lighter, and fit the pocket better.

My 642-2 planted a seed...

I love N-frames. Then, along comes the miniscule 642 - my dedicated pocket protector. One day - at the range - after a couple of cylinders of PD +P 158gr LHPSWC's - ouch - I try some 125gr JHP homebrews - plinkers - wow! Long story short - that seed matured - I bought three short barrel J-frames in the last year. Top, below - 3" 63 (.22LR) - last Thanksgiving; bottom, below - 3" 60 Pro (.38/.357M) - last January; middle, below - 2 1/8" 632 Pro (.327 Magnum) - yesterday!



Just a caution... one day your happy - with 'real sized' revolvers... then, you just have to shoot that J-frame pocket-protector - and you get hooked! They are evil... EVIL, I say!

Oh - the 60 Pro grips really feel good, too. I hope my 5" 63 doesn't mind the new guy borrowing them...

Stainz

RetDep310,

My HKS #36 speedloaders, loaded with +P 158gr LHPSWC's (or my mixed brass 125gr JHP homebrews), works fine with my box-stock 642-2.

Stainz

I'm sure its been asked before, but is the stainless or blued finish more durable on these snubs? I'm considering one and am looking for the no-lock version.

The clearcoat on the stainless version's aluminum frame tends to show carry wear, and rather quickly, in my estimation. The stainless parts get holster polished, and the clearcoat gets edge wear, and peels. Some of them look like they have leprosy. Mine is beyond that in most areas (just bare aluminum now, IOW), but on the left side over the S&W seal, the clearcoat is cracked just like it did in other areas, but because of where it is, it is ... brown, a bit, from dirt and sweat and grime sitting in those minute finish flaws. I think my next project on this gun is to remove all of the clearcoat.

But none of that really matters on a gun made of stainless and aluminum, since there's still no corrosion going on. I can leave it the way it is, and let the finish continue to wear away, and nothing bad is actually going to happen to the gun. If I had a 442 with as much finish wear as this 642 has, there would be some serious risk of corrosion (rust) to the barrel and cylinder.

the 642 wont take moon clips? or a 637?

I don't know if there has been one from the factory that would take a moonclip, but I'm sure you could get the cylinder cut for that.

http://www.laserlyte.com/Laser_Gun_Sights/CK-SW/CK-SW.html

i saw this on guns and gear this morning..... what do y'all think. a good buy?

The product may suit your needs. I have no direct experiences with the company.

That said, the product would not suit my needs. I do value a laser assisted target acquisition system, and my money goes towards crimson trace. The crimson trace lg-405 model is quite handy on a J frame.

The primary difference seems to be the means of activation. The laser you linked to requires you to manually activate the laser by removing a finger off the grip. Then, if you want to turn it off, you have to click it not once, but twice more. Clicking it once more gives you a pulsing laser.

I personally like the ability of the crimson trace grips to activate and de-activate with a simple squeeze of the hand. My grip positioning does not change nor does the laser draw attention to itself by pulsing before I want to turn it off.

If your primary use of the laser is for target practice, then the laser you linked to would seem to be fine. If, however, the primary use of the laser is for self defense, I would caution you against the product. That pulsing laser or straight beam is a dead give away.. and the fact that you have to manually engage in an unnatural fashion prior to use will cost you precious seconds. The crimson trace grips, on the other hand, need not be activated in any manner other than squeezing when you are ready to fire - and they will remain off before that, giving you the capacity for an edge of surprise and positioning in a self defense scenario. The CT grips are easy to use and dynamic in the sense that you have immediate control over their use without additional manipulation of the firearm.

Unfortunately, the crimson trace grips are also more expensive, but you can find deals from time to time on davidsons, from buds, from local dealers, and from personal sellers. Crimson trace also stands behind their product - and that I do have personal experience with.

Best,

Tony

i was looking at this cause i usually carry my 442 in my left pocket. by using my left hand i figured i have a little advantage. but yeah... i'll save my money a little longer for a LG-405. thanks tony!

Can I play?

I just picked this beauty up last night...and it won't be just a one night stand.
The deal was too good to pass up and I wondered all the way home what took me so long to get one.
It's been used but not abused....and I couldn't wait to start playing "dress up" with her........I'm starting out with a horse hide pocket job......

This might be true love.....

Nice holster!

Nice one, Rayban. I just wish my 442's trigger was broken in like i'm betting yours is already

Carry mine in a Nemesis in chef pants every day.

Tony_the_tiger said:

Nice one, Rayban. I just wish my 442's trigger was broken in like i'm betting yours is already

Click to expand...

It must be Tony.....I haven't fired it yet, but dry fired it some and I don't feel that it's all that unfriendly......not at all like I've read in my research.

Greetings

Rayban-

Welcome to the X42 Club. Nice looking holster. Who made it?

DAdams said:

Rayban-

Welcome to the X42 Club. Nice looking holster. Who made it?

Click to expand...

I did, thank you! ...I started on it as soon I walked in the door last night from picking it up.....got yelled at for being late for dinner.