642 Club Part Three

I took the 4442 to the range today and while I didn't find the recoil offensive, I do need to practice. The way the gun fits my hand has me shooting high

BTW, I was looking at the S&W site to find info on the Crimson Trace grips. Lo and behold there is a rebate for revolvers until the end of the year for qualified individuals. Hey, I qualify $50.00 back to me when I get the paperwork in.

Thought I'd stop by and say hi to everyone. It's been a while for me, probably 6 months.

In that time, my brother-in-law and father have both joined the x42 club. My dad in particular is a convert. He shot my 642 in the past and did not like the kick. Then he decided to get a 442 for pocket carry (for those times when he just didn't feel like carrying his Kahr K9 IWB) and he loves the way it shoots. He's a pretty darn good shot with it too, about as good as he is with the Kahr.

And he carries that little 442 everywhere in is Robert Mika round cut pocket holster. Not only was he impressed with the quality of Robert's workmanship, he was pleasantly surpised to receive a phone call from Robert personally, confirming his order and advising him of the lead time, etc. I remember him doing the same for me 5+ years ago. He really is a fantastic guy, always happy to serve his customers. What a great feeling to do business with a man like that.

Anyway, those smooth wood stocks sure look nice. I had a chance to shoot some on by bro-in-law's 642 recently and was very much impressed. I'm fine with the stock Uncle Mikes rubber boot grips for now, but one day I'll have to swap on a set of Eagle Secret Service grips or something from Ahrends. For now the bigger priority is getting replacement stocks for the stupidly hugeormous S&W Target Grips on my S&W Model 19 and 29. Not sure who S&W was sizing and shaping those stocks for, King Kong maybe? They don't offer sufficient clearance for HKS speedloaders either, oh well.

Jad-
Glad you stopped by and thanks for updating on the family X42s.

Christmas is almost here so I thought I would dust off my Holiday Gems.



642 and a 4Sevens LTD Edition Titanium 2X123A.
And some Buffalo Bore.

Hi fellow 642 lovers! Sorry if this dups other messages, but I did not see it.

I took mine to the range for the second time last night, with some reloads. I like that the Speer 135 gr Gold Dot was developed for snubbies, but don't care for the price. I read online (I think on THR) that 6.8 gr of AA#5 with Gold Dot bullets seems to duplicate the factory load. I bought some Speer GD bullets from Graf's, and also had some 125 grain LRNFPs, and found listed loads for both bullets that bracketed 6.8 grains AA#5. Last night I tried them all, and while I have to admit I am not a marksman, I could not tell the difference in perceived recoil or point of aim. However, the lead bullet loads were smokey, and I may try copper plated or a cheaper jacketed bullet next time. If anybody else has any thoughts on inexpensive practice ammo that duplicates factory defense loads I would like to hear from you.

Well the loads will be smokey because of the lube around the bullet. If you go to a jacketed or coated bullet of some type that should go away, unless the powder is a smoky one also. I don't know if I would worry about duplicating the load if the goal is to shoot more.

sc1911cwp -
Thanks for reminding me - I did recall reading why lead bullet loads are smokey, but could not remember the reason. I shoot at an indoor range, and would prefer not to breathe that junk.

I do specifically want an inexpensive way to duplicate my carry load for this gun. I'm thinking copper plated bullets are the next step.

Good Shooting!

Check out Berrys Bullets or Rainer Bullets. I think those are the ones I used to use before I just decided to go to lead. My local range has good ventilation.

I shot lead bullets in mine one time, and it was way smokier than normal. I reload Berry's 125 gr. HP's for range use, and have been very pleased with them.

Another cousin.

S&W Heritage grips


In a Bianchi Remedy holster

Well, if JAD dropped in to say 'hi', I guess I should also.

Long, tough, hard - I mean lifetime hard - 6 months since I was here last. 642 still in storage on the other coast. (Please just accept that as fact, and don't ask why; it's just the way it is.)

Anybody heard from fiVe?

niner4tango that's a sweet set-up all the way around. Like the retro grips. Darn near a BBQ rig. Make sure you are wearing kahkis....otherwise you have to get the rig in basic black for jeans.

Nem-

Glad you stopped in, no fiVe, no jt1. I assume fiVe is stateside, who knows about jt?

Good to here from you Nem. I hope you are enjoying yourself on the Atlantic side of the U.S., but I know you must be looking forward to getting back home.

I've not gone anywhere physically, but life has been so completely nuts here that I've not gotten out to shoot much this year at all. I used to get out ever 3 weeks to shoot, this year it has been about every 3 months ... hoping that will all go back to normal this spring.

I'm hoping to get to the range over the holidays. My wife is getting into shooting slowly but surely. The only place I have been to regularly this year has been the fitness center. My grip is better than ever. Comes in handy when shooting the 642.

I have some sales guys into shooting and we did some sporting clays This year.
I wasn't impressed with my 55%. I think I got as much shotgun time in this year as my handguns.

It's been way too long since I've visited the club.

I took my 642 to the range and ran 2 cylinders of 135gr +p Gold Dots and about 50 rds of Speer Lawman 135gr range ammo through the little guy. That was about enough of that before switching to evil bottomfeeders in .40 and .22 for about 100 rds each.

I got home and took the 642 apart (grips, side panel, and cylinder out, but left the internals alone). Even sealed up, it needed to be cleaned. I blew it out with some compressed air, blasted everything down with some Break Free CLP, blew it out again with some very light compressed air, and buttoned it up. SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTH... It had been about a year of pocket carry since I had done a deep cleaning other than just bore and cylinder with a good wipedown after range sessions. It sure needed it.

Cheers!

Where did you get the Speer Lawman 135gr range ammo?

Where did you get the Speer Lawman 135gr range ammo?

Click to expand...

I've had it for a year or two. I picked it up from an online ammo seller with a bulk order of 7.62x39, .40 range ammo, and some buck. If I recall, it was either Ammunition to Go or Ammo Man. A quick look at thier inventories doesn't show any at present.

Cheers!

DA, thanks for the PM. Will respond asap.

JAD, far upper east coast is home now, for the duration.

Likewise, no range time in far too long. Been a rough year.

Looking up, but still not out of the pit.

Has anything changed here in terms of ammo recommendations? 135 gr still?

Nema, jad, others... wow, long time! I'm still retired, but range trips seem fewer & farther between. I met my son at a new indoor range, where he is a member, across town Friday. I shot my Remington R38S12 +P 158gr LSWCHPs - but not from my 642. I had left the loose ammo home - only had my 2 5/8" PC627 UDR and moonclips loaded with the Remi's. The same accuracy was quickly recalled, shooting at 10yd. Recoil was all but gone - amazing what ~2.5X the mass can accomplish there! The noise was memorable - even with the drone of the ventillation/exhaust fan and my usual ear protection, some aged headphone type. I wanted to get my son to 'experience' the 642 - but that'll wait for a return trip - I only had the carry load of five rounds - and, despite the Season, didn't want to travel across town, ~ 30 miles, without my loaded 'pocket protector'!

Ahhh, the good old days - when I shot hundreds of 125gr JHP homebrews through my 642 per outdoor range trip. The SPC targets dropped/pinged without a miss. My 642-2 will be five years young in February. Early this year, after ~2k+ of those plinkers, my 24/7 EDC was retired from plinker duties - and became my dedicated CC piece. It's larger sibling, my nine year old AirLite Ti 296, a 5-shot .44 Special, languishes in it's near bedside site of repose.

I'll still shoot the odd loads of +P's through the 642 - to insure it's normal function - and to keep me familiarized with it. I have SS plinkers for 'fun'. One of the most fun, despite my 627's, 686P, & 66, is a 4" 64-8 - bought as a house gun - for less than the used price of my 642! Great choice as a home defender - and part-time fun/plinker. It is 'on the money', coincident POI/POA at 7-12 yd with those Remi's - and 'close enough' with those 125gr JHP plinkers.

Re the indoor range vs my usual outdoor range... it was damp and cold Friday - I appreciated being indoors. Thursday was just coldish - and I was at the outdoor range - the comradery of the other range denizens/elderly flatulances had been missed. Too much procedure - and too great a cost - for my annual indoor membership. The odd trip - as my son's guest - will be appreciated.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

John (Stainz)

PS I forgot to add - I shot my 632 Pro - .327 Federal Magnum - with 115gr God Dots. It really is a Magnum!



My son thought it was a .327 Federal Miserable! Awfully loud - and what a flash!

Stainz that's a good looking revolver. Everything just looks better w/o a hole in the side....is that just me? I like those grips.

Holes in the side can't be good ... right?

I mean, holes in the side mean you took one from the right/left
because you weren't paying attention to that side.

Stainz, that's a fine looking revolver, bro.

May You be Snubbed for Xmas

Merry Christmas fellow 642ers. May your days be merry and bright.

sc1911cwp said:

...BTW, I was looking at the S&W site to find info on the Crimson Trace grips. Lo and behold there is a rebate for revolvers until the end of the year for qualified individuals. Hey, I qualify $50.00 back to me when I get the paperwork in.

Click to expand...

Where do ya find this rebate? And what is a qualified individual?

The rebate is for Active Duty or Retired MIlitary. Others may qualify. I found it on the S&W site. BTW, there are other places to find Crimson Trace grips less expensive than those you normally see. There are three grips that CT makes for a J-frame and it depends what you want. If you have trouble finding the rebate info let me know and I'll find it for you.

Merry Christmas, fellow 642ers!

Welcome aboard, scottishclaymore!