How do You like your 642?

I owned one for a few weeks. I sold it pretty much right after shooting it. I realize the 642 is a holy item on these boards and I am going to butcher the sacred cow here.

FOR ME the gun did not conceal as well as my Ruger LCP, was tougher to shoot well, and had terrible recoil. The recoil made it very difficult to get good follow up shots, and it was really very uncomfortable. Something about that particular gun. I can shoot DoubleTap/Buffalo Bore full snort 158gr. .357mags in my SP101 without any recoil problem at all. I'm not recoil shy. But that little j frame even with standard, non +p loads... uncomfortable.
I can say, that the 642 I had was very very accurate. I was surprised when my very first shot ever with that gun took the 10 out of the center of the target. Dead smack in the middle. I was glad I had witnesses or nobody would have believed me!

The LCP I already owned was a much better choice for me.

I am in the minority and I realize it. Listen to some of the others here. Chances are that you will like the gun as much as other people do, but just realize that there are always statistical outliers. I am one.

I have the 638 (blued, semi-shrouded hammer) version. I like it for what it is. It's something that will slip in the pocket when needed and satisfy the need for a "get off me" gun. I have no delusions about it being a range favorite; I just want to know that it will go "bang" when needed. I've put ~20 rounds through it and likely won't do more than that per year as long as I have it. No need to practice with it for its purpose...I'm not worried about accuracy or recoil when the likely shot is from 5 feet and in. Before the howlers emerge...don't worry, I practice with my other carry pieces

I like mine a lot. Carry every day,it has range and capacity limits you just have to be aware of. I can carry it anytime in any clothes and recoil is not a big issue at all for me with Rem 158 lswchp.
It realy is the ideal edc, now if I am going into known danger I would prefer my Glock.

I've got the 442 (same revolver, only with a black finish). My back-up gun. A beast to shoot, not fun with 125 gr +P JHPs. I typically shoot a couple cylinders at each range session to re-acquaint myself with the egregious trigger pull and hellish recoil.

Very accurate. Purpose-built weapon. Do I like it? No, but it's the lightest, most powerful snag-free pocket gun I've ever used.

Hated it.

Upgraded to a N frame 3 inch belly gun.

More shots <8>

Just as easy to conceal.

Far easier to draw.

Far easier to shoot accuratly.


I have no use for the J frames myself.

Love the gun...kinda hate shooting it. For most situations, it is plenty of gun. Wouldn't hesitate to rely upon it for any and all SD needs likely to be encountered by me. It's powerful, it's loud, it's light, it points well, it was inexpensive. I only practice with this gun at 7 yards and I can hit what I am aiming at. 10 rounds and my hand hurts for sure but this gun wasn't made to shoot 10 rounds. It was made to shoot 3 and have 2 to spare...or vice versa. I handled an LCR at a gun show and was shocked at how poorly it fit my hand relative to the 642. I expected parity there. So, conversely, I'd expect the LCR to be better suited for other folks. Never fired an LCR so can't comment there...just didn't fit...cool firearm though.

Between it and my LCP (Ruger, .380), they both get worn about equal time, if not the revolver a bit more. It does show more in a pocket, however, it could be anything in someone's pocket, from a small book to a large wallet.

I don't shoot it often, as I don't feel I really need to. For its intended purpose (say, 21 feet or less), I can shoot the +P defense loads just fine! I did load a bunch of calmer 158g LSWCHP's that I never got around to shoot! It's just as well, with the cost of everything going up, I can save them for various "rainy-days."

The grip is a tad small for me, but I need to pocket carry in the summer. No better option in my opinion since I need a tiney gun based on how I dress. Winter.... a bigger gun is carried IWB under a fleece. I guess I could try an LCP, but that isn't enough bang for me. So the 642 is just as right as it will get.

now if I am going into known danger I would prefer my Glock.

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Unless you are a cop or soldier, you shouldn't be doing this. Unless you mean the outdoors with critters and such. Then I take your meaning.

I found the 642 conceals better than the Kahr CM I just bought; however, I can shoot the Kahr better - the 642 just always wants to shoot high and right (LH shooter), so I carry it less and less now

I think it is perfect for what it is intended for.

I like it so much that I bought a 442 just to keep it company.

Seriously, the 642 (in my humble opinion) is near perfection for its intended purpose.

Really, my favorite. Shoots straight, conceals well, light as a feather. I'd carry over most of these new lc9, pt blah blah kel tec .....

"now if I am going into known danger I would prefer my Glock"
.
"Unless you are a cop or soldier, you shouldn't be doing this. Unless you mean the outdoors with critters and such. Then I take your meaning."

I probably could have phrased that a little better. The 642 is a gun I can carry every day with reasonable confidence for the types of trouble I may have in the suburbs of Detroit where I live. However in the City I may feel a little under armed. The possibility of multiple armed attackers is simply higher.

642 is a great pocket gun. It is not square and does not have the slide hump like an auto pistol. It is easier to get a hold of and draw fast.

I like my 642 except when loaded with +P ammunition.

I have 2. One is sitting here on the desk as I type. It will be carried in the pocket of my fall/winter jackets and is loaded with Gold Dot.

Went to buy the new no-lock 642 that appeared at the LGS. Ended up with the LNIB 40+ year old Model 37 that was sitting next to it in the case.

There was a problem unlatching the cylinder (for loading) of the 642. Took 3 or 4 tries and some straining to get it open. Gun store owner said it would go away with usage. I said, no thanks.

The 37 was $100 cheaper, had a pinned barrel, looked great, and you could get the cylinder open. I've been happy with it. Shooting wadcutters at the range, I can put 4 out of 5 on an 8.5" x 11" target at 25 yards. Usually one or two land in the black at that range.

The 37's trigger pull is quite heavy so the single action firing mode is useful. I wouldn't want to shoot anything much heavier than my wadcutter loads. +P hadn't been invented when that gun was built, but I'm led to understand that the .38 Spcl. they sold back then was loaded to the same pressure levels as +P today.

Did I say it was $100 cheaper?

Did I say it was $100 cheaper?

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And if you decide to sell it, you'll likely get out of it, what you paid.
Not so with buying a new 642 (or any new gun for that matter).

Sounds like a win to me!

i love love love it. contrary to popular belief recoil even with
+p's is quite managable and I can make fast accurate follow up shots but I practice alot because i love shooting it.

I have a 642 with CT 305 grips for accurate point shooting, full grip and recoil mitigation. I keep it loaded with Buffalo Bore standard pressure soft cast 20C.
It's my Wife's bedside piece.

I prefer a M&P 340 J Frame with CT 405 grips for revolver pocket carry due to the lighter weight as compared to the 642 which I found too heavy. I like the 135 gr Speer God Dot Plus P in the 340 and used it in the 642 until it went to my Wife.

Frequently like many though I pocket carry a small .380 semiauto which is lighter yet. The recoil is ugly and it doesn't have a lazer.

These days I'm
actually getting used to and working towards OWB for Winter carry here in East TN.
One in 9, .40 and .45.

I have a bunch of .38 and .32 snubbies--642, 36, 49, 327pc, LCR, DS, Cobra, Agent, model 10....the 642 is my choice for everyday carry because of weight and concealability.

PS--I load it with a handload--158 gr LSWCHP at 815 fs and feel adequately protected.