642 Club Part Three

New 642

Just picked up my first S&W and a 642. I looked at the LCR as well, but after handling both, liked the 642 better. Better fit, and although the Ruger trigger was supposed to be better, I felt the 642 had better action.

I bought it as a back up gun and it'll make a good night-stand gun that my wife can shoot too.

I have 4 other revolvers and a couple of semi-autos. The revolvers are more like pets!

Checkin' in

Been a pretty busy summer so haven't been to the range much lately. Got to find a way to fit it in soon. So far have shot about 200 rds. through the 442 I bought in the spring and love it. Bought one pocket holster but still need an IWB. Inclined to get a Galco TUC158. Still got to buy some misc. reloading stuff too.

Picked up some range brass too at a local indoor range and got them loaded up too. Also helped get a co-worker into reloading....his family has several guns to load for and I think they'll really enjoy it.

The 125gr HP Berry's make a good target and fun shooting round.

On the declining interest comment, If I were still shopping, I'd stay with it until I found what I was looking for. I was almost obsessive when I bought the 442 & 642 in the spring. Once I saw it was "snooze or lose", I got religion and when I saw what I was looking for I pounced on them.

I just looked and the sites still seem to be showing a good number of S&W revolvers. There were 14 442's and the prices looked a might lower than when I bought a few months ago. I wonder how much of the panic buying is still going on? I saw on the components thread that inventories are starting to show up again.

Have a good weekend Dudes,

J

P.S. Don't feel quite as much like a newbie anymore.....maybe need to change my username

Did some training with the 442 last week with the following loads:

Corbon DPX 110 + P

Buffalo Bore 150 HC Wadcutter

Speer 135 +P JHP

Whereas I had been carrying the Buffalo Bore load, I was more accurate with the 135 grain gold dots. So, I have changed my carry load based on my perceived best accuracy with the firearm using the gold dots.

Unfortunately, it appears the ejector rod unscrewed while firing, and as I did not realize this to be the problem, I kept using and opening and closing the cylinder even though it was a bit "chunky". As a result, the ejector rod may be slightly bent as after screwing it back in, the cylinder is still chunky to open and close. The action is unaffected. I called S&W and they are sending a call tag by fedex for repair.

As a result of what I consider to be a failure of the firearm, although a non-emergency failure, I am now joining the SP101 club. I'm planning for the Ruger to chaperone the 442 on future excursions in the event that murphy visits either one. Someone once told me that carrying 2 j frames was absurd, and suggested I get a glock, however I don't know anyone that could call 135 gold dots absurd, nor the Ruger with the 140 grain Tac-XP rounds I plan to put through it. I'll keep the gold dots in the speedloaders and have the benefit of universal reloads for either firearm in a self defense situation. Just my 2 cents.

Been developing loads in the .270 and .243 for hunting seasons this fall - first one starts in a couple of weeks. But the 642 tags along on most range trips and gets a half box or so of reloads shot through it. Just keeps chugging along, peeling finish and all.

Been a while since I've posted on the Club, but then I didn't feel so bad when I saw that the last post was BEFORE LABOR DAY! Where is everyone?

Oh well, I've pocket carried my 642 in a Mika or Nemesis for years just like so many other club members, but decided to give OWB a try. I picked up some new leather at a LGS, and this method has quickly won me over. Could there be anything more comfortable than an Airweight 642 OWB? The holster is a pancake model from The Master's Holsters. Nice and snug, great retention, and rides just right.

Here's few pics:

Checking In

I stop by occasionally.

Nice leather there Cam. As the weather cools it prompts the ease of OWB carry for sure.

Busy summer and looking forward to color season here in east TN.

Best regards to all.

I stop by occasionally.

Click to expand...

You, too, eh?

Good thing MSAA is a part time position.

Just reporting back. My 442 developed difficulty opening and closing the cylinder. My theory was that the ejector rod became unscrewed slightly during firing and subsequently damaged when unloading and loading. I screwed the rod gently back into place but to no avail, the crunchiness returned.

S&W helped me out by issuing a fedex call tag. They took the 442 in and had it back to me with one week turn around. In fact, we received the 442 back and repaired before we received the letter from S&W stating that they had received the firearm!

The ejector rod and center pin were replaced, and to top it off S&W sent me a new pair of Altamont silver-black boot grips with a medallion for the trouble. Everything looks clear. Prior to the issue it had approx. 300 - 400 rounds through it.

Now back to the range...

MSAA. Doing a routine inspection and spot check.

642 with CT305. Check.Loaded with Buffalo Bore.
Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Ammo - 158 gr. Soft Lead SWC-HC (850fps/M.E. 253 ft. lbs.) - 20 Round Box

M&P 340 with CT 405. Check. Loaded with.
Speer Gold Dot .38 plus P 135 grain for short barrel.
http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/bullet_tests.htm
Mika Round Cut pocket holster and a couple for OWB.

Don't shoot them much but have. On standby. Ready for deployment.

DA - Did that rogue Roma attempt assault in the kitchen?

CQC in the kitchen. ESEE to the rescue.

This ain't an ESEE thread. DA gets 100 pushups, 15 lashes...

I swapped my LCR for a 642 and I really like it. It's my EDC now. Only issue with it was that the LH rubber grip panel wasn't relieved enough to allow the use of a speedloader. Hogue took care of that.

MSAA. Doing a routine inspection and spot check.

Click to expand...

Glad to see somebody's watching the club to make sure there's not a coup by Ruger.

What's this knife with the ant on it?

Izula II, 642 of fixed blade knives.

I picked up my second 642 this past week. A performance center edition Talo with rosewood grips... my new favorite super undercover revolver. I even bought a new Galco leather King Tuk for it. Now the glock 27 is crying in the safe!

Da, Nematocyst is just pulling your chain...

Let the Glock cry, Anmut. The 642 is much classier.

Anmut said:

I picked up my second 642 this past week. A performance center edition Talo with rosewood grips... my new favorite super undercover revolver. I even bought a new Galco leather King Tuk for it. Now the glock 27 is crying in the safe!

Click to expand...

That's a significant downgrade in armament, though.

The cost of super duper concealment.

Warp, I absolutely agree. 10rds of .40 or 5 rounds of .38+p. However it carries so much nicer under a tshirt in an IWB holster. Also the grip of the 38 compared to the G27 is a lot nicer too.

Don't get me wrong, I prefer to carry the Glock, but at work I have to stay super concealed.

Carrying anything at work puts you ahead of most "carriers" out there that I know of

carry both the Glock and the Smith!

Here she is...

I carry the 642 Pro Series - cut for moon clips. Makes for fast reloads, though I must say that speed strips are easier to carry in my pocket than are the loaded moonclips.

Anmut that's a beaut. Very nice. ILS?