Taurus 905 & SW 642: a report
So today, while out on business errands, as I was driving by my local gun shop, a powerful tractor beam grabbed my truck and forced it into the parking lot. (I forgot my tinfoil hat, so the beam was effective. Darned aliens.
)
So, as long as I was forced in there, I decided to go in and investigate the Taurus 905 & the SW 642. (While there, I ordered a CZ 452 Style in .22LR (synth stock, nickel barrel/receiver), but that's a different thread).
The 905 is indeed, very sweet. Great size, fits my hand well. The folks in the shop praised it. Said they've sold several, with no complaints.
I asked about the alleged problem with "moonclips" being a bit flimsy. Yes, they said, perhaps, but they favored a different type of quick load system anyway: something by Galco that was a linear, rubber strip. Two for $7. They claim that they're almost as quick as a speedloader. (Yeah, we'll see another time.)
But the action of the 905 was quite smooth. {Not as smooth as the SW [see below], but smooth.} The price was right at $329. I could live with it. Actually, kind of appealing.
However, I noticed that its weight is very comparable to my K9 at 22 oz. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but as I reconsider this whole question, I'm thinking more and more that maybe what I wanted is a lighter weight (than my K9) carry gun.
Honestly, all the talk of recoil, noise levels, rings in the cylinder, etc has sort of soured me a bit on .357. Even the guys in the store said, "If you're looking for SD against humans, .357 may be a bit overkill." They characterized it as more of a 'range gun' or suitable for defense against large animals (like up in Cosmoline's neighborhood).
And, speaking only for myself, I've come to think that even the smaller SP101 just feels too large for carry. And as for studio defense, my 870P will be here shortly, and is a whole 3-5 dbl quieter
than a .357 with a LOT more power.
So, next I looked at the SW 642.
SSSSSWWWWWEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTT!!!!
At 15 oz, it's light as a pea shooter.
Admittedly, next to a .357 it IS a pea shooter.
Small. Even tiny. Good feeling. Fits my hand well, even if my little finger has to fold under the grip.
Still, that makes it small. I can live with it.
Action smooth as glass. Cylinder opens smoothly.
I tried it out in my pocket, both my Carhartt vest & my BDU's. Smooth fit with and without a synthetic fabric pocket holster.
I thought to myself, "Self, I can see you carrying this out way more regularly than the K9, let alone a .357. Leave it by the truck keys. Pick up the truck keys, throw the 642 into the pocket, and off to the {choose one or more} grocery, bookstore, discussion seminar, hardware, Saturday hike...
Price: $389.
I felt good about myself, thanks to what I've learned on THR, that I was able to correct one store employee who contended that the .38 spl +p ranks even with the 9mm.
"No it doesn't", I objected.
He goes to get a Remington catalog listing velocities for Golden Saber ammo.
"Well, you're right", says he. "9 mm is about 150 fps faster than the .38 spl +p."
With confidence I smiled.
Still, even given that, I like that little 642.
They claim it is THE best selling pistol in the store. For every other pistol, they keep one in stock. For the 642, they keep 2-4 in stock, and still sell out of them.
I was proud that I walked out without it, however.
Still waffling a bit. Think I'll sleep on it for a few more days...or weeks.
Nem