Nightcrawler
Member
My S&W 642 is my every day carry gun. I've only carried my Colt Gov't Model once that I can recall, and I've concealed my 5" 629 never.
My 642 fits into my pants pocket with a cheap Uncle Mike's pocket holster, and goes with me everywhere. It leaves no more tell-tale than a lump in my pocket, and is light enough that I forget it's there.
But since it's my always gun and not a backup, I'm wondering if going to a smiliarly configured J-Frame .357 might not be in order.
The model I'm thinking of is the S&W 640. It's stainless steel, a 1-1/8th" barrel, .357 Magnum, and the internal hammer than I prefer. It'll work in the same pocket holster that I use for the 642.
There are two downsides, weight and recoil. The 642, with .38 +Ps, can be a handful. It does, however, have an alloy frame, and probably weighs about fifteen ounces empty. The 640 has a steel frame, and is heavier, but even mid-level .357 (I'm considering either that new short-barrel load or the 140 grain Silvertip) will kick harder than a .38.
So what do you think? Is the extra power worth the extra recoil and extra eight ounces of weight?
If I do get this gun, what to do with the 642? I'll probably hang onto it, as it was my first snub and I'm rather fond of it.
My 642 fits into my pants pocket with a cheap Uncle Mike's pocket holster, and goes with me everywhere. It leaves no more tell-tale than a lump in my pocket, and is light enough that I forget it's there.
But since it's my always gun and not a backup, I'm wondering if going to a smiliarly configured J-Frame .357 might not be in order.
The model I'm thinking of is the S&W 640. It's stainless steel, a 1-1/8th" barrel, .357 Magnum, and the internal hammer than I prefer. It'll work in the same pocket holster that I use for the 642.
There are two downsides, weight and recoil. The 642, with .38 +Ps, can be a handful. It does, however, have an alloy frame, and probably weighs about fifteen ounces empty. The 640 has a steel frame, and is heavier, but even mid-level .357 (I'm considering either that new short-barrel load or the 140 grain Silvertip) will kick harder than a .38.
So what do you think? Is the extra power worth the extra recoil and extra eight ounces of weight?
If I do get this gun, what to do with the 642? I'll probably hang onto it, as it was my first snub and I'm rather fond of it.
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