642 Club Part Deux

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I'll call S&W this week concerning the SW Master Revolver Action Package. Let's see what they say when it comes to the 642.

Jon H
 
Newbie 642 owner

I have the 642 with Crimson Trace laser grips (initially bought one with the internal lock but traded it back for one WITHOUT... whew). I'll be doing dry fire practice with the laser and wonder: Should I use snap caps for dry firing or is it OK to dry fire without snap caps? TIA.
 
The Smith & Wesson website says:
Q: Can I dry fire my Smith & Wesson?

A: Yes, except for the .22 caliber pistols which includes models 22A, 22S, 422, 2206, 2214, 2213 and 41.

.22 caliber revolvers such as models 17, 43, 63, 317 and 617 also should not be dry fired.

Q: Why can't I dry fire my .22 pistol or revolver?

A: Dry firing a S&W .22 pistol or revolver will cause damage to the firing pin.
 
I won't actually own a 642 until sometime tomorrow afternoon. I can tell you the consensus is that supposedly it's okay to not use snap caps, but why risk it for the cost of snap caps? Most use them. A few do not.
 
As per above post: I won't actually own a 642 until tomorrow. I already bought Speer Short Barrel +P and Corbon DPX+. After reading all the horror stories about recoil with +P, I'm wondering what the best NON P+ round might be--just in case I turn out to be a sissy boy. :eek: :uhoh:
 
Some standard pressure rounds to try:

1. Winchester 110gr Silvertip
2. Federal Gold Match 148gr wadcutter
3. Buffalo Bore #20C 158gr LHP
4. Buffalo Bore #20E 125 Speer JHP
 
New to the club, Offical 642-1 OWNER!!! :)

Hey All-
Just wanted to throw up a quick post to say that I have OFFICIALLY joined the 642 club. Picked up my 642-1 post lock at this weekends Chilsom Trail gun show just outside Wichita. I walked every table and found only 1 post lock 642! The price tag read $409 and the dealer came down $10 since my buddy was buying another pistol from him making the total after tax $425. After $30 rebate, I will have about $395 invested for my new 642. Not bad I say! I picked up some Silver Star snap caps, break free CLP, nylon GP brush, nylon bore brush, nylon cylinder brush, .38 patches and an HKS 36 speed loader as well. Took it to the range that day and fired 50 range loads without issue. Next came the Remington 125 grain +P rounds - All I can say is WOW! The concusion experienced by shooting this round made my eyebrows move. The recoil was controllable, but slightly larger than the regular range loads. I only made it through 10 +P rounds before we left, but the 642 handled them really well.

Anyhow, I am definitly excited that I finally picked one of these gems up. If it's any consulation, I passed on a used 642 lock model with CT grips for $475 in lieu of my 642-1 post lock all stock. I went through the entire thought process and new I would be bothered by the lock being there. This might not be an issue for some people and good for you if it's not. The lock probably isn't a huge deal in the grand scheme of things. I just realize that I over think just about everything, and this would have been one of those things. Another consideration I pondered was an internet buy that was going to be $425 shipped from Alaska. I passed on that deal after realizing that I want to see and touch the gun before I buy, especially on a new gun. With a used gun, I would definitly consider buying sight unseen from a reputable source.

PS - I am now looking to pickup some LG-405's and a pocket holster.

Happy Shooting-
Kelly
 

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COsnubster, billwill - Welcome to the 642 Club, great to have you here. LifetimeShooter - Welcome back.

gman - Now that's a good look'n photo :D

billwill- Snap Caps...yes...no reason to take chances, plus good reloading pratice.

Now..BTT..back to where we once belonged...
 
OK, several of you guys have obviously been snoozing on the job. This thread dropped to page 2. Maybe a sign of the upcoming apocolypse? Let us hope not.

642 content: Has anyone had an XS Big Dot sight installed on their 642/442? I'm looking at sending the little fellow to a gunsmith to have the existing front sight milled down and either a Big Dot or fiber optic front sight added.

Thoughts? Opinions?
 
I Would

really like my 642 if:

Has anyone had an XS Big Dot sight installed on their 642/442? I'm looking at sending the little fellow to a gunsmith to have the existing front sight milled down and either a Big Dot or fiber optic front sight added.
It had a different sight. :rolleyes:

Had a darker finish like a 442. :neener: No racoon eyes to clean and scrub.

Was lighter like a 340PD. :scrutiny:

Could run .357. :(

See

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=282173

Sorry, just couldn't help it. :neener:

Once in awhile Nem comes over and harrasses the 340 Club :cuss:
It's hard to be humble. :cool: With the perfect J Frame.
 
If

You have a CT System on your X42 and have mastered point and shoot skills with and w/o CTs, I am not sure that spending the money on a X42 to have an Big Dot or light pipe is the way I would spend my money.

Light pipes are great during the day and good for light gathering in low light conditions and they do address the round front sight in a troughlike gutter for sight shooting as opposed to the blade. But how often is that going to happen in an emergency?

I do like the XS sights since they are true night sights with tritium vials as opposed to FO which have no night sight capabilities.

P5210024-3.jpg

I wonder how much it would cost to have the BD installed?

The opinions expressed are not that of an expert, by any stretch. ;)
 
Flounder22

Nice Yak rig.

Looks like this is the dry bag you are using for the 642.
Always a good idea to have a shark gun on board. ;)

http://www.drypakcase.com/dealer.php

Available at REI, CampMor and other fine retailers. :D

Here is the link for Campmor.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/campmor/search/main.jsp?command=text&ip_text=dry+pak

I keep an emergency roscoe on my boat, but I have a smaller investment (BT 380 and two mags) in case it somehow gets away from me and goes deep six. :eek: It's in a Zip Lock bag in a float (ditch) bag, I like your bag better and they have a variety of methods for security, belts, lanyards etc.

P7270010.jpg
 
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As a long time whitewater boater, I'd prefer a small Pelican or large Otter box which would float with the revolver in it. I've always carried my BlackHawk in a padded ammo-can on multi-day rafting trips in Idaho.
 
Add me to the list please.
Lock 642, still looking for a no-lock.
Remington 158grain +p lead hollow point. Extra speed strips.
Nemesis pocket holster, until the Mika arrives.
Thank You, to all previous posters in this thread.
 
Ive heard of people using spent casings for practice instead of snap caps. Does anyone know if this works as well as snapcaps? You can tell Im cheap :)
 
S&W "Master Revolver Action Package"

I called S&W and inquired about the "Action Package" for the 642. The gentlemen was very cordial and told me with a 642, all they could do would be to modify the trigger to give it a smoother and lighter action. Cost - $80.00

I'm thinking my local gunsmith can do the same thing for probably less, BUT it would void the warranty.
 
ThomasII

Welcome to the fold.

Glad to see you did your homework. You are obviously and apt study of the handgunners art. ;)

Add me to the list please.
Lock 642, still looking for a no-lock.
Remington 158grain +p lead hollow point. Extra speed strips.
Nemesis pocket holster, until the Mika arrives.
Thank You, to all previous posters in this thread.

Right on task. You can never have too many J Frames so finding a lockless version is a worthwhile endeavor. You can never have too many excuses to scour the gun shops for that "next find". :D
 
Webbjo219 I use fired cases instead of snapcaps. The problem with doing this is your fired cases can look like unfired cases. this could cause a ND. You can paint your fired cases red(just the backs) You should still check and double check to be safe.
 
Snap Caps

I think the best snap caps for .38/.357 and 12 gauge are made by Pachmayr (A-Zoom). Some kind of alloy, very durable. I don't expect them to break, ever, and the weight is a better approximation of live rounds, which difference you can feel, in the hand or in the pocket. Expect to pay around $20 for a dozen of them. I don't suggest their offering for .22lr, however.

Also, not as good: triple K clear plastic, and other similar brands. They're a pain to pick out of the cylinder if they shatter in there.
 
Has anyone had an XS Big Dot sight installed on their 642/442? I'm looking at sending the little fellow to a gunsmith to have the existing front sight milled down and either a Big Dot or fiber optic front sight added.

I had Terry Tussey install at Big Dot on my 442 some years back. I like it. I’ll try to put up a picture later.

RE: Standard pressure rounds- Speer has a standard pressure Gold Dot (125 grain) in the Law Enforcement line…they’re not too hard to find online.
 
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