642 Club Part Deux

[twoclones]

I wipe down my 642 with gun cleaner as needed which isn't real often since I'm not pocket carrying. When I did carry my NAA mini revolver in my pocket, the barrel would get filled with lint!

 

[copper4262]

I keep lint and dust off all pocket guns and usually wipe down my other carry pieces weekly. I usually don't use oil to wipe down a gun unless its going to be put away for awhile. The finish on most modern guns can handle the day to day wear - and I don't like the idea of having a bunch of oil collecting dust and lint on a daily carry piece

 

[jt1]

CJCmajor - Welcome to the 642 Club. My x42's are in use 24/7 and about the only time they get wiped is during cleaning. The get carried about 50/50 in a Mika round cut pocket holster or a smart carry.

5-SHOTS - I carry the 442/642 about equally, often I carry both. The 642 finish is surprisingly durable and wears very well. For normal holster wear the 442 shows more as the high spots wear through the black and are more noticeable that the wear on the 642 which is just a bit of shiny on the clearcoat. If you get any damage on the 642 clearcoat on the frame it is quite noticeable, but the 442 frame shows wear as well...I will post some pic's in a bit.

Holster wear is about the same, but shows more on the 442. Both show very well for working guns that get knocked about a fair amount...













DA - Thanks for the review, good info...

Nem - Oh yea, the Gobi incident...as I recall you ran out of ammo during the Mongolian terrorist attack good thing you had your...

 

[bigred0383]

Just wanted to say hi as a new member (almost). A local dealer found me a no lock 442 (finally), so I dropped by to pay today and it should be here by the end of the week. Can't wait to be a full fledged member!

P.S. Mika Round Cut Pocket Holster, 3 HKS Speedloaders, Pair of Bianchi Speedstrips, AZoom snap caps, some winchester fmj and some speer gold dot ordered and in the mail. Go big or go home right? Can't wait!!!

 

[jt1]

bigred0383 - Welcome to the 642 Club. No lock 442...sweet...looks like you have done your homework as well...we await the photo's

 

[sandpiper]

3 HKS Speedloaders,

I have been trying to read previous posts in this and part 1 and somwhere I recall a comment that these speedloaders don't work well with the factory grips (642). Can someone please help out here as I can't find it again? Thanks!!

 

[5-SHOTS]

jt1: thank you very much. IMPRESSIVE pics! I was learning about the 442 because wear spots on the frame can be refinished using Birchwood "Aluminium Black" or similar products (also Ruger says that on the instruction manual of the new LCR) and carbon steel parts can be easily refinished also using proper products. Instead there's no way to refinish yourself the clear coat on the 642. Moreover I'm a little bored of stainless steel guns (I currently own three and my father another two...).
Anyway, the first option to replace my S&W 686 Plus remains the S&W 40 Centennial "lemon squeezer" for the lack of the lock...

Best regards, 5-SHOTS

 

[308win]

Does anyone know what type of finish the clear coat is? Is it a polymer, epoxy/enamel; . . .?

 

[CJCmajor]

I have one more comment... I can not help but think that in some ways the x42 is somewhat fragile, at least to some degree....? I really like this gun, but have been reluctant to shoot it to much due to fear of " wearing it out". Am I wrong in feeling this way. I guess I just have not read to many long term testimonials to this gun " standing the test of time". So does anyone have such experience to put my anxiety to rest???

 

[308win]

I wouldn't worry about that. You would get your moneys worth if you shot it enough to wear it out.

 

[DAdams]

P.S. Mika Round Cut Pocket Holster, 3 HKS Speedloaders, Pair of Bianchi Speedstrips, AZoom snap caps, some winchester fmj and some speer gold dot ordered and in the mail. Go big or go home right? Can't wait!!!

A well read student. and welcome BigRed.

I really like this gun, but have been reluctant to shoot it to much due to fear of " wearing it out". Am I wrong in feeling this way.

CJCMajor in today's market you would probably go broke buying ammo than wearing out an X42. I don't even know that I would relish that task particularly.

Welcome to the family.

 

[jerico34]

If there are other threads or posts regarding this, I haven't been able to find them.
I'm looking for recommendations for an IWB holster for my 642 (w/ CT grips). I will probably carry it in a pocket holster during summer months but need something to to conceal it better now.

 

[308win]

There are plenty of IWB holster options: Caldwell Gun Leather makes excellent holsters. Robert Mika makes a clip on IWB that is very serviceable. RGrizzle Leather has some good looking choices and then there are the usual suspects. Goggle will get you a lot of choices.

 

[indiandave]

You'll want to spend a few bucks on a IWB holster. The cheap ones have no support on the top opening. When you draw your gun the holster will collapse and make it hard or impossible to reholster.

Two good holster makers are Side Guard Holsters and Lobo Gun Leather.

 

[rockydogg]

I can't wait

I'm going to be getting my S&W 642 in a month and I can't wait. There is so much great info in this forum and has helped me out quite a bit. I look forward to posting more and hello to all!

 

[jt1]

Dual...

A precautionary tale…

I knew better, I even told myself to stop, spend the few extra minutes and get the proper equipment…but no I said, it will be fine, just a quick drive down to the local station to fill up the wife’s car and back, no problem. I had been working in the yard and had a lightweight jacket normally reserved just for that purpose, Mika with a 442 in my right front pocket, SOG PEII in the left front pocket, no reload, no backup and no light. Just about dark and my better half comes out with my wallet and her keys to go get her car filled up. Normally I would have grabbed my crossdraw or Nemesis and surefire LED but not this time. So I pull the 442 and stick it in my right jacket pocket without a holster and take off. When I reach the station I go to transfer the 442 back to the Mika and find it is stuck, grip down and barrel up in the jacket pocket…so there I sit in the middle of a gas station fumbling around with a loaded gun. I finally get the gun straight and back into the Mika and then I drop the keys on the deck as I exit the vehicle and kick them under the car as I close the door. I go for my light to find the keys, but of course I have no light…at some point during this exercise I loose all operational awareness…:banghead:

This is exactly the type of scenario that I caution "other" folks about all the time...this was a cheap lesson for me...Don't try this at home.


rockydogg - Welcome to the 642 Club.

 

[Dynawhite]

I just returned an HKS as it would not fit properly into the cylinder without some modification to the factory grips. Will be going to strips for the time being.

 

[jt1]

The speedloaders from HKS, Safariland and others will fit but as you can see it is very close and requires some practice to master...somewhere in part 1 are a few good posts about techniques, I will post them when I get more time.

wrekeer's modified grips for speedloaders:
http://thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=3596507&postcount=3943

RD's modified grips for speedloaders:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=4884160&postcount=2505

 

[bigred0383]

Quick question.

I got my 442 (no pictures yet), and have been trying to smooth out the trigger pull with the Azoom snap caps. Wierd thing is happening though. Every once in awhile I will get a small spark upon the firing pin dropping. It doesn't happen with the cylinder empty, and it only occasionally happens with the snap cap (not one every 5 so I can't single out a single snap cap yet). Is it just me or is this totally wierd? Has this happened to anyone else yet?

I am heading to the range today to break her in, will let you all know if anything goofy pops up there.

Thanks.

 

[jt1]

bigred0383 - A sparking X42...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=266777&highlight=sparks

 

[rockydogg]

I have a question for the forum. I was thinking about getting Crimson Trace grips on my 642 when I get it. First, do they make that much of a difference and second, does the button on the grip get in the way? Just wondering. Thanks Everyone.

 

[rockydogg]

I have a qusetion regarding the Crimson Trace grips on the 642. First, are they even worht it? Do they improve accuracy for new shooters? Lastly, do they change the grip much with the button that is on the grip to turn on the laser? Thanks everyone.

PS Sorry for asking the question twice. I didn't think the first one went trhough.

 

[bigred0383]

Thanks JT1, the guys at the gun show looked at me like I was crazy.

After putting 100 rounds of Remington UMC downrange, I am duly impressed.

First, she's got some snap to her. Second, I learned that "getting aggressive" with the gun really improves recoil and accuracy. Third, that if your speed loader isn't letting them fly, and jiggling it doesn't work, turn the cylinder while doing the speedloader shimmy and they should drop in easier.

But when I focused, and put in the work, she was willing to give the results I was hoping for.

I am really going to have to consider getting a crimson trace grip though.

P.S. I had to go to 6 shops to find ammo. I thought this shortage crap was over.

Thanks again everybody (will eventually get to some pictures, I promise).

 

[DAdams]

rockydoggq

Welcome to the Club.

I have a question for the forum. I was thinking about getting Crimson Trace grips on my 642 when I get it. First, do they make that much of a difference and second, does the button on the grip get in the way? Just wondering. Thanks Everyone.

You may wish to do a "Search" as this topic has been covered well on THR and the Internet in general. Google Crimson Trace Grips and see what you come up with.

First and foremost, the grips have to functionally act as grips. CT makes three versions for X42s. Each has a purpose and one covers price point.
One is larger for a full grip or perhaps if you pocket carry with very deep pockets. Those are the 305s. For pocket carry and smaller size the 405s may work better.
The 405s do (IMO) mitigate recoil well, but I only have the supplied grips to compare with.
The button does not bother me, nor hinder. There is no interfernce with the cylinder release and the grips. CT made sure of that.

I practice with them on and off. On my 642 and 340, they are always in the on position and I change the batteries annually. Personally I would rather have them than not. Any edge I can garner is a good bet.

The Laser Solution to the J-Frame Solution

Brent Purucker of the Smith & Wesson Academy and I prefer different J-Frame models, but we do agree on the fact that the Crimson Trace Lasergrip provides a huge advantage as far as self-defense sights for the J-frame are concerned. Not only does the laser compensate for the small sights and short-sight-radius on the little guns, but in the situations in which the handgun—and the J-frame specifically—is likely to be used: close quarter, high-stress self defense—the laser allows not only target-focused shooting, but shooting from non-traditional positions. The former is a necessity in those circumstances, while the latter is a distinct possibility.

From....
http://www.policeone.com/police-products/duty-gear/holsters/articles/1240834-The-J-Frame-solution/

You can go to the CT website and get alot of information and even view their forum and participate.

 

[DAdams]

If there are other threads or posts regarding this, I haven't been able to find them.
I'm looking for recommendations for an IWB holster for my 642 (w/ CT grips). I will probably carry it in a pocket holster during summer months but need something to to conceal it better now.

That is a distinct possibility based on cut and or fit; hence I would find a holster I liked and contact the builder via telephone.