642 Club Part Deux

[sixgunner455]

I kinda' feel like the kid who came home and found that his family had picked up and moved ...

LOL!! That actually happened to me! I was at Scout Camp for a week, and when the leaders took me home to drop me off, the house was completely empty.

Had them take me over to my uncle's house on the other side of town. Still don't know exactly why we moved that time, but we'd moved towns and got into a very different house.

Carried my 642 in my pocket today, while I was out to plink with some friends and .22s. Found a freshly abandoned car in a ravine. Didn't get to shoot much, as we were waiting for the county deputy to show up and look over the thing. Was stolen.

 

[ardito40]

fiVe - Thanks for the support on the women's issues, i.e. purse, etc. It really is more difficult for a woman to carry on their person than for a man. If you look around at most women's clothing, whether business or casual, you will see a huge difference in cut, fit, and style. With the exception of the options available when wearing a jacket, most other clothing just doesn't allow for it.

jt1 I understand the practicality of a practice purse. Just not the same one. The post you quoted was very interesting. Thanks.

Harvster I've noticed the same thing about losing the front sight after a while. Is there a special paint for that purpose? Or just any paint?

Daughter and I just returned from our CCW class. We both passed with flying colors. My 642 shot straight and true, as always. The instructor was quite impressed with both my daughter's and my accuracy. (She used her Colt .45)

Another lady in the class, about 50 yrs. old, who had only been to the range once before, also had a 642 but with regular grips. She, too, did quite well.

I'm really beginning to like this little gun. The trigger is getting easier to pull. I'm sure it's a combo of strengthening my finger and breaking the gun in.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[aguyindallas]

Mine is still very much apart of my daily carry. She rides in my pocket and I have had her about a year and a half. She has a lot of pocket holster wear and you can tell she has some miles. Lots of "shine" in the high spots. This is the gun that I hope to have (albeit looking ragedy) 25 years from now that has seen a lot of miles and lots of wear which I will chalk up to character marks.

 

[RichieT]

Questions:

Has anyone had to replace the battery in the laser for the 642?

Do you keep the switch "on" all the time on the 642 and if so, will it run the battery down?

BTW, my Mika S&W J-Frame holster fits great in the inside pocket of my Levis dennim jacket, as well as my front pocket. What a wonderful holster.

 

[ardito40]

RichieT My CT grips are only a month or so old, so I haven't replaced yet. But the manual says they last about 4 hours of use time and that leaving it on or turning it off makes no difference in battery wear. I keep mine off since I haven't got it sighted in correctly yet.

 

[sixgunner455]

ardito40 -- Whenever I paint the sights on a pistol, I use nail enamel. Yes, fingernail polish. It's very durable, is inexpensive, and comes in a variety of colors, so I can figure out what combination I need to use for that gun.

 

[jfh]

I'm also joining the 642 club--

Which I kind of did when I bought a 640 and a M&P340 back in May--but yesterday, I found the shop had sold the SA P9C-.40 S&W subcompact I had left there on consignment!

That allowed me to pick up a used 442 they had in the case. I had ended up wanting a 38 Spl-only j-frame for shooting. I've been analyzing the chrono results from 'replica-load' development this summer, and I've discovered the reloads done as 38Spl have much smaller SDs than the '357 Magnum-lite' loads I built.

So, we'll see what this one is like. FWIW, these are loads based on the Speer data for the 135-gr. Short Barrel JHP, the 38+P version that does about 900 fps out of a 2" barrel.

It's a fairly-current model--one interesting characteristic is that the cylinder on this 442 is actually LONGER than the one on my M&P 340 I bought last May. I may get around to some pictures showing this if I get the new HD installed; I am severely short of space right now.

Jim H.

 

[jt1]

...Is the back strap grip safety on the new 40s still functional?

...I read somewhere the safety system on the "new" lemonsqueezer is functional...

I read in one of the gun mags in the checkout line that it is functional and that it's configured for and comes with the pin allowing you to pin it in the frame to disable it. Too bad they didn't give us this option with the internal locks!

 

[AStone]

Present and accounted for.

I'm fried from one intense work week, yet still at work.
(Designing new business cards.)

Reading ... learning ...

Anybody notice the thread name got streamlined?
"642 Club Part Deux"

Mikey likes it.

I'm intrigued by the mod 40.
Only 21 oz.
Bet that baby tames +p rnds nicely,
yet still carries in an OWB like a dream ...

 

[AStone]

...configured for and comes with the pin
allowing you to pin it in the frame to disable it.

That just clicked for me.

If so, that means one could "pin it in the frame",
then put on a set of Hogue monogrips.
(I'm talking about a full-sized, 3-finger set
allowing better control during double taps,
not those wimpy 2-finger pocket carry grips.)

Right?

 

[AStone]

It's 12:22 AM.

Do you know
where your x4x is?

 

[AStone]

....

 

[Mongo the Mutterer]

Nematocyst

All .38 spec?

Yup.

fiVe

How many rounds total?

400 more or less

Maxpeditions!! I Love Them. I have carried a jumbo versipack on trips/vacation/family gatherings (doubles as a camera bag for now) since September 06. Fantastic bag (and I am a bag nut!!).

In the rear "gun" compartment at one time I can carry a G19 and two mags in a mag pouch. I have another of their smaller bags malice clipped to the forward strap where I carry cell, palm, and sometimes my money clip.

Pocket below the front strap is for a tactical folder and a 3W Luxeon LED flashlight. Center for camera / lunch/ etc. You get the idea.

At times I malice clip a SOG Field pup to the front strap pocket, if I am going to be in the wilds for a while.

The only issue I have with the bag is that it is a pain to carry by hand, but ... fixed it. The rear has a velcro belt strap. I found a big (really big) carabiner with a foam grip for your hand. Put it in the belt strap, and now I can pick up the bag, fully loaded, with no probs.

 

[Brassman]

DA

He's gettin' closer. He's looking at the Model 40. Now all he has to do is put a "3" in front of the "40" and he's there.

By the way, the Mika is molding itself to the M&P 340 and my pocket very nicely. Yesterday was the first full day of carry in it for me. It was in my jeans all day. I really like the way the holster never, and I do mean never, comes out of my pocket with the weapon when it is drawn. I believe it might be a little less weighty in the pocket than the K&D Pocket Defender also. Today it will ride all day in a pair of pleated chinos. Those are what I normally wear.

 

[jamz]

I'm a big fan of the VersaPacks too, I have a tan one (not a jumbo) that the 340 rides in at times.

 

[DAdams]

jt1-

Too bad they didn't give us this option with the internal locks!

I'll drink to that.

How's the holster coming?

mtm-

and I am a bag nut

and 642 head. Great combination.

Brassman-
LOL

He's gettin' closer. He's looking at the Model 40. Now all he has to do is put a "3" in front of the "40" and he's there.

Someday "he" will come around.

 

[AStone]

Someday "he" will come around.

Yeah, maybe. We'll see.

I am intrigued by the 40, though, but I'm not sure how I'd feel about that backstrap grip safety. I'll see if I can find one in these parts somewhere to take a look at.
________

Back to Maxpedition for a minute. I agree: great products. Interesting functional designs (even if a bit over-designed IMO; ymmv). I bought their jumbo versapak (versipak?).

While I appreciated the concept, the quality, the attention to detail - and especially appreciated the easily accessible concealed weapon compartment - I sold it immediately. (Would have returned it, but was busy and let the "return without restocking fee" period go by, so just ebayed it. I never even took the tags off.

The problem for me was not the quality or the design. It was the size. Just wasn't big enough for my gear. I wouldn't mind something like that (even if with fewer pockets and compartments), but with 2 - 3 times more capacity. I want to be able to get a bulky fleece pullover into it, with lunch, plus flashlight, toothbrush, notebook ...

The single strap, sling shoulder bag I mentioned early was voluminous - held a fleece sweater AND a light rain shell, plus lunch & 0.5 L water bottle, etc - but carried very comfortably.

I travel a lot in my town by bike, walking or bus. I'm often away from the studio for an entire day, and I don't have a vehicle handy. So, I want to be able to leave in the morning, carry what I need for an entire day, including stowing extra layers & a rain shell [note location], but all in a sling bag that can be slung around to my side (like the versapak) for easy, quick access to a 642 or 65.

That's the reason I'm looking a bit at Maxpedition's Monsoon sling pack. But I've only seen pictures. I don't want to lay out $100 without actually seeing one, trying it on, etc. In particular, it's not clear to me that access to a handgun stowed in it would be fast. It's hard to tell from the images on the Maxpedition site, and I haven't found a review.

PS by edit: looks like Maxpedition has a new versipak: the Collossus. Now that looks better for what I have in mind. Even though I suspect the total volume is less than the 1600 cu.in. of the Moonson, the handgun accessibility looks better ...

 

[ugaarguy]

Uga, the K Frame ambassador, checking in here at Part Deux.

He's gettin' closer. He's looking at the Model 40. Now all he has to do is put a "3" in front of the "40" and he's there.

Remember there are no 442, 642, 640, nor 340 revolvers without the 40, the first of the Centennial J Frames. I handled a few examples of the new Classic Series 40-1 this weekend at the shop. Beautiful guns; beautiful bluing and nickeling, beautiful grips, great fit and finish. But too pretty to be a carry gun IMO. Great collector gun though, and I'd highly recommend it to the well heeled amongst this group of Centennial fans.

 

[rdrancher]

In Search of the Perfect Snubby Grip - Part I

Snubby Grips
Somehow, I spent the majority of my adult life sans a snubnose revolver. In fact, the only revolver that I owned until earlier this year was a SA Ruger Blackhawk 3-screw and that wasn’t until I had reached the ripe age of 44-and change.

Ruger Blackhawk in .357 Magnum sporting Hogue Scrimshawed tacky-chic ivory polymer grips (stocks?).

When I “discovered” snubbies I began a search for as much information that I could gather. In the old days that meant searching back issues of gun rags and books at the local library, but with the advent of the Internet there’s a plethora of facts, figures, real-life stories and individual opinions from which to initially inform one’s self at the touch of a keyboard. The snubby search led me to the discovery of the excellent Snubnose Files, Steven A. Camp’s Hi-Powers and Handguns and finally to The High Road and the incomparable 642 Club. After all this info-gathering I decided on the purchase of a 642 as my first snubnose revolver, a decision I have yet to regret.

S&W 642-1 wearing stock Uncle Mike’s grips in Robert Mika’s superb round-cut pocket holster.

For me the rubber grips that come standard on Smith & Wesson’s line of lightweight wondersnubbies are adequate, but do not allow me a firm enough grip purchase from a pocket holster (the perfect carrying mode for the lightweight revolvers.) When first searching for a 642/442 to purchase I also checked out models equipped with Crimson Trace laser grips. Not enthralled with the laser philosophy or the fit of the grips to my hand I ruled these out too.

I found almost immediately during my search that I liked the visual impact and stylish simplicity of S&W's classic-style grips, but would I be able to shoot them adequately? I ordered a set of black polymers from Sidney Ryan via his auction based website to find out. Sidney’s grips fit with minimal modification right out of the bag. They felt good in the hand, allowed a full grip from either a Mika or Desantis Nemesis pocket holster and looked great in contrast to the matte finish of the 642-1. Unfortunately I quickly discovered during my first 100-round range session that this style of grip did not allow me to sufficiently tame +P rounds in the little snubby - I consistently shot well to the left of aim as the grip frame and grip twisted in my hand while I tried to maintain a good grip during the trigger pull and recoil.

The Wondersnubby with Sidney Ryan's black polymer grips and Diane’s leather pouch for the Bianchi Speed Strip.

Tyler T-Grips
I still really liked the ease of concealment and lack of snag-ability during the draw the polymer grips afforded, so I decided to make an additional upgrade to see if I could get them to work for me. A call to Tyler Mfg. netted a shipment of two T-Grips, one in brushed aluminum and one flat black anodized. Mounting the T-Grips is as simple as loosening the grip-screw and sliding the brass tabs under the grip panels.

642-1 poses with classic size-1 T-Grips & HKS speed loader with Speer 135gr GDHP+P‘s.

For my hand size and medium-high gripping style the installation of the T-Grip resulted in an instant and comfortable transformation. At the range the tendency of the snubby to shift position and pull left was replaced by a much more acceptable grip position.

642-1 shares space with the classic mid-seventies Charter Arms Undercover in .38 Special.

For me, the combination of Sidney Ryan's polymer grips and the Tyler Mfg. T-Grip resulted in an almost perfect grip combination for rapid return to target while still maintaining the narrow profile and slick draw-ability from pocket carry that got me headed in this direction to begin with.

rd

 

[AStone]

With less than 100 posts, Rdrancher earns his senior club badge
by stepping UP to the plate with a fine illustrated essay
about a workable synthesis grip combination.

This is what this club is all about: intelligent quality.

<silky smooth male radio announcer voice>

"You are tuned to The 642 Club Part Deux on KTHR, with 642,000 W of stereo power."

<cue appropriate music ... >

 

[rdrancher]

Thanks Nem.

rd

 

[DAdams]

RD Rancher

This is what this club is all about: intelligent quality.

Great report. The 642 looks really nice with the SR&TT combination. Very distinctive. What is the cost breakout for the two items?

ugaarguy

Classic Series 40-1 this weekend at the shop. Beautiful guns; beautiful bluing and nickeling, beautiful grips, great fit and finish. But too pretty to be a carry gun IMO. Great collector gun though, and I'd highly recommend it to the well heeled amongst this group of Centennial fans.

Model 40 for the well healed amongst us.
I admit it, I would pay that much (and I am only partially well heeled from a lifetime of toil) but I agree, it would end up being a safe queen and my son would inherit it, not that that is a bad thing, "nice legacy Dad".

I am going to go way out on a limb here. To get a retro looking 2 inch snubbie I would rather a Colt Cobra at 16 ounces, 6 rounds, (but no plus P). No lock either. Not hammerless of course but then I have always wanted a hammered snub too.
Or even a Defender, in a shrouded barrel, my personal favorite looks wise. 21 ounces, loaded up with Buffalo Bore Standard Pressure and 6 rounds. Nice look with the private eye shoulder holster. Too heavy for pocket carry in my book.
Could get either of those for less than the 40. I saw a NIB CD for $600 and that was on the high side. There are LNIB CDs for around $500. nickel or blue.

Tell me where I have run off the rails for a classic snub, other than it is a Colt? I'm talking "investment" grade snubs now more than anything else. I have the working snubs covered with the awesome S&W Centennial J Frame.

 

[bhk]

Fit of Mika Holster? How Firm?

I just received my Mika holster for my 642. The fit is extremely loose - bet you could fit a 2" K frame revolver in it with no trouble at all. My 642 moves easily in it from front to back, and the movement from side to side is extreme. I can easily fit a finger between the cylinder and the inside of the holster. Is this the way they are supposed to fit? Did I get sent the wrong one? If they are supposed to fit this way, I don't want to bother Mika with it.

I have been using an Uncle Mikes IWB holster with the clip removed (as someone here or on the SW forum suggested) and it works great. Extremely thin, with good gun coverage, and an easy draw. I am not going to change if my new Mika is made to specs for my 642.

 

[Mongo the Mutterer]

Mama and I saw the remake of the Model 40 at the NRA convention in April. Her comment to the rep about the grip safety was "Why in hell would I need that?"

Good point IMHO. 12 pound trigger pull is enough safety, and why have another thing which can go wrong?

 

[Iggy]

bhk

The Mika pocket holster will seem kind of bulky and "spacious" at first.
Carry it for a few days, you will find that it is conforming to the shape of the gun and your leg.

While doing so it will still remain open enough for you to draw or replace your firearm with ease.

Mika's grow on you!!

If you still feel it is too large, I am betting Robert will make it right with you.