642 Club Part Deux

[DAdams]

You Might be a X42 head

if you do your wife a favor by sacraficing your X42 to her so you can buy a M&P 340.

 

[Esco]

Hey guys...I'm curious...I just picked up a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster. I was wondering if you guys new if they changed the way it looks now. I just got it and it looks way different to everyone else's on here. Here is a pic of mine and three others from this board for comparison. seems like the end piece is bigger and it seems to make it harder to conceal in the pocket better. thanks for the input. By the way, the product # for mine says N38BJ02Z0.

Mine: the first on the left.



Theirs: the last three on the right.

 

[AStone]

Ymbax42h

You Might be a X42 head
if you want to keep an X42 as bug
and add an M&P340 for primary carry
and (bonus pts) buy an X42 for your partner.


_________

Welcome in, Esco.
Pocket holster aficionado's
will be along shortly w/ opinions.

I'm willing to bet you'll read
the name Mica more than once.

 

[roundtop]

Hey folks. Some of you may remember I joined about 7 months ago in anticipation of getting a 642, my first. Instead, I got a mid-eighties Colt .38, which was great at the range but a little worrisome to carry, with its big exposed hammer. So today I traded for a like-new 642, finally. Great piece. Haven't fired it yet, but I'm looking forward to it. The carry profile is much more discreet and I'm a lot more comfortable with the shrouded hammer, especially riding my scooter around Philly.

 

[jt1]

...wife a favor by sacraficing your X42 to her...

DA - You are such a selfless, thoughtful guy...NOT...

Esco - Yes, it does appear different...but that might be a bad thing, how does it work for you? I'll check my number when I get home, in you comparison photo's IIRC DA had modified his for use with a Khar, here's a look at my stock one:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=4786077&postcount=2296

roundtop - Welcome back, glad to see you finally got squared away .

***For those who are not aware of it, roundtop was the 642nd member of the 642 Club, and now he is offical ***

 

[Esco]

Esco - Yes, it does appear different...but that might be a bad thing, how does it work for you? I'll check my number when I get home, in you comparison photo's IIRC DA had modified his for use with a Khar, here's a look at my stock one:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost....postcount=2296

Yeah they are different. I don't get it. I ordered it directly from Desantis and from the packaging it looks like they sent the correct one. Someone on Glocktalk told me their's looks just like mine.

All I know is that mine really prints(looks like I'm carrying an old school gameboy), but only on the front of the pocket. because of the side being so large, it gives no leeway (sp?) for it to be moved further back in the pocket so it won't print. I don't know if this is supposed to be normal...? I don't know if I just need to wait for it to break in or something or if I just somehow got the wrong one or they are making a whole new series of it. I do know that when I draw really quickly, it does perfectly stay in the pocket. I'll post pics of it in my pocket as soon as I get the chance.

 

[jt1]

Esco - They may have made a change to you holster because on my model you have to push off with your finger or thumb most of the time to get the holster to stay put. It usually won't come out of the pocket, but it does move around some. One thing to remember is that when you first start to pocket carry, you feel like everyone in the world can see your gun. In fact, most folks are so oblivious they would not notice if you were open carrying. The ones wo do notice a print probably never think gun, as many people carry all kinds of stuff in their pockets. Most CCW's I have made have been the result of the user constantly adjusting/checking their gear and drawing attention to something I would not thought twice about if they had not been doing so. Post some pics and we will see.

 

[.cheese.]

Messed up one of my 642s today. I really want to get 2 more for the safe to be honest. At one point I wanted 442s, but now I kind of like the "in the white" look of the 642. It would be nice if I could get the same gun, but with a scandium-aluminum alloy frame and either a steel or titanium cylinder - but still "in the white" like the 642, just capable of .357 mag.

 

[DAdams]

esco

Welcome to the X42 Club.

DeSantis came out with a holster called the "Super Fly" perhaps that replaced the earlier versions. The two center photos you posted are my rigs.
340 in a DeSantis Nemesis(sporting the retired Hogue Monogrips, a failed pocket carry experiment RIP) and my comparison of my Mika roundcut and DeSantis. jt1 is spot on about using the thumb to kickstart the gun out of the holster. Oddly enough though the one you see in my photos was actually ordered for a Kahr PM 9 (not modified) and it so happens an X42 fits quite handily.

The 340 rides in the Mika Roundcut. The 642 is currently in the DeSantis but not in pocket carry service. If I carry the PM 9 in the pocket it goes in the DeSantis. The PM 9 is currently in a generic ballistic nylon OWB and the Seecamp .380 in a DeSantis Nemesis. I have the Blackhawk OWB for J Frame winter carry forthcoming. Hmmm. Somewhere there is an Uncle Mikes IWB for J Frames kicking around too.

Mika used more than once.

DA - You are such a selfless, thoughtful guy

Yes indeed and even hooked her up with a set of Crimson Trace grips.

...You might be an X42head if: You can tell how many live rounds you have left by the pitch of the rattle...

NemThatsClassic

 

[weisse52]

DeSantis came out with a holster called the "Super Fly" perhaps that replaced the earlier versions. The two center photos you posted are my rigs.

When I purchased my 642 I went into my holster box and pulled out my DeSantis pocket holster, I just found the bad and it is a "Super Fly".
Not real happy with the way it fits, going to order a Mika and see how it goes, if not that maybe a Karmer pocket holser.
Unless someone has a better idea?

 

[jt1]

ALL - The photo that Esco posted was in fact a Nemesis, a little different than the previous style I have seen. The Super Fly is of a different material and is a two piece design, having a reversable cover to break up the print. All of the reviews I have seen of the SF have been negative. The Super Fly is here:

Super Fly Pic

Kinda reminds me of a pimp holster, all you need is a faux pearl set of CT's ...

weisse52 - Mika round cut...+1, give it a week or two to break-in and it's perfect. I really do like my original style Nemesis though, and use it a lot as well.

 

[CallMeIshmael]

Pocket holsters

When I purchased my 642 I went into my holster box and pulled out my DeSantis pocket holster, I just found the bad and it is a "Super Fly".
Not real happy with the way it fits, going to order a Mika and see how it goes, if not that maybe a Kramer pocket holster.

Unless someone has a better idea?

If it's a pocket holster you're looking for, I recommend the Kramer. It's just about perfect.

 

[hoghead]

www.aholster.com they are GREAT holster and Alan is a Great guy to deal with just my thought. Very thin and Kydex

 

[Old Gregg]

JT1, I went to the post that you suggested about IL failures and read through all the pages. I really don't see anything there about failures that were solely attributible to S&W's design and implementation of the IL. S&W makes an awesome product that is throughly tested before it is sold to the GP.
I know lot's of people who can afford to buy guns and do that should not have them. They know nothing about cleaning and maintenance. They just think that when you pull the trigger it should go bang. They use the cheapest ammo available which translates into the dirtiest gun powder available. They put a 100 rounds through the gun of Walmart ammo and can't figure out why it won't fire. DUH! But they didn't clean it because they don't know how or they are too damn lazy. The latter is usually the case. Then they blame S&W or the IL because the gun won't shoot. A properly cared for gun will never ever fail the user no matter if it is an M-16/AR-15 or snubby. The cheaper the gun the more care it needs.
I hand-load everything I shoot(except for 22lr), 40SW/9MM/ 223 REM. 38 spc is the easiest of all of them. I use quality powder and primers for all of them. My 642 usually requires very little cleaning even after 1100 rounds. Shoot cheap crap do the extra maintenance-bottom line.

 

[Rmart30]

How do this type of wood boot grips work on a 642?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270264375021&ssPageName=STRK:MEBI:IT&ih=017

Them being slicker than rubber in a quick draw situation is a concern. but I do like they way they look

 

[roundtop]

first day shooting

Took my new 642 to the range today. Based on what I've read, I was expecting it to be really uncomfortable to shoot -- too much muzzle snap, etc. -- and inaccurate at first. Quite the opposite! I'm a novice shooter, and bought this gun for concealed carry self-defense only, so I just practiced at 25', which is probably much further than I'd be from the target in a typical Philly robbery scenario. No problem at all putting 3 quickly in COM, and really, it was just as comfortable to shoot as the Colt snubbie it replaced. Plus, completely easy to carry, even in the waistband of a pair of shorts, which I wore today. I'm sold!

 

[fastbolt]

Hmmm. I see this second incarnation of the 642 Club thread is alive and going strong.

FWIW, I not only picked up one of the 'then-new' M&P 340 Centennials when the first thread was active, but I recently bought one of the limited run of 642-1's just released, as well.

I knew I'd be kicking myself at a later date if I didn't add one to my collection to complement the older 642-1 I already own. It appealed to me to have a duplicate of the Airweight I use (and prefer) the most ...

Why fight it?

 

[VegasOPM]

I feel that the X42 series is easier to shoot than any other snubbie out there- since there isn't a hammer at all. Even the 638's with the shrouded hammer miss the mark a bit. The lack of a hammer allows me to take a very high grip- thus lowering the bore axis and reducing muzzle flip. They also tend to point very easily for me. To be honest, I do most of my practicing with my 642 without actively engaging the sights. Combat focus, profile sighting... whatever you want to call it. I can reliably make center mass hits at 10 yards in less than 2 seconds from the holster. If I go for a head shot I do transition to standard sighting methods.

 

[StreetSweeper]

Hey guys,

Just joined this site today and just read "some" of the pages in this thread; very impressive and informative. The reason I'm here is that I've just acquired one of the new 642s w/o locks and have just one question. As you can see in the pics below, there seems to be some metal exposed right where the barrel goes into the frame. I've circled the areas in question. I've never owned any revolvers before so I don't know if this is "normal." Can anyone shed any light? TIA

BTW, I've tried wiping if off but nothing.





As you can see on the right side it looks perfectly fine.

 

[Johnan]

I had one that didn't go "bang" today. I was out in the boondocks and was shooting some plinking and self defense rounds in the 642.
Was halfway through a box of Remington 38 Spl 130gr MC from Walmart when I loaded the cylinder and on the 3rd round I had no bang!
This hadn't happened to me before and I had no idea what to do other than keep the muzzle pointing downrange for a half minute or so before finally deciding to take out the round and throwing it into a nearby canal. Any do's or don't's for next time?
One realization is that I found that at 25-30 feet, a 158gr LSWC shoots right on the money while my current carry, the Speer 135 HP shoots a little low to the right.

 

[AStone]

.38 spl SD ammo discussion on isle 7

Here we go again.
______________

Sweeper and Johnan, welcome.

Johnan, I think you handled that FTF the right way:
keep it pointed down range for a while.

I've often wondered what one would do
if that happened during a firefight.

I guess in that situation,
it's the least of one's worries.

Still, how often does a FTF actually detonate
seconds after the hammer drops?

 

[AStone]

Sweeper, I just checked mine real close under a good light.

It's got a tiny bit of that in several places,
but really far less than on yours.
I'd never noticed it before now.

I suspect its a cosmetic issue.
QC was on a long lunch break.

I'll bet SW would clean it up,
or a smith could do it for less hassle.

 

[jt1]

...A properly cared for gun will never ever fail the user no matter...

Old Gregg - Confidence in a proven reliable SD gun is is an important factor in mental preparedness, but all things mechanical are subject to failure and revolvers are no exception, lock or no. While proper care and maintenance can mitigate this to a large degree, Mr. Murphy is alive and well and a BU plan, and preferably an BU gun D) is highly recommend.

Rmart30 - Nice looking grips...The good thing about smooth wood is they draw really well from the pocket and and generally will not snag or hang up on any type of material, the bad thing about them is they tend to be slippery and do not give you as good a grip under the unpredictable conditions you can expect to encounter in a SD situation...the good news is that you are allowed to have more that one set of grips, so I would recommend them, in addition to a set of Hogue Bantams for CCW and a set of Monogrips for extended range sessions

roundtop - Glad to hear it's working for you, when you say "waistband" is this with or without a holster?

...Why fight it?

fastbolt - Excellent logic...and welcome back.

VegasOPM, StreetSweeper - Welcome to the 642 Club. Great to have you both here with us...VegasOPM - Sounds like you may be a natural born point shooter, and that's a good thing ... StreetSweeper, those are some good pic's...and not to worry, this is normal and both of my X42's are similar, as are most others I have seen, some more and some less, all part of the "crush fit" barrel instillation process and your excellent macro images really amplify it.

Johnan - While it may be worrisome the first time, "hangfires" are extremely rare and really not a cause for concern. It most likely is a ammo issue and the thing to do is to try to fire it again, then examine the primer and see what the strike looks like. The immediate action for almost all FTF's with the revolver is to continue to engage. It is important to "prove" the gun reliable before it can be really considered for CCW, for me this is 500 rounds with no issues (I have cheated myself a few time on this) but it is a good practice. As for point of impact, the sights on these guns are regulated for the 158gr rounds.

Here we go again.

Nem - Don't these folks know that Tim at Buff Bore settled this issue with his 158gr +P LSWCHP?

Still, how often does a FTF actually detonate
seconds after the hammer drops?

Almost never, most of the time this occurs in conjuction with an extremely hot barrel as a "cookoff", this is generally in a military setting with an overheated machine gun barrel. Although it is not unheard of in a revolver, I have never had or seen it myself (yet )

 

[AStone]

As for point of impact, the sights on these guns are regulated for the 158gr rounds.

That's very interesting, JT.

We may have covered this before, but if so, it slipped by me.

Got any more history on that?

 

[jt1]

Nem - Most fixed sight guns are factory sighted for the median weight round and charge they are expected to use most. In the .38 special most manufacturers choose the 158gr at around 700-800fps, IIRC. This regulation applies to elevation only, as windage is a function of physical sight alignment and depends primarily on proper barrel clocking (rotational {vertical} alignment of the front sight) and a centered rear sight. Using aimed fire in a properly regulated gun, high or low hits are generally due to poor sight pictures, and windage issues are most often related to trigger pull, although there are a lot of other factors as well. At the ranges we usually shoot at different bullet weights and charges are not much of a factor and you might expect to see an inch or so deviation between the heaviest and lightest loads at SD distance