642 Club Part Deux

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Ammo selection

Not used to worrying about it as my magnums don't care what I feed 'em. I am torn and can't find hard data or side by side comparisons of the best .38 fodder. I see a handful of viable opeions so let me know if you have ACTUAL experience with or have test data from the load in a J-frame airweight. I want something that will, above all penetrate more than 12" and prefer more that 14" and will expand to some degree. This obviously means they are going to be +p or +p+

In front of me sit some Cor Bon 115 jhps marked +P+ that I pulled out of a friend's sp101. CB +P+ too much for my little +p gun?

2. Have a chance to buy up Federal 147 grain +p+ HS LEO ammo.

3. I usually use the GDHPs in my .44s are they great for 442/642

4. Buffalo bore FBI load 158 LSWCHP +p @ 1000 out of <2"tube

5. Cor Bon 110 DPX +P @1050

6. CB 110 +P jhp @1250
7. Cb 125 +P jhp @1125
8 Remington 125 +p GS

Any others I missed?

Thanks a lot

Shooter429
 
I just got mine yesterday. My buddy at work liked it so much he bought the model with th CT lasergrips. Sweet gun. So light and concealable.
 
Nematocyst
I have a bad shoulder and was having a hard time shooting 50 rounds at a time. Since I installed the Hogues I can shoot a 100 rounds without a problem. I also like having my little finger on the grip. It's more comfortable and I think adds to my accuracy. It is a little larger but I carry in my coat pocket 90% of the time and it makes no difference. My front sight is "blazing orange" fluorescent out of a spray can. It's been on about 3 months and is holstered a few times a day and is holding up well.

Wayne.
 
shooter429,

For many years I loaded my snub .38 with a street proven load, the .38 special +P lead hollowpoint. I used Federal brand. If I were to use this bullet style again, I'd probably go with Remington, due to the tests I've read. Remington is a bit faster than the Federal, and bullet is made of soft lead. I recently switched to the Speer 38 special +P 135 gr. Gold Dot JHP. The Speer load was specifically designed for a short barrel. Another good load per tests is the Corbon .38 special +P 110 gr. DPX. Do an advanced search on "Stephen A. Camp" and you'll find some very good info on all 3. All have sufficient expansion and penentration when fired into gelatin. The Speer and Corbon have sufficient expansion and penetration when fired into 4-layer denim covered gelatin too. Not sure if the Remington does, but it works against people so who cares.
 
Make sure you mask off all but the front sight. AFAIK a real firearm with a barrel painted orange is not really kosher according to Federal law, and a lot of local laws, since laws were passed about orange muzzles to keep kids with airsoft guns from being blown away by the local police.

San Diego was front and center when those bills were introduced, since some company was making authentic-looking Uzi replica water guns -- sorta dumb -- some guy was spraying people on July 4th on the beach here with one -- really dumb -- and the local cops came within a 5 lb trigger pull of shooting him in the head. Everyone involved, the cops, the water pistol guy who did have the presence of mind to drop it and freeze when the cops yelled, "DROP IT!", and all the other people on the beach were scared to death when it was over. One cop was interviewed in the local paper and said she had her finger on the trigger and was very glad he dropped the gun, or she would have killed him on the spot, and never forgiven herself. She had to take the rest of the day off, she was shaking so badly.

So anyway, be careful about the law and orange muzzles.:)
 
Range Report Saturday, Jan 19

Wiie is gone for the weekend, so our usual couple shoot was solo this time. We have not been out to the range since just after Thanksgiving, so I was overdue.

Took three guns this time: Colt 1911A1 National Match .45, S&W 642, and S&W 41 .22 semi auto. Fired 30 rounds of Independence .45ACP, 30 of father-in-law .45 reloads; 50 rounds of Wally World WInchester White Box .38SP; and 120 rounds of Federal .22LR. Distances were 7, 15, and 24 feet.

Not terrible groupings - about 2 1/2 inches at 8 yards. I still need work on both, but the this was only my 2d day with the Colt.

Added another new experience, too. Wore the 642 in open carry for the first time. Decided I wanted to carry to the range instead of just having it in the case and range bag. But, I also wanted to stop for lunch at something better than a McDs or BK. Funny Virginia laws: concealed carry is not legal in any place that serves alcohol, but open carry is. So, I tried out a 50 year old leather U.S. Air Force issue holster that my dad wore in the 1950's. Since back then the officer service revolver was a .38, the 642 fit just fine. I wore it all afternoon - to the computer store, the range, credit union, Mexican restaurant, Wally World, and grocery store. I never saw any reaction from anyone. I think most folks didn't even notice it.

The holster looks good, but is not a fast draw holster. Still felt neat wearing Dad's leather.

Here are my final shot sets with the 642 and the 1911. Two groups of 5 shots on each target. Then a couple of views of the holster.

craig

38at8yds_080119.jpg

45at8yds_080119.jpg


SW642inUSAF_Holster1.jpg


SW642inUSAF_Holster2.jpg
 
Chopped Liver
Ah, pate'.

Goes well with caviar and exquisite white wine.

Is this a trick question?
Hmm. No, can't claim trick.

But here's one: a priest, a rabbi and a baptist preacher go to the range, each w/ an x42,
all claiming that God will guide their shots. Trick question: ... Oh, never mind ... :D

While awaiting the "definitive" answer, here is Jeff Quinns' Review of the M&P 340.
Ah, thanks. Answered my question ... mostly ... at least relative to the 342PD.
 
Wayne11 - Great Pic, that's quite a front sight you have there...

Nem said:
...which came first: X42 or M&P340. I mean, there's some cross fertilization there. Just wondering which one "learned" from the other one first...

Well, there are a few ways to look at it, From the "trick question" perspective the answer would be of course that the current M&P 340 was introduced in the 2007 Catalog, and the 442 was first offered in 1993. So the 442 by 14 years!

When you look at it from the "learned from the other one first" perspective, The first M&P revolver was the .38 M&P "Hand Ejector" 1st model of 1899, Below:

HE1.jpg

The concept for the 442 as a small, concealable, DAO, 5 shot, SD gun dates to the Safety Hammerless 1st model of 1888, the original "Lemon Squeezer", Below:

ls1.jpg

Therefore the "definitive" answer from a historical sense is the 442. By 11 years! (Chopped Liver, pate, caviar and white wine?...sorry, I do beer, chips and burgers :cool:

JBB, qbpc - Hey guys, welcome to the 642 Club². We are happy to have you and look forward to hearing more.

shooter429 - As for ammo, my picks are Buff Bore, Remington FBI and Speer GD135 SB. I don't believe the X42's will care much for any +P+ loads. IMO the BB 158+P (20A) is the best available, although I feel quite secure with the BB 158 SP (20C).

tbeb - Welcome back, that's some good info, we need to hear more from you.

Craig_VA- Good shooting, that's the best looking 50 year old holster I've ever seen, a real treasure considering it's from your Dad and has a military history, take good care of it.
 
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Craig_VA

as far as i know open carry is also allowed in NC, but i do know for a fact carrying in a bank is a BIG NO NO, open or otherwise, kind of thought it was that way everywhere. Oh well its only 8:45am and i already learned something new today.

eta: that is indeed a neat holster
 
Open carry is allowed in NC, even in a bank. CC is not allowed in a bank.

Firearms of any carry option are not allowed in 6 places in NC:
1. At a parade or funeral
2. on educational premises
3. where alcohol is sold and consumed
4. at any place where admission is charged
5. in a court of law, state buildings, or federal property
6. where a "No Firearms" sign is posted

CC is not allowed in these places: Law enforcement facililty, Dept. of Corrections facility (jail), Offices of state or federal government, Financial institutions, anywhere a conspicuous sign states "No Concealed Handguns". What we were told to do in these places is to put the weapon in plain view so it is no longer concealed. However, if a bank has a conspicous sign stating that no firearms are allowed, then carry of any kind is unlawful.

We were also told to memorize this list. This post is in no way meant to counter any former posts, but only to inform about NC law.
 
colored barrels

Hey ArmedBear,
That is a great point about the paint on the barrel. I have part of my sights painted with red nail polish and it has worked o.k.

I like the fully painted sights but the color has to be carfully chosen so as to not violate the laws and cause problems.

By the way, when I was in high school I bought one of those water gun uzis' and used it for the weekly midinght show of Rocky Horror Picture Show. If you have not been you would not understand the usuage. Anyway the thing looked damn real and could be. It was ALOT of fun to soak people (mostly girls) down with the water from the 2 life size clips that came with the water gun. My parents had a cow over me leaving the house with it and now that I am older I see it was pretty dumb too, but I was young and dumb at the time.

Anyway that was WAY off topic. Just thought I would let you know you made a good point and yes lots of us were dumb at an earlier age(about 25 years ago). Man that seems SO long ago.

E'trode
 
thanks for the info brassman, I was not aware you could carry in any bank since every bank i have ever been in in NC ( 15 or less) have all had signs posted for no weapons concealed or otherwise. Kind of silly i always thought the door to the bank would be a great place for a mugger to hang out on Friday afternoon. Getting back on topic cant wait to post pics of the 442-1 I purchased, should be here early next week. My first revolver :)


ETA: thanks for the link below craig, if and when i go back to VA i will definately check it out.
 
Each State Varies

Ryanl said:
Craig_VA

as far as i know open carry is also allowed in NC, but i do know for a fact carrying in a bank is a BIG NO NO, open or otherwise, kind of thought it was that way everywhere. Oh well its only 8:45am and i already learned something new today.

eta: that is indeed a neat holster
--------------

Ryan, carry laws (both open and concealed) are widely variant from state to state. It is critically important that you know the law for your state, as well as any that you might be visiting while armed. . In Virginia, banks are only verbotten for carry when they post a gun ban, just like any other commercial property. My bank (BB&T) is posted for no guns. My credit union is not.
Note also that VA does not prescribe any particular specifications for the gun ban sign. Any reasonable words or symbols count. This is quite different from states like Texas with their 30-06 sign law.

Since you are in a neighbor state one dotted line south, you might want to be aware of the Virginia firearms laws, available from the VA State Police at

http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms.shtm

Thanks for the holster comment. Yeah, I was pleased when mom found it in a drawer and gave it to me a few months ago.

craig
 
ryanl

Those have always been my thoughts exactly about banks posting a "No Firearms" sign on the outside of the bank. Who do they think would put down an armed robber with no LEO inside, especially if the perp has already opened fire?:fire: I bet a would-be criminal would think twice about robbing a bank if there were weapons in plain sight among the bank's clients. That's just my opinion and certainly not what NC law states if a "No Firearms" sign is present.
 
By the way, ryanl, that list of do's and don'ts should be covered when you take a CCW class in NC. My instructor was very clear about when and when not to conceal. I'm am very well pleased with the way my 642 and M&P 340 conceal. I hope you'll be equally pleased with your 442. I had to say that, just to make sure we stay on topic here.;)

Craig VA - thanks for the PM and pointing out that it is the carrier's responsibility to be familiar with the law in his/her own state and states through which he/she may be moving through. It would be nice if every state had the same laws, but the US Constitution allows for the differences and I cannot speak against it. I can only uphold it.
 
fiVe
Morning, I took some of that blue painters tape and masked around the sight real carefully. I then took more of the tape and some newspaper and masked a very large area around the gun to make sure I didn't get any overspray. I sprayed on a very light coat, came back and put on two more coats. I have been surprised at it's durability. I've holstered it over 150 times and see no wear. I agree with ArmedBear I don't think I would paint more than the sight.

Wayne.

Craig_VA.
I like your holster. It would be nice for in the bursh.
 
Getting in on the fun (pic)

The old thread got to my to buy a J-frame and I have a couple
of posts on it.
Just wanted to get in this thread also. There is alot of good
J-frame info here.

2m4x2jo.jpg
 
Does anyone here have any opinions on the FIST #K5-POCKET HOLSTER for a x42? I'm a big fan of Kydex (I know I know) and really like what I've seen at Fist's website. My only real concern would be that thumb-push thing that releases the gun. Does it work as intended?
 
New Club member here: I bought a new 642-2 today after drooling over one for years. I haven't fired it yet but have dry fired it some and was pleased to see that the sights line up quite naturally. I will probably swap out the stock grips for Hogue Bantams pretty soon as the fit of the stock grips is not too good. I already have a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster for the gun.
 
This is my first post on THR in about 4.5 years.

WOW! A thread for my all-time favorite carry gun the uncomparable S&W 642? Life just keeps getting better and better.

I bought my pre-lock 642 in 1999 while I was searching for a carry gun. After that, I allowed myself to be influenced by the gun rags and also bought a Kahr MK40, a Glock 26 and 36, and a Kel-Tec P3AT; the autos are all now gone, but the 642 remains, as it will for as long as I live. It is my constant companion, although I often carry a Ruger SP101 too as backup, especially when hiking. I can't think of a slicker set up than a 642 in a Mika pocket holster.

Speaking of holsters, I have a DeSantis Nemisis that I used for a while, but it started to conform to the shape of the 642 and print through the pocket of my jeans/slacks. When I got the SP101, I ordered a Mika pocket holster for it and I now use it for my 642 also. For those occasions when a pocket holster won't work, a belly band is employed, and it also carries my SP101.

I can't speak to everyone's situation/wants/desires, but I believe that a lot of people would be better served with a quality revolver, or two, rather than the darling of handgun writers/gun rags, an auto. After spending a lot of money and gaining expensive first-hand experience, I feel confident in making that statement. A good revolver, especially a snubby, in a practiced hand, should take care of practically any situation where a concealed handgun is needed, civil servants (police) possibly excepted. Of course, it goes without saying that the revolver should be possessed by someone of logical mind.

Thanks for the thread. BTW, has anyone here had XS Big Dot sights installed on their 642? I was thinking about having it done, but I'd like some real-world feedback.
DAL
 
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