642 Club Part Deux
- Thread starter fiVe
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AZAndy
Member
Sure wish I had an official "Do not detain or question" status. ;-)
AStone
Member
Sure wish I had that stack of 100's. 
AZAndy
Member
Spiffy trigger control exercise
The helpful and informative Range Guy at the local gun store showed me an exercise that I thought I should pass along.
Hold the J-Frame so that it is being supported only by the trigger finger and the web and palm of the hand, and splay the fingers out as shown in the attached low-quality photo. Rest a nickel across the sight rail. Bring the revolver up to shooting position and operate the trigger without dislodging the coin.
I've been working with this and have found it to be useful-- that front sight is getting steadier all the time!
In other news, I've put 450 rounds through the 642 since getting it five days ago, and have dry-fired it about 600 times. The trigger weight was still quite horrible (17 lbs), so today I put an 8-lb Wolff mainspring in it. While I had the side plate off, I Gun-Scrubbered it and re-lubed. It still measures 14 lbs! I'd like to have it more like 10 or 11, but I'm hesitant to lighten the rebound spring, so I guess I'll have to live with it. Maybe it'll ease up a bit with another 1000 rounds or so. Any suggestions along these lines would be gratefully received!
Of course, the trigger weight isn't really a concern for the gun's intended purpose, i.e. self-defense. Nonetheless, it would be nice to be able to have extended range sessions without the distal phalange of my index finger going numb, which it now is.
Andy
The helpful and informative Range Guy at the local gun store showed me an exercise that I thought I should pass along.
Hold the J-Frame so that it is being supported only by the trigger finger and the web and palm of the hand, and splay the fingers out as shown in the attached low-quality photo. Rest a nickel across the sight rail. Bring the revolver up to shooting position and operate the trigger without dislodging the coin.
I've been working with this and have found it to be useful-- that front sight is getting steadier all the time!
In other news, I've put 450 rounds through the 642 since getting it five days ago, and have dry-fired it about 600 times. The trigger weight was still quite horrible (17 lbs), so today I put an 8-lb Wolff mainspring in it. While I had the side plate off, I Gun-Scrubbered it and re-lubed. It still measures 14 lbs! I'd like to have it more like 10 or 11, but I'm hesitant to lighten the rebound spring, so I guess I'll have to live with it. Maybe it'll ease up a bit with another 1000 rounds or so. Any suggestions along these lines would be gratefully received!
Of course, the trigger weight isn't really a concern for the gun's intended purpose, i.e. self-defense. Nonetheless, it would be nice to be able to have extended range sessions without the distal phalange of my index finger going numb, which it now is.
Andy
Attachments
rkt88edmo
Member
Walked in to the FFL for a PPT and saw a 442 in the case. Belonged to the FFL - looks near new, pre-lock, been waiting to run across a decent deal on a 642/442 and that was my day.
6 more days until I can pick it up...
6 more days until I can pick it up...
jad0110
Member
I assume you are measuring the pull weight with the proper gauge? Even 14 lbs is a little heavy for a 642. On average, they are around 12 to 13 out of the box.
You might consider having a reputable gunsmith (such as S&W's Performance Center) do an action job on it. They (or any good smith for that matter) will polish and fine tune all of the moving/interacting parts so that you have a velvety smooth trigger pull, more akin to those found on classic pre-war Smiths.
When my currently limited shooting budget allows, I plan on having action jobs perfomed on all my S&Ws.
---
Speaking of the budget, I decided to try the Double Tap 125 grain 38 +Ps with the Speer Gold Dot hollowpoints. At $36 for 50 rounds (with shipping), they are relatively affordable by defensive ammo standards. 1100 fps from a 1 7/8" J Frame isn't too shabby.
http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=215
I'll test them and give a report when I go to the indoor range next (that may be a month or so, as I prefer the outdoor range and I've not been in a while). In addition to controllability, I'd like to compare muzzle flash in the fairly dim environment of the indoor range of 3 different 38 +P rounds: the Double Tap 125, Speer Gold Dot 135 +Ps and the Remmie FBI load.
Wayne11
Member
AZAndy
Thank you for the coin test. I'm going to give that some practice time.
Out of the box my 642 had a trigger pull of 14# and was ruff. After about 500 pulls it was not a lot better. I took the grip off and using the straw shot a lot of CLP up into the workings and let it set for awhile. After putting the grip back on and dry firing about 200 times it was much smoother. After an additional 300-400 more pulls it had a trigger pull of about 11#. I have about 2500 trigger pulls now and it still is right at 11#.
Wayne.
Thank you for the coin test. I'm going to give that some practice time.
Out of the box my 642 had a trigger pull of 14# and was ruff. After about 500 pulls it was not a lot better. I took the grip off and using the straw shot a lot of CLP up into the workings and let it set for awhile. After putting the grip back on and dry firing about 200 times it was much smoother. After an additional 300-400 more pulls it had a trigger pull of about 11#. I have about 2500 trigger pulls now and it still is right at 11#.
Wayne.
FireCaptDave
Member
PCS Holsters
Does anyone use the PCS French Curve model? Any thoughts? I'm finding I'm not as big of a fan of Mika as I thought I would be.
http://pcsholsters.com/catalog_item_FRC.html
Does anyone use the PCS French Curve model? Any thoughts? I'm finding I'm not as big of a fan of Mika as I thought I would be.
http://pcsholsters.com/catalog_item_FRC.html
Wayne11
Member
Black sheep in Coeur d'Alene,Idaho is selling 642's for 379.75
bhk
Member
Quote:
"In other news, I've put 450 rounds through the 642 since getting it five days ago, and have dry-fired it about 600 times. The trigger weight was still quite horrible (17 lbs), so today I put an 8-lb Wolff mainspring in it. While I had the side plate off, I Gun-Scrubbered it and re-lubed. It still measures 14 lbs! I'd like to have it more like 10 or 11, but I'm hesitant to lighten the rebound spring, so I guess I'll have to live with it. Maybe it'll ease up a bit with another 1000 rounds or so. Any suggestions along these lines would be gratefully received!"
Gunscrubber!! I have heard this can totally dissolve the clearcoat on 642s.
I hope this doesn't happen to yours. Please give us a report shortly and let me know everything is ok with your finish.
"In other news, I've put 450 rounds through the 642 since getting it five days ago, and have dry-fired it about 600 times. The trigger weight was still quite horrible (17 lbs), so today I put an 8-lb Wolff mainspring in it. While I had the side plate off, I Gun-Scrubbered it and re-lubed. It still measures 14 lbs! I'd like to have it more like 10 or 11, but I'm hesitant to lighten the rebound spring, so I guess I'll have to live with it. Maybe it'll ease up a bit with another 1000 rounds or so. Any suggestions along these lines would be gratefully received!"
Gunscrubber!! I have heard this can totally dissolve the clearcoat on 642s.
I hope this doesn't happen to yours. Please give us a report shortly and let me know everything is ok with your finish.
AZAndy
Member
jad:
Well, it is a converted fisherman's scale, not an actual trigger-weight measuring device. I have tested it with known weights (couldn't believe what I was seeing on my Nagant,
) so I'm fairly confident in its accuracy. The 642 ran 17 lbs out of the box and definitely felt like it; there was no way I could fire it with just the pad of the fingertip. I've noticed that there is some rubbing wear from the hammer on the inside of the side plate, and am contemplating doing a little polishing.
I really hate leaving my gun with a gunsmith. I went through some separation anxiety when I had the sights put on my 1911. Been thinking about getting a 442 to go with the 642-- if I do, then leaving the latter with someone wouldn't be as painful, since I'd have the same-format gun to carry.
Wayne:
By trimming everything down to just the action of trigger finger and palm, you can easily see where the deviations from aim creep in. The lightness of the gun will result in a little hop of the coin when the hammer falls, but if everything is steady, it won't fall off. I hope it does you some good; it certainly has for me.
bhk:
No problems here. I was only spraying it into the action, though, and any splash-over would have evaporated pretty quickly. I note that the label does warn about possible damage to plastics-- gonna have to be careful I guess. I do use it on my P32, though, without any visible damage.
A.
Well, it is a converted fisherman's scale, not an actual trigger-weight measuring device. I have tested it with known weights (couldn't believe what I was seeing on my Nagant,
) so I'm fairly confident in its accuracy. The 642 ran 17 lbs out of the box and definitely felt like it; there was no way I could fire it with just the pad of the fingertip. I've noticed that there is some rubbing wear from the hammer on the inside of the side plate, and am contemplating doing a little polishing.I really hate leaving my gun with a gunsmith. I went through some separation anxiety when I had the sights put on my 1911.
Been thinking about getting a 442 to go with the 642-- if I do, then leaving the latter with someone wouldn't be as painful, since I'd have the same-format gun to carry.Wayne:
By trimming everything down to just the action of trigger finger and palm, you can easily see where the deviations from aim creep in. The lightness of the gun will result in a little hop of the coin when the hammer falls, but if everything is steady, it won't fall off. I hope it does you some good; it certainly has for me.
bhk:
No problems here. I was only spraying it into the action, though, and any splash-over would have evaporated pretty quickly. I note that the label does warn about possible damage to plastics-- gonna have to be careful I guess. I do use it on my P32, though, without any visible damage.
A.
Been doing a lot of reading here over the last couple months and finally got the funds together to purchase my first 642 today on my lunch break. It's my first revolver and it's sitting in my pocket right now. Thanks for all the great info and I look forward to being a part of this elite group.
Brassman
Member
AZAndy
I know for a fact that Gunscrubber will cause the clear coat on a 642 to begin to flake off. Don't ask me how I know, I just know.:banghead:
I know for a fact that Gunscrubber will cause the clear coat on a 642 to begin to flake off. Don't ask me how I know, I just know.:banghead:
AZAndy
Member
Thanks for the sharing of experience, Brassman-- maybe I'd do better with rubbing alcohol! I won't ask how you know.
AZAndy
Member
XDandy: Congratulations! What, no picture? ;-)
I wonder how many people have bought an x42 based on this thread and its predecessor... I know I'm one. I think S&W owes fiVe a free pistol or something.
I wonder how many people have bought an x42 based on this thread and its predecessor... I know I'm one. I think S&W owes fiVe a free pistol or something.
fiVe
Member
AZAndy said:
Your thought is too kind. We've been down this very road, and "or something" was the result. (see Part 1 -- page 59 -- post 1469, if you want more history on this.)
But it never was about me--altho I would like to humbly say I'm proud of what has happened/is happening here--rather it is about one of the best snub-nose revolvers ever.
For all who were/are/will be influenced to buy a 642 because of the 642 Club: a very heart-felt thanks.
Peace,
fiVe
Long live the kiNg
rkt88edmo, XDandy - Welcome to both of you. We are happy to have you here with us at the clubhouse.
clipse - Welcome Home
FireCaptDave - I have not tried the PCS line of holsters myself, but I have heard good things about them and the one belt model I saw in person looked like a quality piece of work.
rkt88edmo, XDandy - Welcome to both of you. We are happy to have you here with us at the clubhouse.
clipse - Welcome Home
FireCaptDave - I have not tried the PCS line of holsters myself, but I have heard good things about them and the one belt model I saw in person looked like a quality piece of work.
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Heavy trigger pull
AZAndy and Wayne11,
Read your posts with great interest. Just got a chance last night to shoot my 642 to that I picked up last week. Had been dry firing it and thought that the trigger felt heavy (don't have a trigger scale). Ended up shooting it side-by-side with my Dad's Security Six and the difference in double action trigger pull was HUGE! And dad's ruger has had less than two boxes run through it and has never been dry fired. Do enclosed hammers, just by their nature, have heavier triggers? I'm thinking this gun definitely needs a trigger job, especially if my wife ends up using it.
Another question: What is the three digit # on the inside of the yoke (not the serial # that's on the frame) and also the numbers under the extractor?
AZAndy and Wayne11,
Read your posts with great interest. Just got a chance last night to shoot my 642 to that I picked up last week. Had been dry firing it and thought that the trigger felt heavy (don't have a trigger scale). Ended up shooting it side-by-side with my Dad's Security Six and the difference in double action trigger pull was HUGE! And dad's ruger has had less than two boxes run through it and has never been dry fired. Do enclosed hammers, just by their nature, have heavier triggers? I'm thinking this gun definitely needs a trigger job, especially if my wife ends up using it.
Another question: What is the three digit # on the inside of the yoke (not the serial # that's on the frame) and also the numbers under the extractor?
Black Adder LXX
Member
Well, after much agonizing about the stupid internal lock, I took the plunge today and ordered a 642 from Bud's. Should be here Monday or Tuesday. Mika's pocket holster is already ordered... And an Uncle Mike's for while I wait...
M&Px2forme
Member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2008
- Messages
- 5
I bought a 642 a couple of weeks ago. Paid $369.00 NIB. It is a very nice shooter and not hard on the hand at all. I did not post a pic as it resembles all the other stock 642s out there
Now I want a dag gone S&W 65
Now I want a dag gone S&W 65
I apologize as I'm sure this has been discussed numerous times in this virtual 642 encyclopedia, but I haven't had the time to read the majority of posts. My question is what Self-Defense ammo for this specific weapon would you recommend to me that wont break my wrist and will allow a fairly quick follow-up? Thanks
Wayne11
Member
264,
In researching the trigger pull of my 642 I found that the need for a heavier spring is a result of the lighter weight of the enclosed hammer. In order to generate enough energy to ensure a good primer strike the heavier spring is used. There is also a rebound spring that returns the trigger to the forward position. The heavy trigger is the result of these two springs plus the friction of the moving parts. I carried an automatic prior to purchasing my 642 and made the change on the basis of reliability. I am therefore very hesitant in making changes that could produce a misfire. Many people do it and apparently are happy with the results. With my trigger pull now at 11# and much smoother I’m happy. If I had yours I would want to know why it was so much heavier than the norm. Even though I would not want to be without mine for any length of time I would return it to SW and let them get it at least into the normal range. After that cleaning, lube, and dry firing may get the trigger pull you want without need to change springs.
I do not know what the numbers mean. I’ll look around but I’m sure there are people on this site that will know and share there knowledge with you.
Good Luck,
Wayne.
In researching the trigger pull of my 642 I found that the need for a heavier spring is a result of the lighter weight of the enclosed hammer. In order to generate enough energy to ensure a good primer strike the heavier spring is used. There is also a rebound spring that returns the trigger to the forward position. The heavy trigger is the result of these two springs plus the friction of the moving parts. I carried an automatic prior to purchasing my 642 and made the change on the basis of reliability. I am therefore very hesitant in making changes that could produce a misfire. Many people do it and apparently are happy with the results. With my trigger pull now at 11# and much smoother I’m happy. If I had yours I would want to know why it was so much heavier than the norm. Even though I would not want to be without mine for any length of time I would return it to SW and let them get it at least into the normal range. After that cleaning, lube, and dry firing may get the trigger pull you want without need to change springs.
I do not know what the numbers mean. I’ll look around but I’m sure there are people on this site that will know and share there knowledge with you.
Good Luck,
Wayne.
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