642 Club Part Deux

[jt1]

Friends - About time I get around to scribbling out a few lines, I'm starting to feel like a lurker around here...Interesting fact of the day...The 5022 posts of the original 642 Club are now located on page 96 of the archives, still no sticky

New Members:

.US - The Kershaw, gunnar187, Steve48, Luggo.

.ORG - spyderdude, Hawkn, a2fireball, preachnhunt, SpectrePilot, DCSCO, LafayetteLA, steak-knife, Wolfsburg, Doc_Jude, appaws, TexasGator, KentuckyBlue.

Welcome to the 642 Clubs, we are glad to have you with us and look forward to your input.

I'm putting together several reviews and some thoughts on CCW/SD issues that I will share as they are ready, here's a quick look at a 15 month review of the Smartcarry.

Original Smartcarry Review - The only cravat I will add is to amend the "v=e=r=y=s=l=o=w" comment. With a little practice this holster is adequate for speed and excellent for concealment.

Followup Comments - One Cravat...This holster is excellent with a suit.

Just got a smart carry holster for my 642. What a great way to carry when I'm not wearing big pockets!

YZR - Isn't it amazing how good the Smartcarry really is? Of all the holsters I have ever bought (High end, low end, and everything in between) it turns out the two best ones IMO (Mika and Smartcarry) are among the most affordable and readily available holsters out there. Along the same lines, now that I am able to afford any guns I want, I am happy with my X42's, and if I were to buy other revolvers, they would most likely be J-Frames as well.

I Still Just can't get into that having a holster/device that aims the business end of a handgun at my business end. The 642 looks right at home in that and I am looking forward to your commentary.

Another misconception repeated in this thread is the SmartCarry points your gun at your package. It does not. It's worn to one side or the other and points DOWN and OVER when standing.

Of course, DA is a big "Business Man"...



Now you see it...



Now you...almost don't...This setup virtually disappears, and with even the lightest cover garment it is undetectable. With elastic or loose waistband pants access is easy and deployment/reholstering is fast after a little practice...and you have usable pockets again After 15 months of daily use it is still perfectly serviceable with no wear or condition issues.



This might be the ultimate setup for a Smartcarry:



The Ka-Bar is excellent for weapons retention and could serve as a primary if necessary, The X42, of course, speaks for itself



This combination is good for an elevated threat environment, or a serious backup...it has earned it's keep



Speedloader...not required



Keeping it simple...my current EDC. This is often supplemented with a hicap littergun eek and other pointy and noisy things, but this is my always, everywhere, 24/7 minimum, it works:

 

[DAdams]

jt1

Thanks for making a guest appearance

Of course, DA is a big "Business Man"...

Yep, it's easy to be nervous when you present a large target.

I think I am over that fear now and at least with a revolver DA with a long heavy stroke I could wear the SC.

The Double Whammy Carry-

Kind of reminds me of the Doublemint Twins. With the exception that clicks take on a whole new meaning.

This combination is good for an elevated threat environment, or a serious backup...it has earned it's keep

Speedloader...not required

jt1, keep on lurking. Stay safe.

 

[rdrancher]

jt1 - Good to hear from you! Thanks for the followup review. I still haven't gotten around to buying a Smartcarry, but it'll happen someday I'm sure.

I've copied my Behind the Barn reviews to a blog to make them easier to reference. They may be completely unscientific, but they may be of some help to someone.

rd

 

[jacksmatrixxx]

hello everyone just joined the club got a new 642 best pocket gun ever to me

 

[Gardien]

I just picked up my 642-1 on Thursday and am looking forward to going to the range soon.

I'm sure its been posted many times, but would appreciate feedback on what rounds perform well for both target practice and SD. I'm looking at 130 gr standard load and 158 gr +p FMJ for practice. For SD looking for good penetration and expansion.

 

[Resto Guy]

Gardien, Speer Gold Dot 135 seems to be the most popular defense round for the 642. At least from what I've read on the topic.

 

[jt1]

jacksmatrixxx, Gardien, Resto Guy - Welcome to the 642 Club. Come on in and stay awhile.

Gardien - You can't go wrong with the SGD 135's, I'm partial to the Buff Bore SWCHP 158's, both standard pressure and +P, been using the standard pressure more lately and feel it is quite adequate for SD carry. I like the 148/158 wadcutters for training.

RD - "Behind the Barn" reviews, good job. You might have a new career as a gun rag writer

The Double Whammy Carry

 

[rdrancher]

RD - "Behind the Barn" reviews, good job. You might have a new career as a gun rag writer

Thanks JT, but probably not - I don't have enough knowledge. But...come to think of it...I could always get by on my enthusiasm and good looks.

rd

 

[jt1]

...don't have enough knowledge...

That never stopped me

 

[DAdams]

Indeed

Welcome to

jacksmatrixxx, Gardien, Resto Guy

Now about those photos. This place is looking a bit drab and needs some sprucing up.

 

[rhweb32]

I just got a 642 two days ago. I've already put 300 rounds through it. I definately just turned in to a revolver kind of guy, and can't believe it's taken me this long to find the 642.

 

[Dloy]

Hi guys
Long time listener, first time caller.
Picking up a 642 at noon tomorrow. Ordered 2 Mika's 2 weeks ago. I'm not really a "gun guy" and so it took me a while to come around to snubbies (from SA's), but am confident in my decision. Thanks for the tips and free advice (worth every penny).
A thousand flies can't be wrong.

I'll be watching....

 

[glockman19]

jt,

Nice pictures. I always seeing the442 & 642 together.

 

[rdrancher]

A thousand flies can't be wrong.

Uh oh...he's on to us.



Welcome

rd

 

[jacksmatrixxx]

i would love to post pics,but im a gun nut not a computer nut

 

[tjm]

I am a new 642 owner. I went into a store last week to get some ammo. I've wanted a 642 with no lock for some time but could never find one. Sure enough, there was a brand new, no lock 642 on the shelf. I didn't exactly have money earmarked for it but what could I do? As I was filling out the paperwork I found out that someone else was supposedly driving over to buy it. She thought I was him! Another few minutes and I might have missed my chance.

They told me that they didn't order a no lock and they thought it was a fluke. And it had two keys in the box!

I already have a Smart Carry and there is a Crimson Trace on the way now. I shot a hundred rounds or so through it and I think I am going to like this one.

 

[sixgunner455]

Not enough pictures on this page.

Common carry combination: 642, speed strip, Galco Horsehide Pocket, and a Case Copperhead.



And the 642 in the nifty Goncalvo Alves banana grips. Makes accurate shooting much easier, but the grip sticks out a bit more.





I've had a Smartcarry for years and years, and it shows. I still use it some, but I'm not going to show it. Got some serious wear and sweat stains. Like showing a picture of an old pair of grundies now.

 

[ArmedBear]

Just tried out a practice load for the J-frame.

3 grains Trail Boss, 125 grain Oregon Trail FN bullet.

Kicks enough to be decent practice for getting back on target, but is really comfortable. Definitely recommended.

Shooting a 642 can be fun -- even at 25 yard NRA bullseye targets.

 

[jt1]

Indeed

Hey...dude...

rhweb32, Dloy, tjm - Welcome to the 642 Club.

 

[Dloy]

Thank you Gentlemen.
I'd post a pic but:
1. I'm technologically challenged. (Thus the revolver.)
2. It looks an awful lot like about 200 here already.
Maybe later.
Looking forward to some range time, maybe tomorrow. Picked up 60 rounds of SGD 135gr and 200 rounds of non+ Federal for practice.
Thanks again for the wealth of knowledge. Much appreciated.

 

[Gardien]

Well, this 642 thing is getting quite addicitve. I just ordered the CT LG405, Bianchi speed strips, HKS speed loaders along with some BB 158 Gr SWCHP +P, GA 148 Gr (non+) LWC & 125 Gr GD.

Any thoughts on the Serpa CQC holster?

Will post pics once everything is in.

 

[glockman19]

I'm just geting into reloading and have dies for .38 Special.

Does anyone have a special load for the 642?

 

[DAdams]

Armed Bear

Thanks for stopping by and sharing the recipe. Dang dude. I have no Trail boss nor 124 grain Oregon Trail FN bullet. Nor have I heard of either.
Shows you what I have to learn in my reload quest.

That FN what is the composition and layout?
Trail Boss, flake or ball? 3 grains, that seem like a very, very light load, did you chrono that round?

Just tried out a practice load for the J-frame.

3 grains Trail Boss, 125 grain Oregon Trail FN bullet.

Kicks enough to be decent practice for getting back on target, but is really comfortable. Definitely recommended.

Shooting a 642 can be fun -- even at 25 yard NRA bullseye targets

 

[jt1]

Does anyone have a special load for the 642?

Tim Sundles does...Think he'll share?

 

[DAdams]

642 loads. One could attempt to reverse engineer dissasembling one of the BB rounds, assuming they have something you are really enamoured with.
When this was done with a 30/30 Hornady LeveRevolution round it was part ball powder and part flake. Eye of newt, wing of bat.

Find a bullet you want to use and look at the .38 spl buildups they recommend.

There are tested "replica" loads that have been built up and worked into to emulate the SGDFSB 135 gr +P on the reloading site.

One of these days when the dies show up for the Hornady LnL I am going to load some, it may be another month or two with the way availability is on "stuff" these days. In the interim I just buy a box or four whenever I run across them.