642 Club Part Three

[Warp]

Any thought on Double Taps 125 grain bonded +P for a 642? Price is about the same as 135gr. Gold Dot Short Barrel and the velocity is about 100-150 fps more.

Not much out on the net for the .38 special, at least from what I can tell.

My opinion: Never give a single cent to double tap. Across the board they lie about their ammunition's performance/velocity. I haven't found a test/report yet where a round actually chronographed at the advertised velocity in a given firearm. They are liars and do not deserve money.

If you want the real, bona fide, big boy .38spl look no further than Buffalo Bore.

Their 158gr +P LSWCHP really brings the heat. They have other selections as well.

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=22

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=23

Their ammo is also carried at http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/Bro...7509&categoryString=653***691***&brandId=2118

 

[Stormin.40]

Warp, thanks for the warning.

I also like buffalo bore, but currently am having a quality issue with my first 20rounds. I have only shot 5 rounds and they performed well. My issue is with the remaining rounds, I have 15 left and out of these, 6 have started to "jump the crimp". I know this is a problem with lightweight revolvers and powerful ammo but the rounds that "jumped" haven't been in a gun while being fired!

I measured the good rounds, OAL from 1.547 - 1.460, the rounds that are, in my opinon bad have OAL from 1.472 - 1.478. I can load there rounds just find but am concerned that they will really jump if in my 642 when it is ACTUALLY fired.

I am not saying that Buffalo Bore ammunition is not reliable, this is a isolated issue that I expect Buffalo Bore to handle when the owner gets back from his hunt.

I would be interested in others thoughts on this so called jump taking place here. This ammo has been loaded in my 642 from speed strips and unloaded when I do my dry fire practice.

 

[Warp]

I doubt they will be a problem if/when you fire them.

I'd take it to the range and find out, myself.

 

[mark1616]

Mark1616 Sayeth:




One of our Member jt1's rig looks like this. Detroit backup in a Smartcarry.

Here is my pair to draw to:

Beautiful!

 

[sloman]

I second that! Can't beat a pair of J Frames!

 

[warrconn]

I was thinking the same thing today. I have a 442 that I love. I haven't shot it a lot, but put another 50 of 158 gr. through it this weekend. No +p yet, still breaking it in. Anyway, the 442 is perfect if you want a stealth gun where the bad guy isn't tipped off by something shiney. On the OTHER hand, there might be times when you may want something that catches the BG's eye right away....where the mere sight of a weapon will make him/them just back away. A 642/442 combo is making more sense.

 

[davidbee]

I have a question about cleaning the 642,
Today I cleaned mine for the first time and did something very stupid,
i was using a brass jag and rod and pushed to hard and the tip of the brass jag went in the firing pin/hammer hole,
Has anyone ever done something like that?..what are the chances i did some real damage?
Today I had fun though and shot 50 rounds of Atlanta Arms 125gr hollowpoints for $13.00, a great deal and 10 rounds of Golden Saber 135gr +P and LOVED IT..
It was not as accurate for me as I hoped but out to 10 yards I could put rounds on a paper plate.
Thx for inspiring me to give up the pocket 380s !!!

 

[Old Bull Lee]

Ammo question:

Are Speer's 38 Special GDHP all optimized for short barrels, or are there separate 38s for regular-size barrels and separate 38s for short barrels?

 

[41]

David,
I don't think that you would have done any damage, those parts are designed to move back and forth. I'm no expert but I doubt any damage was done, repeatedly doing so could cause some damage, but I don't think you have any thing to worry about. Some one feel free to chime in if I'm incorrect.

Welcome to the 642 club by the way.

 

[rdrancher]

Ammo question:

Are Speer's 38 Special GDHP all optimized for short barrels, or are there separate 38s for regular-size barrels and separate 38s for short barrels?

The 135gr GD #23921 are designated "short barrel." They also have a 125gr 38 special #23720, which I believe is for longer barrels.

 

[DAdams]

http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/short_brl.aspx

Speer website with the scoop on SGDFSB .38 spl plus P 135 gr.

Here is the entire line-up.

http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/ammo.aspx

 

[davidbee]

thanks I am going to test it out this weekend but I am still carrying it untill then,
I bought a box of Golden Sabers in 125gr +p and a box of Speer GoldDots 135gr +p short barrel,
carrying the golddots now.

Does anyone here now if the hammer/firing pin is Forged or Cast, MIM?

 

[davidbee]

well after 100 rounds of flawless operation, I DROPPED THE 642-1 On my concrete floor when cleaning it today!
stupid.

 

[Warp]

I knew the one would be a flyer as soon as I let it go.

 

[sixgunner455]

davidbee - well, at least now, you don't have to worry about that first scratch!

 

[DAdams]

Who says you can't get good with a snub. Nice shooting Warp.

Davidbee-

Hope your sight is ok. Did you violate your clear cote?

 

[davidbee]

I love it, I shot 150 rounds in 2 days, 55 rounds since i dropped it on my concrete floor not even a scratch!!
I did get paranoid about the barrel ans sight from the drop but i shot a tight group at 20 ft.!!
135gr gold dot short barrel ammo on the way.

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I think I may get out of the 642 club and get into the SP101 3" club pretty soon.

 

[Warp]

I think I may get out of the 642 club and get into the SP101 3" club pretty soon.

You mean add the SP101 club...right?

 

[sixgunner455]

We won't kick you out for adding a Ruger. I own three Rugers. I even own, and sometimes carry, a semiauto. I just do proper penance with a 3" S&W Model 13 when I go hiking, with the 642 in my pocket, too, or carry the 642 along with the 9mm in town.

 

[sloman]

Do NOT use Gun Scrubber brand cleaner on your 642. I did and it ate the clear finish, but Smith was very gracious to recoat it for me free of charge. Can't beat that!

 

[Warp]

I just used gun scrubber this afternoon on my 642...and for the first time. lol. We'll see what happens

 

[whalerman]

Warp, that's not really a "flyer". This isn't a target gun. All them holes would work. The real question is how long did it take to draw and get them off.

 

[DAdams]

Warp, that's not really a "flyer". This isn't a target gun. All them holes would work. The real question is how long did it take to draw and get them off.

Do the Old Fuff Drill. 5 rounds, five yards, five seconds and keep them in the COM.

 

[Warp]

Warp, that's not really a "flyer". This isn't a target gun. All them holes would work. The real question is how long did it take to draw and get them off.

They sure would, although ideally they would be higher. I don't like where the circle is on that target and will generally use different targets.

Didn't take very long but wasn't rapid fire. I was testing the gun/ammo more than myself. I put one mag/cylinder of carry ammo onto a fresh target with each of three guns at 7-8 yards. I could tell the site moved a little more than I waned when I let that one go.

When I shoot faster the group definitely opens up