642 Club Part Three

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What grips?

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Oh... those grips! One way is to buy the 3" 60 Pro above (upper left), as it comes standard with them. A more cost effective way is to call S&W (1-800-331-0852) and order them as SKU #411740000 (~$43 + s/t + s/h). They aren't on their website - or in a catalog, either. They are frequently on back-order, too - just order and wait - it won't be long and they are worth it. I have them on all of my J-frames except my 642 & 351PD. Those two are pocket carry and they don't need the larger grips. As my 642 has the highest probability of being used to defend my bacon, I try to keep it as near to 'stock' condition as possible. They would, however, make shooting a 642 - with my +P 158gr LHPSWC's - more tolerable. Great fit & feel to my medium+ hands.

Stainz
 
642 Club Huh?

Just found this......check my name...think I in the right place?

Getting back into reloading after a loooooong time and got a 642 for the wife after selling my .380 carry gun. Also got CTC 105 grips for it and am dying to load up some rounds and go to the range. I'm also in the hunt for a 442 no lock so I can reload for both without going thru the same hassle over a different pistol. I was at a Cabelas store on Friday morning and the guy in front of me bought the last 442!! :banghead:

Haven't done much shooting in over 20yrs and WOW what an eye opener on the reloading component shortages! Have most of what I need except Berry 125gr HP bullets which should show up in a couple weeks. Found some 700X and will work up from the bottom on loads since I don't have a feel for pistol stuff.

BTW...What's a Moon Clip for? I saw a 442 w/ moon clip. If equipped, does it change the basic gun?

Lemme know if y'all have some pointers for a new owner.

Am gonna start combing through the posts and see what I can see....

J
 
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I've had my 442 for almost 20 years! I'd called S&W to ask a couple questions and while I had them on the phone thought to ask when mine was shipped. I don't know when they were introduced but when I first saw one I know it would be a great CCW.

Mine's stock, non +P rated (I load it with Federal Hydra-Shok standard pressure rounds). I think the secret to shooting them reasonably is to have a good tight grip. On this model, I've found that locking your weak hand thumb over your strong hand thumb (across the backstrap) is the way to get the best grip.

I don't carry it as much as I used to but it rides IWB in an old Galco or in the pocket of pants (that have enough pocket) in a Mika pocket holster.

I'd like to retire this one and get a new one that's +P rated (though I would shoot +P through it) but I've heard mixed things at best about new S&W revolvers and finding one without that damned lock is very hard to do.

Tell you what though, I had a chance to look over an LCR today and I don't get the fanboy worship of those. That cam trigger is smooth but if you don't reset it properly you screw up the timing. It's also one of the ugliest revolvers I've ever seen.

I'll take a J frame 442/642 any day over one of those LCRs (and this from a guy who mostly carries the excellent little LCP these days).
 
LCR's and 442's

I'm still hanging in there for a 442 no lock. In a weak moment you may see a post on here where I broke down and bought a lock....dunno. I could see me removing the lock and finding a plug. I just don't like the look of a lock. :scrutiny:

One thing's fo sho...I ain't feelin' the LCR. Looks like a pistol from a Dick Tracy comic strip, not a red blooded smithy-lookin' revolver. I understand they shoot well though.

I've read the lock vs. no lock thread. Do y'all think 442 no locks are more scarce that the lock models? Anybody been bit by one?

I'll go watch the YouTube videos and see what they say.

J :cool:
 
I don't really like the lock in my 642, but I don't really think about it much, either. After 9 years of carrying it, including a few airline trips, I really don't worry about it. Being able to actually disable the gun while it is under the control of other people when I'm in the aluminum tube is actually a thing I've learned to appreciate.

But I'd rather it didn't have the stupid dimple.
 
Y'know it's all in my head because I'm one of those people that sees art in gun design, and that stupid key lock just doesn't do it for me.

I had it bad for a number of years when I customized a Model 70 with a Douglas stainless barrel, laminated stock, native wood grip cap and forend tips. Then I turned on a model 722 that belonged to my grandfather. I checkered it and stippled around some fleur de lis patterns, etc, etc. And all that for punchin' holes in groundhogs and deer....go figure.

Then.....I got a 642 no lock for my wife and what better than to have a no lock pair?

What can I say.....I'm damaged :)

J
 
Its been a year or so since I've visited, so I thought I'd check in and say hi. My trusty 642-1 still rides with me everyday. Now loaded with GD's and still nestled in a Mika or Uncle Mikes pocket holster.

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J, I can understand that reasoning, especially the aesthetic part.

RD, good to 'see' you. (Ain't the internet weird? We know each other by user names and a few posts.)

I'm kind of scarce in these parts these days, too. Just too busy right now, but drop in on occasion just to see what's shakin'.
 
Happy 8th!

Greetings to all 642 Heads!

It is strange how time gets away from you. It doesn't seem possible that I joined THR over 10 years ago, and that The Club is 8 years old as of yesterday.

I'm so glad this thread lives, because for me, THR equals The 642 Club. I didn't realize my last post was almost 17 months ago. I have lurked some, but it is amazing how quickly time moves. I must do better in the future.

Many, many, many people are the reason the Club is what it is today, and you all have my humble thanks. I still carry my 642 in my Mika round cut pocket holster which is holding up just fine. (Big kudos to you, Robert Mika.) What can I say--this configuration just works for me.

Revolvers rule!

Peace,
fiVe
 
FiVe, it's truly great to see you, our club founder! I've been wondering how you are.

How cool that you stopped in to remind us of its birthday.

Break out the champaign! Here's to 8 more!
 
642 Club Greetings

Greetings and Happy Birthday from East TN.

The 642 Club was the reason I joined THR. I was researching snub nose revolvers years ago and up popped a link to the 642 Club Part I. Since then I have encountered many of our sordid band of merry Men and Women all over the gunner Interweb.

My 642 sports CT 305 grips and rides in an Uncle Mikes holster. My Wife took it as her own a few years back.
The 642 was my second S&W, now I have 7!

Whatever happened to JT1?

Cheers.
MSAR Adams
 
MSAR, clean up on aisle 5, please.

I've wondered where JT1 is also. Hope he's well.
Ah, those were the golden days of the club.

Great that it's still going.

I miss my 642. Still not here after three years.

Sad, nearly tragic story. Maybe I'll tell it some day.
 
I feel naked jogging without my 442.

I must have over 600 miles logged with that thing by now.

-Jake
 
642 Cleaning / Bought 442 LG405

Bullets finally arrived and I loaded some for test fire tomorrow to make sure crimp is good on plated bullets before loading a bunch. Just used a slight crimp with a snug fit from the expander die.

Question is.... Will Hoppes solvent attack the finish on a 642, 442? I'll be shooting these for the first time over the weekend and don't want to assume regular solvent will attack the finish.

News is... I found a 442 to carry and the guy made me a deal on the LG405's he had so I bought both. It should arrive at the local FFL tomorrow afternoon.

Dats what I'm talkin' 'bout.

J :D
 
Question is.... Will Hoppes solvent attack the finish on a 642, 442? I'll be shooting these for the first time over the weekend and don't want to assume regular solvent will attack the finish.

News is... I found a 442 to carry and the guy made me a deal on the LG405's he had so I bought both. It should arrive at the local FFL tomorrow afternoon.

That combination, a 442 with CT 405 grips is an effective combination and good looking too.

I have used many cleaning and lubricants on handguns and rifles including a 642. The common thread all these products share is that they do not contain ammonia.
I like in particular Breakfree CLP (clean, lube protect). Hoppes Elite does not contain ammonia and at one time S&W recommended it before they came out with their own private label product.

Welcome to the Club.
 
Cleaning

Thanks for the welcome and the response. I've used Hoppes on rifles and shotguns for as long as I can remember, all blued. Common sense told me on aluminum frames with paint / clearcoat / black, etc., that harsh cleaners sooner or later could lift or soften the finish.

J
 
How'd you get your image into the message body??

Open the image by clicking on the thumbnail, copy the URL, then click the little picture icon in the edit window that looks like this
insertimage.gif
and paste the image URL into the dialog box.

Here is your image as a result.

attachment.php
 
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