642 Club Part Three

[Firewall]

Hi everyone,
This past weekend I traded into a nice no-lock 642

This isn't my first, in fact I think I was in Part 2 of the 642 club. I like to trade a bit locally and through that this is my second 642, I've had 2 637s and a 36 (one at a time, not all at the same time). I traded a LCR to get this 642 because the grip on the LCR didn't suit my hand.

Funny story, I bought a model 10 snub nose a few weeks ago on behalf of my mother in law. I stopped in at a gun range to pick her up some of the 158gr+P loads discussed on page 6 of the thread because I've used them a bit in the past and like them. The guy behind the counter told me not only did that load not exist, it'd blow the gun up

For carry I use an Andrews Leather pocket holster and a El Paso Saddlery Street Combat holster. At the moment I'm using Winchester 110gr Silver Tips as someone gave me a box.

 

[DAdams]

firewall, welcome back.

The guy behind the counter told me not only did that load not exist, it'd blow the gun up

Unfortunately there is alot of misinformation out here. Email him a free link subscription the 642 Club.

 

[jus4fun]

Hi 642'ers,
I am strongly considering the purchase of a 642 with crimson trace for my wifes' personal protection. She doesn't have a chp, I do, and she would not carry it until she got her permit.
My questions are concerning holsters and ammo. I have never owned a 38 special. I have Ruger Mark II, a Ruger P85, a Ruger .22 rifle and a 12 gauge. I will be joining a range and wife and I will be practicing fairly frequently.
I realize the 642 is not a "range" gun, or even as some may say, not a fun gun to shoot because of it's light weight/recoil.
I also plan to bring the heavier 9mm P85 and the smaller caliber .22's for her to shoot.
Also, I am looking to buy a KahrCW9 with crimson trace. I read a few pages back that crimson trace has a $50 rebate or sale. Is that correct?
I am having trouble finding a holster for the Kahr w/crimson trace.
I plan to buy speed loaders for the 642 and a couple extra magazines for the Kahr.

 

[Stormin.40]

642 Break in period

I finally picked up my 642. I have a couple of holsters on order and some rounds in the gun cabinet to try out next time I can get away to the range.

My question is how many rounds does it typically take to break in a revolver?

I only have experience with new auto pistols and typically put 200-500 rounds through them before I trust carrying for self defense. My thoughts are since a revolver is a simpler design the break in would be closer to 50-100 rounds.

 

[jus4fun]

Budget concerns were pressing and I ended up buying the 642 with rubber grip and crimson trace. Also a speedloader. Also bought the Kahr CW9, crimson trace, magazine and a crimson trace for a Ruger LCP. Whew! That was tough and we'll have to be careful for a few months on our spending (not easy).

That doesn't cover ammo, holsters, speed strips, etc., etc. I will just have to sell more motorcycle parts!

 

[alemonkey]

Stormin.40,

I don't see that any break in period would be necessary, other than to run a box or two through it to function check. It's not like an autoloader.

I bought my 642 specifically to carry while running, so finding a suitable holster for that was a priority for me. I just picked up a PT-2 holster from http://pistolwear.com/ and I'm very happy with it. It holds the gun snugly while running or biking, and it's tight enough against my body that it's almost invisible. Even with slacks and a tucked in shirt you can't tell I'm carrying - my wife walked all around me looking with my arms in the air and couldn't tell where it was. It's a little slower to draw than a regular IWB holster, but it's faster for me than pocket carry. It's incredibly comfortable, too. With it rotated a little off center to appendix carry I can't even tell I'm carrying anything. At first I kept checking to make sure the gun was still there, it fits that well.

Yesterday I went for a bike ride, and I also stashed my keys, my drivers license & CHP permit, and a speedloader in it. I was worried about the extra stuff in the pistolwear holster possibly getting into the trigger guard and causing a ND, so I put the 642 into my Mika pocket holster first, then put the whole thing into the pistolwear holster. It sounds silly, but that made for a great combination. I wore it at 3:00 with a T-shirt covering it, and it was all but invisible. Plus I had plenty of storage for all the other stuff.

 

[Stormin.40]

alemonkey, I may have to try one of those out. I had thought about using my pocket holster and putting in my bicycle jersey, with all the other junk I didn't think it would be that noticable.

 

[BRE346]

Man. I'm glad to find this thread.

My 642 has about 75 rounds through it now. It shoots better than I. It hurts my strong hand more than the weak hand. ??? (Carpal tunnel syndrome. Even typing hurts.)

I'm seeking a CT laser grip. Haven't heard from one guy who made a offer.

No holster yet. Hmmm, good advice here.

Thanks, everyone.

 

[riceboy72]

Another endorsement for the Mika Pocket Holster. I received my round cut and have all but forgotten about my other holsters. It is extremely comfortable, draws and reholsters easily, and stays in my pocket. It really does feel like I'm not carrying my 642 in my cargo shorts when I use it.

And Robert Mika is a very friendly and customer oriented craftsman. He is worthy of the praise he receives from those on this website. I will be ordering a square cut shortly, along with a round cut for a friend for a birthday gift. I highly recommend his line.

 

[Diggers]

Firewall aren't gun store clerks awesome?

You gotta love getting info from a guy that has never heard of a 158gr+P .38!! Sheesh!

That is pretty funny stuff.

 

[gordy]

BRE346,
I use a JBP IWB holster and I love it.
Great workmanship a good quality holster.

 

[lg&m]

I need some help. I want a new reload for my 642 & 442. What are you using with a 125Gr.
jacketed bullet?
Please don't make me search the whole thread.

 

[Stormin.40]

Took my new 642 to the range today. The gun was flawless as expected, I however, have a lot to learn and need a lot more practice. The target ammo (Magtech 158gr FMJ) was fairly easy on my hands, though rapid fire was difficult for me. My carry ammo of choice is/was Buffalo Bore 158 gr. LSWCHP +P, this was rather punishing but should be managable with practive, I was flinching like crazy after the first shot.


Any tips? Currently just using the factory grips. I plan to pocket carry so it needs to remain concealable, not sure if aftermarket grips would work. I plan on doing lots of dry firing, I think improving my trigger control and grip would make a huge difference.

I love this gun!

 

[alemonkey]

Lots and lots of dry fire, that helped me a lot. The trigger will smooth out after a couple thousand cycles. That, and get to the range a lot with it. With practice it can be a pretty accurate little gun. At first it was all I could do to keep it on paper, but now that the trigger and I have come to an understanding I can shoot it pretty well. I'm keeping most of my shots on a paper plate at 25 yards now. Of course, most of my practice with this gun is at much shorter ranges since that's where I'm more likely to use it.

 

[Haywireranch]

Bought my wife the 637 for s.d.around the house,we live out in the country and she wanted to have a gun she can carry when outside working in the yard or in the house while I am at work. Liked the the size and way it shot I went out last week and got me a
642 looks like we will be doing a lot of target shooting together at the ranch.I really enjoy this forum lots of good info and good folks

 

[DAdams]

Welcome Haywireranch

I went out last week and got me a
642 looks like we will be doing a lot of target shooting together at the ranch.I really enjoy this forum lots of good info and good folks

The family that shoots together....... Rhyme that?

a gun she can carry when outside working in the yard

Approach with Caution.

 

[Haywireranch]

Thanks DADAmS how about a family that shoots together stays together and lives longer

 

[jester88]

Finally settled on my 1st revolver today. A new 642 no-lock for $340 OTD. It's on order, so I don't have it yet But will by this weekend.

Are the boot grips manageable? I have slightly long and thin hands/fingers. I was wondering if the full-grip option was possible for pocket carry? Or does that just make pocket carry not an option? I want to order some badger, esmeralda, etc grips and wasn't sure which size to go for. This would be for a backup gun in mika pocket holster (i assume round cut is the way to go), main gun has full grip. What do you think? Thanks for looking.


ps. dealers pay 315 for this gun, in case anyone was wondering.

 

[jester88]

ok just ordered the mika pocket holster in black. Now what about these grips? What size? And which are better, esmeralda or badger, or perhaps someone else?

 

[Silent Bob]

Jester, the hard rubber boot grips that come on new S&W j-frames are manageable even with +P ammo (shoot a j-frame with the old wooden skinny grip to see what I mean) but I feel the slightly older Uncle Mike's grips (a copy of the Spegel boot grip, only in rubber instead of wood) were superior in shape to the new grips. Sadly S&W does not use them anymore due to them not being manufactured anymore. On my two j-frames I have Hogue bantam grips, they absorb a little more sting and shock then the stock grips and while Hogue rubber is notorious for sticking to cover garments, I find them no problem for pocket carry. Plus no grip screw to rust.

 

[RetDep310]

Another plus for using the Hogue Bantams is that speed loaders will work fine, it that's what you use. My speedloaders would not work with the stock S&W rubber grips. Love the Hogues!

 

[sixgunner455]

If you want a full-length grip on your 642, there are options. Hogue monogrip is just one. I usually have a set of S&W banana grips on mine, in smooth Goncalvo Alves, that I found on one of the auction sites. I like the rubber grips, but it points much more naturally for me with the banana-shaped grip.

 

[Sassi]

The cylinder of the model 642 is stainless steel. However it seems that the cylinder has some kind of coating over it. If this is the case how can you polish the cylinder? The frame is aluminum, but has a finish on it. How do you touch up this paint finish when the gun gets scratched or holster wear rubs some of it of? Is there a touch up kit out there for these mentioned issues?

 

[Haywireranch]

Took my wife to her first indoor pistol range with her new 637, she shot very good at 3yds and 7yds and had a great time.I took my new 642 and between us shot 100 rnds.
Guns shot great and very accurate. We will will be taking our ccl course in may here in Texas .

 

[PcolaDawg]

Took my wife to her first indoor pistol range with her new 637, she shot very good at 3yds and 7yds and had a great time.I took my new 642 and between us shot 100 rnds.
Guns shot great and very accurate. We will will be taking our ccl course in may here in Texas .

Congrats on your decision to take a ccl course. You will not regret it. And the 642 is a great start on your conceal/carry arsenal. Because, yeah, you will likely start building a conceal/carry arsenal once you have your license and start to carry regularly.