642 or M&P 340

[chaim]

When I bought my 442, I could have comfortably bought the scandium model, but I bought the 442 (and yes, price was a factor)*. Those supposing the same price, that wasn't the question. The OP said "price was irrelevant". There are plenty of people who have enough money that they could buy anything they want without hardship, price for them is not relevant. That doesn't mean they can't pick the best deal and use the extra money for something else (like more ammo). If you would suppose that the price was the same, then buy the one with the most features (assuming quality is the same), but that doesn't seem to be the question. Price being irrelevant simply means you can afford the best overall deal, even if it is the more expensive model, and you don't need to buy the less expensive one just because it is less expensive.

Why get the 442/642? Even in the 15oz aluminium alloy gun, .38+P is going to be unpleasant to shoot. I don't enjoy shooting this even with most .38 loadings (I can and do shoot it, but I don't enjoy it like I enjoy my 3" K-frame with full-house magnums). Take the 13oz scandium, and even shooting +P I suspect would be too much for many people, and I doubt most .38spl loads would be fun. As for carriability, the 15oz. 442/642 is fine, but if you do get the 340 and get used to the lighter weight you will notice the difference (so just go with the 642 and it will be light enough even for pocket carry and you won't miss the lighter weight).

Night sights? Umm, usually a snub is being used at ranges that are close enough that I doubt they'd matter. If you are going to use it as a primary and want better sights, the CT grips are a better idea. The laser will definately give you more precision and not just be easier to see like the night sights, and they will also extend your effective range.

Lighter weight? Like I said above, sure the 340 is lighter. If you get it and the 642 you may notice a difference. If you just get the 642 it will be light enough that I doubt that you'll be thinking "gee, if only this thing was 2oz lighter."

.357mag? Sure, the 340 can take magnum rounds. However, not many people will be able to handle them out of such a light gun. For those who practice with .38spl and carry magnums, not the greatest idea. You really should practice, at least occasionally, with your carry/defensive load. You need to know the point of impact v. point of aim, and you need to be familiar with the recoil and recovery time.

Strength? Yes, theoretically the scandium is stronger than the aluminium. However, the current aluminium revolvers are plenty strong for .38spl and .38+P loadings. You aren't very likely to ever need that extra strength, so why pay for it?

So, again, for best overall deal (price irrelevant, but in the real world where prices aren't the same) I'd go with the 642 (or I did go with the 442). If the available night sights appeal to you, invest in some CT grips and you are even better off than the night sights (or you can always send it off for some custom work and get exactly what you want- trigger job?, night sights?, bead front sight?, melt job?, etc.). Oh, and for those who are mentioning the night sights v. Crimson Trace, if you look at the links to the guns it appears the OP is planning to get the CT on either choice so night sights are pretty irrelevant.


*[size=-2]I'm not saying I'm one of those people who can afford anything they want. It is just that when I bought my 442 I could have easily bought the scandium. I have other handguns in the price range.[/size]

 

[tsidorus]

That is what I was trying to say... Im just not as eloquent

 

[Stainz]

Yo, Eric...

Get yourself a big bag of cheesy puffs and sit down in front of the 'puter and read 'The 642 Club' threads here... you may need some eye drops as well.

Get the 642... spend the extra bucks on something fun to shoot. Now, while CT grips are great - and fun - remember two things: 1. They require a battery to operate (Murphy's Law re said battery being dead when you need it is very exact.) and 2. Mr. Bad Guy can see the red dot as it exits your grip...

Seriously, K.I.S.S. is important. Learn to shoot the 642 instinctively - you will likely never need it over 1-7 yards. Don't let anyone fool you, +P 158gr LHPSWC's - or those Speer 135gr +P GDJHP's - are serious stoppers.

Stainz

 

[DawgFvr]

Buy the 642...it is a bargain .38 pocket snub. Save the additional money and go purchase a real .357 that is heavy enough to control potent loads and manage recoil for the follow-up shot.

 

[PaladinX13]

Price being irrelevant simply means you can afford the best overall deal, even if it is the more expensive model, and you don't need to buy the less expensive one just because it is less expensive.

While that might be what the OP means, that's not what "price being irrelevant" means. Getting the best value/overall deal is a very price conscious decision (not "irrelevant"), even if absolute price is not a consideration, price in ratio clearly is.

In the latter case, while it doesn't preclude getting the more expensive model it is almost always going to skew towards the lower end... that's just the Law of Diminishing Returns.

To me, when someone says "price irrelevant" that means price irrelevant... or "I have enough money and/or am willing to part with it such that the price difference is wholly irrelevant". If they want "bang for the buck" then they'll ask value/ratio questions.

Also, night sights are still valuable even with CT grips. They let you find your gun in the dark, but more importantly, they train you to get a proper sight picture with the snubby. CT grips are good for quick indexing, but not as good for developing that discipline. Fixed blade sights are basically nonexistent and harder at developing that. But a nice white dot can help you produce repeatable longer range hits even with the heavy double action.

 

[L-Frame]

I vote for the 642. So many people are enamored with the featherweight guns and their ease of carry, but only a very small percentage of those same people are able or willing to take the pain of actually shooting those ultra-light little beasts.