Buying a lightweight J frame... hammer or no hammer?

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KBintheSLC

KBintheSLC

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I know this is a very subjective question, but what do you folks prefer on your 642, exposed hammer or shrouded hammer?

I have always shot DA/SA revolvers like the GP100 which have the hammer exposed, so my initial instinct is to want an exposed hammer on a 642. However, it will be used for CC, mainly in a pocket, so I am thinking that a shrouded hammer might work best.

How is the DA trigger pull on these puppies? Is it decent enough that I won't need to worry about the lack of a SA option for longer shots?

Thoughts... opinions?

Thanks.
 
WRT DA pull: for amusement, I tried it. I can keep shots on a pie plate at 25 yards with the stock sights, firing double action. I'd say it's plenty good enough.:)

The only reason for an exposed hammer is if you anticipate using the gun in SA mode, IMHO. If you don't, the snag-free 642/442 is as simple as they come, and reliable.
 
The 442 and 642 ("Centennial" type) have concealed hammers.

The 438 ("Bodyguard") has a shrouded hammer. The 637, which is the Airweight version of the Chief's Special, has an exposed hammer.

For concealed carry, and particularly for carry in a pocket holster, I much prefer the Centennial.

The DA pull is fine for close range quick shots. I personally think the likelihood of a justifiable PD shooting at longer range is very low, and the advisability of firing single action, even lower.

Here's a good read on the latter point:

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/daovdasa.htm

You didn't ask, but I do recommend CT grips. Also, unless you're a glutton for punishment (from recoil), I'd stay away from the Scandium models.

But--that's me. For you? See if you can rent and try one before buying.
 
Options are a good thing.

Bobbed or shrouded hammers as opposed to enclosed internal hammers fit into the 'good thing' catagory.

Either is OK, I just like choices.

salty
 
DAO

Accidental shootings, by LEOs were more common in the '60s and '70s than they are now. (% wise) A large % of LEO's carried Colt or S&W revolvers with their fine single action triggers. Training was on bullseye targets and PPC in which 24 of the 60 shots were from 50 yds and generally fired single action. They cocked their revolver to show the bad guy their willingness to shoot or because they were, from training, more confident firing single action. In the tense situation and with the finger on the trigger the revolver discharged. If you thumb cock the revolver in play and practice you are more likely to in a SD situation. DAO! ...(my PPC scores went up when I went DAO) I love ootah but not slc. Stan
 
I love ootah but not slc.
Click to expand...

Can't say I blame you... its quickly turning into hippie hell...

If I had a dollar for every time I see a Subaru wagon over-laden with rainbow stickers, equal signs, Obama campaign slogans, and "Save Tibet"... currently gaging as I write.

Oops... off topic

Anyway, thanks for the thoughts on hammers. Feel free to keep em rolling.


...
 
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I carried a 3" barrel Model 36 for years and never had the hammer snag. But for close range defense and concealed carry, the concealed hammer is preferable; the partly concealed a good compromise.

FWIW, I have fired that Model 36 DA standing at 100 yards, keeping all the shots in a silhouette target, so believe me, DA can be accurate, even with a J frame.

Jim
 
649

....is the shrouded hammer. It carries well IWB. Can shoot .38s or .357. no hangups. My sons want to "borrow" it. I have to explain "borrow" to them!
 
I bought my 637 Airweight, the visible hammer version of the 642, seven years ago. Had I known then what I know now, I would have bought the 642 instead. Of the several thousand rounds I have fired from my 637, perhaps ten were fired single action. The rest were fired double action. A snubby is a self defense weapon, and every round I fire is from ten yards or less. Didn't take me long to realize I had made a small mistake. It's still a good SD weapon.

Cordially, Jack
 
As mentioned a 642/442 has a concealed hammer. That said, they are great little hand guns.
 
No hammer if it is to be a carry gun. You need to practice in D/A only so why have the exposed hammer and be tempted to shoot it S/A.
 
Am I right in thinking that my DAO 442 trigger is smoother than my SA/DA 360 trigger because the DAO lacks the SA notch (not sure if notch is the correct term).
Also my 442 doesn't wear a hole in my pocket like the hammer on my 360 does.
 
KBintheSLC,
Since you asked about a M642 and included a exposed or concealed hammer with that model I'm guessing you might not know the S&W J frame numbers. Some of the numbers were hit on in the above posts but I'll put them all together in one post for you.

Airweight J frames, .38 Special 15oz
M442 & M642 Centennial frame fully enclosed hammer.
M438 & M638 Bodyguard frame shrouded hammer. (humpback)
M637 Cheif's Special frame exposed hammer.
M42 Centennial w/grip safety (14.4oz)

Alrlite J frame, .357 Magnum 12oz/13.3oz (Scandium Alloy)
M340 Centennial frame (M340, M&P 340, M340PD)
M360 Chief's Special (M360, M&P 360, M360PD)

Stainless J frames, .357 Magnum 23oz
M60 Chief's Special
M640 Centennial frame
M649 Bodyguard frame

Steel J frames, .38 Special 21oz
M36 Chief's Special
M40 Chief's Special w/grip safety

Then there are the Pro Series revolvers which have some custom features and the price proves it. You can see all the different J frame revolvers on the S&W Site.

I carry a M642 most often since my son "borrowed" my M638...
Hope this helps a little...
 
I too was used to firing DA/SA pistols, well mostly SA. So when I was looking for a CC revolver I was looking for the same.I even spent extra money to get precisely what I was looking for, M&P 360PD. After I got it, and while I was getting usd to carrying, I discovered something. The hammer catches on EVERYTHING. I should've saved a few dollars and got the 340, same gun just DAO. And I would've had an easier time finding it.

Oh well, live and learn. I'll live with it for awhile, and buy a 340 off the used market in a couple of years.

I don't know if the DAO trigger is much different from the DA trigger in my DA/SA, but I like it. I'd say about baseball size groups at 10 yards, and 6" groups at 25 yards (all slowfire).

Wyman
 
"However, it will be used for CC, mainly in a pocket, so I am thinking that a shrouded hammer might work best."


Get a 642, send it to Smith & Wesson for the Master Revolver Action Package and then load it up with 148 wadcutters or CorBon DPX. Put it in a Mika pocket holster and you are good to go.
 
Go with the "hammerless" 642/442. You will be tempted to put that neat little gun in a pocket and it will fit. You cannot have a hammer spur in your pocket or you'll never get it out. If you go with a 5-shot snubbie with exposed hammer, you are really talking holster city 100% of the time.

At snubbie distances, the ability to cock the hammer for precision shooting or whatever is just not much of a factor.
 
Thanks for all of the info folks. I think the 642 Centennial with the shrouded hammer seems to be the way to go for CCW. The SW action package is also a great recommendation. From what I have heard, a decent gunsmith can work wonders with a SW trigger.
 
Seriously, my 642 trigger, bone-stock, recent production, is good enough to keep shots on target at 25 yards. I even shot an X, but I think that was pure luck: the sight radius isn't really good enough to aim that accurately.

It might be really neat to have it 'smithed. But it's not necessary to have it worked, for the gun to be good for any serious situation you'd want or need it for.:)

Now what I want is to have it engraved...:D
 
Regarding hammers vs bobbed hammers vs no hammers, I have all three varients and use them all for pocket carry (at different times). IMO, way too much is made over a snagging hammer. If you train yourself to cover the spur of the hammer with the ball of your thumb as you draw the revolver, it won't snag.

No hammer if it is to be a carry gun. You need to practice in D/A only so why have the exposed hammer and be tempted to shoot it S/A.
Click to expand...

Just because you're tempted doesn't mean you have to succumb. :evil:
 
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