Is there anyone who doesn't own a S&W 442/642?

[Landlocked Pirate]

I told my wife I was buying one for her, but she didn't understand and she thought it REALLY WAS for her, so now I still don't have one.

 

[GaryP]

I do not own either of them and have no plans to!

My Ruger SP101 works for me and weight is not an issue.

 

[Loosedhorse]

Never owned one---

because I own two 342s. So how do I answer your poll--I kinda got the feeling that 342s might count in the "yes" category?

 

[welldoya]

"That has me thinking ( ) if there is another model gun that is as widely owned (percentage wise) as a 442/642 S&W.
Maybe a 10/22 or an 870?? "


I've got a 642 with CT grips and love it. Actually I had a 642-2 but sold it and bought one of the new no-locks that just came out.
While I believe that the 642 is one of the, if not the, most popular pocket pistols around, I can't help but believe that a higher % of people probably own a Ruger MK series .22 pistol. Seems like everybody has one. And probably most folks have a 10/22.

 

[Rokman]

That would be a 642 for me.

 

[SoCalShooter]

Technically its my moms atleast according to the paperwork

 

[Sun195]

I had a 642 but sold it. I wanted a gun that I could could stick in my back pocket and go out for a walk with. These are just a little too big for back pocket carry (at least, in my pockets). Plus, I already have a 60 3", so if I can't do pocket carry, I might as well carry the 60.

My replacement was a P3AT - works perfect for a go-anywhere gun.

One other thing: my 642 had a slightly canted barrel. The front sight didn't line up perfectly with the rear sight. Didn't affect accuracy (for me) that much, but I never liked that "feature", so it gave me more reason to sell.

Edited: well, I found a no-lock 642 today and decided to give it another try. So, I'm back with the 642 crowd for now. The P3AT will have to guard the safe.

 

[mgregg85]

I don't have one and I would rather have the bodyguard model if I ever do get one.

 

[Legionnaire]

Nope. SP101 and a Kahr PM9 fill the niche.

 

[AK103K]

...I would rather have the bodyguard model...

Just curious, for those who prefer the Bodyguard's over the hammerless models, why?

 

[S&Wfan]

Nope, but I own and carry either a nickle-plated Model 36, or a blued Airweight Model 37 daily.

The J frames are all very nice, and although I compete with Smith wheelguns in double action, there are good reasons to also have the option to go single action . . . including for well-placed shots behind cover in some self-defense scenarios.

HOWEVER . . . I'd have no problem with a Centennial or Bodyguard type configuration either, its just that my particular ones happened to have hammers when I was looking for nice, earlier J frames.

All the J frames are fine guns . . . though I'd never own one with the internal lock that's proven to sometimes lock up the guns of many folks on occasion. My guns HAVE to work when suddenly needed.

T.

 

[Drgong]

Model 15 or Model 36 for me.

 

[1BLINDREF]

Almost 500 people responded with just under 25% owning a 442 / 642.

I think that's a big number with all of the other options out there.

 

[MCgunner]

My taurus 85 has a much better out of the box trigger and a better lock design.

Just curious, for those who prefer the Bodyguard's over the hammerless models, why?

Isn't that obvious? You can COCK and fire a Bodyguard single action, ya know. Okay, so you're the worlds best DA shooter. How about the BG has your wife at 20 yards and you need to place a shot on his head which is right next to her ear. Mostly, I like SA for shooting rabbits. Yes, I've done that with a snubbie, which is rather easy to carry and what I usually have with me in the field if not a belt gun.

My DAO is a Kel Tec P11 in 9x19. Works better than revolvers for me for CCW in a pocket.

 

[AK103K]

Okay, so you're the worlds best DA shooter.

Actually, I do shoot tighter groups in DA than I do in SA. My slow fire single shot DA groups are almost always smaller than my SA groups fired at any distance. I think the reason for this is, you have to concentrate on the front sight as your stroking the trigger and the gun "usually" goes off without your anticipating it, you get a true clean break.

These are all single shots fired DA from a concealed holster with a SIG P229 at about 10 yards. Didnt hit the old lady once.



I see the Bodyguard as a SA shooters "blankie" in a DA world. The're still afraid of that DA trigger and cant let go.

 

[fastbolt]

Just curious, for those who prefer the Bodyguard's over the hammerless models, why?

It's not that I prefer the Bodyguard to the Centennial style models. It's that I still like the traditional double action design's capability upon occasion. Within the reasonable defensive training courses-of-fire (1-10+ yds) I'm comfortable and confident with the DAO J-frames. However, I can make more accurate SA shots out at 25-35+ yards than I can often make with the DA trigger stroke. Probably not too surprising. Granted, that's more in the realm of range enjoyment/target usage, but I occasionally enjoy engaging in shooting at longer distances to maintain the edge, so to speak, when it comes to using my basic revolver shooting skills, even with the small wheelguns.

Since the significant majority of the revolver shooting skills I used to use for my service revolver involved DA shooting with a standard size revolver (M66 & 686), aside from the earlier 50 yd/60 M slow-fire, I'm very comfortable with the little DAO J-frames for general off-duty usage.

I grew up shooting Ruger SA revolvers, though, and can certainly appreciate the inherent advantages of SA triggers for some target, 'precision shot' use.

I can see having the capability to enjoy the SA trigger stroke for 'plinking' (where lawful and practiced safely, of course) and general leisure/range shooting.

When I reach for one of my J-frames for typical off-duty usage it's either a 642-1 or a M&P 340 Centennial. Sometimes it might be the older, heavier 649 Bodyguard .38 Spl, but more often than not it's one of the Centennial models.

That's why I originally bought my 642-1 in the first place, because it was noticeably lighter than my stainless Bodyguard and SP-101 DAO.
That's why I bought a 37-2 DAO, the M&P 340 Centennial and the recently added 'spare' 642-1. Lighter than the steel models. (Bearing in mind they are a 'compromise', having both advantages and disadvantages. No free lunch.)

I wouldn't mind picking up a pre-ILS 638 Bodyguard to add to my working collection someday.

I see the Bodyguard as a SA shooters "blankie" in a DA world. They're still afraid of that DA trigger and cant let go.

 

[SAG0282]

I have the improved J-frame (638).

 

[hemiram]

Nope, don't have one, don't really want one. The only S&W's I want to eventually get is another 28, a 29/629, and a 686.

No locks please.

 

[DZL HOG]

No, not yet.

I am about to purchase an older no dash 642 soon.

 

[wjh2657]

I carry 642,640 and a Taurus 85 ULBH. (Only one at a time though!) Size , weight and reliability all led me to these three. I practice a lot and feel comfortable at SD range <10 yards with the snubbie. I have worked as an armorer and have the Videos and Books on all of them. They are maintained, lubed and inspected regularly. I do EDC and I need a gun I can actually carry everyday no matter how I am dressed. J Frames rock!

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Shot 'em a time or two. Like 'em.

But my safe's filled with rugers.

 

[jcord]

I tried a friends out and decided to stick with my Model 49 and 38 Bodyguard.

 

[jc650]

I was close to owning one, I decided on the 340 MP instead because of the night sites and slightly less weight.