Model 642 Question

[jahwarrior]

i just picked one up yesterday. i got to put about 50 rounds through it this morning. it functioned perfectly, of course. just have a question: is it safe to dry fire it? i won't be able to get to the range for another week, and i want to get used to the trigger. i've had guns you could dry fire all day, and others you couldn't do it at all. which one is the 642? also, what sort of ammo do you guys use in yours? i started off with jacketed wadcutters, just to get used to the sights, then i moved on to some handloaded SJHPs, to gauge my recoil tolerance. any suggestions for an EDC load?

 

[OldCavSoldier]

S&W states in their manual that it is safe to dry-fire their center-fire revolvers. Even so, I recommend you get some A-Zoom snap caps and dry fire with them in the chambers.

As for practice, I use 125 grain .38 Spl loads (125 grain plated slugs over 4.9 - 5.0 grains Unique lit off by a CCI 500 primer).

For "service" I load up 125 grain Gold Dots or JHP's pushed by 5.3 - 5.5 grains Unique powder. I don't shoot many of those. I prefer to practice with the plated loads...cheaper and easier on the arthritic hand!

Good luck! You will enjoy your 642!

 

[9mmepiphany]

i dry fire my 642 all the time

if you're going to do it 200+times a day, i'd get some snap caps too...of make up some dummy rounds

i usually practice with the 148gr lead HBWC (i've never heard of jacketed wadcutters)...because i still have cases of it from when i used to compete in PPC.

my carry load is the Speer 135gr +P Gold Dot that was designed for the short barreled S&W. i used to carry the 158gr +P SWCHP, but it was brutal and i wanted to be kinder to my gun

 

[jahwarrior]

i've seen JWC either; a friend of mine loads .38, .357, .45, and .44. i commented on those; that's what he loads as his plinking ammo. it was a pretty light load; his JHPs had a bit more sting, but manageable.

 

[OldCavSoldier]

That Speer 135 gr Gold Dot is a super round!! Can't go wrong with it, I agree! A buddy carries standard velocity 148 grain PLATED hollow-based wadcutters in his 442 for a carry load, and his wife loads her 642 with the same loads. 148 grain HBWC pushed by 4.3 grains of Unique and set off by Rem 1 1/2 primers. I have to admit that they are very gentle and do a damn-damn on a length of wet phone books!!!

 

[smallbore]

I use snap caps for dry fire practice.