642 Review
I love the revolver. I don't know why. I have a few simi-auto handguns but the ones that get used the most are my revolvers. My problem was, my only CCW revolver was a Ruger SP101. While it excels well as a CCW revolver, it still won't fit well in a pocket.
So, a while ago I did some research on a small lightweight gun that would fit well in my pocket. I found it in the 642. Unfortunately since I have a little one on the way, I didn't have the money for a new one. I scoured many places looking for one (used).....That is difficult at best. Then it happened. I don't really want to go into details (long story and sad) but, I got a like new 642 for a very good price. I was a bit suprised at first. I thought it would have been lighter. I had read reports about the recoil with such a light gun being really bad. Not at all. Granted, I could tell they were they but they were very managable. (I'll elaborate more on that in a minute)
I've had this little guy for quite a while just sitting in the safe. Finally I got a day off for President Trumans Birthday. So, to celebrate I made my way out to the indoor range. I spent an hour shooting this little guy with three different loads. The WWB 100 round 130 gr. FMJ Target/Range ammo, WWB 125 gr. JHP Personal Protection ammo (my carry ammo), and some 148 gr. double ended wad cutters on 3.5 grains of bullseye with CCI small pistol primers. I was have some problems with my hand loads. Actually I was have problems with my powder measurer. It was a bit inconsistent. Either way, I omitted my handloads from this review.
Shooting the gun was enjoyable and easier than that I thought it would be. The trigger was heavy and long.....and gritty. My Ruger SP101 is silky smooth in comparison. I did alot of dry firing and it seemed to smooth out some. Or I just became used to it. Either way, its better than it was. All of my shooting for the day was done at 7 yards. That seems to be a common agreement on combat distance. I started out with the Target/Range ammo. I ran about 70 rounds through the 642. I was very very suprised at the accuracy of this little guy. I couldn't have asked for a more accurate little pocket gun. The following picture depicts a typical group at 7 yards.
Next was the Personal Protection ammo. At first I was concerned that flinching was going to be a problem. So, I loaded 4 live rounds and one spend case. Gave the cylinder a few turns while I was looking up and then closed it. I was surprised that the recoil was as bad as I expected. It was noticeable but more than manageable. I went through 50 rounds. Again, the following picture depicts a typical group shot with the Personal Protection ammo in my 642.
So, this is all fine and good if you are shooting slowly and controlled. So, what about shooting under stress and quickly. Well I can't recreate the stress that a SD situation would have but I can shoot quickly. I loaded two of my speed loaders and the gun. I shot every shot as quickly as I could pick up the front sight (less than a second between shots) and reloaded and repeated until I killed 15 rounds. Here is was I came up with.
So, how does it carry? Well,......really well actually. The only holster I currently have for it is a cheap Uncle Mikes IWB holster. I bought this for pocket carry but with the IWB holster it conceals very very well. I've also used the IWB holster as a pocket holster. It works better than I imagined. And in a pocket this little gun goes completely unnoticed. This little thing just might be the perfect CCW gun IMHO.
(ps sorry for the grainy and fuzzy photography. I didn't have as much time as I would have liked to take pictures and my batteries went dead. I'll get better pics when I get new grips. )
I love the revolver. I don't know why. I have a few simi-auto handguns but the ones that get used the most are my revolvers. My problem was, my only CCW revolver was a Ruger SP101. While it excels well as a CCW revolver, it still won't fit well in a pocket.
So, a while ago I did some research on a small lightweight gun that would fit well in my pocket. I found it in the 642. Unfortunately since I have a little one on the way, I didn't have the money for a new one. I scoured many places looking for one (used).....That is difficult at best. Then it happened. I don't really want to go into details (long story and sad) but, I got a like new 642 for a very good price. I was a bit suprised at first. I thought it would have been lighter. I had read reports about the recoil with such a light gun being really bad. Not at all. Granted, I could tell they were they but they were very managable. (I'll elaborate more on that in a minute)I've had this little guy for quite a while just sitting in the safe. Finally I got a day off for President Trumans Birthday. So, to celebrate I made my way out to the indoor range. I spent an hour shooting this little guy with three different loads. The WWB 100 round 130 gr. FMJ Target/Range ammo, WWB 125 gr. JHP Personal Protection ammo (my carry ammo), and some 148 gr. double ended wad cutters on 3.5 grains of bullseye with CCI small pistol primers. I was have some problems with my hand loads. Actually I was have problems with my powder measurer. It was a bit inconsistent. Either way, I omitted my handloads from this review.
Shooting the gun was enjoyable and easier than that I thought it would be. The trigger was heavy and long.....and gritty. My Ruger SP101 is silky smooth in comparison. I did alot of dry firing and it seemed to smooth out some. Or I just became used to it. Either way, its better than it was. All of my shooting for the day was done at 7 yards. That seems to be a common agreement on combat distance. I started out with the Target/Range ammo. I ran about 70 rounds through the 642. I was very very suprised at the accuracy of this little guy. I couldn't have asked for a more accurate little pocket gun. The following picture depicts a typical group at 7 yards.
Next was the Personal Protection ammo. At first I was concerned that flinching was going to be a problem. So, I loaded 4 live rounds and one spend case. Gave the cylinder a few turns while I was looking up and then closed it. I was surprised that the recoil was as bad as I expected. It was noticeable but more than manageable. I went through 50 rounds. Again, the following picture depicts a typical group shot with the Personal Protection ammo in my 642.
So, this is all fine and good if you are shooting slowly and controlled. So, what about shooting under stress and quickly. Well I can't recreate the stress that a SD situation would have but I can shoot quickly. I loaded two of my speed loaders and the gun. I shot every shot as quickly as I could pick up the front sight (less than a second between shots) and reloaded and repeated until I killed 15 rounds. Here is was I came up with.
So, how does it carry? Well,......really well actually. The only holster I currently have for it is a cheap Uncle Mikes IWB holster. I bought this for pocket carry but with the IWB holster it conceals very very well. I've also used the IWB holster as a pocket holster. It works better than I imagined. And in a pocket this little gun goes completely unnoticed. This little thing just might be the perfect CCW gun IMHO.
(ps sorry for the grainy and fuzzy photography. I didn't have as much time as I would have liked to take pictures and my batteries went dead. I'll get better pics when I get new grips. )
