S&W 642-1 No-Lock vs. 642-2 With Lock

[Phydeaux642]

Recently, I picked up one of the new 642-1s without the lock as many of you did. I also have a 642-2 with the lock that I like a lot but have never really cared for the lock. It hasn't given me any trouble and it probably never will, but I still wanted one without the lock.

I went to the range with the 642-1 last week and put a few rounds through it to see how it would do and it was shooting a little high which bothered me because my 642-2 seemed much better. This weekend I took both of them to the range and decided to shoot them side-by-side with the same ammo to compare. They are different, but for a "get off me gun" I guess not different enough to get my panties in a bunch. I wanted to shoot the 642-2 more at the range and carry the 642-1, but I guess I will just have to shoot the 642-1 more than I was going to.

I was shooting at an 8" paper plate at seven yards, unsupported using two hands.

If any of you have both, how close are they?

 

[tblt]

I would carry the one you shoot best.
I don't think the lock will ever give you a problem
I read somewhere you can remove the lock in about 15 min.

 

[Phydeaux642]

I would carry the one you shoot best.

Well, they'll both shoot COM no problem, but I really wanted them to shoot the same for plinking purposes (yes, I sometimes like to plink with the snubbie). I guess I could put Crimson Trace grips on them, but that's a good chunk of money x2 that I really didn't want to spend.

 

[weisse52]

Carry the no-lock...practice with the lock

As you say...it is a "get off me gun". For your needs they will work. Crimson Trace the no-lock and you can them both shoot to point you aim.

 

[Matt-J2]

I'm very much against the idea of practicing with one gun and carrying another. They aren't the same gun. Same typ maybe, but not the same gun.
Why would you take the one gun that you know is reliable, that you know shoots well, and put it in the safe while strapping on something you haven't the same true confidence in?

 

[Phydeaux642]

I'm very much against the idea of practicing with one gun and carrying another. They aren't the same gun. Same typ maybe, but not the same gun.
Why would you take the one gun that you know is reliable, that you know shoots well, and put it in the safe while strapping on something you haven't the same true confidence in?

Both guns are reliable. One shoots a little higher than the other is all. As far as training with one gun and using one as a main gun, it was my understanding that quite a few folks used to do just that with a K-22 Masterpiece .22 and a K-38 Materpiece .38.

 

[Matt-J2]

Oops!

 

[Matt-J2]

Just because people used to do it doesn't mean it's a good idea.
You need to decide for yourself if you're confident enough in your gear, abilities, and mindset for it to work for you. I'm not confident enough in my gear or my ability to transition between firearms for me to be comfortable with shooting one gun and carrying another, hence my stance on the matter.
If you are, that's cool. Run with it. I'll still think it's a bit silly, but I wouldn't give serious grief over it.