S&W 642 and +P's

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mugsie

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I picked up my new 642 last week and put a bunch of handloads through it both last week and this weekend. I didn't notice the "long" trigger pull everyone was "complaining" about. This weekend I also picked up a box of Speer 158g +P's and put them through it also. Recoil was nothing like some would have me to believe. It was a pleasure to shoot and I could have shot +P's all day long. It was enjoyable.

I get tired of reading posts from people who have an opinion on just about everything, but have tried nothing. Unless they try it - they have no right to comment. Unfortunately it isn't going to stop anyone.

The 642 was great to shoot. It shot where I pointed it. Some of the groups, albiet slow fire, have two or three touching with one or two slightly off to the side. That was me. Every shot, at 9 yards, was minute of bad guy.

Just wanted to post this in case there was anyone else out there like me, on the fence about getting one, because they didn't know how they would react to the recoil. What recoil?

It's with me 100% of the time now and I love it.
 
I couldn't agree more. My 642 rides in my pocket all the time. I like the trigger feel and can easily put them in center mass anywhere from 5 to 15 yards.

I run target loads through it most of the time, mostly because of the cost difference, but it's just fine to shoot with the +P loads as well.
 
Ask yourself a question. In our litigious culture... with lawyers just waiting to sue at the drop of a hat... would ANY ammo maker offer ANY ammunition that would be unsafe in a quality made gun?

Ask yourself another question. Since the maximum allowable chamber pressure for the 38 Special cartridge is 21,500 psi... and +P is loaded to around 18,500 psi... do I really need to worry about using this ammo in my gun?
 
It's great to see this thread show up. I've been reading forums for a few weeks, looking at the 642, and wondering if I should go with a (harder to CCW) SP-101. I know I need to get out and try it, but this thread makes me think the 642 is promising.
 
IMHO nothing beats the 642 (or it's all blue twin the 442) for concealed carry. It works in an IWB, it works in pockets, what's not to love.
 
I love mine. I carry in a pocket holster most of the time but I also use a clipdraw from time to time. I also, do not have a problem with the "recoil" I heard and read so much about. I almost did not buy it due to the "bad press" about the recoil on this gun. I'm GLAD I didn't pay attention!
 
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The 642 is my every day carry. I kept reading about the recoil but bought one anyway. In my research, I kept reading about the need for a high grip but found that the high grip did hurt my hand in the web between thumb and trigger finger after 50 rounds or so. I adjusted to a grip that kept the web off the frame of the gun and found it a lot more comfortable to shoot without a decrease in accuracy. I think it's a great gun and practice with it almost every week. If it were lost or stolen, I'd buy another one in a heart beat.
 
I tend to agree on all counts, but my wife hated it and her hand started bruising after a dozen shots.
 
I love the gun, but I don't enjoy plinking with it. If others find it a fun gun to shoot, more power to them. But for me, it's a pocket rocket that is often carried and seldom shot.
 
I'm glad to see others like this gun as much as I do. I shoot it every week also. I believe in constant practice, so no matter what I bring to shoot, the 642 always comes along. It's great to shoot, as I've said, and yes, I can shoot it all day with no ill effects. It'll never be a 25 yard target pistol, but it wasn't meant to be (although I do occasionally shoot it at 25 yards anyway). It was meant for self defense, and in that role it works perfectly.

I also own a Taurus 85 which I used to CCW also, but for some reason, the 642, while 8 ounces lighter, just seems easier to carry and conceal. I like em' both, but the one which is carried always, is the 642.

Anyone on the fence - get it, you'll never regret it.
 
I have a 442 and really like it.... carry it quite a bit as my CCW. I don't like to shoot it alot (use my Ruger MKII if I want to shoot alot due to cost and comfort of shooting). If I get a chance to pick up a 642, I plan to grab it.
 
I love my 642, think it's a blast to shoot, and the trigger pull and recoil do not bother me a bit. But my wife and sister hate both the trigger pull AND the recoil. I thought it would be a good gun for them because it is so reliable, small and light, but they both wanted nothing to do with it.

So my sister now has a Mak and my wife has a Kel-Tec p32.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
 
"I love my 642, think it's a blast to shoot, and the trigger pull and recoil do not bother me a bit. But my wife and sister hate both the trigger pull AND the recoil. I thought it would be a good gun for them because it is so reliable, small and light, but they both wanted nothing to do with it."

Just picked up a 442 for the collection this morning. The Airweight J's are very useful guns!

To make them a bit more user friendly, try the standard pressure, lighter bullet loads. Also, a larger, three finger grip will help most beginning shooters with these light guns.

The 148 wadcutter target load is a good practice round for beginners and will do fine for self defense also.
 
I love my 442 -- I've only had it a short time & have less than 1000 rounds through it, but she's a nice shooter
 
I get tired of reading posts from people who have an opinion on just about everything, but have tried nothing. Unless they try it - they have no right to comment.
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I've never tried sticking my head in a blast furnace but I feel free to comment on the fact that it's probably not the smartest idea. ;)

BTW 158-grain +Ps in my Model 37airweight are not fun to shoot... you must be a better man than I. :)

Great to carry, though. :cool:
 
A lot has been said about how much we like our airweight snubbies but not a lot about the '+P' part of the original post. I was talking to the counter guy at the shop where I bought my 642 about ammo. I had read somewhere that the +P round was developed for the snub nosed revolver to make up for the loss of velocity out of a short barrel. His stand was that ANY round loses velocity out of a snubbie and you are just as well off (and maybe better off) shooting low recoil rounds at a self defense distance. He would rather have less recoil and be able to bring the pistol back to POA more quickly for a follow up shot. Is he right? BTW, I still load with +P.
 
I like my 642. I have it with me right now. In fact I have two 642s and two 442s. The recoil really doesn't bother me but it has a heck of a lot more recoil than my XD9. When I shoot my 642 and then my 9mm, the XD feels like a .22. YMMV.
 
642 is a great gun. I don't perceive the recoil to be nearly as bad as some folks claim.
 
As far as I'm concerned the 642 w/ plus p's is puppy dog gentle compared to my 340 w/ 357's. They're all manageable it just takes some trigger time.
 
I pocket carry my 642 as either a BUG or when I can't carry my primary ccw gun, which is an XD-45. I LOVE the 642.

I agree with most of you, the recoil is way overblown by a lot of people. Yeah, it is a snappy, light little gun. But with a good grip and some practice, it is no big deal.

I practice and plink with regular loads, but I carry with Hornady Critical Defense +P loads. Honestly, I don't think the recoil is a big deal, even with the Hornadys.
 
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