I am buying a S&W 642 for my first ccw gun and I am looking for advice from those that already carry one. I will mostly carry in the pocket but am open to IWB carry also. Should I keep the grips that come with it or are there better for carry. Also, what holsters do you use, both IWB and pocket.
S&w 642 Ccw Package
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DR
Member
I've got a 637 which is practically the same gun (exposed versus internal hammer). I like the grips that came with it.
For a pocket holster, I got a Desantis Nemesis. The outside of it is rubbery so it stays planted in my pocket when drawing. The only downside is that it was a little larger than it needed to be for a J frame (it's big enough to work with an SP101). This made the butt ride a little higher than necessary. I trimmed about 5/8 inch off straight across the bottom, so the barrel is just barely recessed. I didn't restitch the bottom edge, just left it as cut, and it's holding up fine so far.
For a pocket holster, I got a Desantis Nemesis. The outside of it is rubbery so it stays planted in my pocket when drawing. The only downside is that it was a little larger than it needed to be for a J frame (it's big enough to work with an SP101). This made the butt ride a little higher than necessary. I trimmed about 5/8 inch off straight across the bottom, so the barrel is just barely recessed. I didn't restitch the bottom edge, just left it as cut, and it's holding up fine so far.
Old Dog
Member
Got one of those & the 637 that DR mentions as well ... excellent carry pieces both.
IWB seems a tad more discreet and a provides for a smoother draw than from a pocket holster, but don't discount OWB carry (although then you may as well go to a larger gun).
I found a Bianchi 7/7L (w/thumbreak) that holds the gun very tight to the body and there's no printing with a light shirt worn over it ... but I mainly use a Kramer IWB for my J-frame Smiths.
My experience is that those Hogue rubber grips stick to my shirts (causing printing) and sometimes make for a trickier draw. Found some gorgeous Ajax smooth silverwood boot grips that dress up the guns considerably but also fit great in the hand.
IWB seems a tad more discreet and a provides for a smoother draw than from a pocket holster, but don't discount OWB carry (although then you may as well go to a larger gun).
I found a Bianchi 7/7L (w/thumbreak) that holds the gun very tight to the body and there's no printing with a light shirt worn over it ... but I mainly use a Kramer IWB for my J-frame Smiths.
My experience is that those Hogue rubber grips stick to my shirts (causing printing) and sometimes make for a trickier draw. Found some gorgeous Ajax smooth silverwood boot grips that dress up the guns considerably but also fit great in the hand.
An Uncle Mike's Pocket holster, or the DeSantis Nemesis (or both, not all pockets are the same shape).
Uncle Mikes makes a plastic hard checkered grip called the Boot Grip which is excellent (doesn't grab clothes, gives good grip).
Get some Bianchi Speed Strips for reloads, Dillon Precision carries them about $6 for 2 I think.
Look into that new Speer Gold Dot 135g .38 Special +P load for defense.
Shoot about 300 rounds at 1 yard to 15 yard distances, get used to getting five shots off center mass quick and accurate.
Uncle Mikes makes a plastic hard checkered grip called the Boot Grip which is excellent (doesn't grab clothes, gives good grip).
Get some Bianchi Speed Strips for reloads, Dillon Precision carries them about $6 for 2 I think.
Look into that new Speer Gold Dot 135g .38 Special +P load for defense.
Shoot about 300 rounds at 1 yard to 15 yard distances, get used to getting five shots off center mass quick and accurate.
Erik Jensen
Member
I'm toting mine in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster, and I've got a set of silverwood Badger grips from gunaccessories.com on it. they're a bit longer than the standard grips, but they taper down at the end, so they don't print much more, if at all. they also give your pinkie a place to go.
SouthpawShootr
Member
I use a Hedley pocket holster for my 642. I don't use IWB - never had one that was comfortable.
The 642 is an excellent carry gun, with the grips it comes with.
It's not much fun to shoot though.
My wife had me get some large target grips for hers.
Talk about an odd looking gun!
Have you spent any trigger time with a 642?
I prefer a small 9mm.
A few cylinders of 158gr .38 in the 642, and my hand is going to be sore for a few days.
(My carry gun is a Glock 36 in .45 cal., so I'm not recoil shy.)
There is just not much to hand on to, with the 642.
If you're determined to carry a lightweight revolver, the 642 is the best deal in town.
It's not much fun to shoot though.
My wife had me get some large target grips for hers.
Talk about an odd looking gun!
Have you spent any trigger time with a 642?
I prefer a small 9mm.
A few cylinders of 158gr .38 in the 642, and my hand is going to be sore for a few days.
(My carry gun is a Glock 36 in .45 cal., so I'm not recoil shy.)
There is just not much to hand on to, with the 642.
If you're determined to carry a lightweight revolver, the 642 is the best deal in town.
I carry my 642 every day in my front pocket with a galco pocket holster.
The holster seems a little on the big side, but it works out well. It takes up the whole pocket and keeps everything in place.
works for me, I love the little guy.
The holster seems a little on the big side, but it works out well. It takes up the whole pocket and keeps everything in place.
works for me, I love the little guy.
I have a 642 and carry in my front pocket with a Desantis pocket holster. I've tried the exspensive holsters, don't bother, the $16 Desantis gets it done.
I replaced the rubber grips with wood grips cause I can get my hand on the gun and draw faster without snagging on my clothes.
If you're going to carry IWB or OWB you might as well have a small auto like a Glock.
I replaced the rubber grips with wood grips cause I can get my hand on the gun and draw faster without snagging on my clothes.
If you're going to carry IWB or OWB you might as well have a small auto like a Glock.
I usually pack my 642 in a smartcarry holster. If just stepping outside it goes easy into the front or back pocket of my pants. I have the Crimson Trace grips on it. They are made of a hard plastic so they don’t get caught up on anything when drawing.
Serpico
Member
I use these hard nylon Hideout grips from Brownell's....they have a nice feel. I wear ankle a lot so rubber doesn't work for me since it grabs the clothing....for a little extra grip I cut a small piece of rubber from an inner tube and wrapped it around the center...
jpIII
Member
I carry a 642 either in an inexpensive pocket holster that I picked up, or in a belly band worn low under the belt line with just the grip above the belt line.
Defininelly!!!!! These are sooooo much better than the bulky speed loaders.
Whatever you chose, I think you will find that the 642 is a great gun for carrying around all day.
JP
Defininelly!!!!! These are sooooo much better than the bulky speed loaders.
Whatever you chose, I think you will find that the 642 is a great gun for carrying around all day.
JP
SouthpawShootr
Member
Speedstrips are definitely a must. No matter how much I practice, I just can't get as fast with speedloaders as I am with speedstrips. Dillion makes a nice little belt pouch for speedstrips.
farscott
Member
The factory grips are sufficient for pocket carry, but they may not be the most comfortable when shooting. I would shoot a box of ammo with them to decide whether they will suffice for you, especially if you are looking to use +P ammo. I am not partial to +P ammo in the J-frames, mostly because my accuracy and speed are vastly degraded. I find it really hard not to pull my follow-up shots down and to the left when shooting +P.
I would be sure to get a good pocket holster. I am partial to the Kramer, but there are many good ones available. The holster needs to separate from the revolverl during the draw or allow you to use the thumb of your hand to separate it from the revolver.
I would be sure to get a good pocket holster. I am partial to the Kramer, but there are many good ones available. The holster needs to separate from the revolverl during the draw or allow you to use the thumb of your hand to separate it from the revolver.
My 637 and 649 snubbie holster
This is what I carry my 637 and 649 snub nose in. This one happens to be a cross draw but I have the same thing for strong side. It has sheep skin lining and it is great for carry. I use the cross draw on the strong side and it gives me a reverse cant and cuts down on printing and makes for a very fast draw.
Gary
This is what I carry my 637 and 649 snub nose in. This one happens to be a cross draw but I have the same thing for strong side. It has sheep skin lining and it is great for carry. I use the cross draw on the strong side and it gives me a reverse cant and cuts down on printing and makes for a very fast draw.
Gary
For pocket carry the factory grips work pretty good. For iwb you can't beat a pair of Hogue combat boot grips. They're the same contoure as the factory grips but a little longer so you have a place for your little finger. I have a pair of their goncolo alves on my S&W 60 and they make a world of difference.
They also make the +p's more controlable.
www.hogue.com
www.eaglegrips.com
www.badgercustomgrips.com
www.handgungrips.com
www.cdnninvestments.com
They also make the +p's more controlable.
www.hogue.com
www.eaglegrips.com
www.badgercustomgrips.com
www.handgungrips.com
www.cdnninvestments.com
MikeB
Member
I carry a 340 SC in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster or a Galco Scout IWB. Both work well, but the Uncle Mikes doesn't always work in some shorter pockets.
My 642 rides in the front left pocket of my jeans in an Uncle Mike's (inexpensive) pocket holster.
When it comes to grips and the "comfort" of shooting, let's remember that the MAJOR priority is not the ease of blasting away 50 or 100 rounds at the range, but rather the utility factor of getting five rounds off accurately when we need them badly.
What I've done is keep the factory grips on the gun, because they're adequate for me. In longish practice sessions I wear a pair of artfully padded shooting gloves, also from Uncle Mike's, and they are superb for taking the "sting" out of just about any handgun I've tried them with, including my .44 Magnum Mountain revolver (one of the original 1989 models). They leave one's fingertips free for proper trigger "feel", reloading, drawing etc., and are cushioned wherever a handgun is liable to bite one's hand. They're ambidextrous, too, which is important to us lefties! I highly recommend the gloves for their +/- $25.00 price.
I'm pleased to see recommendations for practice "from one yard out..." because this is the critical self-defense distance, in my opinion. Some of my practice is started by actually striking the target with a hand while starting the draw and then firing as soon as the muzzle bears, and commencing a move to the rear at the same time. Distance is our friend, but the action might start at very close range.
I live in the Nevada desert, and there are times when the pocket .38 is the most practical gun available. Given a choice and depending on the weather and hence the clothing I can wear, I usually carry a 9mm or .45 autoloader. The 642 is very comforting, all the same, and I feel well-armed with it and two reloads. It sees a lot of service in hot temperatures.
When it comes to grips and the "comfort" of shooting, let's remember that the MAJOR priority is not the ease of blasting away 50 or 100 rounds at the range, but rather the utility factor of getting five rounds off accurately when we need them badly.
What I've done is keep the factory grips on the gun, because they're adequate for me. In longish practice sessions I wear a pair of artfully padded shooting gloves, also from Uncle Mike's, and they are superb for taking the "sting" out of just about any handgun I've tried them with, including my .44 Magnum Mountain revolver (one of the original 1989 models). They leave one's fingertips free for proper trigger "feel", reloading, drawing etc., and are cushioned wherever a handgun is liable to bite one's hand. They're ambidextrous, too, which is important to us lefties! I highly recommend the gloves for their +/- $25.00 price.
I'm pleased to see recommendations for practice "from one yard out..." because this is the critical self-defense distance, in my opinion. Some of my practice is started by actually striking the target with a hand while starting the draw and then firing as soon as the muzzle bears, and commencing a move to the rear at the same time. Distance is our friend, but the action might start at very close range.
I live in the Nevada desert, and there are times when the pocket .38 is the most practical gun available. Given a choice and depending on the weather and hence the clothing I can wear, I usually carry a 9mm or .45 autoloader. The 642 is very comforting, all the same, and I feel well-armed with it and two reloads. It sees a lot of service in hot temperatures.
Preacherman
Member
I often carry either a 442 or a 642 in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. I've installed the LG-205 Crimson Trace laser grips on these guns, and am very happy with their reliability.
One nice thing about the laser grips... I've zeroed mine dead-on at 25 yards. This means that even out to 50 yards, I know where the shots will impact relative to the dot, and I can confidently take a head shot that far out. Given the not-very-good sights on snubbies, this is a great confidence builder!
One nice thing about the laser grips... I've zeroed mine dead-on at 25 yards. This means that even out to 50 yards, I know where the shots will impact relative to the dot, and I can confidently take a head shot that far out. Given the not-very-good sights on snubbies, this is a great confidence builder!
22luvr
Member
Nice choice: Here's what I did....
I did not carry a 642 in the pocket but carried two very similar Smith pieces in-pocket: the mod 638 Bodyguard and the 340SC scandium. I toted both in an Uncle Mike's size 3 soft, flexible, fabric holster. I considered changing from the stock rubber boot grips but liked the grip security with the original ones so retained them.
Of some considerable importance.......what do you plan to carry for defense ammo? I practiced and carried several varieties of Georgia Arms .38 spcl ammo which I have always been satisfied with.
I found the lighter weights (110 gr) tended to hit a little low while the heavier bullets (158 gr) hit a little high. Bullet weights around 125-130 gr in .38 spcl for both the 638 and the 340 SC seemed to hit to point-of-aim.
I applaud your choice of the 642 for daily self defense. To me, it is just about an ideal model.
And don't listen to the naysayers who say the J-frames are not accurate. At the distances you'd probably be shooting in an emergency situation, the 642 will save your bacon!
Best wishes.......
I did not carry a 642 in the pocket but carried two very similar Smith pieces in-pocket: the mod 638 Bodyguard and the 340SC scandium. I toted both in an Uncle Mike's size 3 soft, flexible, fabric holster. I considered changing from the stock rubber boot grips but liked the grip security with the original ones so retained them.
Of some considerable importance.......what do you plan to carry for defense ammo? I practiced and carried several varieties of Georgia Arms .38 spcl ammo which I have always been satisfied with.
I found the lighter weights (110 gr) tended to hit a little low while the heavier bullets (158 gr) hit a little high. Bullet weights around 125-130 gr in .38 spcl for both the 638 and the 340 SC seemed to hit to point-of-aim.
I applaud your choice of the 642 for daily self defense. To me, it is just about an ideal model.
And don't listen to the naysayers who say the J-frames are not accurate. At the distances you'd probably be shooting in an emergency situation, the 642 will save your bacon!
Best wishes.......
I always carry my 642 in my Mitch Rosen Workman Express pocket holster. The package is comfortable, doesn't show in the pocket, yet easy to draw. Add an action job, round the trigger, chamfer the charge holes, dovetail in a XS Small Dot night sight and you are set. If you want, get Crimson Trace Boot Grip laser and you have all you should need.
Get more than one pocket holster, as not all pockets are identical.
I have used pocket holsters ranging from the lowly Uncle Mike's to $75 nice leather models. Sometimes the Uncle Mike's is the best answer for your particular pocket. IOW, buy more than one, but buy the Uncle Mike's first and make further purchases with regard to what the Uncle Mike's does not do well.
If I can carry IWB, I don't pack a snubby, but a 1911.
Snubbies aren't the easiest shooting and most come in a marginal caliber (.38spl), but they are a whole lot more effective than harsh language or a pointy stick. And they are mighty comforting.
I have used pocket holsters ranging from the lowly Uncle Mike's to $75 nice leather models. Sometimes the Uncle Mike's is the best answer for your particular pocket. IOW, buy more than one, but buy the Uncle Mike's first and make further purchases with regard to what the Uncle Mike's does not do well.
If I can carry IWB, I don't pack a snubby, but a 1911.
Snubbies aren't the easiest shooting and most come in a marginal caliber (.38spl), but they are a whole lot more effective than harsh language or a pointy stick. And they are mighty comforting.
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