S&W 642---Good?? Bad??

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I've never really paid attention to the concealed hammer S&W models before----but a dealer around here has these for a steal($349).

The quality of the display model seems no where near that of my all stainless 686 and 629 models currently owned------but that price and light weight are very tempting. Well---and the no snag design too.

Any good or bad things about the 642's??

Thanks.

 

[Sprout]

People really seem to like the AL J-frame revolvers. I've seen many call the 642 the best CCW around. I've shot one and I found it surprisingly accurate.

That said, I'd try to shoot one first, if you haven't already. Personally, I've put about 100 rounds through one in two trips, and I noticed two things that I wasn't wild about.

(1) The silver fixed sights are a pain to see if the light is wrong. With the glare off the front sight I had to angle up the barrel, line up the sights, then bring the barrel down on target with the double-action pull. Even with this weird method, the gun still shot 1/2 inch groups off-hand at 7 yards for me, and I'm not a particularly good shot. I was impressed, but if I were to buy one I'd get the 442, or blacken the front sight.

(2) Recoil. Maybe I'm a wimp but I found that the recoil was unpleasant. About the same as 158gr. .357 from my 686, even with standard pressure 158gr and 130gr. .38. Much worse that 125gr .357, which I don't mind at all.

A PM9 Kahr, on the otherhand, is flippy but completely soft, such that 200 rounds in a go is fun. I never wanted to go more than 50 with the Airweight.

Just my take on it. As I said, a lot of people swear by them, and I can see why, but they just aren't for me.

 

[JoeHatley]

Omaha-BeenGlockin,

If you want , I'll bring this one down to the Bullethole and you can shoot it.



I'm there every Friday...

Joe

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Cool

Early or late??---usually working all day on Fridays.

Of course you might just see me there with a new one-----still debating this one in my head---because there is a Winchester 9422M calling my name pretty loudly too----lol.

Was wanting more info on the 642 before I made my purchase.

 

[outfieldjack]

I just bought one...

Used from my brother (Sportcat) for $300, so $349 new is a good price. I shot it today and cleaned it up this afternoon.

I'm happy with mine...

 

[Sean Smith]

A friend of mine recently got one that he likes. Very handy little gun.

 

[JoeHatley]

Omaha-BeenGlockin,,

This time of year, I normally shoot from around 3:30 --> 4:30.

Just e-mail me ahead of time and I'll be sure to toss it in the range bag.

642 is a great gun for pocket carry, and the current sale prices make it a good value.

Joe

 

[Fed168]

Shooting 110 grain Silvertips gives off a very nice muzzle flash at night from a 642.

 

[Pappy John]

Do I enjoy shooting mine? NO!

Would I ever get rid of it? NO!

Its just too useful as a carry piece. It can be worn all day in comfort. It's actually possible to forget it's under your waistband.

 

[MR.G]

Have one 642. Well made little gun. I personally don't like them because they can't be fired single action. Don't use mine for that reason.

 

[LoneWulf]

Great gun.
If the sights are a problem, use a black permanent marker to make em black.
Or go to your local hobby shop, get some paint and paint them any color you like.
Problem fixed.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Flies in the ointment

A second inspection of the 9422M---it wasn't as nice as originally thought. So that's out.

Ruger SP101----$30 more than the 642---but a .357 too-----and more solid feel of all steel. Can be had with or without the hammer spur.

Beretta 9000S .40 S&W---DAO version---NIB $299----horrible trigger---but the 642's wasn't all that great either---11 rounds vs 5 shots---possible to use hi-caps---steal of a price.

Gets more confusing each time I go back and look.

 

[V-fib]

The Sp101 is a very solid carry piece. I have the 3â€version. It shoots very well and handles .357’s with ease. I’m currently waiting for my new 642 to come in which I plan on using as my BUG.

 

[W Turner]

Of the three you listed above this is the way it would shake out in my head....

Ruger SP-101- compact .357 revo for belt carry, way to heavy for pocket carry for me, but YMMV....

Beretta 9000- I never really warmed up to these so my opinion is biased, but If I am going to the trouble to carry this on belt, I would just step up to a compact size with the longer sight radius that goes with it.

SW 642- shoot 50 rounds thu it every month, put it in your pocket and forget about it. It is to be more of a carry a lot/shoot a little revo anyway and is perfect for pocket carry.

My ideal pocket gun is none of these (SW model 38), but I carried a SW 642 for over a year before it ended up in my wife's purse with larger grips.

Mino

 

[wunderkind]

442/642, the lightweight champs

Getting a 442 (smae as 642, except nickel instead of stainless) opened up new carry options for me. In a $10 Uncle Mike's pocket holster I can even carry this thing in sweats.

It's an older pre-agreement 442, and the action is like butter for a j-frame. Paper plate size groups at 25 yds were easy on the first day I got it.

I've never had such a good gun for those times you don't feel like putting on a belt & holster. The quick trip to the video store, returning library books, etc.

I used to have an excuse for leaving the house unarmed. Not anymore.

 

[SapperLeader]

I wear the 642 everyday in a uncle mikes front pocket holster as a bug. Its not my favorite range gun, but I dont find the recoil horrible. I use the winchester 130+p loads, and thier not that bad. I did paint the front sight orange which helps with aiming, and Im saving up for a set of crimson trace laser grips.

 

[revolvergeek]

I carry a 642 in a DeSantis pocket holster more than anything else these days. Very light, plenty accurate and thumps plenty hard with 158 +P LHPs. $349 is a great price. I would go for it!

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

Omaha...

I purchased a 642 a few months ago. I also ordered some Crimson Trace laser grips. I thought the combination would be *immedately perfect. However, it wasn't. It was DIFFICULT to hold that little red dot on target. Everybody said "practice & dry-fire would cure the problem". Everybody was right. The trigger smoothed up and it became far easier to hold the dot on target. I purchased some "A-Zoom" snap caps. Those little orange plastic ones are crapola. The inner spring even came out the top of one! I have NO IDEA why, but seeing the spring sticking out the end of the orange plastic snap cap cracks me up. I have it sitting here on my desk to laugh at. One of "those" things that just cracks me up.
Centennial models ARE easier to hide.

KR

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Well---after making myself a general pain-in-the-rear for the guys at Galyans---I made my decision. Well for 3 of them at least---the other 3 or 4 there would do a better job of holding up the wall than working in the gun dept-----the other 3 were patient and helpfull with me.

I inspected the several 642's that they had there---they didn't pass the revolver test----too much play in the cylinder(for my taste) when locked up with the trigger held back---also all had weak trigger returns---had to pass.

My all stainless Smiths have spoiled me---I think.

The it came to the SP101---vault solid lock up but priced at $380---and a little chunk of a gun.

Went back and forth----and ---and -----then I get to thinking---how about one expensive gun---came down to a Sig 228 and S&W 386PD---Sigs have never really felt right to me---so I was gonna go with the Smith---nope---not one in back and the display was a little too "fingered" for my taste---so those were out.

Back to the Beretta----finally said I'll take it----this was under the assumption that all they had were DAO models---which I had been told several days earlier.

He comes out with a NIB greased little pig .40 double/single model Type F for $329--heck if I had known that--I would have walked out of there 3 days earlier with it----the DAO was really holding me up on that one.

I figure 11 .40's beats 5 .357's---they're both little chunks of guns---and the Beretta was $50 bucks cheaper than the SP101.

Also took home a NIB Mossberg SSI-one in .308 for $229------at $400 to $450 I wouldn't touch one----but at $229 its a steal---where else can you get a centerfire rifle for around $200 bucks???? I got to pick my wood from 3 or 4 in-the-box models----so when I got her home and cleaned her up---I have a very pretty $200 gun----lol

So basically came home with 2 NIB guns(.40 & .308) for right at $600 with tax and all----made myself a PITA to Galyan's-----and spent a week agonizing over a decision----getting such a collection now the I really have to spend some time to decide if a new addition will be worth putting in the stable.

Thanks.