S&W 642 or 638?

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JH225

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OK, so looking for opinions from those of you that own/owned both the 642 & the 638. Difference being the 638 has a rounded rear and the 642 has the semi-rounded rear.

From a pocket concealment point of view, which conceals better?
 
642
The only advantage claimed for the 638 is the ability to cock it for a single action shot.
But that is a lot harder to do than it sounds, nothing I will do except maybe to test ammo.
 
Carry a 442 every day in either my pocket or waist band. The Centennial frame Smiths conceal and draw much easier in my experience. They also keep pocket lint and sweat from entering the lock work whereas a bodyguard framed smith will not.

-Jake
 
So the rounded rear of the 638 doesn't conceal any better than the "cut" rear of the 642?

Reason for getting this gun is that while I love my LCR (and its massive trigger guard), that huge grip just makes it stand out in my not so big size 34 jeans pockets. I love it when the bigger guys go "I carry such & such all day in my pocket". Well duh, your pockets are twice the size of mine. :)
 
What about the SW 637. I recently bought one of these "Gunsmoke Wyatt Deep Cover" models. Already own a 642. This model 637 has a bobbed hammer and Performance Center trigger job, as well as some polishing on the flutes, trigger shoe and hammer.

NOT MY PICTURE, BUT HERE'S A SHOT TO ILLUSTRATE.

http://picturearchive.gunauction.com/2933214222/12141364/69635163114.jpg


Trigger pull is naturally better, because it starts out with an actual hammer, as opposed to the much abreviated "internal" hammer on the 642. So, you get the snag free profile of the 642 without sacrificing the hammer.
 
I've had both; I think the 642 is the sleeker of the two.

I can't say I've noticed any difference in the triggers, but I did not own the guns at the same time. I'd say they both carry just fine, and the real decision is the trade between single-action and better debris protection.
 
I have a 642 that I like a lot but my Glock 42 just bumped my 642 into my safe. The G42 is lighter, thinner, reloads faster, has better sights, is more accurate and holds 2 more rounds.
 
dsa1115 said:
I have a 642 that I like a lot but my Glock 42 just bumped my 642 into my safe. The G42 is lighter, thinner, reloads faster, has better sights, is more accurate and holds 2 more rounds.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but I have a .380 pocket gun that is fine, but is certainly not a .38, no matter how you slice it.

And BTW, if you are using the sights on a pocket gun that small, you are doing it wrong.

For everyone else, thanks.
 
642. Enclosed design keeps all the grit, grime out of the action when carrying muzzle down. Unless S/A capability in a small revolver is important. Joe
 
I'm gonna go against the crowd here and say 638. I had a 342 and while it was ok, it beat me up enough that I traded it for a 649 just to have the extra mass. Hot stuff is just no fun in the lightweight guns and I like to have fun when I shoot. I also like having the option of single action.
 
Going with VA27 on this. Had a 442 (without lock) that was pretty brutal with hotter loads (especially for the wife). Ended up trading it straight up for a 649-2 and couldn't be happier. After awhile, the extra weight isn't that noticeable.
SMITHampWESSON649_zps4dce84f3.gif
 
I have a 442 and a bobbed 37. The 37 is a safe queen and I carry the 442 in my pocket as back up. I don't need the single action so I stick with DAO guns.
 
Highcaliber said:
What about the SW 637. I recently bought one of these "Gunsmoke Wyatt Deep Cover" models. Already own a 642. This model 637 has a bobbed hammer and Performance Center trigger job, as well as some polishing on the flutes, trigger shoe and hammer.

NOT MY PICTURE, BUT HERE'S A SHOT TO ILLUSTRATE.

http://picturearchive.gunauction.com/2933214222/12141364/69635163114.jpg


Trigger pull is naturally better, because it starts out with an actual hammer, as opposed to the much abreviated "internal" hammer on the 642. So, you get the snag free profile of the 642 without sacrificing the hammer.
Click to expand...


I have a 637 that I have dry fired the snot out of. I also swapped a new lighter rebound spring and polished a few pertinent spots. It now has a very slick trigger. I believe my next move is to bob the hammer.

What's stopping me us the whole MIM thing. Is it safe to bob the hammer on a newer gun(this is a 2007) production.
 
I had a M638, a M642 and I have a M442. My son "borrowed" the M638 and carries it daily. I carry a M442 daily and both the Bodyguard frame (M638) and Centennial frame (M642/442) conceal equally well. IMO the only difference is what you like best. If you like the looks of one over the other buy that revolver because both frame styles will perform equally well IMO. Both weigh the same, have the same barrel length and shoot just as well.

I'm partial to the Blue (Black) frame of the M442 so I bought that revolver but if the M438 was available at the time that's what I would be carrying right now. (the M438 is no longer in the S&W catalog)
 
Either.....

Either S&W J frame .38spl would be a great buy or value.
If you carry concealed & want a DA/SA shot, Id opt for the 638. It's good for last ditch SA firing(like if you are hurt or wounded).
The downside is the S&W 638 .38spl has a "lawyer lock" :mad: .
The J frame 642 snub can be purchased without the "security lock" which is good.

As stated both are robust, well made & offer a lifetime service plan. ;)
Don't forget the slick Ruger LCR too. It's well made & has no lawyer lock.
 
You can get a 642 without the lock AND without all the damn lint that works its way into the 638 hammer shroud when pocket carrying.

Had both, sold the 638 and kept my no lock 642.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
I had a M638, a M642 and I have a M442. My son "borrowed" the M638 and carries it daily. I carry a M442 daily and both the Bodyguard frame (M638) and Centennial frame (M642/442) conceal equally well. IMO the only difference is what you like best. If you like the looks of one over the other buy that revolver because both frame styles will perform equally well IMO. Both weigh the same, have the same barrel length and shoot just as well.

I'm partial to the Blue (Black) frame of the M442 so I bought that revolver but if the M438 was available at the time that's what I would be carrying right now. (the M438 is no longer in the S&W catalog)
Click to expand...
Dont forget the 442 has a carbon steel barrel and cylinder where 642 is stainless.

If youre in a humid environment or a an individual with corrosive body chemistry, the 642 is MUCH more appealing.
 
RustyShackelford said:
Either S&W J frame .38spl would be a great buy or value.
If you carry concealed & want a DA/SA shot, Id opt for the 638. It's good for last ditch SA firing(like if you are hurt or wounded).
The downside is the S&W 638 .38spl has a "lawyer lock" :mad: .
The J frame 642 snub can be purchased without the "security lock" which is good.

As stated both are robust, well made & offer a lifetime service plan. ;)
Don't forget the slick Ruger LCR too. It's well made & has no lawyer lock.
Click to expand...
The LCR does indeed have a lock - it is just hidden under the grip...

DSC02683.jpg
 
I would say the 442 would be slightly easier to conceal but I still love my 649 and 638 for CCW.
 
Have a pair of humpback 438s (black version of 638) that have been carried a lot, mostly IWB and OWB. On occasion ankle carry . Pocket carry is possible, tried a pocket holster but it just prints too much, like a Big Mac, so on rare occasions when pocket carry is chosen, its sans holster.

Noticed one thing tho, the 438 that is carried IWB, has developed a slight cylinder wobble (still accurate tho), but the one carried OWB is rock solid. Guess the midsection places too many forces during IWB carry.
 
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