S&W M642......opinions

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coltjeeper

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I finally, after putting it off forever, got a Smith 642 Airweight Centennial .38 snub.

Went and put just shy of 200 rounds through it. 130 gr. Win. white box and some Win. 158 gr. +P LSWCHP. Not as bad of a recoil as I thought it would be, even with the +Ps. And amazingly accurate too!:D

Just wanted to share my happiness with this snubbie with everyone on here. And ask what you think of yours?:scrutiny:
 
I have a tough time shooting straight with mine. I know it's for close range but it better be real close for me to hit it. :(
 
The Airweight Centennial is my favorite pocket gun. My last time at the range, I put a cylinder-full of FBI loads into 1 7/8" at 25 ft., which is the farthest I can envision using it. I'll *never* sell this one!

Steve
 
Simply awesome. ALWAYS there, completely reliable, fairly potent with +p rounds. What more can you ask for? Like LWC said, I'll never sell mine.
 
Got mine a few months ago and I love it. Light but not to light and easy to conceal. I have taken it to the range about four times, about 400 rounds total, and got decent groups. Then ordered a set of laser grips for it and this thing kicks but. I took it out Tues. for the first time with laser grips and was impressed with accuracy out of the box. The laser comes sighted to 50 ft. and it shot where I pointed. This is the ideal carry rig for ME. High stress situation life on the line; point, look for the dot, and squeeze. Awesome.
 
To the list that includes sliced bread and canned beer should also be added the S&W Airweight Centennial. :D
 
Mines a non-dash version, so I don't put +P's through it. And I'm with Jake in that any target has to be mighty close. I still love it on my belt though. Its the only one in the stable that I can wear all day and actually forget its there.
 
Great pocket gun. I had a 442 and then the 642. The latter is easier to clean as you can use the lead wipe cloths that would eat the bluing on the first.

I'm not as accurate with it. But at typical self-defense distances it is fine. It goes out more than my full sized semis.
 
They are pretty accurate; you just have to invest more time shooting it to develop the potential.
 
Nice pocket gun.

If you shoot often you can maintain good acuracy.

The only down fall for me is limited capacity and slow reloads.

But even that is a strech on my part, I try not to have a comando mindset ...:p
 
As it's my always gun, summer and winter, washing the car, walking the baby, raking leaves, planting shrubs, out to dinner, at work, buying groceries -- I'm talking ALWAYS with me, folks -- I choose stainless. No rust, no worries, no special treatment. Carry a couple of Bianchi Speed Strips, Fox Labs pepper spray, a cell phone, and a Benchmade AFCK, and -- IMHO -- you are prepared for 99% of life's unpleasantries.
 
fc658cee.jpg


Simply the best pocket gun ever made.
 
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keithernTN
Member

Registered: Mar 2003
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 37
Got mine a few months ago and I love it. Light but not to light and easy to conceal. I have taken it to the range about four times, about 400 rounds total, and got decent groups. Then ordered a set of laser grips for it and this thing kicks but. I took it out Tues. for the first time with laser grips and was impressed with accuracy out of the box. The laser comes sighted to 50 ft. and it shot where I pointed. This is the ideal carry rig for ME. High stress situation life on the line; point, look for the dot, and squeeze. Awesome.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What laser sights did you get and where did you get them? Also, how much were they? Do they add to the bulk of the gun?
 
jake01


I've got crimson trace laser grips on mine. Got them from thunderwear.com for about $190 tax, shipped and all.(took four days for delivery) List was $178 I think. They offer two styles, the one I have is made of a molded plastic and looks just like the factory grips except a small bulge on the right side near the top which houses the laser, IMO they add no bulk, and I like them better than the factory ones. They also have another style grip for the J-frame which covers the backstrap and does add bulk to the gun and I believe it is kinda rubbery feeling. Some people don't like the recoil of the little J and the small grip so they would probly opt for the bigger grip.

I like the smaller grip for concealability and it fits my hand just fine. This is the first laser sight I have ever considered owning and I would definitly recommend one to anybody interested in one for thier J-frame. Get one you'll love it.
 
Well I carried a 36 for probably 25 years and 2-3 years ago retired it and got my 642-1. Absoutely a great gun--power for the size--weight--conceability--its got it all. Like others in this thread it goes with me everywhere all the time. Summer I have an ankle hoslster and anytime else I have a galco belt slide. Standing at 7 yards I can put 5 shots in a 1" bull (slow fire), and that my friends is all you need. I figure that in the event I ever have to use it it probably will be around this range. Rapid fire is harder to control (I use 158 gr. swchp +p) but keeping in mind the range it should work just fine, I trust it.

I absoutely love my 36 but it was time for a hammerless airweight +p. For awhile I considered a sp101 but I was always a smith guy so I went with what I knew the best and did'nt look back. Yup, that smith is a tough act to follow...
 
I have a 442-2 with the Crimson Trace overmolded rubber grip. They really absorb the recoil. What more can be said about the gun itself? It delivers!

GL


442-2-2.JPG
 
I nearly bought a 642 but in the end I opted for the 442. Nothing wrong with either. For a holster I purchased the Kramer pocket holster and carry in my right front pocket. This has turned out to be an ideal concealed carry setup. I carry it alot. Make no mistake, this is no target pistol but practicing point shooting at short distances makes for one lethal technique. I have several boxes of Federal Nyclad 125 grainers and am quite impressed with them. For practice I use the Winchester 130 grain white box ammo. J-frames are to pistols as Bull Dogs are to dogs...they are just different.
 
Cabelas 642 sale

642@ $379.

I also have $100 in Cabelas bucks for a net of $279 plus tax. Any reasons not to move ahead with the purchase?

Mark
 
In my book, the Smith Centennials are right up there next to canned beer on the flow chart of human innovation. :D
 
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