Should I get the 640 or 642?

[Ovid]

I'm going to be buying my first revolver, I held several J-frames in my hands at the gunshop, and they felt just PERFECT in my hands...

The gunshop employee told me that the recoil with .357s in the airlites is absolutely savage. Even told me of a guy who had to fire 21(?) shots to qualify with it, and wound up icing his hand afterwards ! I doubt that I would shoot more than a cylinders worth of 357 per range session... but IDK, too me, I think it might be fun to shoot something that powerful.

Given that the prices for the 640 and 642 are both $400, is there ANY reason to go with the .38 special only model? I figure that even if I rarely shoot .357s in the 640, at least I have the OPTION to do so...

BUT does the the 640 shoot .38 specials as well as the 642 does? Is it just as accurate? Is the trigger pull any better or worse?

Madogre said the trigger on the 640 was awful; is this the general consensus?
I would definately appreciate any input from the more experienced wheelgunners on THR!

 

[camper]

Recommend you find a range that rents these two revolvers and fire each at the range. Remember, you can always load/carry/shoot .38 special rounds in .357s, but you cannot use .357s in a .38. As for accuracy, a .38 in a .357 does just fine. Good luck.

 

[GEM]

Is this a carry gun or a plinker? The J's aren't really good plinkers - they are fighting guns.

If it just a range gun and you think it is fun to shoot full loads - get a 686.

If it is a carry gun - then how are you going to carry it? The 642 shines as a pocket gun. The common consensus is that the 640 is too heavy for pocket carry. If you find it uncomfortable and leave it home - that is a waste of money.

As far as the load - the 642 handles +p 38s and there are special loads available to maximize its potential. As far as I can discern, most folks are quite happy with these and don't think the 357 from a short gun and with harsh recoil is worth it.

As far as price - $400 is too much for a 642. It should be $350 or below. Look around at discount sporting goods stores and gun shows.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

GEM, please remember you're in Texas. Ovid is in the NE, things tend to run more there.

I would do the .38, the .357 is a bit larger and not a pocket gun. From a snub I think they both will provide about the same results.

I have a snub .357 and myself am now looking for a 640 (pre lock BS).

If you want a plinker, carry gun and are not so much worried about concealment then there are much better choices. 686, Ruger, etc....

Small and light is good for carry, real bad for a 500rd range day though

 

[Ala Dan]

STOP~!

$400 is way excessive for a NIB S&W model 642~!

I sell 'em NIB everyday for only $349.88 with BamaLand residents adding 9%
sales tax.

Keep in mind that the 642 weights only 15 ozs unloaded, compared with
the .357 magnum model 640's 22.5 ozs (if I'm not mistaken?). Both, are
very fine weapons that most of us would be proud too own. I have a
642 myself, but not a 640. It might fall on to my want list for 2006?
(Behind the Springfield XD-45 ACP, of course~! )

 

[tension]

I have both

I shoot wwb .357 mag in my 640 a lot and it isn't painful. I have the combat grips and not the boot grips. When I practise with my 642 I use wwb .38 spl and have to wrap a bandaid around my thumb because the frame will cut you after several shots. The 642 has boot grips which are better for carry.
I like both guns.

 

[Ovid]

Hey guys, thanks for the input... I have shopped around for better prices, and looked at Gander Mountain, as well as 3 different gunshops, and $400 seems to be the average price (ofcourse I HAVE seen them for cheaper before when I had no interest in them ). The last time I checked, both Badger Outdoor, and Shooters Shop charge $50 to have a gun shipped to them, so even though I could easily find what I'm looking for for less $ on an auction site, but after shipping charges, and then the gunshops fee, it would probably cost me more, AND take longer .


I think I'll wind up going with the .38, and then keep my eyes peeled for a nice Model 27. Probably won't bring her home for a few weeks, but I'll take some nice pics when I do. And Ala Dan, the XD-45 ACP is on my 2006 list too!

 

[Bill B.]

Ditto on the 642 being great for pocket carry. It is also one of the more accurate snubs I have shot. Though the 640 is a great J frame even if I had one I would carry nothing more that +P 158 grain 38 Specials in it. As already stated the 640 is a bit heavy for pocket carry. I have seen very few shooters who are accurate after their first shot with a full house .357 from a J frame. If you are ever going to get the flinches if will be after a practice session shooting a box of .357's from a J. They simply hurt the hand so much it generally is numb by the time the range session is over. Will you be able to do better in a gun battle with the .357? I can't say because I haven't been put in that situation .........Thankfully! I am more accurate with the +P .38's myself.

 

[JMusic]

Get the 38. confidence and accuracy is worth much more than kenetic energy figures. i carry as light as I can so I am sure to carry. Jframe 38's are about as good as it gets.
Jim

 

[SwampWolf]

I agree with most of the posters: get the 642 for pocket carry. I own both and would recommend the 640 for everything else (over the 642). With +Ps, I've found the 642 to be a very unpleasant gun to shoot but it's niche (pocket carry )is equaled by few others. By the way, our local sporting goods store is selling 642s for $299.95 (Fin Feather Fur in Ashland)!

 

[farscott]

The common consensus is that the 640 is too heavy for pocket carry.

That is quite true; however, I have carried a pre-.357 Magnum M640 in a Kramer pocket holster every day, all day, for the past three years. It can be done, but it does require that all pants fit a bit tightly or a belt be worn. If you always wear a belt, the M640 is a good way to go. If you are sometimes in loose-fitting shorts without a belt, the M642 is the good way to go.

 

[Jim PHL]

My experience is pretty much the same. I carry an airweight .38 almost all the time. It's a little bulky in my jeans pocket but not too heavy. I used to have a 640. It was near perfect on the belt and great for a drop in the pocket gun for a quick trip but, I agree, definitely too heavy for all-day pants pocket carry, even with a pocket holster. That being said, the 640 is a great gun. Lot's of fun if you are the type to giggle instead of cringe when touching off heavy loads. (That was me - my father and bro-in-law didn't really enjoy it with .38's and wouldn't fire even one magnum from it.)
Either one is a good choice. Good Luck

 

[MrPink]

My carry gun is a scandium 340PD. I love the J frame and also have a 640 and a 642....use to carry the 642 before the 340 was developed and the 640 makes a good practice gun at the range.

You heard right, the recoil of FULL POWER 357 magnum loads in the 340 is brutal: sharp and heavy. Imagine holding your palm outand having a buddy give it it a hard wack with a crowbar. If that doesn't sound like fun, don't worry it - it isn't.

That being said, there is nothing written that you have to soot full power 357 loads in it. 38+Ps in the lighter bullet weights are stout but managable with practice and experience. I use to use the Speer 135 grain +P specifically made for the snubby. Of late, I've been using the new Speer Golddot load of the same 135 grain bullet in 357 medium velocity load (about 1000 FPS). This is about as heavy a load as I care to shoot out of this gun. Heavy and will shoot about 2 cylinders worth at the range.

Regarding J frame triggers, they all are pretty much the same (same basic design). Heavy and tend to smooth out with use. A good smith can lighten it a touch and smooth it up, but it'll never be as good as a good trigger job on a K-frame.

I like the scandium gun for carry because it is so damn light. The more you carry a gun, the more you'll appreciate light weight.

 

[Brian Williams]

Get a 642, but can be found for less and carry some of those 38spec 135gr snub loads

 

[HankB]

I've got a 340SC .357 - this is my "always" gun, as it's "always" in my pocket whenever and wherever it's legal.

I shoot mostly .38 +P out of it, but seeing as it's a .357, it ought to hold up to these, well, almost forever.

There are some "mid range" .357 loads around, which give more "oomph" than any .38, but aren't as brutal as the full power .357s.

Currently, I carry it with 145 grain Silvertips, but as soon as I can get my hands on some, I plan to try the new Gold Dot "short barrel" .357 load.

 

[bubbygator]

I carried a 640 when I owned a shop. I carry a 442 now; the x42 is definitely a better carry gun for almost all purposes.

 

[GEM]

Those guys in NE are thieves! Are there gun shows nearby?

Move to TX!

 

[ArmedBear]

Airlites can hurt to shoot. 21 rounds of .357 can certainly be done; ice is optional.

But the .357 will shoot the .38 Sp fine, and it is VERY accurate with .357's, provided you do your part. Your part is significant, but not a big deal if you are comfortable shooting centerfire revolvers.

As a carry gun, I'd get an Airlite .357. It's light and effective. If your life is in danger, you won't feel the recoil until it's over.

As a practice gun, though, I'd get a 686.

 

[fiVe]

Another vote for the 642.

 

[caz223]

642 + crimson trace= awesome SD carry piece.

 

[JMusic]

What I have is the 638. This is the +P 38 model bodyguard style Airweight. It has a slot milled and the hammer is assesable for single action shooting. Mine shot about 12 " to the right at 20 yards but after returning it to Smith it shoots dead on. Very light nice revolver. Not bad to shoot either with 148 wadcutters.
Swamp Wolf I'm originaly from Shiloh. Been to FFF many times. Good to see someone on from my ole stomping grounds.
Jim

 

[SwampWolf]

JMusic: You've probably been to the Sportsman's Den in Shelby then. They've got a whole new building now (as does the "Fin"). I like the people at the Fin better. Mike hires knowledgeable and friendly help. My wife and I have talked about moving to Tenn. after she retires (I'm already retired). Do you like it there? Any good gunstores around? Of course, I love to fish too!

 

[JMusic]

Yeah SwampWolf I've ben down here about 12 years. We have some pretty good fishing though not like Lake Erie. There aresome good stores here but the knowledge is poor. There are a few who do custom work I haven't visisted yet and they get good reviews. You get down this way send an email I'll show you around. We,re just off I 75 north of Knoxville.
Jim

 

[SwampWolf]

Might take you up on that someday, JMusic. You and yours as well as the rest of the wonderful people in this forum I wish a very Merry Christmas and a spectacular New Year!

 

[JMusic]

Same too ya. Merry Christmas everyone.