The 642 club

[loplop]

0 interest rocks! Maybe a M&P 340?

I spoke with a guy who ankle carried in the car. Seems like not a bad idea, and some ankle rigs go on (and come off) very quickly. Something to consider.

I don't drive a lot, but when I had to do the "Buckeye Tuck" (keep the weapon holstered but in plain sight... Silly part of our CCW law that recently departed) I hung the butt of my 442 out of my pocket and over the seatbelt. I had to move my pocket holster up further in the pocket to accomplish this, but it actually worked fairly well, and was easier to draw from than IWB.. Hard to describe, but try it and maybe you'll like it.

 

[KillshotRB]

This looks interesting also..http://www.desantisholster.com/n92.html

 

[loplop]

This is one I have earmarked for possible purchase:




Some more information here. Look for the Null Vampire.

 

[TEL]

Camelbak Fanny Pack

Got the Camelbak Goblin after seeing it discussed on this site. Really like it for certain situations. Easily carries either my 642 or Bersa 380. Nobody would even suspect you're carrying. The one disadvantage is that you cannot draw quickly if necessary since the velcro really holds the holster compartment shut tight. With a little warning, you could pull open the holster compartment, making your firearm easily accessible and still not visible unless someone was standing right next to you.

 

[Nails]

re: crossdraw

I carry my 442 crossdraw when I'm working outside. It rides close to my belt buckle at about eleven o clock.

Many people disparage crossdraw but I never understood why. For me it is one of the most stealthy ways of drawing a gun, and with practice it can be accomplished very quickly.

Most days I carry my Glock 23 IWB but for a quick run to the store or doing yard work nothing beats a snubby worn crossdraw.

 

[loplop]

I also have the Camelbak Goblin. I think it's a good little device, just large enough for a gun, water, and my bike tools/extra tube. I use it when riding. I personally don't like my 442 in it, I prefer a flatter, larger automatic as its easier to grab and doesn't put a bulge in the water bladder where the cylinder rides. 442 does fit, but I just don't find it ideal.

I think the draw is quite quick, personally; grab both handles, rrrrrrrrrip, draw. Of course it has to be on the front of your body then, which is not how I carry it when riding (it rides above my posterior). So that's a negative, as I have to swivel it around.

I will know more after a summer of using it.

Crossdraw: I think I've found my OWB snubby holster. I have resisted the urge to buy an IWB holster; I figure if I'm going to IWB, I might as well carry a service pistol. But crossdraw... There's some real advantages for that method when using a snubby. I'm leaning this way.

My wife questioned me last night as to why I'm always looking at holsters. She said, "why do you want so many?" I said, "honey, it's like shoes..."

She nodded in approval and said, "carry on."

 

[Photoman]

Stopped by the shop today and my 642 should be ready to go after the 15th. I've already ordered a Mika pocket holster (I have one for my Taurus .45 snub and love it). Ordered up a bunch of factory ammo and reloading a bunch of practice ammo. Can't wait!

 

[jt1]

My wife questioned me last night as to why I'm always looking at holsters. She said, "why do you want so many?" I said, "honey, it's like shoes..."

She nodded in approval and said, "carry on."

In my case that will be I said, "honey, it's like purses..."

 

[Brassman]

Maybe I've been going about this the wrong way. I finally convinced my wife to go shooting (actually she shoots pretty well for a dumb ole girl), take a CCW class and pass the qualifications in flying colors. She just can't seem to get down to the sheriff's office with the $90 to get her CCW permit. Maybe there's a way to get her down there with some kind of story about shoes or purses.......? When she gets the permit, she's gonna take my 642 and I can get another one or three.....I need help, at least I'm past the first step to recovery.

 

[MassMark]

Tactical Reloading Via Speedloaders....

Hi Everyone - Great reading today!

Okay, so I received my HKS Speedloaders from Brownells today - man they're quick with shipping! Anyway, I have a few questions, used the search feature and still have questions about tactical reloading of my 642.

I realized going in that I was giving up capacity and quick mag changes when I decided to carry a snub-nosed revolver, but what I gained is concealment, weight and carry options that I could not find with my ParaOrd. I also am fully aware about shot placement and getting myself safely out of the fight. If I can't get it done in 5, I'm in deep doo-doo, so I'm also fully aware that practice is paramount before I decide to carry my 642 on a consistent basis. Lastly, I'm not a psychic - I can't predict when, or if I will ever be in a position to use my 642 to defend my life, nor what the circumstances or situation may be. So, I think it's important that I learn how to reload my weapon as quickly and efficiently as possible should I need "more than five to survive"...catchy ain't it??? Here goes, please bear with me:

- I think I made an error in choosing the HKS Speedloaders. They do not seem very speedy. It could be my greenhorn approach to revolver carry, but I'm having trouble making efficient changes. It seems the HKS do not clear the frame, so I'm forced to line up the rounds, insert as far as I can and let them do a "guided freefall" into the cylinder. I also have to keep the cylinder steady as I twist the release - this seems very awkward to me. I'll keep them for now and try and work with them, but was curious as to whether or not there's a better mousetrap? My plan is to carry 5 on board and 10 on deck. The HKS seem to be very well made and there's very little wobble. I have no issues quickly lining them up, but am having issues sealing the deal....

Any thoughts or direction would be greatly appreciated. Have a great night/day!

 

[sixgunner455]

I have one HKS for the 642. I usually just carry a Bianchi speed strip or two, though, and keep the HKS in the car. I don't really feel like carrying a speedloader in my pocket that is the same thickness of the gun, when the speed strips will fit anywhere and not be obnoxious. I picked this gun to be easy to carry a reasonably powerful weapon. I insist on carrying at least one reload on me for whatever gun I'm carrying, but I find the speedloader cumbersome for this application. When I carry a bigger revolver, I go ahead and carry a speedloader or two, but when I'm carrying this one, the speed strips fit in better as they are more low-key.

 

[jdom49]

I agree with sixgunner455, a speed strip works well for me as the purpose of my snubby is concealment in the summer with shorts and tucked shirts. Most winter months I carry a Glock 27 on my ankle or waist with no extra mag as it has as many rounds as my snubby with a speed strip.

However you get it done, 10 rounds of any significant handgun round should be sufficient fire power to get to a safe spot for a 911 cell call and re-enforcements.

 

[jt1]

MassMark - I also have the desire to have available at least one reload that can be rapidly employed if needed. Back in my .357 python days I used speedloaders and became fairly proficient with much practice. As we have previously discussed the best speedloader is probably a BU 642/442. Having said that it is still desirable to have ammo available. I can tell you that you will not be able to obtain the level of proficiency you are looking for with equipment that does not fit properly or operate in a manner that you have confidence in. I have see some folks modify the left pistol grip to gain clearance for a speedloader and if you cannot find one that fits you may have to think about this. Looking at my 642 I don't see how you could get a straight shot (pun intended) at the cylinder without some modification.

Speedloaders can be very fast with the proper training and equipment. See the following link for a demonstration by a true master of speedloading.
http://www.poetv.com/video.php?vid=811

Post#765 on page 31 shows a modified grip. I know you have crimson trace grips, but it's the same thing.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=2586306&postcount=765

Post#918 on page 37 is about using speed strips and has a good link about reloading. I am using speed strips and will probably not go back to speedloaders because the strips are so easy to carry and conceal, which is the reason we have the 642 to begin with.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=2753560&postcount=918

I hope you never need "more than five to survive" but you just never know.

 

[loplop]

Brassman: your wife will go in her own sweet time. Make sure she really wants to get her CHL; perhaps she only did the training at your insistence? Carrying a weapon is a very serious commitment; if one isn't committed to using that weapon, which requires some serious thought and decision making, then one is more in danger when carrying, IMO. Perhaps she's struggling with that. Let her make up her own mind, if she decides to carry, great. If she decides not to, great. That's better than carrying and not being mentally ready for the responsibility. If I were you I'd gently probe to see if there's some deeper reason such as this.

My wife enjoys shooting, but 1) not as much as I do and 2) would never carry a weapon. That OK by me.

MassMark: ah, learning the finer points of revolvers! Tough for us dudes steeped in autoloaders. Personally, I struggled with this, too... And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I *still* struggle with it. I can pop a reload in my bottom feeder in my sleep. I still fumble a bit loading the snub. Its getting better with practice, tho.

What I do: open the cylinder with my right thumb, shift the weapon to my left hand. Face your left palm upward, and point your fingers to the right side of your body (palm perpendicular to body now). Curl the fingers up and stick them through the frame to cradle the revolver and cylinder. Use your right hand to load (I use a speed strip) and as you break the rounds out of the strip, use your left hand to move the cylinder. Finish, close, shoot.

That works best for me, but I'm sure there are other, and maybe better, methods.

One thing I noticed about the M&P340... It heats up a LOT more than the 442 when I've been firing 357's. I have to let it cool a bit, or I'll burn my fingers on the cylinder, and even experience pain in the trigger finger from the trigger heating up! Yikes.

 

[MassMark]

You Guys Are Top Shelf!

Thanks all for the tips. I brought my 642 with me to work today and plan on hitting the range on the way home. Haven't heard from S&W about my CT's but the stock grips are fine. It may sound like a dumb idea, but I was thinking about finding someone who reloads to make me 10 dummy rounds to practice with at home. Practice ejecting empties, then inserting the dummies. Rinse lather repeat...I LOVE the idea of another 642 for a speedloader...Cracked me up...

It's funny, like lolpop, I can do mag changes in my sleep, so I know with practice it will become second nature. It just feels like I'm learning all over again - which is fun really. Speedloaders are fairly cheap, so I'll try until I find what works. I read an advertisement for a speedloader I believe made by Buffer Tech, that is more of an injector, than a loader (claims to be able to load rounds while the barrel is pointed up) I think frame clearance issues will rule the day with a snub this small and of course I could revisit Safariland and Speedstrips. For now, the HKS will be my guide - I'm committed to making my 642CT my daily carry. I must be getting soft - as I can hardly stand to carry my Para anymore which is a small .45 - maybe the 642 is just spoiling me....

 

[zoom6zoom]

If you're shifting to the left hand to reload, you should also practice shooting left handed - in case you don't have time to shift it back to your right hand after a reload.

 

[loplop]

MassMark: buy some snapcaps. They're red in color so you will have a visual that's it's unloaded, and the act of placing the red shells in the cylinder will help keep you off the ND path.

zoom6zoom: I do practice righty and lefty. Why not, it gives me more options, and more reason to toss rounds downrange But my reloading technique leaves my right hand more apt to grab and fire, which is why I do it this way. Dunno if I explained it well, I bet photos would be better.

 

[TEL]

Brownell's

MassMark made a comment regarding Brownell's speedy shipping. Just wanted to add that Brownell's was great from a customer service perspective when I placed an order with them.

I made a mistake on my order (my fault). I called and they immediately shipped out the correct item (I had it in 3 business days) and with no shipping charge. When they received the return item from me, they mailed me a check for MY postage on the return. Can't beat that!

 

[Brassman]

Loplop

She just asked me last night, after I posted, if I would accompany her to the sheriff's office. I guess she was reading my mind again (a scary thought), or she read the post while I wasn't looking. She said she had the money and was ready to go.....I may get that other 642 or 442 or 340 or SP101 sooner than I thought. Don't be surprised with that Ruger in the group. All my other revolvers are Rugers, but I also love my 642.

 

[loplop]

Good news, Brassman. They tend to learn that mindreading trick over time... Or maybe we're just transparent

 

[Headless]

HKS Speedloaders are not the quickest at all, in fact, from what i've read, they are the slowest speedloaders around...I've seen some that use push-button on the back of the speedloader rather than a twisting motion, which makes A LOT more sense as you no longer have to resist the cylinder spinning while you attempt to twist the speedloader to release the rounds. That said, after practicing with the HKS speedloaders you can get quite quick, it's just that you have to figure out exactly where each hand goes and what motions to make while grabbing with which fingers...then repeat over and over until it's natural.

Here's a link to the safariland push button speedloader. Not sure if this particular one fits the 642, but you will get the idea.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/20322-16454-1171.html

Here's a link to a post showing a moon clip, an HKS speed loader and the push button loader next to eachother
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=1402079&postcount=4

And 2 posts later:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=1402175&postcount=6

The cream of the crop of speedloaders is the Safariland Comp III.

They are spring-actuated. As you insert the rounds into the cylinder, the cylinder star pushes a button on the underside of the speedloader which actuates a spring and propels the rounds the rest of the way into the chamber. No knobs to spin or rounds to shake free -- it's very effective (and fast).

Although probably every so slightly slower than moonclips in a properly chamfered and polished cylinder.

Upon some research, it appears the Safariland Comp III only fits K and L frame smiths. Alternative that works the same way that fits the J frame S&W's is
"Jet Loaders", from 'Buffer Technologies'.
http://www.powercustom.com/parts_bufftech.htm

Hopefully someone with some experience with these will chime in...

 

[jad0110]

MassMark: buy some snapcaps. They're red in color so you will have a visual that's it's unloaded, and the act of placing the red shells in the cylinder will help keep you off the ND path.

Excellent point loplop.

Another option is to buy dummy rounds that are weighted exactly like real rounds, but are painted orange. They are unfortunately not good to dry fire with (hard on the firing pin I think).

I did hear of a guy that made his own dummy rounds using real bullets and brass, but he painted the case head red to differentiate between live and dummy rounds. Clever. I am think of doing this myself to work on my speedloading.

I carry a pair of HKS loaders for my 642. I do okay with them, but will try the Safarilands some time. I have no choice but to use them for my 686+, as they are the only speedloader I know of for a 7 shot cylinder.

 

[308win]

Take some empty cases and fill the primer pocket with hot glue; let set; trim and you have ready-made and cheap snap caps that can't be mistaken for anything else.

 

[loplop]

For those of us that haven't reloaded... How do you get the spent primer out?

Great cost cutting idea, 308WIN. Maybe you could spray them red.

 

[Brassman]

Loplop

If you don't reload and have a resizing die with a decapper, you can punch the spent primer out of the case with a needle punch and a hammer. Stick the punch in the front of the case and center it there. Tap the punch with the hammer and the spent primer should pop out the head end of the case. It should take about a minute to do 5 cases.