The 642 club

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Grips and speedloaders

Are the factory boot grips cut to allow enough space for the use of speedloaders? I've read conflicting reports. If they are not, could someone reccommend a set of small, compact grips that will allow me to properly use a speedloader? Thanks.
 
No Go...

led4thehed2:Are the factory boot grips cut to allow enough space for the use of speedloaders? I've read conflicting reports. If they are not, could someone reccommend a set of small, compact grips that will allow me to properly use a speedloader? Thanks.
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First, welcome to the 642 Club! I know at least for the 642CT, HKS Speedloaders wil not clear the grips. They can be used, but it's going to take some practice drills under stress, (ask me how I know). I think SpeedStrips may be the way to go, however I sent an E-Mail to BufferTech with the same question in regards to their speedloaders which actually inject the cartridges under spring tension into the cylinder.
 
Nem

Have been away for a couple of days and I am just getting caught up on all that has transpired while away. I have not been to the ammo poll since entering my choices the other day. As you know, I am an avid reloader and enjoy it as much as shooting, but I have reservations about including reloads in the poll. Wouldn't including reloads be, in a way, condoning carrying these reloads as SD ammo? Use of comparable reloads in practice is a common way of keeping ammo costs down, but actually carrying them, or even giving the impression that we condone carrying reloads is not wise from a legal point of view, in my opinion. Just my 2 pennies. What do you think? Maybe this has already been addressed over on the poll. If so, belay my last.
 
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I got my 36 back.

I carried a mdl 36 as an off duty and CCW sidearm for years. Then my wife became a Deputy Sheriff and my 36 never seemed to be where I left it.

She carried a 9mm auto or a Mdl 10 snubby, and the 36 off duty until we both left LE.

I got the 36 back for a while as she didn't feel a need for it during the years we lived on the ranch.

When we moved back to town, the 36 disappeared again. This time I felt I was justified in buying a 640-1 as a replacement and all was well.

A couple of weeks ago, she decided she should get her CCW permit. It should be arriving any day.

This morning she said she thought she should get a lighter revolver if she is going to carry all the time.

Well, it just so happens there is a gun show in town this weekend. She was finally able to drag me out the door even though I resisted mightily.

We checked out all the guns at the show and she chose a NIB 642.

I'm going to start her off on some light loads until she gets a handle on it. We substituted some Pach's for the S&W boot grips. She doesn't like the boot grips on the 36 and they sure won't help on the 642.

She should do alright, she doesn't like my magnums, but she is deadly with a Model 14 6" and a model 10 2" .38 with hot loads.

I still don't have a 642, but you guys have tolerated me here since the git-go of this thread, but I'm getting closer. She may even let me shoot it.

If she does, I may let her shoot the Seecamp .32 I picked today. It ain't no barn burner, but it's cuter than a speckled pup!!
 
Use of comparable reloads in practice is a common way of keeping ammo costs down, but actually carrying them, or even giving the impression that we condone carrying reloads is not wise from a legal point of view, in my opinion. Just my 2 pennies. What do you think?
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B'man,

I think I'll defer to others on that matter. I'm just the pollster, and honestly don't know enough about handloads and their legalities and ethics to offer an opinion.

Nem
 
Great poll! It looks like the 135 GDHP's are holding their own. Some great discussion going on as well. With 1,000 of these puppies inbound as I type this, it will be good to get to know this round as I will be able to afford to train with the round I'm carrying. That's a first for me. I would only shoot a "box here and a box there" of my Golden Sabres in my .45, but from here out, (at least for the next 980-rounds, I'll be solely using 135 +P GDHP for practice and carry 100%. That to me seems kind of a good thing..
 
MassMark

It will be interesting to see how the 642 holds up to a steady diet of +P if you shoot them up over a short enough period of time. I would be looking for flame cutting of the top strap and forcing cone in addition to peening of the face of the frame that faces the rear of the cylinder.
 
Never Thought Of That...

308Win,

Thanks for the heads up! Will be monitoring for that for sure. Will likely shoot about 50-rounds per week +/- A bit of a torture test I suppose?
 
Range Crazy

So I went out to the range last weekend. The range master has basically gone crazy. In an effort to perserve the bullet traps, he has moved all targets back to 20 yards plus. Out of 10 shots, my poor little mule made 2 center hits and 8 shots lost in space. The only thing this decision is going to perserve for me is MY TARGETS. :banghead:

At least the beretta 92FS made some dents in the target. :eek:
 
642 is a pussy cat...

The wife and I went out and gave her new 642 a test run.

Used some 30 year old SWC target loads for the first go round.. No sweat, she put them where she aimed and said recoil was negligible.

Reloaded with White box 130 FMJ's. Right on the money, and again she said the recoil wasn't a problem.

So, we went to White box +P JHP's. She said she could tell the difference, but it was not bad to shoot.

She let me try it for a whole two rounds!! Hey, that thing is a sweetheart.

She dumped the Speer 125 grn +P GDHP's out of my Mdl 36, handed it to me, and loaded them in her 642, and said "I like it."

Well, at least I got my 36 back.
 
In an effort to preserve the bullet traps, he has moved all targets back to 20 yards plus.
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Doc, that's outrageous. Surely they're going to get complaints.

Is this a paid club? Can't they just raise fees slightly to cover their costs?

My club doesn't have a 7 yd set of targets on the main range. Closest for me is 12 yds. I have enough trouble with those with my 642, let alone 20.

(Admittedly, I'm new there and have only used the "public range" so far. I'm hoping on some of the other ranges, I will be allowed to set up a 7 yd target, but I haven't pushed that issue yet because I'm a newbie there...)
 
308WIN: I am going to shoot my 1k of GDHP 38 +P through my Scandium MP340. I probably won't be training with or carrying my 442 much, since the 340 is just a little nicer to carry. I will certainly keep the thread apprised of how it handles the diet of +P's. Flame cutting may be reduced by the steel insert at the top of the frame (compared to a x42, at least)?

I will be mixing practice ammo in with my GDHP's, though, I shoot too much to blow through my SD purchase so quickly. I do keep detailed records of rounds sent downrange, FWIW, so perhaps we will still find relevance.

The ammo poll has turned out interesting.
 
loplop

I didn't notice any bullet-pull when I was shooting the Speer 135gr +P through my M&P 340, although I noticed the bullets were all crimped a bit inconsistently. The case mouth was located within the cannelure differently among different loads. I didn't see anything indicating the bullets had jumped the crimp, where the case mouth was below and outside the cannelure. At the very bottom of the cannelure, perhaps. I only ran 30-40 round of it through the gun, though, checking the 5th round after firing the first 4 rounds with each cylinder load. The 125gr .357 Magnum Golden Sabre, however, exhibited obvious bullet movement in my gun, in my hands. Overall length and obvious difference in brass color where the bullet jacket had been pulled out from under the case mouth made it easy to see.
 
Nema,

It is a paid club but completely run and owned by the local AFB. Since the AFB is only worried about the military being qualified on the 9mm and sighting in their long guns, their "give-a-care" factor is very low. There are rumors that the military may remove the bullet catchers and replace them with dirt berms. If this happens then the pistol range may actually become a pistol range again.

The only other option I have is an indoor shooting range. With the cost being $20 an hour to shoot there, I have only utilized this range to sight in my guns.

:(
 
My Mika...

I'm working late, trying to catch up on paperwork, (I'm drastically behind). Sure feels good being in town late at night with my 642CT tucked into my Mika Holster! I picked it up at the Post Office this afternoon! It is truly one of the most functional holsters I have ever owned. I am going to order a square cut immediately. It is not pretty by any stretch. No fancy Corinthian leather, no shiny snaps. It is what it is and it's a supreme, functional piece of equipment. Mr. Mika hits a home run with this holster. My name written on the inside of the holster makes it my very own and is a nice touch. In jeans, the round cut is perfect. Even tonight, I'm wearing square-cut pockets and the gun just does not print...Draws 100-times easier than pocket carry alone and the holster stays put - even in a pocket it was not designed for. Sucker is like magic! Awesome!

Mr. Mika, if you're reading this: Thank you very much for producing such a nice addition to my Smith and Wesson and a great peace of mind wile carrying it. I'm proud to own it. :)
 
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Thanks for all the great info...

I have been stopping in here several times a day trying to read everything I possible could over the last two weeks. I picked up my 642 today. Truly a beautiful gun, not enough can said about it. Not to mention, pictures don't begin to do it justice.

I look forward to being a part of this knowledgeable and active community. Thank you for all the information thus far, and, I thank you in advance for all the help and information I look forward to acquiring.
 
NOTW - Let me be the first to welcome you to the 642 club. We are happy you have chosen to join us and are looking forward to adding you to our conversations. I'm sure you'll come to like you new little handful even more as time goes on.
 
Ammo poll update

At this hour, 135 gr. Speer Gold Dot +P continues to dominate with 31.55%.

158 gr. LSWCHP FBI +P (specify brand) trail at a distant 2nd at 17.11%,
and "Other: please specify" comes in 3rd at 15.51%.

All other contenders register in single digits.
________

What are we to conclude from these early results?

Does this mean that 135 gr. Speer Gold Dot +P are "superior",
or that people are using them because they think they are?

:scrutiny:
 
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