The 642 club

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6Gunslinger,

Welcome to The 642 Club!

And I must say, your taste in firearms is exquisite! :D

A K-22 as your first gun, and a 5-screw no less? Dang, you went right out and bought the Bently didn't you?

I love my K-22 Target Masterpiece, a Model 17 no dash made in 1959. It was the first gun my sister ever fired, and she's hooked (though she likes my 686 better). It always goes to the range with me. It is cheap and fun to shoot, and is great for learning and refining the fundamentals of grip, trigger control, and sight alignment. I'll NEVER let mine go.


K22_12-1.jpg

K-22_7ydsslowfire.jpg
 
thanks man, I appreciate that. Yeah, I did a lot of research and was able to pick the K-22 up for about $350 on gunbroaker, so how could I go wrong! It was either that or a 22 auto Beretta... I think I made the right choice! the only place it is lacking is in the finish, its about 90% and has some scratches at the tip of the barrel, but nbd. you have a very nice collection yourself! (of guns & grouping) thanks
 
6Gunslinger: Welcome to the 642 Club and another inside growing fraternity: Those who posted their first post in this forum. I joined The High Road specifically for this very thread. Though I'm enjoying many other threads on THR, The 642 Club is home here for me. Welcome again!
 
I may be looking to join the club in the near future, so I'm here with a few questions. I will likely be wanting to pocket carry a 642 with crimson trace grips on it.

  • It seems like buying a 642 with the CT grips already installed is a slightly cheaper way to get what I want. Is this a reasonable sentiment?
  • It also looks like the only factory-made CT 642 uses the LG-305 grips, which are a bit larger than the LG-405's also available. Are the 305's too big for pocket carry?
  • Further along those lines, is there any consensus on whether the additional security of the larger 305 grips is worth the additional bulk in the pocket? Can you still draw a 305 equipped 642 fairly quickly from most pockets?

Thanks guys.
 
Ankle rig

I got some really good input on an Ankle rig for a J-frame question when I posted it on the open forum. I decided to buy a DeSantis Apache ankle rig.

http://www.desantisholster.com/062.html

If anyone is thinking about ankle carry for their x42, IMHO this is the way to do it. For $30 - $40 you can't go wrong (I bought it on eBay for 35.00) I've worn it for the better part of the last 3 days. It has a piece of sheepskin behind were the gun sits. Its not too hot and it doesn't slide down my leg when walking or even running. This is a great way to carry your x42 without having the the bulge in your pocket. The draw is not as fast, but at least you can better conceal your gun if you are wearing a shirt that has to be tucked (dress or work clothes). The "holster" part of the rig is an elastic band that covers the whole gun except the butt. The elastic pulls the gun tight to your leg so it doesn't print. The entire rig can be put on and taken off in seconds. It is a wide velcro band that wraps around your leg. It has a canvas retention strap that uses velcro to secure your gun.
This might be a good option for those who aren't allowed to carry at work but do it anyway.
 
HarnsKeith: - Welcome! For once, I have answers. Yes, the 642CT is a bit larger in the grip than factory, (or the 105's), but it still pocket carries very nicely. I have a Mika round cut and am ordering a square cut. The gun does not print and draws easily. In a pocket-only scenario, (not recommended), it was a bit touger to draw, but if I hung it out over the rear corner of my pocket, it was a jiff to draw quickly. I'd get a Mika though, as it takes the pistol signature down greatly. .

I had to send my factory CT grips back to S&W for replacement, (elevation screw was missing). I had both Pachmayr and factory J-frame grips while my CT's were gone and hated them. The factory CT's balance so well and feel right in my hand. Plus there's no denying the cool factor in a set of Crimson Trace lasergrips with the Smith and Wesson logo on the side... ;)
And yes, it will be more expensive to retrofit down the road, (unless you go with a lesser model), so my advice is to buy as one package;

I love the extra feature of the laser on board and love that Smith and Wesson thought to made it a stock feature on this gun. Like peas and carrots.... I hope you enjoy your 642CT - a smart and powerful choice.
 
Welcome to the Club 6Gunslinger and HornsKeith.

6Gunslinger, you made the following statement in your post . . .

once I get some practice under my belt the 642 will serve duty for home security (I live in a small condo), glove compartment duty (when driving through the "questionable" neighborhoods) as well as the occasional carry once I have my CCW.
Click to expand...

If I read this correctly, you're planning to carry in your glove compartment prior to getting your permit. I know laws are different state to state, but where I live (Virginia) glove compartment carry is considered to be concealed and requires a permit. You may want to check this out.
 
Glove compartment, under seat, covered up anywhere inside vehicle, etc. is considered CCW in NC also. The same goes for SC, I'm pretty sure.
 
Ditto Ohio. Under current law (R.C. 2923.12.), the gun must be unloaded and stored in either: A compartment that can be reached only by leaving the vehicle such as a trunk or lockbox; In plain sight and secured in a rack or holder made for the purpose; In plain sight with the action open or the weapon stripped, or, if the firearm is of a type on which the action will not stay open or which cannot easily be stripped, in plain sight.
 
HornsKeith-

I have a 642 and a set of CT 405s.

The 642 just came back from S&W on a warranty repair and I haven't had a chance to put on the grips and try them out. Needless to say you have to be very busy ;) doing something extremely fun or work related to relegate this activity to the back burner. In my case work related. :cuss: Tomorrow's another day and hopefully I will have the opportunity to make some red dots on the wall or lamps or soap stars on TV. :eek:

I do like the idea of the S&W logo on the grips. Can't provide a comparison on the relative merits of the two. I paid $229. for the 405s from Discovery Optics (includes shipping and great service).

I am getting a M&P 340 in the future and will order it from the factory with the larger set and have both and join in on the "cool factor". My hand is a "medium" and the 405s are a perfect "pinky under" for me. This is another one of those few cases where smaller is better in my view.

My wife will get the 642 eventually with whichever grip I don't want for her "bedside manner":rolleyes: .
 
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Do 3 640's, 1 642, 1 940 & 1 442 make be bonafied?
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Oh, no, sorry. :scrutiny: You must have a 637 as well. Please check back once you've acquired one.

:p

Kidding. Welcome to new members.

Nem, whose lunch is being eaten again this week by not one, but two MAJOR :eek: projects at work, so will be unfortunately scarce here for a while longer. Gad, what was I thinking ...
 
...I know laws are different state to state... /... is considered CCW in NC... /... Under current law (R.C. 2923.12.)...
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What ever happened to the "...shall not be infringed." part??


ChuckB - I got the speed strip idea from the 642 club thread, I modified it to fit my needs, check this link:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=2753560&postcount=918

6Gunslinger / HornsKeith / 351 WINCHESTER - Welcome one and all, we are happy to have you here. I sure don't mind seeing a photo or ten. If you have seen them all, start over again.
 
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thanks guys, I live in Nevada and if I'm correct its okay to have a gun anywhere in your car (glove compartment included) as long as it is not on your person... but I guess I should check it out again just to make sure. I know that certain areas like North Las Vegas (which is actaully a seperate city) doesn't allow it so I'm not sure what you do if you need to drive through N.L.V. to get back to L.V.??? or to Boulder City for that matter. If anybody has anymore info I'd appreciate it. Thanks for the heads up!
 
Packing.org is a good place to go when you are traveling through different states to inquire about their particular laws. They state up front that their information possibly could be inaccurate, but it will give you a good idea of the laws from state to state. I used their info. 2 years ago as my wife and I took a trip from North Carolina to California and back through 15 states (to visit oldest son in USCG).
 
thanks Brassman. I've got another question for all you guys. Like I mentioned, I just got the 642 and haven't taken it shooting yet. Since my only other real experience is with my K22, what would be the best ammo to start off with in the 642? I bought some 130gr full-metal jacket American Eagles because they were on sale when I bought the gun....not sure if a 110gr would have been better.... I'm not particularly concerned about the recoil in the Airweight, maybe I should be, let me know what you guys think would be the best way to "ease" into the 642. thanks
 
6Gunslinger - You will do fine with the 130 gr. Just make sure you have eye and hearing protection. Not much in the way of "ease" required. Just hold on tight, after a few rounds you will get the hang of it. You will know it's not a .22 but it's not as bad as you are expecting. Let us know how you like it.
 
Well, I guess after reading all these posts, there was nothing left for me to do but to become a member of the 642 Club. I picked mine up last week. I'd like to thank everybody on this forum and in this thread especially for helping me make an informed decision.

V/R Robert
 
m9x18: Welcome to the club. You are part of a growing group who have made their 1st post to THR here in the 642 Club.

I assume by your member name that you have/had ties to a Makarov (I recently sold my East German).

We are glad to have you.

Regards,
fiVe
 
Thank you for the welcome. And yes you're right about the Makarov. Right now I have a Russian, a Bulgarian and an East German. Fine little guns all.
 
I'm not particularly concerned about the recoil in the Airweight, maybe I should be, let me know what you guys think would be the best way to "ease" into the 642.
Click to expand...
Before hitting the range first time, dry fire it many times. (Warning: triple check unloaded status before doing so.) Find the most comfortable position for holding it.

First times with live ammo, use both hands. If right handed, use left hand under grip to support.

The biggest surprise with an airweight will be the twist. NOT the recoil, but the counterclockwise twist.

Having said that, it is NOT unmanageable at all, even with stock grips.
(I put full grips on mine because I like that extra margin of control. YMMV.)

For the first ten shots, don't focus on aiming. Just point and shoot. Squeeze the trigger oh so slowly, making note of where the hammer drops. Doesn't matter where ...or even if, the bullet hits a target. Just come to feel the experience.

Then, shoot the rest of the first box, and call it good.

Take it home for more dry fire practice while thinking about your first time with it.

Soon after, it'll be second nature.

Nem
 
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