The 642 club

[ardito40]

5001 Celebration

Oh I want to be in on it! I'm a trained vocalist. I can sing the National Anthem along with the band!

Plus, my minor at college is journalism, so if you need help with that speech, fiVe, let me know.

Do any of you let your 642 wives on this thread? Still waiting to hear a female perspective.

bkastel - From one newbie to another, according to all the posts I've read so far, we've made the most brilliant choice of CCW possible. You don't think they're biased in any way, do you?

I don't have my license yet. Less than 2 weeks til my class. Then hopefully my delightful boyfriend won't worry so much about me. (Yeah, right, I know, it's a guy thing)

JFH - I've been to the cornerdcat site - thanks

jt1 - what is Bianchi? Would that speed strip be a rubber pre-loaded strip to carry 5 extra rounds in each? What about the round ones? Is that better for a revolver? Be nice, guys. Remember, total newbie here!

And just what "gr" rounds and ammo type should I be practicing with at the range? I tried wad-cutters and found them to be less punishing than regular FMJ. Any opinions? Oh wait! That was a silly question. I have a feeling you are all quite opinionated! Nonetheless, I appreciate your vast experience.

I leave you with another Jefferson quote from my beloved:

Laws that forbid the carrying of arms..disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed one. - Thomas Jefferson quoting Cesare Beccaria, Criminologist in 1764.

 

[jt1]

bkastel - Welcome to the 642 Club. You are in good company here and we are pleased to have you with us. Although you list a S&W 640 as your final selection, I will assume that is a typo and you have the 642. It seems you certainly did your homework and I can tell you your decision was a wise one. I like the Blackhawk line as well and the SERPA is a great system, I have been considering one for awhile. I currently use a Blackhawk Speed Classic for belt carry as I tend to like leather a bit better. You might also look into pocket carry using a Mika pocket holster as this combination is the best I have found for CCW carry and a lot of us here use it. My current carry load is from Buffalo Bore and is the Standard pressure 158gr LSWCHP (20C), as a reload I carry eight rounds of Buffalo Bore 158gr. LSWCHP +P (20A) in speed strips. Another popular and effective load is the Speer 135gr +P Short Barrel round. You also made a good choice with the CT 405's, just be sure you become proficient using the gun without the laser before you become too dependent on it. Again, welcome and we hope to hear more from you.

 

[jt1]

ardi - Yes, the speed strips are from Bianchi. Here is a link to the post explaining my use of them:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=3323146&postcount=2727

I spend about ten minutes a day drilling with them and my proficiency is much improved since the original report.

Opinionated? biased?...US?... I should think not! Just because we know what is best doesn't stop us from listening to other folks misguided opinions.

I generally practice with 158gr wadcutters, same weight as my carry load and they make such nice, neat holes.

 

[ardito40]

Speed strips

JT1 - thanks so much for the explanation.

Will try to locate some.

 

[AStone]

Ardi, you've definitely come to the right place. So glad to have another woman present in the club. I nominate you for the official club anthem singer. (Of course, we've yet to decide what our anthem will be. Guns and Roses or 38 special could indeed have one for us. They might even write one for us.)

BK, welcome in. Good story. Don't worry about length of post. None of the rest of us do. Those that don't want to read just won't. The rest of us will.

JT, sorry about my laughter earlier. I thought you were making a joke about 5001 and 200 pages. (Remember, I'm a math nerd, so I tend to notice number trends. Which means you and others are saddled with the responsibility of keeping us straight about 642 technical issues like best rnd, practice rnd, how to trouble shoot malfunctions, holster models, and such, which you do so well.)

So, this page v post issue.

vBulletin (at least this version of it) - the software used for THR forum - seems to be set to put exactly 25 posts per page. You'll note that starting with page 1 and every fourth page from there (5, 9, 13, etc) starts at "xx1" (or these days, ("xxx1"), and ends 25 posts later.

fiVe's thread-starting, 642-history-making post was #1. That page ends at #25.
Page 4 begins with 76, ends with 100, then at the top of page 5 is 101, top of page 9 is 201, page 13 is 301, and so on.

So, if my calculations are correct, post #5001 will occur at the top of page 201.
(And if I'm right, will they name a comet after me? Comet Nem?)

OK, I gotta go check my fireworks supply and make sure it stays dry for the big celebration.
Then, I'm going to bed early. I worked all weekend; another day tomorrow.

Nem

PS: This thread is not only very informative - I've learned so much here - but just plain fun. You people rock.




This only works for those who have left their default show thread quantity at 25, some folks change their options to show more

 

[bkastel]

Thanks

jt1, Thanks for the suggestion on a pocket holster. I'm still pretty new at this stuff but am feeling more comfortable every day.

I looked up the Mika pocket holster that you recommended and have a question: Is the material on the outside of the hostler something that helps keep the holster in the pocket when pulling the gun out? Does it ever come out with the gun?

That would be a great option in the warmer months when I want to carry in a pocket instead of under a shirt or jacket.

BTW - I had the S&W 640 on my mind because I researched and tried one of those also. I DID end up with a S&W 642-2. Your suggestion is well taken on using a laser as an assistant but not as the primary method for aiming. I've been shooting handguns for 25+ years and the CT-405 is the first laser I ever bought. It's electronic and can fail so it is not the primary method for acquiring a target. Once again it's a confidence thing. Thanks again.

 

[fiVe]

Nem: You are correct.

1001 - pg 41
2001 - pg 81
3001 - pg 121
4001 - pg 161
5001 - will be on 201

Is the material on the outside of the hostler something that helps keep the holster in the pocket when pulling the gun out? Does it ever come out with the gun?

You are correct (welcome to the club!). I've never had my Mika round-cut come out with the revolver. Robert's design is outstanding.

Regards,
fiVe

 

[jt1]

...post #5001 will occur at the top of page 201.

...5001 - will be on 201

Then post #5000 will be on page 200:

...maybe we can get #5000 and page 200 all at the same time.

So what is the equation for determining what page post X will occur on?

 

[DAdams]

ardito40

Do any of you let your 642 wives on this thread? Still waiting to hear a female perspective.

My wife would find this nonsense , but she does have a 642-2 with CT 405s in a Mika in her nightstand.

 

[308win]

Do any of you let your 642 wives on this thread? Still waiting to hear a female perspective.

If I had 642 wives I wouldn't have time for this or any other thread!! I have to ask myself if I really want to be associated with a polygamist so egregious as to have 642 wives.

 

[MassMark]

I looked up the Mika pocket holster that you recommended and have a question: Is the material on the outside of the hostler something that helps keep the holster in the pocket when pulling the gun out? Does it ever come out with the gun?

First, welcome to the Club! As a new 642-Head, you'll find a wealth of information regarding all manners of accessories. I have tried, but have yet to pull my Mika out of my pocket when I draw my 642CT. I'm not sure what kind of magic thread he uses, (some sort of silicone I would guess), but my Mika stays put - no matter what pants I'm wearing. The gun does not fit tightly into the holster like a standard rig and there's nothing for it to get hung up on.

 

[jt1]

I've never had my Mika round-cut come out with the revolver. Robert's design is outstanding.

bkastel - Yes, Robert builds one of the best pocket holsters available. Since I have used his round cut I have not considered even looking for another type.

323196[/ATTACH]"]

The grippy material works great and holds the holster very securely.

323198[/ATTACH]"]

The holster provides full coverage and excellent protection.

323200[/ATTACH]"]

The holster mouth is reinforced with an internal strip that keeps the mouth open for one handed reholstering. This is probably the best feature of this design. It allows you to get a complete combat grip including access to the trigger while the gun is still holstered and concealed in your pocket. Talk about a tactical advantage! The holster will not disappear in your pocket, but it doesn't print as a gun and most folks will never even notice. The Mika round cut receives my highest recommendation.

 

[Stainz]

Friday afternoon found my wife and I at a brand new shopping center to visit a Wally World super-duper center 'Grand Opening'. A great question here would be why - as they all carry the same stuff. At any rate, I found myself in the Sporting goods - at the back wall, behind an end cap and facing said back wall - out of surveilence - except for a fellow I noticed shadowing me on one aisle - obviously not shopping, but avoiding eye contact. He looked young - maybe sixteen - but was wearing sloppy/drooping pants, a funky jacket, and a watch cap (tobogan) pulled down - it was sunny and 60's outside. He was paralleled on the aisle on my other side by a similarly attired, although a few years older, fellow - whom my wife had noted 'following me' from aisle to aisle - then suddenly going straight at me down that aisle.

My wife hollered, I turned quickly to see the one in her direction maybe three feet from me. I instinctively reached for my 642... and he stopped - nodded - and took off - as did the younger fellow, who, right hand in his pocket, was maybe five feet away when he saw the other fellow book. I tried to follow them, but they just dissappeared in different directions. My wife was very distraught, although I told her they probably were just Jehovah's Winess's wanting to share a Watchtower with me. She thought the worst, of course. We just left - quickly. I should have reported it to the manager - but, to be honest, I was just shocked.

I never presented the 642 - or any part of it (Hooray for fat guy sized cargo pants!). It was comforting just having it there - my hand on it, finger outside the trigger guard - ready to go. But, it saddened me, too. That was the site of 'Eastwood Mall', the first indoor mall near Birmingham. Dating back to the early 60's, it was heated/cooled by an underground river. A five and dime in there, 'McCrory's, I believe, even carried racks of cosmoline-packed WWII rifles - Enfields, Moisin-Nagants, Mausers, and even that Italian 6.5 that was used to murder JFK - $10-$20. Times have changed. I won't be back.

I bought two more pair of those pants Saturday - at a nearby K-Mart... my 642 even goes to church with me, sad to say.

Stainz

PS It was in a Mika's pocket a la the previous post, of course, and sporting Remi 158gr +P LHPSWC's. I was about to soil that nice new floor.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

642-1

642-1...bought it new 10 years ago...carry it daily either as BUG or primary

 

[Phydeaux642]

Stainz, glad to hear it didn't need to go any farther than that. You are right about "times have changed", though. The town I live in used to be a lot more laid back than it is at present. Now, there are all kinds of strange happenings going on. I'm fairly new to CC, but now I almost feel naked if I don't have the 642 on my person. It's seems like a wise old friend to me at times.

And, welcome to the clubhouse to all of the new members out there.

_______________


"Phydeaux, bad dog....no biscuit!"

 

[jt1]

Stainz - A sad commentary on the current state of affairs in this country today. Just goes to show you never know when or where. You and Mrs. Stainz are to be commended on your situational awareness and active defense techniques. Sounds like you make a great team. I'm glad you were able to control the situation without further escalation, but I am even happier you were prepared to defend yourself and your family. I am left to wonder what the result would have been to an unarmed and unprepared person oblivious to their surroundings. Take care.

Cocked & Locked - Nice to see one showing some honest wear.

 

[ardito40]

Stainz - Wally World

Wow! Mr. Stainz, I hate to appear like a "Polly Anna" here (OK, I"ll admit I am, much to my boyfriend's great distress) but you really thought those guys would pull guns and rob you and/or the Mrs. in the middle of a store? Is that not unusual in your area? I agree that the description and behavior of the men would make me think the same thing. But I just don't want to think that happens in America. I think it's bad enough that I worry about parking lots at night!

Wake up Ardito, and get the license, carry the gun. And so I shall. How sad.

Glad Mr. & Mrs. S are safe and had the wherewithall to get through a difficult situation, supposedly none the worse for wear, but actually I imagine quite shaken by the whole thing.

 

[ardito40]

Straight-shooter

How's the 649 working for your wife? Did you get spring kit installed? If so, did it help?

I'm STILL wanting to hear from some ladies out there.

 

[jt1]

...Wake up Ardito, and get the license, carry the gun...

And this is a good thing, but only a small part of the overall requirment. More important is to develop the proper mindset and attitude towards a CCW lifestyle. Find a good training program or start reading. Start pratice drills and do them every day. You can make a game out of being aware of your enviroment and soon it becomes second nature, and it needs to be, always there running in the background. It's not always easy, but it's always nessary. When you think you are starting to become a little obsessed with awareness and defensive what-if senarios, then you are doing it right. Bad things happen to good people everyday and when it comes right down to it you can only count on one person. Guess who that is?

 

[DAdams]

Stainz

My wife was very distraught, although I told her they probably were just Jehovah's Winess's wanting to share a Watchtower with me.

Yes that's what I was thinking. The only problem for the choir boys; they were a few steps away from having what I'm sure would have denegrated into a religious experience.

L&L, very nice 642. Love those that grip set up and the "horns".



Don't leave home without it, or something like it.

You can make a game out of being aware of your enviroment and soon it becomes second nature, and it needs to be, always there running in the background. It's not always easy, but it's always nessary. When you think you are starting to become a little obsessed with awareness and defensive what-if senarios, then you are doing it right. Bad things happen to good people everyday and when it comes right down to it you can only count on one person. Guess who that is?

Well Put jt1.

Here is an excerpt from.....

On Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs - Dave Grossman
By LTC (RET) Dave Grossman, author of "On Killing."


Understand that there is nothing morally superior about being a sheepdog; it is just what you choose to be. Also understand that a sheepdog is a funny critter: He is always sniffing around out on the perimeter, checking the breeze, barking at things that go bump in the night, and yearning for a righteous battle. That is, the young sheepdogs yearn for a righteous battle. The old sheepdogs are a little older and wiser, but they move to the sound of the guns when needed right along with the young ones.
Here is how the sheep and the sheepdog think differently. ......

Denial is a save-now-pay-later scheme, a contract written entirely in small print, for in the long run, the denying person knows the truth on some level.
And so the warrior must strive to confront denial in all aspects of his life, and prepare himself for the day when evil comes. If you are warrior who is legally authorized to carry a weapon and you step outside without that weapon, then you become a sheep, pretending that the bad man will not come today. No one can be "on" 24/7, for a lifetime. Everyone needs down time. But if you are authorized to carry a weapon, and you walk outside without it, just take a deep breath, and say this to yourself...
"Baa."

If you are not familar with On Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs by Dave Grossman
Here is a link to one of many reprints.

http://www.globalspecialoperations.com/sws.html

 

[ardito40]

Mika

To all who have recommended Mika's pocket, I just ordered one for boyfriend and one for myself. Thanks

I also ordered CCW purse from CCWsupply.com. Since I hadn't heard from other women, I decided to go ahead.

Thanks to all for your advice!

 

[helpless]

Just picked it up today. Cant wait to shoot it.

 

[jt1]

helpless - 350.00 dollars? You and ardito40 should team up, the new Bonnie and Clyde. Seems you two already know how to rob gun stores!

 

[helpless]

helpless - 350.00 dollars? You and ardito40 should team up, the new Bonnie and Clyde. Seems you two already know how to rob gun stores!

For all the money you spend and all the times you pay up to and over full price, I am not about to feel guilty for finally getting a deal.

 

[DAdams]

Defensive Backup

A pocketful of SGD 135s is comforting to be sure. But lately I have been contemplating defensive situations which might require a different tactic or additional weaponry.

I ordered one of these after doing some research. Might be junk, who knows. Lists for about $90. A good flashlight costs $40 dollars.
I am seeking volunteers for the stun portion of my evaluation....may have to await a dog attack.

Lightening Rod. 800,000 Volts. Built in flashlight.



Here is some promo material and description, I found it for $40 after shopping around a bit.

http://www.beststungun.com/streetwise-stun-gun-pen.html?gclid=CPCorPXbto8CFQRuZQod1A6ncg

I also picked up a Fenix Second Generations V.02 L1T (1AA) LED Flashlight with momentary on/off which Fenix did not have in V.01 from the same place.

http://www.eliteled.com/products/gadgets/lightning-pen.html

=======================================================
From the Gadget Department. Lowes has the Gerber Clutch for $17.99. 2 inches by 1/4. Nice pocket multi for a great price.
Full size was $30. Xmas is just around the corner.