The 642 club
- Thread starter fiVe
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IndyChris
Member
I usually carry my 642 IWB during the summer months. I got a cheapo Highnoon hidden ally for it, seems to work pretty good. Still can't shoot worth a crap with it, but it keeps center mass... 
Been a good little companion for me!
Been a good little companion for me!
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Greeting's All-
Well, I joined the S&W 642 crowd 'bout a month ago. Picked up a very
slightly used (but not abused) trade-in 642 for $200 + 9% sales tax,
making the total $218. I haven't yet retired my old S&W model 60,
but its well on the way!
Well, I joined the S&W 642 crowd 'bout a month ago. Picked up a very
slightly used (but not abused) trade-in 642 for $200 + 9% sales tax,
making the total $218.
I haven't yet retired my old S&W model 60,but its well on the way!
22luvr
Member
ALA Dan: Ya done good on that one...
$200? Man, that's a bargain, iff'n you can find one at all. The 442 and 642 must be a prized model because here in the Atlanta Metro area, one can scarcely find a used one anywhere. Lucky U.....
$200? Man, that's a bargain, iff'n you can find one at all. The 442 and 642 must be a prized model because here in the Atlanta Metro area, one can scarcely find a used one anywhere. Lucky U.....
fiVe
Member
Thanks for all the info. I want as many opinions/examples as possible, so keep posting!
When I bought mine last week, it was the only 642 he had. He also had only 1 Model 637, which is the external-hammered cousin to the 642. It would seem that Smith & Wesson has a winner here!
R/fiVe
When I bought mine last week, it was the only 642 he had. He also had only 1 Model 637, which is the external-hammered cousin to the 642. It would seem that Smith & Wesson has a winner here!
R/fiVe
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Yep I have one with a 940 cylinder installed
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Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Hello 22luvr my friend-
That's the benefits of working in a gunshop, and watching the trade-ins
very closely. The original owner complained of the stout trigger pull; so
he made a spur of the moment decision to trade for a Kel-Tec .380. I
wish he had brought the box and doc's in later; but heck I guess thats
the breaks isn't it?
That's the benefits of working in a gunshop, and watching the trade-ins
very closely. The original owner complained of the stout trigger pull; so
he made a spur of the moment decision to trade for a Kel-Tec .380. I
wish he had brought the box and doc's in later; but heck I guess thats
the breaks isn't it?
triage1998
Member
I'm using the Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P HP. Its my understanding this ammo is made specifically for 1-7/8" barrels
With a Bulman leather pocket holster
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Harbinger
Member
Ala Dan,
You did NOT just say the 60 was on his way to retirement!?!
Who are you and what did you do to the real Ala Dan?
You did NOT just say the 60 was on his way to retirement!?!
Who are you and what did you do to the real Ala Dan?
revolvergeek
Member
My 642 is fugly ever since it went swimming the the Gulf of Mexico with me last summer (note to self, salt water eats aluminum!). I normally use the smallest size of the LAW Concealment holsters (with the metal clip removed) as a pocket holster. It gets carried probably 80% of the time that I am armed.
Brian,
That is a very intresting looking 65. Could we have some details on that? I thought that was a 4-inch skinny barrel 64 at first glance.
Thanks,
Danny
Brian,
That is a very intresting looking 65. Could we have some details on that? I thought that was a 4-inch skinny barrel 64 at first glance.
Thanks,
Danny
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Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Greeting's Harbinger My Friend-
No sir, the old S&W model 60 isn't offically retired yet; as a matter of fact,
I still plan on toting it on rainy days and Sunday's!
And BTW, it rains a lot in Old Dixie~
No sir, the old S&W model 60 isn't offically retired yet; as a matter of fact,
I still plan on toting it on rainy days and Sunday's!
And BTW, it rains a lot in Old Dixie~
alamo
Member
Back to dryfiring. Put your snap caps away, S&W says it's OK to dry fire. From their website FAQ:
Q: Can I dry fire my Smith & Wesson?
A: Yes, except for the .22 caliber pistols which includes models 22A, 22S, 422, 2206, 2214, 2213 and 41.
.22 caliber revolvers such as models 17, 43, 63, 317 and 617 also should not be dry fired.
Q: Why can't I dry fire my .22 pistol or revolver?
A: Dry firing a S&W .22 pistol or revolver will cause damage to the firing pin.
http://customersupport.smith-wesson.com/pages/faqs
Q: Can I dry fire my Smith & Wesson?
A: Yes, except for the .22 caliber pistols which includes models 22A, 22S, 422, 2206, 2214, 2213 and 41.
.22 caliber revolvers such as models 17, 43, 63, 317 and 617 also should not be dry fired.
Q: Why can't I dry fire my .22 pistol or revolver?
A: Dry firing a S&W .22 pistol or revolver will cause damage to the firing pin.
http://customersupport.smith-wesson.com/pages/faqs
deputy tom
Member
642 is my EDC.I use Fed/Winch 158gr SWCHP's and dryfire plenty.No problems.tom.
JERRY
Member
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2003
- Messages
- 3,833
after all the arm twisting here.........i broke down and put in my order for a 642. there. are ya happy now?!
should be here by Wednesday.
going to compare it to my Taurus 850 cia Ti. since they are the same design and weight.
my 850cia Ti. is ported and shoots +p's easily......hows the recoil on the non-ported 642?
should be here by Wednesday.
going to compare it to my Taurus 850 cia Ti. since they are the same design and weight.
my 850cia Ti. is ported and shoots +p's easily......hows the recoil on the non-ported 642?
alamo
Member
Hey Jerry - you and I seem to be some of the few owners of Taurus Titanium 850 CIAs. I just don't see many comments about these.
I was hesitant to get a Taurus as my 4 other revolvers are all S&W (66, 686, 65LS & 60) but I was intrigued by the idea of a titanium revolver so that's why I got it over the 642.
I had to send it back to the factory before even firing a shot. It was so tight, the cylinder face was scrapping against the forcing cone, causing it to lock up frequently. I have to say though, Taurus fixed it up pretty quickly and it came back with a very nice trigger - smooth and not overly heavy at all. I have no complaints at all but sometimes I find myself wishing I had gotten the 642 for no other reason than it's a S&W.
I was hesitant to get a Taurus as my 4 other revolvers are all S&W (66, 686, 65LS & 60) but I was intrigued by the idea of a titanium revolver so that's why I got it over the 642.
I had to send it back to the factory before even firing a shot. It was so tight, the cylinder face was scrapping against the forcing cone, causing it to lock up frequently. I have to say though, Taurus fixed it up pretty quickly and it came back with a very nice trigger - smooth and not overly heavy at all. I have no complaints at all but sometimes I find myself wishing I had gotten the 642 for no other reason than it's a S&W.
MillCreek
Member
Alamo, I have a Taurus titanium 651, with which I have been quite pleased. 19.3 ounces loaded with 5 rounds of Speer Gold Dot .38+p 135 grain GDHPs. Pretty darn interesting to shoot with .357s, though.
fiVe
Member
Jerry: Glad to hear your news. The world can always use another 642 owner.
Is there anyone else who needs their arm "twisted"?
I've held a Taurus 850 CIA (the .38 version of the 650). The trigger was nice.
I've been dryfiring my 642 and its trigger is getting smoother. I'm still very pleased with it.
Anymore 642 owners out there? DHart, where are you?
R/fiVe
Is there anyone else who needs their arm "twisted"?
I've held a Taurus 850 CIA (the .38 version of the 650). The trigger was nice.
I've been dryfiring my 642 and its trigger is getting smoother. I'm still very pleased with it.
Anymore 642 owners out there? DHart, where are you?
R/fiVe
JERRY
Member
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2003
- Messages
- 3,833
ya know, i had a Taurus 851 Ti./Al. in my hands at the store.......ported barrel, bodyguard style........VERY light, had it been $50.00 cheaper i would have walked out with over the s&w that has to be ordered.i like the Taurus line up regarding their snubbies.
they are inovative, offer numerous configurations, priced right, and in my experience, reliable.
but this is a 642 thread so i'll leave it at that.
great gun
Congrats on your new gun here is what I've found with mine. I dont recomend the desantis pocket holster it comes right out with the gun and certainly doesnt stick like fly paper. I also wouldnt recomend +p158gr lswchp in it recoil is severe. I can however recomend Corbons new +p Powerballs though . I couldnt believe how much more accurate they were than everthing else I tried. Also for the record the gun weighs 15 ounces not 12 but thats a good thing. You dont want to go any lighter and your sure dont want to go 357 in this weight class. I didnt buy mine because of price I wanted 15 ounces because I consider that ideal. Oh and dryfire the hell out of it, by the time it hurts any thing you'll be ready for a new gun.
Congrats on your new gun here is what I've found with mine. I dont recomend the desantis pocket holster it comes right out with the gun and certainly doesnt stick like fly paper. I also wouldnt recomend +p158gr lswchp in it recoil is severe. I can however recomend Corbons new +p Powerballs though . I couldnt believe how much more accurate they were than everthing else I tried. Also for the record the gun weighs 15 ounces not 12 but thats a good thing. You dont want to go any lighter and your sure dont want to go 357 in this weight class. I didnt buy mine because of price I wanted 15 ounces because I consider that ideal. Oh and dryfire the hell out of it, by the time it hurts any thing you'll be ready for a new gun.
I've got a 642 for pocket carry, great little revolver. I load it with standard pressure Remington 110gr semi jacketed hp's. Very low recoil but it unfortunately has a nasty muzzle flash. I've tried 125 gr +p hp's, and I didn't notice much difference in recoil compared to the 158gr lrn I use for plinking.
I use the Desantis pocket holster while wearing deep pocket jeans, but I haven't run into the problem that Timothy75 reports. The holster is ok but I'd like to get something that breaks up the outline a little more while carrying it.
I use the Desantis pocket holster while wearing deep pocket jeans, but I haven't run into the problem that Timothy75 reports. The holster is ok but I'd like to get something that breaks up the outline a little more while carrying it.
Lord Bodak
Member
I don't know much about S&W snubbies, but the 442/642 have the completely enclosed hammer, right? The one that could be fired from a pocket without a snag? That's something Ruger doesn't offer in the SP-101 (the DAO still has an exposed hammer, just not a spur).
On the same note, the 638 is more like the DAO SP-101, right?
On the same note, the 638 is more like the DAO SP-101, right?
chieftain
Member
liked my model 38.
Then got a 649. Swapped the model 38
Then got a 638. Swapped the model 649.
Love my 638. In a kramer pocket holster.
My BUG. And often fast 'grabit' gun to the local stop and rob.
How does one spell Bodyguard fan. But as anyone will tell you. Never swap a working gun, you will always wish you had it back.
Use Winchester 158gr LSWCHP +P, and have for years.
Fred
Then got a 649. Swapped the model 38
Then got a 638. Swapped the model 649.
Love my 638. In a kramer pocket holster.
My BUG. And often fast 'grabit' gun to the local stop and rob.
How does one spell Bodyguard fan. But as anyone will tell you. Never swap a working gun, you will always wish you had it back.
Use Winchester 158gr LSWCHP +P, and have for years.
Fred
I bought a new 642 a few weeks ago after an "incident" by the house. Not a big deal except it showed me that I've become lax. I usually had my Model 65 with me but it's too heavy to pocket carry in sweatpants or shorts. I added a set of Crimson Trace grips (my first set) and it's in my pocket as I type at 0600. Even my Colt D/S is too heavy as a house gun.
We were taught that these little J frames were strictly a last resort "do or die" gun. Small enough to be concealable but at close range they'll do the job. The problem is I've gotten used to carrying it outside instead of the 3" Model 65. Since I don't run to the sound of gunfire anymore it's probably not a big deal but a heavier gun with a longer tube is more comforting.
Most of the detectives I worked with carried a Model 36 while working. I never could understand that as the 4" revolvers didn't need to be deeply concealed. As armed citizens we only need to protect ourselves, not protect and serve so we almost make our own rules for fight or flight.
Anyway, the 642, a great little gun for self defense.
Even my Colt D/S is too heavy as a house gun.We were taught that these little J frames were strictly a last resort "do or die" gun. Small enough to be concealable but at close range they'll do the job. The problem is I've gotten used to carrying it outside instead of the 3" Model 65. Since I don't run to the sound of gunfire anymore it's probably not a big deal but a heavier gun with a longer tube is more comforting.
Most of the detectives I worked with carried a Model 36 while working. I never could understand that as the 4" revolvers didn't need to be deeply concealed. As armed citizens we only need to protect ourselves, not protect and serve so we almost make our own rules for fight or flight.
Anyway, the 642, a great little gun for self defense.
bubbygator
Member
Hey, Dinosaur. Practice with your Crimson Trace - I've become confident with mine out to 15 yards: 5 quick shots in COM. The snub nose is not limited in ballistic accuracy at that distance; it's only the aiming that's limited. Crimson Trace solves that.
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