The 642 club

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Ok went to the Denton, TX fun show today and came across these grips that I just had to have. I also picked this pocket holster up from HighVelocity to hold me over till my Galco arrives. This is a Desantis Nemesis, cheap and effective.

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Could somebody who has used both explain the differences in shooting with some of these beautiful wood boot grips vs. the stock rubber? I'm not talking about larger grips, but wood grips of the same length as stock. Do you have a harder time keeping a hold of the little bugger? Does it seem slippery? Is felt recoil any worse?

I can see that they would catch clothing less, and are simply gorgious, but wouldn't want to lessen the effectiveness of my "Pocket partner".

Thanks in advance.
 
The shooting isn't a whole lot different for a short period of time. At the range all day, can hurt the hands! Obviously, the rubber is going to absorb more recoil. But, they still work great for self-defense purposes.
 
I bought some really nice wood grips, the same size as the stock rubber grips, and loved the way they looked, felt and concealed. Then I went to the range, and could barely hold on to the gun. I had to reposition it in my hand after every shot. The rubber grips are back on.
 
TX1911fan, I feel the same way about wooden grips.

As much as I love the way they look and feel (aesthetically), I'm spoiled for rubber now on both my handguns. Perhaps it's because I have smaller hands and a bit less strength than some folks as a result, but I just like the positive grip that rubber offers over wood.

Of course, yes, different strokes for different folks. I'm not saying rubber grips are better for everyone.

I'm still planning on putting a set of Hogue softrubber grips on my 642 - longer than the stock grips as soon as my business gets a bit better (It's very slow right now.)

I want my little finger to have a place on the grips, regardless of what it does for concealability. For me, the virtue of the 642 is its weight. I'm not concerned that longer grips will make it slightly more difficult to conceal.
 
New member here. I would also like to join the club! A little history: I have been carrying J frames for 30+ years now. I started in 1975 with a model 49 Bodyguard which I still use as a backup at times. In 1998, I went 'Airweight' with a model 442 and pocket carry. In 2000 I gave the 442 to my son and bought the best carry gun I've ever used...the 642! I have never looked back.

The 642 is my 24/7 ccw. I carry it ankle, thunderwear, pocket, iwb in appendix position, and iwb 4:00, but mostly strong side pocket in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster. For most of the 30 years, I carried the old FBI load, but switched to the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain about 2 months ago. I use only the standard Boot Grips, and yes, they kick! But I also practice at least 100 rounds per month and can handle it just fine.

Sure I have other guns that I carry sometimes, but the 642 is on my person ALWAYS! And how much do I love J-frames? I own and carry a 642, 640-1, 640-no dash .38, 49, 60-no dash .38, and a 637. And I'm always looking for more!

The '642' rules the roost!
 
Here's a picture of my 642. The grips are cut out for the speedloader, and the finish is coming off, but, hey, it's a 'working gun'. The alloy won't rust and it doesn't bother me at all.





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Well I like to shoot it a fair amount so I think I'll stick with the rubber. I'll just drool over all your guys photos. Thanks for the responses.

Welcome to the party wrkerr!
 
just shot mine today for the first time after having it for months. 100 flawless rounds. i have to say, from alot of the things people were saying on here I was expecting alot of recoil. I am a pretty inexperienced shooter and havent learned much about handling recoil, and im not all that strong either.. but i had no problem with this gun's recoil. very easy to handle and very easy to line back up quickly. As for accuracy, i dont know really because i kept it at 10-15 yards where i couldnt miss if itried. I'd like to try it out with some +P loads though before I say its an easy to fire gun.

I'm going back to the range tomorrow to shoot it again
 
I don't get the complaints about recoil either. The other day I ran several hundred rounds through the gun in a single session. My right hand felt a bit cramped and arthritic when I was done, but that was more from the heavy trigger pull than recoil.

Of course I used to run .357 hunting loads through my Taurus 605C on a regular basis so I might not be normal. ;)
 
Good and Lobotomy Boy, I clearly need to come hang out with you two for a day at the range to learn how to shoot my 642 over a 100 times without discomfort. For me, about 25 or 30 rounds is usually "enough" (says my wrist).

I confess, however, that I usually shoot it second, after practice with my K9.

In fact, I'm suddenly clicking to something I hadn't considered before: given the different shooting styles required for those two - stiff wrist for the pistol, not for the revolver - that could be where I'm going wrong with practice with the 642: that is, perhaps even though I'm trying to relax a bit when using the revolver, I'm still a bit too much in "stiff wrist" mode after shooting the K9.

Maybe next time at the range, I'll just take the 642. It's my newest handgun anyway (I feel good about the K9 now), so I could use some focused practice with just the revolver. I'll just shoot up several boxes of fmj's and see what the wrist says then ...
 
dont get me wrong, the soreness is there. mainly i gripped it as high as i comfotably could to avoid as much rock back as possible. also, are you using a really hot round in it? I was shooting some really weak winchester white box ammo.
 
Thanks for the reassuring clarification, Good.

I've been shooting white box stuff, too, with a few rounds of 135 gr +P.

I know, also, that once I'm able to afford a few bucks for some new grips - so that I can get a better grip on it - it's going to be more comfortable.
 
Holy Moly, I have a 642 for years, but didn't know about the club! Do I get a patch?

If it's colder weather, I usually have a S&W Sigma 9mm, if I feel the need to carry - I don't always. In a good old North Carolina summer, if I feel the need to go heeled I usually just throw the 642 in a pocket, despite expert advice to the contrary. I do have inside and outside waistband holsters for the piece, but if ever a gun was made for the pocket, this is it. I've looked at a 342, but I just really like the 642's balance of size and weight for concealment and control.
 
I grew up on a farm where I did jobs like picking rocks and throwing hay bales from the time I was six years old. I still work out with dumbbells because I'm terrified of having little girlie-man arms like all the useless city boys in the office where I work, so I have big Popeye arms. That might help.
 
I'm a new 642 member! I saw it Tuesday at the local range and just had to get me a good little pocket gun. Bought it today and already ordered an Uncle Mikes pocket holster, 40 rounds of +P ammo (Spear Short Barrel and Magtech Guardian Gold), HKS Speedload and Bianchi Speed Strips. Am I missing anything?

I plan on taking this little thing with me everywhere I go.
 
You're Ready

"Am I missing anything?"

Sounds like you're all set. I carry the 642 in a FIST pocket holster with a spare speedstrip or two.
 
I'm in baby!!!

put down my 483 california dollars on a 642 tonight... In ten days of judicial torture I'll be sleeping with my honey...





1st question...



Can and will the grips that come stock on a model 60 fit on a 642?


Those grips fit my huge mits real nice...
 
update...642

My 642 now has around 1200 rounds thru it...a larger gun fell on the cylinder and marred the beadblast finish. I used a aerosol cleaner and the backstrap was in contact with it a bit too long...now my clearcoat is ate up!

The gun is starting to show its perverbial age :eek: ...still shoots good and gets the job done :D ...oh well... :what:
 
put down my 483 california dollars on a 642 tonight... In ten days of judicial torture I'll be sleeping with my honey...
Click to expand...


Holy hell!!!!

I bought mine for $339, plus tax from my dealer. Geez!!!!!!


www.sportingarms.com is where I got it. They are local to me. Then even have a Galco Pocket Horsehide for $37.00 for me that I am picking up today.
 
420 for the shooter, 31 for the DROS and 33 to W.



Everything cost more in Santa Cruz..




I guess I could have drove 60 miles to save 50 bucks..
 
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