The 642 club

[fiVe]

BTW, I noticed we are less than 1,000 views away from 100,000 on The 642 Club!

I've been watching this, too. (Deep breath--trying to keep pride in check. )

Serpico, I must declare that you have 1 of the best looking 642s in the club. Thanks for posting your pics. The shot with the stags & the t-grip is my favorite.

I'm enjoying all the new posting activity. Please carry on.

R/fiVe

 

[AStone]

Attn: Ron

fiVe and others, please excuse my slightly OT post here. It DOES involve the 642, but I'll address some other guns, too.

Also, this is a long "thinking out loud" post , so no hard feelings if you just skip it. I'm putting it here so I can look back at my thinking later, and maybe get some advice from a few more folks as well.

Excuse the rambling....Just my 2 cents worth.

Ron,

Great rambling! Thanks for sharing your ideas. I'll give you 2 bucks, and the next pitcher is on me.

The info about the Simply Rugged holsters alone was worth the price of the pitcher. I'm impressed with their products, and have bookmarked their site. Although I like my Desantis speed scabbard for my 642, I'm gonna have to try one of those sourdough pancakes. I really like the ones with extra cartridge holders built on.

OK, good points also re the K9. It is INDEED a sweet, sweet piece. I haven't even broken a thousand rnds with it yet (yeah, yeah, I'm really busy with work, no days off in months, and I spend too much time on THR instead of at the range ). Still, it's performed flawlessly. Never even a hick up. It fits me really well, is very comfortable to handle and shoot.

So, yes, that's why I'm thinking this must just be temporary madness, that I'll snap out of it, and quit considering getting rid of it.

Still, I seem to have caught revolver fever. They're just so easy. Ostensibly fewer working parts (although it's funny: I'm not really sure about that ), easier to clean...yada yada (preaching to the choir here, I know). Yes, they can be slower to shoot for an average person, and they have less capacity. But still ...

I'm really seeking a minimal set of tools (one shotgun, one centerfire rifle, one rimfire rifle, X handguns, where X = 1 v. 2 is the question. That's partially for financial reasons, partially for more practical reasons of being seminomadic and not wanting to haul around a bunch of tools.

I'm also drawn to the idea of minimizing the number of types of actions and "feels" in my guns. I enjoy consistency in actions; it makes me a more effective shooter. So owning two revolvers instead of one revolver and one pistol appeals on some nearly irrational level. (Not sure I can justify that rationally.)

And I KNOW I'm not getting rid of my 642. It's in the toolkit to stay. I really like it.

Plus, I'm too poor right now to afford all the guns I want/need. I'm lusting after a Marlin 336, and have just found the Browning Buckmark rifles and am lusting for one of them (with a Ultra Dot scope or something similar).

So, I'm thinking to myself, "Self, do you really NEED two handguns right now? I could sell the K9 ( ) along with the bolt .22, and have nearly enough to get the buckmark." (I'm saving pennies in another jar for the 336).

Then I could pick up a Model 60 or an SP101 (another one I like the feel of) later when my business improves (and it will improve; I'm getting there, but nobody told me running my own bidness was gonna be this much work! ).

So, I'm wondering how many 642 owners use it as their primary if not only handgun. (I suspect that the number who have it as their only handgun is a pretty low number around here, but just curious.)

Plus there's something very appealing about being able to reduce the ammo types by one. .38/.357 (for the model 60) appeals. (Even though in a SHTF scenario <glances around to make sure no mods saw me using that acronym >, 9 mm would be available. But so would .38 and .357...)

Yes, I've been oogling Model 60's today on the SW site. Nice looking revolver. I've never handled one, but it looks like it has the feel of a 642. (I predict a trip to the gun store soon...)

Ron, I'm assuming that your model 60 is a 2_1/8" barrel? I'm more drawn to the 3" for a bit more accuracy, but that would prevent me from using a common holster for both guns.

Finally, the Model 60 in a 3" wouldn't gain me anything in weight reduction over the K9. They're both within about an ounce of each other. Since I'm sort of a smaller guy (tall but thin), it just seems to pull on my clothing in an uncomfortable way after extended carry. I hardly even know I've got the 642 on. (I have to be careful when I'm going out since I'm not CC permitted yet, and have to remember to take it off.)

I guess I could try a gun belt and a different holster, but I'm hard pressed to think I'd find one better than the High Noon Topless I've got.

OK, I'm really starting to ramble now. I need to go back to work. (Yes, just on a break right now...)

Nem

PS: 99,973!

 

[jad0110]

Maybe someone with a set of Pachmayrs can chime in and give us a report of how they work for CCW in both pocket carry and OWB/IWB.

PD,

I've got a set of Pachmayr Compacs on my 686. They are not nearly as "sticky" as the Hogues that came on the gun, though the checkering pattern does hang on clothing ever so slighty. Wood is still the best option here. Note that I don't CCW the 686 yet in public (and probably won't, its a big honkin' gun), just something I've noticed in my informal tests around the house.

So, I'm wondering how many 642 owners use it as their primary if not only handgun. (I suspect that the number who have it as their only handgun is a pretty low number around here, but just curious.)

Nem,

My 642 is, so far, my only CCW and I'm content with that. It also serves as a backup nightstand gun about as often as my Springfield XD9. I also own a S&W K-22 Masterpiece that I use for inexpensive/fun training at the range and a S&W Model 14 38 Special that I bought for the day when I start loading my own 148 grain wadcutters.

My primary HD/nightstand gun is my S&W 686+. If you ever get an itch for a 357 Mag and have the money to scratch it, the 686 would not dissapoint (note the Pachmayr Compacs):




BTW, I autos like my Springer, but I love my wheelies. I just plain shoot them better. The original point and click interface - you gotta love not having to pick up brass either! Really convenient once I start reloading.

 

[Serpico]

It's the one I carry the most but sure don't shoot the most...in fact, it made it into the picture but it never got fired (I hate cleaning it),,,btw, I shot my friend's Kahr PM9 today...I have never fired a small auto that I though could ever replace my 442 but this one comes close...amazing little shooter....I was quite impressed.....but still, at the end of the day, I'll take my snubbie....

 

[AStone]

Jad, that's IS a fine lookin' 686.

Yes, I've lusted for one of those, too. I actually looked at them before I decided to go for a 642. I found them too large for my smaller hands.

But those compact grips are a great idea!

Of course, with a 686, we're talking big weight gain: 40 oz!
Dang, that puppy would flat pull my Carhart's right off!

How do you holster carry such an SUV?

Of course, that would help tame those hotter .357's.

Good point about brass, as well.

And, I just had another thought: with a 4" 686, suddenly I've got another deer hunting weapon, which I can't do with my K9. (Sure, 6" would be better, but 4" could be passable in an emergency.)

Hmmm...

Wow, dreaming and planning sure is fun.

Oh, dang, I'm not being very successful getting work done tonight. Oh, well. There's always tomorrow!

 

[fiVe]

Still, I seem to have caught revolver fever. They're just so easy. Ostensibly fewer working parts (although it's funny: I'm not really sure about that ), easier to clean...yada yada (preaching to the choir here, I know). Yes, they can be slower to shoot for an average person, and they have less capacity. But still ...

I understand exactly what you are saying, Nema...

I have an East German Makarov I would like to sell & replace with another revolver. I'm finding (and this is just me) that I'm not a detachable magazine type--I prefer revolvers and lever actions (Shucks, it sounds like I'm a cowboy at heart. ), and pumps.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P.S. And now I see we are over 100k views. Another milestone for our great thread.

 

[AStone]

I'm not a detachable magazine type--I prefer revolvers and lever actions.

I think I'm coming to that realization, too, fiVe.

For me, add pump to the mix. (See user name.)

I confess that I am leaning towards buying a Browning Buckmark rifle in .22, which has a magazine.

But in general, yeah, give me levers, pumps and wheels. (Wow, that sounds so primitive.)

If there was a quality carbine (= 18 - 20" barrel) .22 rifle available in lever action (and I mean easily available; not as a collectors item that is hard to find), I'd take it. (The 39A is just too danged long. I want something the size of a Buckmark rifle.)
_________

And yes, congrats to us for passing 100,000!

<Fireworks fire. Flags go up. Bands play.>

Nem

 

[coltjeeper]

Nematocyst-870,

Have you checked out the Henry .22 rifles? They are supposed to be very nice and I'm still thinking of getting one too. This is their 16" model.
http://henryrepeating.com/h001l_levercarbine.cfm

I'm really loving snubbys lately. I have four now, a new 442-2 Centennial, an older 442 with factory electroless nickel finish, a new 638-3 Bodyguard, and my most recent buy, an older M60 stainless Chief's that was Kentucky State Police issue.

I'm trying to get another Centennial back off a friend I sold it to. Its a former NYPD M640 made in '91 with bead blasted finish.

 

[PottyDoctor]

coltjeeper,

That looks just like my S&W 60, same grips too. Sweet snubbie. I've been thinkin' of having mine changed to double action only, removing the hammer, action job and then have it coated in black teflon with some black wood badger grips. I've always wanted a tricked out snubbie and this just seems like the right one. Even though it would be a little heavy I could pocket carry it if I wanted too.

I bet that 640 is a real beauty too. Being a pre-lock piece you ought to do everything possible to bring that bad boy home. That's primarily what I'm looking to add to my snubbie stable, pre-locks or maybe even a Colt DS. A man can never have too many snubbies!

A snubbie a day keeps the BG's away!

PD

 

[jad0110]

Jad, that's IS a fine lookin' 686.

Yes, I've lusted for one of those, too. I actually looked at them before I decided to go for a 642. I found them too large for my smaller hands.

But those compact grips are a great idea!

Thanks Nem, she is certainly a sweet shooter. Great trigger and impressive accuracy. The Pachmayrs are smaller overall compared to the Hougues, but they are a little thicker, which makes them more comfortable for me. I just didn't like finger grooves like those on the Hogues monogrips as I grip my revolvers pretty high on the frame (except my 642), so the grooves aren't in the right place. Before I bought them, I took them out of the box to make sure they'd work.

With my hands, I have the opposite problem. Mine aren't large as in beefy, but my fingers are very long which makes things interesting when shooting my 642.

Here's a pic of my 686 in my strong hand (right), please excuse the poor quality, as I took these pictures unassisted and had to use the flash because I couldn't hold the camera steady:





If I hold my little 642 the same way that I hold my larger guns, this is what it looks like (note my thumb visible on the other side through the trigger gaurd :

How do you holster carry such an SUV?

Of course, that would help tame those hotter .357's.

I haven't carried in public yet, as I don't trust the rig I was using around the house (a cheapo nylon belt holster with a clip that I stuck in my pants IWB style just to get a feel). Actually my 686+ was easier to conceal than my slightly smaller Springfield XD9. BTW, I've found the supposed CCW advantage of autos to be totally overstated. In fact, as I've said before, I strongly believe that a revoler and an auto of the exact same L, W, H and weight, the revolver will be easier to CCW. Anyway, the 686 is still too big for me to want to CCW though, except as a glovebox gun, but maybe with the right pancake holster it would work. Nah, I'd rather just get a 3" SP101, 2.5" or 3" K Frame, or 2.75" Security Six for IWB.

Wow, dreaming and planning sure is fun.

Sometimes that's all we can afford to do, and yes, the thrill of the hunt is fun in and of itself!

 

[C96]

Nemo ~ You asked about a quality 22 lever gun, have you considered the Browning BL-22 ?

I had one years ago that I purchased for my son. We both quite liked it and it served him well for a number of years.

I do believe he traded it off for something more tactical a few years ago.

Most of us knows how that kind of thing seems to happen.

allan

 

[AStone]

CJ, I've checked out the Henry's. They're good guns, I suspect, but not quite what I'm looking for.

Jad, good pics to illustrate the difference between the 642 & 686. My hands are a lot smaller than yours. I'd better try out a 686 again to see if one will work for me. I'll try a 60 as well to keep PottyDoctor happy.

C96, no I hadn't seen the BL-22. Interesting levers. I'll check them out. I like the barrel length (20") better than the 39A (24" is just too long). Wish they had pistol grips though... I like pistol grips.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Nice to see what other guns us 642 heads are toting around.

Nem

 

[sheckigreen]

Pics of a glock sub-compact and a 642?

Would anyone be so kind as to post pics of a subcompact glock and a 642 side by side? Thanks.

 

[1BLINDREF]

What carry ammo do you use?

I'm sure this has been discussed before - probably more than once, but it would take too many hours to read through all 1300+ posts in our club, and new products have probably hit the market since "The club" was founded. I've had my 642 for about a month now and I'm looking to try about 3 or 4 different carry ammos to find which one shoots best in my gun. I don't want to get too crazy and test a ton of ammos, so I was hoping you guys could tell me what you carry and I'll try the 3 or 4 most popular ones. Thanks in advance

 

[NEtracker]

Speer Gold Dots
38spcl +P 135gr GDHP

 

[Wesson Smith]

Yes. The Speer ammo seems to be a perfect fit for my 642. Agreed.

 

[AStone]

I agree with NE & WS:
Speer Gold Dots
38spcl +P 135gr GDHP

For general practice at the range,
I use non-P FMJ's.

 

[Coffee357]

Finally here! Been carrying a 642 for about a year now but didn't know about this thread. Found "the club" about three weeks ago but didn't want to post until I finished reading the replies (56 pages worth!!). For the last 17 years I've always carried service sized guns but when I started riding motorcycles (fun and fuel efficient ) I decided I needed a pocket gun so I didn't scare the locals when my jacket blew up in the wind. I then found that after being a slob for almost 2 decades, I kinda liked being able to tuck in my shirt when I went places. The 642 (light enough to carry, heavy enough to shoot, AND snag free) seemed the perfect choice. Hasn't let me down yet and has impressed me enough to order a 2nd one to spread out the wear associated with pocket carry.

Great club! Great gun!

Coffee

 

[AStone]

Coffee357,

Welcome to the club.

Interesting name.
It's composed of two of my favorite topics right now:
Coffee & .357.

Been drinking the former for years.
Legal stimulatory drug
that tastes good.

Have looked at the latter (.357) once before,
but wound up buying a 9mm that time.

Now about to sell or trade the 9 -
fine as it is - to get a .357,
prolly SW 620 or 686 in 4".

Gonna be a big brother to the lil' mule, Mr. 642.
Mostly a hunting gun, ya' understand.
870 is in charge of social work.

Those will accompany a 336 in .30 or .35, and a .22 LR rifle yet to be determined.
(Leaning towards a lever carbine orsemi-auto.
Looking at this one, too;
but that Buckmark's got a shorter carbine barrel
that would fit in a large daypack, and has sex appeal.)

Levers, pumps & wheels
(with an occasional semi).

Yee haa.

Nem

 

[Coffee357]

Nematocyst,

Started on, and have primarily worked, the night shift since '85. (hence my coffee addiction). Went through the police academy in '88 when revolvers were mandatory. Got away from round guns for a long time but always felt the .357 was the most versatile caliber around due to the variety of factory loads available. Glad to say I've turned things around and, except for my duty pistols, have gone almost entirely to revolvers for my handgun buisiness (and pleasure).

 

[AStone]

<page 57>

Started on, and have primarily worked, the night shift since '85. (hence my coffee addiction).

I can relate, Coffee. I'm working night shift these days, too.

It's a LOT quieter out here at night, though. Very mellow while getting work done. So it's a good trade off for me.

My coffee usually comes at the beginning of my shift. I'm winding down now. Sleep cometh.

...have gone almost entirely to revolvers for my handgun buisiness (and pleasure).

I can relate there, too.

My first handgun (circa 1987) was a revolver. (Taurus .38 snubby.)

I later traded "up" to a SW 3934 in 9mm, then "up" again (better fit) to a K9.

After that I got my 642. It's my EDC. It's grown on me to the point I want to trade the 9 for a .357 wheel gun that'll shoot the same rnds as the 642 plus a bit beefier rnds for bigger stuff.

Levers, pumps and wheels.

 

[sdl]

Hello all,

While I've been saving my pennies for a CT LG-405, I came across this laser:

http://http://www.lasermax.com/product.php?id=105

Anybody used one of these and has any opinions about them?

 

[Brassman]

This is my first post to THR, even though I have been around for several years. I am looking for some wood grips that duplicate the shooting feel of the Uncle Mike boot grips that came on my 642. I want to replace the original rubber grips with something that doesn't cling to clothing. What are y'alls suggestions. I would also like permission to enter this club. I bought my 642 about 2 years ago. It's still plain-Jane, but gets shot a lot and carried a lot.

Sorry about typing "bantam" when I meant "boot". I was looking at Hogue bantams at the time.

 

[fiVe]

Brassman: Welcome to the 642 Club and The High Road.

I can't help you with wood grips, but I'm sure someone will be along shortly who can help. There are many 642 experts here.

I have stock grips on mine (I think they are called Uncle Mike's Boot grips?), and they don't cling. I pocket carry in a Robert Mika round-cut pocket holster.

Regards,
fiVe

 

[PottyDoctor]

Brassman,

I've had a set of Eagle Secret Service wood grips on my 442 for 8 or 9 years and have been pretty happy with them. They are a pretty good fit, however, I've read that the fit of Eagle grips can be a 'hit or miss' proposition. I like the feel of them and they slide and glide against any clothing...absolutely no snag! If I were to buy more wood grips I might consider the Badger Grips, since they have both the 'boot' grip for better concealment [aka pocket carry] and the 'full' grip for better control.

I am also considering a set of Pachmayr Compac grips since I can use them on both my 442 and my Model 60. They are a synthetic, nylon/rubber grip that is not nearly as sticky as the Hogues, and others have reported that they do not 'cling' to clothing like the Hogues. When I get some more 'disgressionary funds' I plan to order me a set of Pachmayrs.

PD