The 642 club

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Lolpop and Brassman

Wow! Thanks for the information. I realized from the first pull of the trigger on my 642, that I had to rethink the way I shoot. I got my first autoloader, (a Ruger MarkII) for my 16th birthday. Now I have 25-years shooting and carrying autoloaders and pretty close to zero revolver time other than a box out of my Model 19 back in 86, (I want another one now). The tips I've read on here have me well on my way to recapturing time lost. I will refer to that lesson on my next range visit. I'm used to the longer trigger pull, as my ParaCarry is an LDA, but the trigger pull is lighter. I literally felt myself flinching at the top of my pull and this of course sent my pattern very wide. From 15-feet, I'm on the paper, but of course I want to tighten that up considerably. The other thing I noticed is how absolutely heavy my ParaCarry feels now! I'm getting spoiled with the light weight of the 642 and my para feels like a brick.

The amazing thing about this 642, is that I just can't seem to stop shooting it. Range time, just melts away - it's that pleasant. I have not left the range with any ammo in my bag - 100 in 0 out... ;)
 
Range Report

A couple of friends and I spent some time at the range this afternoon. First time out with the new 642. We all found it to be a really sweat shooter. We were shooting at torso sized targets at 7 yards. I was able to put my first 5 shoots into the X ring so I was very happy. We mostly shot gun show bulk 38 special 158 grain. We also tried some Blazer +P 125 Grain JHP. That's what was in the picture I posted earlier.

With these loads the recoil was very controlable but the +P was more entertaining. We probably shot a little over 100 rounds all together. I had very good luck shooting two handed using the technique described by Jerry Miculek here http://www.shootingusa.com/PRO_TIPS/MICULEK2/miculek2.html
where you wrap your left thumb around the back of your right thumb. This won't work with an autoloader but it really helped with the 642. I'm going to spend a lot more time dry firing to help figure out my preferred finger placement on the trigger and to strengthen my trigger finger.

Overall I'm very happy with my new snubby and I really need to get the holster situation sorted out so I can start carrying my new best friend. I need to find a local source for Personal Defense ammo as well so I can try a few different brands. Hopefully I can check out a lot of things at the upcoming gun show.

Side note: we all really enjoyed shooting my 6" 686 as well. I got it NIB in 1984 and it shoots really well. The trigger is really nice in double action but when you shoot it single action it is so sweat and accurate. The .357 loads are very fun too. :)
 
loplop - M&P .357 Verrrrry nice. (This is some kind of conspiracy to part me from my hard earned money, isn't it?)

MassMark - I hear you on the fobus paddle, I sent mine back as well. It made enough noise to scare the BG away, that was when I could get it out at all. Check this link, IMO this is one of the best j-frame holsters available, when I am not pocket carrying this is what I use.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=3212297&postcount=2047
 
This may sound dumb, but when I first got my 642 I would watch TV and dry fire at the heads of the people in the shows I was watching. Then I would aim at something like a light switch, stage the trigger, take the shot and pay particular attention to whether or not my sight picture changed after the break. I figured that if my sights were still aligned with the switch after trigger break, I was holding about a still as I was capable. The more I practiced like this, the better I was able to shoot really tight groups at 7 yds.
I'm still working on 50 ft, but generally groups are inside a baseball's diameter there. At that distance I have to really slow fire and concentrate extra hard on holding the weapon very still. Of course, I know if I ever shot anyone at that distance, they better be shooting at me too, or they would put me under the jail!
 
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I would aim at something like a light switch, stage the trigger, take the shot and pay particular attention the whether or not my sight picture changed after the break. I figured that if my sights were still aligned with the switch after trigger break, I was holding about a still as I was capable.
Click to expand...
Ditto that.

Great practice routine.

In general, dry fire (with snap caps) has helped me:

1) feel the trigger progression through the clicks
2) learn where to expect the hammer drop
3) move beyond the flinch
 
Nematocyst-870....

You are an evil man.... :evil: Those links were like gun crack...Now I'm contemplating sneaking more revolvers into the house...If my wife finds out, I'm throwing you under the bus... :neener:
 
...now it appears Nem is out dealing gun crack a few blocks over.
Click to expand...
LOL. :D

Yeah, you insidious gun pushers know how to hook a closet (revolver) junkie, all right. ;)

Fortunately, I know that I'll soon reach my limit and my addiction will end. :uhoh:

:rolleyes:
 
Fortunately, I know that I'll soon reach my limit and my addiction will end.

Yeh, I been sayin' that for 50 years.:eek:
 
<WARNING! Thread drift potential ahead, written in the interest of context ... :scrutiny: ... >

Yeh, I been sayin' that for 50 years. :eek:
Click to expand...
I know. That's what I'm afraid of. :uhoh: :rolleyes:

It's interesting though that revolvers have single-handedly increased the number of guns in my experimental "optimal gun toolkit" from 5 to 7.

In addition to my three long guns (which meet my current needs completely), I've got the 642 for CCUCAP (concealed carry, up close and personal) and the 686+ 4" for camp and wilderness SD & close medium game.

Now I'm looking for the intermediate carry revolver. That decision making process is currently hovering around a poll between Mod 60 3", Mod 64, & 686+ 2.5". (SW for me, please.)

I'm also wanting a .22 LR handgun, mostly for close squirrel and rabbit when I'm carrying my deer rifle, and want some meat for the pot. Main contenders are SW 617 (but so heavy for a .22 LR), 317 (airweight .22 in 3" barrel) and - an anomaly - Browning BuckMark Hunter (I'm trying to stay with levers, pumps and wheels, and away from semi-auto, just for consistency in the actions I use, less to know, etc. But that BuckMark just appeals ...)

And if I wind up going to AK, I'd probably add another long gun: Marlin 1895G in .45/70.

And, yeah, I shot a friend's Marlin 1894 in .357M & .38 spl +P.
Oh so sweet, and such a nice partner for a 686 ... :rolleyes:

But that's more than likely where it'd stop for me. My goal is to have a few - 7 or 8 (*) - quality guns that meet virtually all my needs (SD & hunting) adequately (even if not perfectly), then get to know each one to a high level of proficiency, rather than twice that many with less proficiency, half of which are safe queens that someone else needs.

[ (*): 7 or 8 guns, that is. There are other tools in the kit: three folding blade knives, one fixed (SOG Seal Pup Elite), and I'm just about to order one of these all purpose camp and fighting tools. I'm participating in discussions about them over here and planning to read this book about use and training over the summer.]

So far, I'm very happy with the way the toolkit is shaping up.

Now, "all" I've got to do is work on the "proficiency" part. (No small task, but an enjoyable one ...)

Nem
 
Sits quietly, with a knowing look on his face, and twiddles his thumbs.
.22 Stevens Favorite, Learned to shoot with that one.
Then I had a 30-30, never need better..
Then it was a 300 H&H Mag.. Only hunting rifle I will ever need.

Then a Single six.. beer money through college at $.50 a jack rabbit.
H&H kept me in meat during those years.

Went to work for the PD..
Everyone had a .357, but I couldn't afford one so I bought a brand new Model 10 for $65.00
Had to shoot a marauding porcupine 6 times before he fell out of a tree.

Sez to myself.."Hmmm, what if that bristlepig had been shootin' back at me??
Bought a .41 Mag. NIB for $81.00 Never found a need for any other during LE career.

Then I quit LE and began to make enough money to have some change in my pocket at the end of the month..

40 some guns later, I know that I'll soon reach my limit and my addiction will end. :evil: :D
 
LOL ... :D

Oh, dammit, Iggy, you're not helping my resolve here ... :p

<Must ... be ... strong .... :uhoh: :scrutiny: >

Seriously, though, for me, it's slightly different than for many, especially those of you who own a home. In part by profession, in part by preference, I'm semi-nomadic, and I travel pretty light. So a small number of quality tools has been my signature for decades. It's worked with everything else - from backpacking/mountaineering gear to camera gear to regular tools and even kitchen gear - and I'm pretty sure it will work with guns as well.

But as we say in the sciences, it's a testable hypothesis. ;)
 
Page 100???

Wow, I think I'm gonna pop for a Mika round cut for the 642 tomorrow..I've read enough about them and they seem to fit the bill. Can someone tell me if they stay open when you draw, or do you need two hands to re-holster. I'm assuming that it would stay open. I like the fact that they're made close by, and from an experienced former cop. Anything to keep the lint and other stuff out of the lens of the CT's!
 
That Smith 617 makes a great little .22 rabbit or squirrel huntin' gun. Not to confuse you with another choice...:)
 
Nem said:
testable hypothesis
Click to expand...

Now this is an enlightening phrase! (Ranks right up there with "hammer snag" and "humpback lint"). This thread is just full of education!

Let us know how your testing goes, Nem. And if you find you must buy more firearms, we certainly won't hold it against you. ;)
 
Wow it seems like it was just yesterday fiVe made post 2000 & 2001. and in just 2 weeks we're up to 2500. Amazing.

Thanks again fiVe for starting a truly great thread ona great gun.
 
It Just Keeps Getting Better.....

You guys are too damned funny! :D Read the last several posts and have cemented my conclusion that I've come to the right place. I work as a caseworker in the mental health field and if any of you need help - I'm just a PM away - have meds will travel... :neener:

Well, I expended the last of my expendable ammunition today. 150 rounds over the course of a few hours at the range. Shot a mixed bag of MagTech, Winchester and Remington - all FMJ. This 642 just gets sweeter with each pull of the trigger. The excellent tips I got here last night proved to be a great help at the range, as I saw groups close in start to shrink a bit - still need work beyond 10 feet, but am getting more confident about carrying this gun every day. It's almost a good thing my CT's went down, as getting proficient with these sights is tantamount to being effective with the whole package. I look at the CT's as I do a GPS - a great tool and a leap forward in navigation, but you'd better learn to use a compass and read a map. I broke my routine and left the Para holstered, (I usually fire at least a box a week), so breaking a little tradition was actually good mojo. Old habits die hard though - still anticipating the hammer drop, but these habits are sure fun to break.... ;)
 
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