The 642 club

[fiVe]

Another new member & their very 1st post is here...

MJR3226: Welcome to the club.

 

[jt1]

MJR3226 - You and your neighbor are both welcome here at club 642. Since you have been "lurking" for a while you know this is a great place with great people. I cannot locate a link to the UC comfort Concealment t-Shirt, but there are several other holster t-shirts out there. I find that no matter what form of carry I try I always seem to end up back with the good ole pocket carry. It just works so well with the j-frame and a mika, nemesis, or other quality pocket holster that I just forget it is there. Be sure to let us know how your first range session goes and you can post a pic, I haven't see a 642 in the last five or ten minutes.....

 

[jt1]

I use them, my wife uses them, and my mother uses them,

Brassman - Sounds like a great family....

 

[CARman]

Whew, just finished reading this entire thread. Good information. Thought I'd jump on board since I have been a member of THR for many years and have only posted 5 times. I usually just lurk.

I've been a J frame owner for more years than I can remember. I carried as a BUG and still have an early 1960's nickel plated model 36 for many years in Law Enforcement.

I also have a model 642 no dash that I bought NIB many years ago that is still unfired. I am considering picking up a CT laser grip after reading this thread,but can't decide on the LG405 or LG305.

Guess I'll have to go shoot the old NIB 642 after reading this thread and becoming interested in the little J frame again.

 

[Brassman]

jt1

It is a great family. Up until about 3 years ago my Mom had never even fired any kind of weapon. I took her with me to the range a couple times before we enrolled in a CCW class. She was very timid at first, but after putting several thousand rounds through my late father's Model 36, she had no problem at all qualifying.

My wife for a long time was a Ruger 22/45 junky. She can still out group me at 30 feet with that thing. She qualified with my 642 (I used my Colt Commander, which is considerably easier to shoot than the little kicking mule), and we are going to the sheriff's office tomorrow morning for her fingerprints and to send off for her permit.

 

[jt1]

CARman - Great to have you onboard. Old NIB 642, sounds like a real treasure. Quite a workout reading this thread isn't it. Maybe we should ask fiVe about some kind of offical designation for all members who complete the task. By the way, during your years using a j-frame as a LE BUG did you ever have to deploy it? Any tales to tell?

Brassman - Good job. Looks like you have to jump throught quite a few hoops to get a CCW permit in your area. Here they just want your money. From what you say I recommend that you mind your manners around those two ladies.

 

[AStone]

After reading Jim March's review of the 125 gr. & 150 gr. Buffbores

* 80 gr. Glaser Safety Slug
* 110 gr. Cor-Bon DPX +P
* 110 gr. Federal Low Recoil HS/JHP
* 125 gr. Remington Golden Saber +P
* 125 gr. Speer Gold Dots +P
* 125 gr. Winchester JHP +P
* 125 gr. Buffalo Bore jacketed hollow cavity
* 129 gr. Federal Hydra-shok JHP +P
* 135 gr. Speer Gold Dot +P
* 148 gr. Federal Gold Medal Match full wadcutter
* 150 gr. Buffalo Bore hard cast wad cutter
* 158 gr. Buffalo Bore FBI +P
* 158 gr. LSWCHP FBI +P (specify brand in post below)
* 158 gr. Magtech Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) +P
* 158 gr. Speer TMJ +P
* Home brew reloads (specify by posting)

We're now maxed out at 16 options.

OK?

 

[jt1]

Nem - Let's do it.

 

[AStone]

DRAFT poll introduction

<This is a draft of the poll to be posted in another thread. Please do not respond here.
642 members will be asked to go out to this poll to vote.
Suggestions welcomed and encouraged.>

Subject line: Optimal rnds for .38 spl snub-nosed revolvers?

This poll is a collaborative research project by members of The 642 Club.

We are researching the optimal SD (self defense) rnd for .38 spl snub-nosed revolvers with barrels of 2" or less. We shoot air weights (642, 442, 637...), but we are interested in optimal rnds
based on barrel length regardless of gun weight.

Please offer an explanation of your preferred rnds.
That is, what led you to choose the SD rnd that
you use in your .38 spl snub-nosed revolver?
Please cite sources if applicable.

Thanks.

<These are the categories>

* 80 gr. Glaser Safety Slug
* 110 gr. Cor-Bon DPX +P
* 110 gr. Federal Low Recoil HS/JHP
* 125 gr. Remington Golden Saber +P
* 125 gr. Speer Gold Dots +P
* 125 gr. Winchester JHP +P
* 125 gr. Buffalo Bore jacketed hollow cavity
* 129 gr. Federal Hydra-shok JHP +P
* 135 gr. Speer Gold Dot +P
* 148 gr. Federal Gold Medal Match full wadcutter
* 150 gr. Buffalo Bore hard cast wad cutter
* 158 gr. Buffalo Bore FBI +P
* 158 gr. LSWCHP FBI +P (specify brand in post below)
* 158 gr. Magtech Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) +P
* 158 gr. Speer TMJ +P
* Home brew reloads (specify by posting)

 

[loplop]

Can you allow multiple choices on the poll? Some folks might have a few favorite rounds.

Welcome to Brassman and CARman. CARman, I just bought a NIB 1969/70 Mod 36. My wife "appropriated" it. What a sweet little gun! I'd love to find a Nickel plated M 36, and in fact might just buy a new one while they're available. I love Nickel snubs

 

[AStone]

Lop, yes.

Excellent idea.

 

[Diamondback]

Welcome to Brassman and CARman. CARman, I just bought a NIB 1969/70 Mod 36. My wife "appropriated" it. What a sweet little gun! I'd love to find a Nickel plated M 36, and in fact might just buy a new one while they're available. I love Nickel snubs

I usually carry an older nickel model 36 with a pinned barrel in a OWB Blackhawk Speed Classic. I just put a coat of ordinary paste wax on the finish now and then, and it looks as bright and handsome as the day I bought her.

However, I wanted something a bit lighter for grab-and-go in a Mika pocket holster. I patiently waited looking for a nice, older, used M642. In my search I came across a "no-lock" M37-2 with the factory bobbed hammer without MIM parts.....for a nice price. It's a real sweet carry piece for those times I want something light weight !

<These are the categories>

* 80 gr. Glaser Safety Slug
* 110 gr. Cor-Bon DPX +P
* 110 gr. Federal Low Recoil HS/JHP
* 125 gr. Remington Golden Saber +P
* 125 gr. Speer Gold Dots +P
* 125 gr. Winchester JHP +P
* 125 gr. Buffalo Bore jacketed hollow cavity
* 129 gr. Federal Hydra-shok JHP +P
* 135 gr. Speer Gold Dot +P
* 148 gr. Federal Gold Medal Match full wadcutter
* 150 gr. Buffalo Bore hard cast wad cutter
* 158 gr. Buffalo Bore FBI +P
* 158 gr. LSWCHP FBI +P (specify brand in post below)
* 158 gr. Magtech Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) +P
* 158 gr. Speer TMJ +P
* Home brew reloads (specify by posting)

I think it might be a good idea to include both of these Winchester loads: the standard pressure 110gr Silver Tip, and the popular Supreme STX 130gr. +p.
Both have shown merit in more than a few ballistic tests.

- regards

 

[Stainz]

My 'fatboy' 642 and a 'real' 642:


Now, the pair in Robert Mika's excellent holsters:


Thanks to this fine group of fellows for the push to get the 642 - AND those excellent holsters!

Stainz

PS My 296 thanks you too!

 

[glockman19]

Well I got my 642 about two months ago, put some CTC 405 grops on it and love it. I've fired about 700 rounds through it and I believe it's broken in. Today while reading another thread on the price of a 642/442 I was interested to see what a good price was and found a NIB never been shot but being sold used 442 for $325. I'm leaving to buy it right now. I'll have my Ebony & Ivory 642/442 pic for you all in 35 days I can't even DROS it until 4/9/07 but didn't want to let this one get away.

I'm still deciding whether to put the same CTC grips on this one too?

Now I have twins albeit different colors They're fraternal

 

[CARman]

jt1, fortunately I never had to use it as a BUG, it was always there if needed though and it felt good to know it was there. I actually got it from another police officer that was retiring and he had carried it for years before I ever thought about becoming involved in LE. The best part is it only cost me $75.00. I also carried/carry it most of the time when around town.

It still looks pretty good considering that it was carried for so many years by two owners in every kind of holster, no holster, under car seats and probably any other kind of unforgiving situation you can imagine.

I'd take some pictures, but my camera needs new LI batteries and I haven't gotten around to ordrering new ones yet.

 

[KillshotRB]

Stainz,

Thanks for posting those pics!

 

[SwampWolf]

CARman: For a cop you sure did some robbing! $75.00 for a 642? Are his hands still up?

 

[CARman]

Hey SwampWolf, the one I got for $75.00 was actually a nickel plated model 36 that jt1 was asking about, it's an early 1960's model. I got that revolver many years ago and carried it when I was still in LE.

It was still a good price even then, and I got it from one of the really oldtimers that had been one of my training officers and I couldn't resist it since it had been carried by him as a BUG for many years. It has quite a bit of LE history behind it, which makes it even more valuable to me.

I do have a NIB 642 though and it was bought by me before the lock was added.

 

[jad0110]

Welcome new members!

Stainz,

I'm not sure that I could fit a 44 spl snubbie in my pockets , but a 44 spl as a belt gun is mighty inticing, especially now that I'm handloading. I would love to have a Model 24 3" for just such a purpose to serve as winter carry. My 642 would still ride BUG, of course .

I wish I could say this Model 24 was mine :

 

[loplop]

There's one of those at my local shop, and a Mod 25. They have the (IMO) better-looking Square Butt grips, too. Just like this one:

I really wanted one of those, but after finding a Mod 22 (Thunder Ranch) with a *much* better trigger than either of those "classic" repros, and it being $180 less... Well, I let my head win over once.

I like the 45ACP in a revolver. It's a heavy, fun kick. I bet 44spl. would be similar, maybe a bit heavier?

 

[fiVe]

jad & lop: nice pics. jad, yours is particularly sweet. I'm quite partial to the .44 special round (Shucks, I'm partial to both of the "special" ammo.)

 

[fastbolt]

I took my new M&P340 Centennial out to the range and ran over a hundred rounds through it.

Funny how a little over an ounce difference in weight, and an ammunition change, can apparently affect the shooting experience when it comes to felt recoil while shooting .357 Magnum in a Scandium J-frame.

More than half of the rounds fired were various .38 Special loads ... standard pressure 110gr Winchester STHP and Federal Low Recoil, Speer 125gr & 135gr +P and El Dorado Starfire 125gr +P (found a couple boxes in my ammo locker I'd forgotten I had) ... and I ran several cylinder loads of some Remington 125gr Golden Sabre and Federal Low Recoil 130gr .357 Magnum through it, as well.

The Magnum loads I tried were less brutal than the Remington 125gr Magnum rounds I've previously used through a few other Scandium Magnum J-frames. It probably wasn't just my impression, either, as I had another instructor try some, too. He hadn't enjoyed shooting the last Airlite Magnum J-frame he'd tried, which I'd loaded with Rem 125gr SJHP Magnum rounds, and he described this one, loaded with one of the other Magnum loads, as easier to shoot.

I did notice some bullet-pull with the Remington Golden Sabre Magnum loads, though, with the 5th round exhibiting bullet movement from the case mouth, apparently caused by the recoil from the 4 fired rounds. It was the same with a few cylinderful's. Guess I won't be using that load in this particular lightweight Scandium gun. The Federal Magnum load didn't seem to exhibit any bullet movement, and I may pick up some more and try it again, just to make sure.

I'd actually bought this model essentially as an 'improved' version of my 642-1 (in my mind) and my original thinking was to just use .38 Spl +P ammunition. However, since the felt recoil of the Magnum ammunition wasn't as bad as I remember from the last few experiences of shooting one of the Airlite Magnum rated J-frames, I might change my mind and actually carry Magnum loads, at least from time to time.

I'm going to try some Winchester 145gr STHP next, as that used to be one of my favorite standard service loads when I carried an issued .357 Magnum revolver. I felt it offered me some improved controllability over the 125gr Magnum loads, and I liked the bullet design and weight.

Once I remembered to cover the intended POI with the XS dot (like with my Big Dot sight on my CS45) my POA/POI at 10 yards was fine.

All things considered, this seems to be an interesting example of the J-frame line. I like the steel cylinder and the XS tritium sight.

There are a couple of minor details I wish they could've done better at the factory when assembling my particular example, but that's the way it seems to be nowadays, and not just with a single manufacturer, either.

Now, I have to decide whether I want to add a model 60 with the unfluted cylinder, or a Magnum-rated 649 ... and/or perhaps a 638 ... to my collection of working J-frames before I retire. Perhaps one of the new M40's? :supergrin:

I recently realized that I've purchased two new J-frames since I first posted in this forum, back on page 10.

Something else I realized was that in that first post I made the following comment ... Now, if S&W ever makes a Scandium alloy J-frame with a stainless steel cylinder ... I'll buy one.

I guess my purchase of the M&P 340 Centennial makes good on that ...

 

[AStone]

I think it might be a good idea to include both of these Winchester loads: the standard pressure 110gr Silver Tip, and the popular Supreme STX 130gr. +p. Both have shown merit in more than a few ballistic tests.

I'm game, but someone said we can only include 16 items in the poll. The list already has 16.

What to do, gang?

Maybe replace the 80 gr Glaser Safety slug (is it really an SD rnd?) with 130gr. Winchester Supreme STX +p?

How about replacing "home brew" with "other: please specify" and just tabulate the results from "other"?

That would shift the categories to the following:

* 110 gr. Cor-Bon DPX +P
* 110 gr. Federal Low Recoil HS/JHP
* 125 gr. Remington Golden Saber +P
* 125 gr. Speer Gold Dots +P
* 125 gr. Winchester JHP +P
* 125 gr. Buffalo Bore jacketed hollow cavity
* 129 gr. Federal Hydra-shok JHP +P
* 130 gr. Winchester Supreme STX +p
* 135 gr. Speer Gold Dot +P
* 148 gr. Federal Gold Medal Match full wadcutter
* 150 gr. Buffalo Bore hard cast wad cutter
* 158 gr. Buffalo Bore FBI +P
* 158 gr. LSWCHP FBI +P (specify brand in post below)
* 158 gr. Magtech Semi Jacketed Hollow Point (SJHP) +P
* 158 gr. Speer TMJ +P
* Other: please specify

 

[jt1]

Nem - I don't think I'll lose any sleep over the 80 gr Glaser.

Here is a link to a very interesting ammo test site, they have a "box of truth" test rig and it's quite an eye opener. This is a repost from markk

http://www.theboxotruth.com/

 

[loplop]

Fastbolt, try to pick up some of the Speer GDHP 135gr 357 mag Short Barrel loads, too. I like shooting them in my M&P340, although felt recoil does seem quite a step above the GDHP 38 +P.

I am currently carrying the 38 +P's, as I am more proficient shot-to-shot with them, and to be honest, they feel almost exactly like my 130gr Remmie UMC practice ammo. I need to do some more work with the magnums to get used to them.