The 642 club

[sevenbark]

Sorry jt1 about jumping the gun so to speak! It was strange after about 50 or so snaps these things strated to work apart and slightly binding the cylinder I hope it is ok to say they were made by Traditions Performance Firearms manufactured in Italy. But when it comes to dry firing I just feel better with something in there even if S&W says it's ok because I plan on working the trigger in. Some post says it smooths up the pull?

 

[Brassman]

Personally, I have never used snap caps in my 642. It's way over 2 years old with proabably 2000 live rounds through and 10,000 dry-fires with no problems. Not saying I won't have some later, but so far, so good.

 

[jt1]

I've got about 2000 dry-fires and 500 live rounds, mine started feeling quite a bit smoother after 250 dry-fires and got really quite nice at 1000 or so. I think it has been fairly constant since then. Never used snap-caps. But if you like them...they should be good for reload pratice too.

 

[gitarmac]

I'm still working my way through this entire thread! Some things I've noticed:

I keep reading about the recoil, I didn't think it was near as bad as it's made out to be. Of course having a couple of .357's helps to lighten the recoil.

When I shot mine I did some slow carefully aimed shots but since I would not be doing this in time of stress I mostly tried quick sighting, I was very pleased with the accuracy I could obtain, at least at 15 yards and under.

It's so easy to slip into my shorts pocket!!! I have different pants/shorts with differant pockets so I ordered both the round and square mika holsters.

I don't understand how y'all get the sideplate off without prying. I tried tapping mine to no avail. I had to slip a thin blade of a screwdriver under the plate by the trigger to "lift" it up, I believe that would be considered "prying". I really hate doing that, mine is pretty snug, I have to press it on hard to get it back on flush.

The internals are very dry, lubing them smoothed the trigger pull out quite a bit. I used a toothpick to put some lithium grease in a few spots, probably a bad idea but I get carried away with lube sometimes. It feels fine right now but I need to learn the proper way to get that plate off in case I need to clean it off.

I've read some links about how crappy .38 special ammo is, I've read a lot of arguments throughout the years about how crappy 9mm and .22 is as well but those rounds killed a lot of people in the VT tradgedy. I'd rather have a .38 special snubby that I can shoot well than a 32, 389, or .25 cal. My other tiny mouse guns are .25 caliber bottom feeders and .22 mag mini revolver, I feel more prepared with my snubbie. Hopefully I will never have to confirm it's effectiveness or lack thereof.

 

[Old Fuff]

The problem with dry firing without something in the chambers (fired cases, snap-caps, etc.) is that if the primer doesn't stop the firing pin and soften the blow, something else in the system will have to. In older S&W revolvers it was the hammer hitting the frame, when the “hammer nose” (firing pin) was attached to the hammer. As I’m sure all of you know, in the model 642 and similar the firing pin is mounted in the frame, and its retracted by a small spring, that you do not want to mash.

While damage may be improbable, it is far from impossible, and in a defensive weapon the Old Fuff has enough to worry about, without giving Mr. Murphy any extra help. Snap caps may or may not be necessary, but they are excellent, and inexpensive, insurance.

 

[MassMark]

I'm officially at 675 rounds as of today....Been shooting on my lunch breaks...I think I may have a problem...

Anyway, I can't even tabulate how many dry fires I've had, but let's just say it's plenty. The trigger has become very smooth and along with it, my aim has as well.... I'm settling in with the crispy 135's and seem to be managing the recoil after 100-rounds downtown. I'm out of my other fodder, so it's 135 GDHP's from here out....

Clipse - welcome to the 642 Club!

Gitarmac - I haven't given the sideplate a whirl yet - thanks for sharing your experience. As for recoil - I agree, I heard all these horror stories - which never materialized. However, shooting the Speer 135's has been an eye-opener, (plus a hand number) and let's just say that they'll get your attention when the hammer drops...

 

[glockman19]

Only three more days until I can DROS tthe 442. I've been waiting a month. 13 more days before I can shoot it. At least I DROS my STAG AR-15 tomorrow.

 

[jt1]

I have no problem with recoil from these little guys. Yea, you know when you've got +P but it's no big deal. Hey, I like it: "Got +P".

....enough to worry about, without giving Mr. Murphy any extra help....

I'm thinking.......thinking.......I'm ordering snap-caps.

I had to give my sideplate a little "help" as well. Hopefully I won't need to remove it anytime soon again.

On the caliber issue, I prefer not to go under .38 spcl for a SD carry. When push comes to shove of course I would prefer a 12 ga. Having said that, and I said this here before, I'm not volunteering to stand in front of anything that goes bang.

 

[AStone]

Inexpensive insurance

Snap caps may or may not be necessary, but they are excellent, and inexpensive, insurance.

Those who've been hanging out here a while agree:
if O'Fuff says it, you can take to the bank.

Snap caps = Murphy reduction.

(I use them in both the 642 and 686.
At most, an additional 30 seconds work to load them in.)

Any questions?

Pop quiz tomorrow.

 

[sevenbark]

THR is nice, all this good info from all, Thanks. One thing I have learned, do not us anything new with out very careful study. I almost damaged a fine machine. Working on our guns should be approached with the attitude of back porch whittling, if you do it like I do that is.

Any suggjestions on the sideplate removal?

 

[SwampWolf]

The few times I've done it,sharply rapping the side opposite the sideplate with a plastic mallet with a piece of wood in-between has usually done the trick. Sometimes it takes a pretty sharp whack. I would avoid any prying (unless absolutely necessary, I guess, and then VERY judiciously-it doesn't take much from a screwdriver blade or some such similar pry tool to booger up the edges).

 

[DAdams]

Not that there isn't a great brain trust here at the ole 642 Club but if you are seeking additional input or information on your S&W check out the S&W Forum.

There is a subgroup, S&W Smithing.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/580103904
You don't need to be a member to lurk or browse, I think you need to join to search the archives (well worth the few minutes). Certainly we all have a vested interest being S&W snubbie afficianados.

I have learned a great deal there. When things get slow on THR it's a great place to visit. Some outstanding photo collections in the snubbie threads.





Here is the type of goodies you may find.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/580103904/m/4101082291?r=4891044291#4891044291

Here is what awaits you when you get the side plate off and a couple of good threads on how to do it and most importantly how not to do it.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/580103904/m/9801048331?r=5751063531#5751063531

 

[clipse]

Okay, here are my 642 pics.

These groups were at 7 yards. (five shots each)

This was 15 shots rapid fire. (five at a time) (again, at 7 yards)

 

[MassMark]

Schweet!

 

[armed85]

DAdams, what grip and wood did you choose for your 642 in your first picture?

I don't like the look of Cocobolo on stainless and that's what most seem to choose for their wood.

 

[acerman]

SHE BITES!a little with +P's.Just got back from the range and finally got to shoot my new 642.Quite a little gun. I was practicing hip shots at about 20 yds. with +P's. Glad there was no bad guy standing there. I would have scared him to death.It's going to take practice. I also practiced drawing from my new Desantis pocket holster, I like this holster. It stays put in the pocket and the gun comes out like butter.
All in all it was a fun time with a fun gun.

 

[D-Man]

Just about 3,000 posts.......pretty amazing when you think about it.

I need to get out and shoot mine.......still haven't hit 100 rounds yet.

 

[jt1]

A lot of good info at the S&W Forum, but they have some sort of manual approval process in order to join. It took me 10 days to get approved. (I must be a bad risk).

clipse - I knew they would be nice. Good shooting, looks line you've done this a time or two before!

MassMark - I think it's S&Weet.

acerman - I like my Desantis as well. Keep it up, it won't take very long.

 

[Warner]

Nice set-up and shooting clipse!

 

[glockman19]

I really liked the movie Mr. 3000, one of Bearnie Mac's best. Wow this thread is popular. Glad to be a member. Only 2 more days until I can DROS that 442.

DAdams, Sweet grips who makes them?

 

[DAdams]

As indicated these photos are from the S&W site and are not my guns. Can't help you with the grips.

Here is a 13 page thread you can peruse.

WARNING: 13 pages of snubbie photos. Some of these will make a grown man cry and women weep. This is like snubbie crack. Slobber, drool.

So don't say I didn't warn you.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/530103904/m/3801002711/p/1

 

[zipper]

New to the club. Purchased a new 642ct Saturday. Shot 50 rounds of Blazer 125gr and 5 rounds of Corbon 110gr+p so far. Good groups but low and right. More so with the laser. The Corbon hit closer to center and poa. Like the feel and the grouping. Trigger pull is heavy. Bought a speed loader and dummy rounds to practice with. Waitng on ccw permit looking at methods of carry and holsters.

 

[DAdams]

Welcome Zipper. Excellent choice that 642 with CTs.

 

[ARTiger]

DAdams> Not fair . . . re: that S&W Forum photo thread link . . .
Sent me right over the edge . . . (er, well, okay, so I lept a little as well.)
Have a 2" K Frame and a 942 conversion now on my list of "can't live without" items . . .
Hope you're happy!

 

[jt1]

jragsdale, zipper - Welcome to both of you. We employ quite a few different types of carry here. Most prevelent and perhaps most appropriate to the 642 is the pocket carry using the mika or Desantis pocket holsters. A search of this thread will show many pics and posts about carry and holsters.

DAdams - The posting of 13 pages of S&W snubbies has offended my checkbook and therefore I have reported you by PM to gunwife who has been appointed by FiVe to deal with such matters! I belive you are in big trouble.