The 642 club

[Brassman]

I can maybe hit a basketball at 25 yds, but not a tennis ball! I might get lucky and hit it 1 or 2 times out of 10. That's some good shootin'! Tennis balls at 30 yards....choose your weapons.....I pick my 336, maybe my 39A , but not my 642!

 

[Headless]

To be fair, I re-iterate I can't hit tennis balls every shot at 30yds - just around 4 of 10 shots. 2 out of 5 with the occasional 3rd hit in a cylinder. I miss plenty My buckmark .22 on the other hand is just plain fun to plink tennis balls at those ranges

I saw an elderly gentleman with a 6 inch S&W 357mag - 686 i believe it was? not familiar with that model #. Who was nailing targets up on the pistol range backstop - around 50 yards to 60 yards out, 5 of 6 shots that were not much bigger than a tennis ball; maybe 5 inch targets. I wish i could pull that off with my 642 - i think the pistol can do it with the right ammo and the right shooter but that the sights are kinda useless at that range beyond basic reference. Isn't there a famous pistol fellow who makes shots with the .38 snub at insane distances like 200 yards on a ballon sized target? Edit: Yeah - bob munden. That dude is insane, i just saw some clips of him when i did a search. Jeez.

 

[AStone]

Tennis balls at 30 yards....choose your weapons.....I pick my 336, maybe my 39A , but not my 642!

<laughs>

I'm in the same league as B'man.

I might even try it with the "new" (to me) 65, which came home today.

But I don't think I stand a chance of puncturing a tennis ball at 30 in even ten shots with the 642.
____________

Speaking of the 65: it reportedly belonged to a prison guard.

Somewhere out there, there's a prison guard, or an ex-prison guard, that deserves scolding. That was the dirtiest cylinder I've seen in ... well, ever. Thick buildup from shooting .38s in it. I wonder if he ever cleaned it.

Three major brush/swab sessions (and I mean BRUSH, not just pushing it through once or twice, but serious BRUSH;
I dang near ruined the brush), and it's still not completely clean. I got 95% of it, but the last bit is gonna have to wait until after dinner.

Still, it's a sweet revolver. Just put a new set of Hogue's on it.

Needs some polish work done on the stainless, but I think it'll look real nice.
Can't wait to shoot it.

 

[glockman19]

Toothpaste

I use the copper paste that comes factory on Glocks for all metal to metal parts and it works great.

I was sniping at tennis balls with it at the range last weekend @ just over 30 yards and managed to hit them 4 times in 10 shots single handed.

That's some fine shooting I shoot tennis balls but at 7 yards and with my Glock & 1911

 

[FireCaptDave]

Changing Springs

Has anyone changed springs in their 642 to lighten the trigger pull? If so, what springs did you replace and what poundage did you use? I've head Wolf makes replacement springs.

 

[shootfiresavematches]

First Forum Ever

I have never been the type to join forums although I enjoy lurking on many. I must say I am in awe of of the size of this thread. I have never seen anything like this. Not only am I impressed by the size of the thread, but the quality of the thread amazes me. Questions asked = Question answered, with no smart*** replies (unless in good humor of course). That is almost unprecendented. Most internet forums have jackasses that just want to tick people off. Not so here. I have enjoyed myself immensely over the last week going through the pages of this thread. I try not to jump through to the last pages but I can't help it. So far I am only on about pg 30, so I have a long way to go (what a way to pass time at work, not to mention at home huh?)
Oh yeah one more very important point, I too am very much enjoying my little 642 which I purchased last week. That is how I happened on this forum. A member at smithandwessonforum.com (i think that is right) linked this site in a post, and I am so glad he did. i was searching for what type of ammo people liked best for their 642? Needless to say this thread more than covered this topic.

I still do have a question (if anyone is still reading this because I have rambled on): What is the opinion on the Winchester +p ammo. I know it is cheap but does it measure up to the others?

 

[glockman19]

shootfiresavematches,

Welcome to THR and Congrats on the purchase of your S&W 642.

Please let us know how long it takes to read through all 151 pages.

What is the opinion on the Winchester +p ammo. I know it is cheap but does it measure up to the others?

I think you'll find answers in/around pages of the 130's

 

[ArgosTCS]

Desantis v. Mika

I'm in the market for a pocket holster for my 442. I've narrowed it down to a Mika or a Nemsis. The only places I have managed to find that sell either are the "manufacturer" websites. Are there any other places that people are aware of that I should be aware of?

Thanks.

 

[jt1]

FireCaptDave - I cannot recommend you alter the factory springs on a CCW. However, if you will log in and goto the top of the page and use the "search this thread" button and enter "wolff" you will see the post's for all who have done so here.

shootfiresavematches - Welcome, It's great to have you here and we thank you for the kind words. Hope to see you here often. It took me awhile to read all the posts as well, but it is well worth the effort and I find myself rereading this thread and finding new things all the time.

Win +P is good ammo. Maybe not up to par with some of the other SD/snub specific loadings like Speer 135 gold dot or Buff Bore 158 or a few others, but I would not care to be on the wrong end of it. Again welcome.

 

[Headless]

Hello FireCapDave. Check out this page:
http://www.brassfetcher.com/38SpecialVariousFourInch.html

For a comparison of SXT with a couple other rounds.
While i have been impressed with 9mm SXT performance, i am more impressed with the corbon DPX and speer GDHP short barrelled ammo performance in .38spl.

This page has another shot:

http://www.brassfetcher.com/Various .38 Special JHPs.html

Check out the corbon DPX:
http://www.brassfetcher.com/110 grain Cor-Bon DPX.html

Over 1000fps from a snub and 12+ inches of penetration in all shots fired. Decent expansion

This derringer shot through heavy denim still penetrated 11.4"
http://www.brassfetcher.com/Cor-Bon 110gr +P DPX all copper hollowpoint (Heavy clothing test).html

I do love brassfetcher.com

The buffalo bore speer kicks butt too. My brother uses these in his model 36 as they are not +P.
http://www.brassfetcher.com/Buffalo Bore 125gr Speer Low Velocity JHC.html

 

[jt1]

flc - Good luck on your fishing trip, stay safe.

 

[AStone]

flc, good to see you over here as well as 336-ville.
Good call on the 642 for camp duty; extra piece of mind.
Hope your trip is an excellent one.

Not only am I impressed by the size of the thread, but the quality of the thread amazes me. Questions asked = Question answered, with no smart*** replies (unless in good humor of course). That is almost unprecendented. Most internet forums have jackasses that just want to tick people off. Not so here. I have enjoyed myself immensely over the last week going through the pages of this thread.

S'fire, those words are music to the ears of those of us who have been wandering in this thread for ... I lose track of time.

Welcome to new members: Capt and Argos.

This is an interesting experiment.

What is it about a 642 attracts interesting, intelligent people of integrity to an Internet thread?

 

[AStone]

{Original image - Batman and Robin -
lost, probably due to user error.
I'll try again tomorrow ... }

This question probably belongs in Technical, but
does deleting a thumbnail from a post
delete an image from the server?

 

[jad0110]

Three major brush/swab sessions (and I mean BRUSH, not just pushing it through once or twice, but serious BRUSH;
I dang near ruined the brush), and it's still not completely clean. I got 95% of it, but the last bit is gonna have to wait until after dinner.

Have you tried using a .40 cal brush? I swab the chambers in my 38s with a 40 brush now and then (not the barrel, of course). Seems to get a lot of the stubborn crap out.

does deleting a thumbnail from a post
delete an image from the server?

I don't think so, but then again I am using Photobucket for my pictures.

 

[Mongo the Mutterer]

I still do have a question (if anyone is still reading this because I have rambled on): What is the opinion on the Winchester +p ammo. I know it is cheap but does it measure up to the others?

Welcome, and as a member of the club welcome again.

I like the WWB +p but I carry 135g Speer Gold Dot.

I've found this site http://stevespages.com/page8f.htm gives me some good information.

YMMV

 

[shootfiresavematches]

Thanks everyone

Thanks for the welcome everyone. Glockman, I don't know how long it will take me to make it through the whole thread, and the way it is growing i dont' think I ever will, but I'll sure have fun trying.
Mongo the Mutterer and JT1; thanks for the info, and I think i am going to try to find a store that carries the Speer Gold Dot. Matter of fact I think that is what I will do today. Not only that but I need to find a pocket holster.

 

[fiVe]

Not only am I impressed by the size of the thread, but the quality of the thread amazes me. Questions asked = Question answered, with no smart*** replies (unless in good humor of course). That is almost unprecendented. Most internet forums have jackasses that just want to tick people off. Not so here.

shootfire, welcome to the club. I see you have honored us with your first 2 posts to THR, and I thank you for your comments. They are a testament to the quality members here. The 642 Club is indeed a special place that has developed into a top-notch online reference for the S&W 642. That could not have happened without the good people whose posts you see.

gtmntbiker98, sdra2007, tsidorus: welcome!

Our membership continues to grow and that's always a good thing!

Peace,
fiVe

 

[glockman19]

Mika or a Nemsis,

Either or...both. Both are good pocket holsters I have DeSaints Nemisis for my 442 & 642 only becaues they were cheap and iI could order along wiht my ammo @ midwayusa.com

 

[JMFred]

Thanks for that link Mongo- Looks like a great reference site.

 

[phreeq]

Well, I finally did it! I went out today to Academy, and I came home with a brand spanking new 642-2, 50 rounds of 158 grain soft point and 50 rounds of 125 grain +p semi jacketed hollow points.

Even after hearing from all you guys about the weight, and looking at the numbers myself, I just can't get over how light this thing is!

I hate to say it, but the pictures will have to wait (cell phone camera is way too blurry).

 

[jt1]

phreeq - Congrats on the new 642. Get your Mika and after a short time you will forget you are carrying it. Be safe!

 

[flc]

Best price around for J frame Crimson Trace grips on my ad in classified Accessories.

 

[dust_101]

Finally...

Ok... post #3421 on page 137 of this thread... see the pics? That has been sitting about 15 feet behind me at my desk at work (also my FFL holder) until this coming Monday. My updated CCW permit came in the mail on friday... SHEESH

So now at lunch on monday I can finally take out my new 642 and put some rounds threw her, then take her home with me at 4:30pm. Already got my order in for my Mika's holster... now just need to get a pack of Glaser Silver +p's for summer carry and some GD HP's for fall/winter carry... and bricks of plain old FMJ's for the once a week range time...

MAN I hate waiting... now to find a flashlight for the left pocket

 

[Photoman]

shootfiresavematches: Evan Marshall tested the Winchester 125jhp+p on his sight and reported favorable results.

 

[Photoman]

gtmtnbiker98: You might want to consider getting a second 642 at that price! They are only going to cost more as time goes by.