anyone, tested both, see some talk re the 642, i have the 638-3 and I'm happy with it

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rogerb

I also have the 638. I have handled 642's. I wanted the option of being able to cock the gun while still having a no snag hammer when I got mine.
After shooting it for 2 years I almost never cock the 638 any more. It shoots great double action.

The 642 has the advantage of no opening around the hammer to pick up lint, etc.

If I were buying over again today I am not sure which one I would get. I loan my 638 out during a CCW class now and again. Lady shooters like being able to cock it. With that consideration in mind, I would probably stick with the 638.

They are so close, I am not sure one has enough real world advantage over the other to say this is the best one. I prefer either to a 637 however. I pocket carry the J frame quite a bit. With a 637 I would have to bob the hammer if I carried one.

I have a Lobo Model 1 Pancake holster with inner Hammer Shield, and Detail Boned for mine. I belt carry it quite a bit also. I love the gun/holster combination. I shoot the 638 in BUG Division at the Club. This holster really makes for a smooth draw.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

I prefer the 642/442. I prefer the snag free, nothing can get stuck in there, double action only operation.

Thanks for your input.

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rogerb

Bodyguard style, 638 all the way. It can do everything the 642 can do plus more.

I own both 638 & 642, bought the 638 first because I thought the ability to fire single action may come in handy although after shooting it for a couple of years I rarely ever shoot it single action. I did some stoning on the action and did a lot of dry firing and the double action is now almost as good as single action. Bought the 642 just because it looked good and had a 2 1/2" barrel with a pinned front sight. Both revolvers shoot very well and can use the same holster. I think either one would be a good choice!

i have a 649 and a 642. my solution would be get both. a guy/girl can't have too many snubs. the only time i thumb cock the 649 is at the range after someone who can't shoot very well makes fun of it. that 649 is amazingly accurate with wadcutters.

I like a 638....but I have had such good luck with the old Chiefs Special M36 over the years....I dont really need to think about getting another snubby for quite awhile.

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Semper Paratus

642 is my daily carry. I can place accurate shots with the DAO trigger at any reasonable self defense range. Being able to thumb the hammer back seems like a good idea to some, and I have nothing against the 638 and similar guns. But it's hard to imagine a justifiable self-defense situation where I could only make the shot with a single action pull and cocking would be necessary. If you are 20 yards, 30 yards away from the threat, you are possibly in a situation where the law would require you to retreat instead of shoot. In my state, I am only exempt from the duty to retreat law in my own home, and at home the threat will be staring down the barrel of a .45 or a pump, not a J-frame. 642 is the right choice for my CCW needs.

when my wife bought her 638 we went to five different stores and tried the triggers on five 638's and 642's....she complained about the trigger on every 642 saying it pinched her finger. she like the 638 and bought one...the price varied depending on where we went by 50-75 bucks....I did not notice a wit of difference...different fingers feel different things....

Did she only dry fire the 638 by cocking it first (so it would not require first knuckle trigger finger engagement but she could just use the pad)? Did they have different grips? If they didn't and she dry fired double action with both of them this just doesn't make sense. The triggers and trigger guards are the same with both.

I have a 642 as my daily carry. I think it is great. I chose it over an exposed hammer figuring if I needed it quickly I wouldn't be thinking about cocking it to fire SA, plus the no exposed hammer moves in and out of pockets and holsters real nice.

Having said all of that I will most likely get another J frame snubby with exposed hammer just I really like the J frames and because I want one. So there.

Have both and use both interchangably. The 638 does tend to collect **** by the hammer so I don't use it in an ankle holster often.

Sent from my Ally

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