Joined the Airweight club!

otis24 · #1 06-08-2012, 09:20 PM

I started out with a Ruger SP101 for concealed carry. Great revolver, but did not like the very stiff trigger pull and weight. Never liked the hammerless (Centennial) revolvers. They grew on me for their usefulness and I wound up owning a 640-1. Very smooth trigger pull, but still, kinda heavy.

I never thought that I would own an airweight revolver. I like durablility and longevity. Reason prevailed. I know that I will never fire enough rounds in my lifetime to do damage to a revolver, as its primary purpose is ccw and self-defense. Also, it has a lifetime warranty.

I was able to sell my 640-1 (a financial necessity) and purchase a new 642. I toted it around in my holster all day. Wow, what a difference in carry-ability. It will be so easy to slip into a pocket with a pocket holster and will ensure that I will have a revolver with me on a more consistent basis. Not that I go to dangerous enviorns, but you never know when trouble will find you. I'm really enthralled with this little revolver.

Next on the agenda will to be to purchase an additional one for my wife.

Fox Creek · #2 06-08-2012, 09:35 PM

The 642 airweight is one of the most popular designs that S & W has produced in eons. Apparently they have the manufacturing process down to a "T" and the volume to get them to market as they seem to be plentiful and reasonably priced; especially compared to the scandium alloy framed pieces. Shoot it a good bit with different types of ammo, from each hand, and you will most likely settle on a standard target velocity wad cutter. Folks talk about shooting +P 158 grain, but these sure get your attention and draw blood (yours), especially from your off-hand. If you are right handed, try shooting from your left hand, the up and to the right torgue in your right hand is against your four fingers and palm, in your left hand is all against your thumb. Ouch.

Old cop · #3 06-08-2012, 09:47 PM

I've been carrying & shooting airweight J's for over 40 years, best ccw ever IMHO. Get yourself a pair of mechanics gloves at Target or WalMart for the range. They save your hands and you'll practice more often. As to +P I run a cylinder full (5 - 10 rounds) each practice session, you'll get used to the recoil.

photoman · #4 06-08-2012, 09:53 PM

Welcome to the club!

otis24 · #5 06-08-2012, 10:31 PM

I had been chambering 158 gr. LSWHP's in my CCW (the 640). Somehow, that supply has dwindled down to about two cylinder fulls and I can't find them. I don't imagine that they would be very fun to shoot in an airweight anyway! I've got a box of 135 gr Winchester Silvertips and a box of Winchester 130 gr. PDX hp's. I purchased these with Cabela's points I was needing to use. Of the two, which would be the preferred round for self-defense? Are they both pretty close choices?

Ralph G. Briscoe · #6 06-08-2012, 10:48 PM

I have a couple of dozen snubbies--steel and alloy. The 642 is my choice for everyday carry. The factory triggers tend to be heavy and rough. Dry firing a few thousand times helped some, but following a "J frame trigger job" video you can find on youtube made a great improvement and took under an hour (I'm not a gunsmith). You might check it out. Re: loads, I use 158 gr LSWCHP's in all my snubbies--they tend to be calibrated to zero with that bullet weight. I handload a quasi FBI load--around 820 fps--for a carry load and a practice load that runs around 600fps and is easy on the hands. Since you don't handload, you might consider 148 gr wadcutters if you can't find 158's...less recoil, not a bad defense load, and you can always order some Buffalo Bore snubby loads for carry and just shoot the wadcutters. Enjoy.

Edmo · #7 06-08-2012, 11:07 PM

I'm glad I happened into my 642...

Edmo

photoman · #8 06-08-2012, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otis24

I had been chambering 158 gr. LSWHP's in my CCW (the 640). Somehow, that supply has dwindled down to about two cylinder fulls and I can't find them. I don't imagine that they would be very fun to shoot in an airweight anyway! I've got a box of 135 gr Winchester Silvertips and a box of Winchester 130 gr. PDX hp's. I purchased these with Cabela's points I was needing to use. Of the two, which would be the preferred round for self-defense? Are they both pretty close choices?

I'm not familiar with a 135gr Silvertip for .38 Special. The PDX round is basically Winchester's version of the Gold Dot bullet and should be a fair enough round.

mgo · #9 06-09-2012, 12:39 AM

MY weakness is the K-frame Airweight Smiths. I am still kicking myself for not hanging on to a couple of 2 inchers that I bought in the 80s. The 4 inch K-frame Airweight that I have now WILL be a lifetime keeper!!
And...I would love to grab one or two more 2 inch K-frame Airweight 38s!

BobR1 · #10 06-09-2012, 02:24 AM

I sold my 638 a while back to help finance a 442 Pro Moonclip available at Buds.
I already had the Lobo Model 1 Pancake holster for it.
I added a couple California Competition Works J Frame Moon Clip Carriers available through TK. Great Product!! To belt carry either one or two spare Moonclip Reloads.

I also picked up a batch of extra Moonclips from TK for it.

Then I finished it off by treating myself to a set of Hogue Bantam Finger Groove Checkered Walnut grips for it. The grips really finished it off. They look and feel great.

A Lime Green Sight Insert would be the Cherry on top.

The 642/442 are really Great Concealed Carry handguns.

Bob

ogilvyspecial · #11 06-09-2012, 02:39 AM

Even though I've had a Model 638 & 642 for awhile I couldn't resist this one
when it came along a few weeks ago. It's now my primary pocket & ankle gun.

I just love a gun that shows some "character."

smitty_bs · #12 06-09-2012, 07:13 AM

That's real nice Ogilvy. Is that a "pinto"?

Moonman · #13 06-09-2012, 07:44 AM

Otis24,

Try some 148 grain Double Ended FULL WADCUTTERS in the Airweight.

Nice to shoot and works well as a defensive round also.

MOONMAN

snubbiefan · #14 06-09-2012, 07:49 AM

Ogilvy.....I "made" one just like yours. I also have a stainless yoke and ejector-rod.

ogilvyspecial · #15 06-09-2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty_bs

That's real nice Ogilvy. Is that a "pinto"?

Thanks Smitty! I think a true "Pinto" also has a stainless, or nickel, whichever the case may
be, barrel & cylinder latch, but don't quote me on that since I really don't know for sure.

Nice snubbiefan, your gun also has it's own character goin' on.

snubbiefan · #16 06-09-2012, 02:02 PM

Don't quote me either on this, but I believe the Pinto's had nickel cylinders and barrels and were produced for the Michigan State Police...again...that my or may not be exactly correct, but I think it's close. I simply "manufactured" mine by changing the blued components with stainless steel components.

I just added this 1965 era Model 60 to my collection.