My 642 is great, but I want to trade it for a PC j-frame ...only a slight upgrade.

In my area, a 642 goes for $399 new. Being an individual, I could sell it on this board, but would think the shipping/transfer fees make it not worthwhile.

I can take it to my LGS, but considering their 'new' price and a low margin trade-up, I'd probably have to give it away.

Thinking I'll just take it to the LGS and bite the bullet, but wanted to ask opinions before I do.

Thanks!

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Best Regards,
Mark

There is no finer pocket handgun for personal protection then the 642. Keep it or regret it later.

Rich

The LGS might give you a decent trade in price if you buy the new one there also. They make money both ways. I know how it is when you want a different gun. It can't hurt to try here & see what happens but there's that shipping cost & transfer $

My LGS gave me nearly $250 trade in on a Taurus model 85 2" 38 special+P towards a S&W model 649-5. A Smith would easily out trade a Taurus. So you may get surprised.

If you sell the 642, it wont be long before you will regret that decision. What you will get out of it is not enough to make a difference on the PC J you are seeking...

It is a great backup gun for sure. And I know what you mean by low trade in value. The 442 & 642 are the bottom line S&W revolvers brand new so trade in is pitiful. Hopefully you still have the box and papers. That is a little help.

I would suggest as an option selling only locally. Post on as many forums as possible, even Armslist. That would keep the cost down. It might take awhile.

Let us know how do make out.

Good luck.

In my opinion I would keep it and just eat ramen noodles for a while to save up for your pc gun. It's great to have as a back up if one needs to go in for repairs or whatever.

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Jim

I have regretted every gun I ever sold . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I wish I had all mine back, as well. Not that I didn't get a good buck for them, or that I need more, but that money is long gone and I have nothing to show for it.

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Because of the metric system?

My opinion is more than a little biased, having existed through the 1970s when the antis classified ALL snub revolvers as "Saturday Night Specials" and tried to ban them. I even saw LEOs having difficulty obtaining snubs for their duty. I simply do not believe in selling any 2" revolver.

The above "J-hounds" seem to bear this out. Good luck and good shooting.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I'd keep it...

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-Roger

I think back to the guns I've sold and regret selling almost every one.

Now, I did trade in a Glock to get my latest j-frame. The "G-gun" is a fine weapon, but I am truly a wood-and-metal guy. I tried, but just didn't feel any attachment to it.

So, I'll eat canned beans, dried noodles and clip coupons until I can afford that next j-frame. The 642 will stay with me. I think it's a wise choice. Thanks for your opinions!

The 642 on the left thanks you too!

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Best Regards,
Mark

I believe you made the correct decision. Congratulations on your growing J frame collection!

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-Roger

+1 !

I'd say to anyone considering parting with ANY S&W Revolver 3" or shorter in .357 or .44, and any J-frame snubby needs to heed the above words by Kaaskop49! These are lifetime guns to own and do not belong in any realm of indecision...


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Trading guns is like trading cars. Without knowing the markup your local shop had on the 649-5, he probably only gave you $100 to $150 out of the Taurus, maybe even less.

I cannot say that for two reasons. First, because I probably bought something I wanted more for every gun I ever sold and not diamonds for a lady, if you follow my drift, and second, any gun I ever sold when I didn't buy another gun simply didn't fit into my "arsenal" any longer. No big deal.

As for what kaaskop said, I agree - and I agree with the other remarks - selling a snubby revolver makes no practical sense and I have NEVER done that!

Good choice keeping the 642! Presently, mine is my EDCG!

***GRJ***

How come I cannot find a J-frame in the Performance Center section of the S&W website?

***GRJ***

Wooo!


Man ---I was worried---I new better----but I was worried.....

I was worried some clod would tell him to sell it.

Okay, I found 3 PC J-frames:

Product: Model 637 Enhanced Action

Product: Model 642 Enhanced Action

Product: Model 637 Wyatt Deep Cover


If they're still in production they're cool but I wouldn't dump my 642 to get one.

***GRJ***

Me too, it is nice to have two j frames, one for each jacket pocket. It is not worth enough to be worth selling or trading keep it for a spare, or beater. Ed

There is nothing that those J frames can do that my $375 642 or my $450 442 with a set of CT grips, both with a Apex J frame trigger kit, cannot do.

Keep the 642.

I miss nearly every gun I ever owned like I miss nearly every car I ever owned (esp. the '58 vette and Win 52B). But my resources have always been finite. If I didn't let one go I would not have had the opportunity to enjoy the next. Most of us can't keep them all, or, sometimes even more than one.

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Randy
Provenance nerd

A nice, practical statement. Well put, swmod10.

I paid 300 bucks for my 642 on sale a few years ago, I recently acquired a 638 for 330 bucks, and I paid 300 bucks for my 649 sometime back. Heck the only J-frame I paid more for was $400 for a GORGEOUS Model 32 in .38 S&W (maybe 2 years ago) that I simply HAD TO HAVE!

I wouldn't part with any one of them for a PC gun - that's not to say I wouldn't own a PC J-frame; I just don't have the need and cannot imagine trading or selling one of mine for one of those. Mine will definitely do everything those can do.

***GRJ***

Hmm. I have a stainless steel Taurus 85 snub that I don't carry anymore.
I'm thinking I should trade it in on a 642.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

What everyone else said. The gun is just worth a lot more than what you can sell it for. You don't believe us? Sell it, and five days, or five minutes, later you will realize why it was a mistake. You'll realize that you should have a gun in your other pocket, too, or on your ankle, or both, and the 642 was PERFECT for that. But you can't buy another one for what the store, or likely anyone, will give you for the one you have now.

No-brainer; keep it.

Yes - I agree and now consider the 642 a permanent part of the family. Instead, I adopted another 637 Wyatt. They all get along well

Now that I've squeezed the thin polished trigger of the 637 PC, I want one for the 642. Wonder if there is a drop-in replacement trigger or a good gunsmith can easily polish it (642 stock) down? Guess that's another thread.

Thanks! You're opinions are always valued.

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Best Regards,
Mark

Try the Apex trigger kit, it really makes the 642/442 trigger much, much better than stock.

That is true. However I know his gun was priced $615. I would say he wouldn't have had too much of a mark up on a 357 Magnum with that price. I also know he had the Taurus priced $279 once he put it in his case for sale and going by what I would have had to have paid for the Smith with no trade, he gave me $246 for the Taurus and wanted to make $33 on it.

Either way I have little doubt a Smith of any kind would trade better than a Taurus. And my point was that these guns are worth more than apparently what people think.

By the way, I'm glad the OP was able to keep his 642 and still get the new gun he wanted. I couldn't keep my Taurus model 85 or Smith 638-3. However I don't regret it at all because of what I was able to get in their place.

I'll never sell my 642, ever. It is like that old hat you just love unconditionally. Keep it.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

Congratulations. You now have a New York Reload.

Years ago I sold a 36 It has been replaced by another 36 and a couple more J frames. 642 , 640 and a 49.
I doubt I will give up another J frame.
I don't miss my SP 101 but that is because I can shoot my wife's. She has a 642 and 640 also.
I am glad you kept it.
Just like a fire extinguisher it is better to have it and not need it.
Now I need or want a 3 inch J.

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Have a blessed day ,
Bull

I had to sell several guns recently. My 642 was the one I kept. Will be adding a 442 in a couple of weeks. Have relied on J-frames for years, the 642 is the best of the lot....just the way it is.

You can tinker with your 642 to "improve" whatever it is you are hoping to achieve with the PC gun but I think the 642 is pretty good "as is."

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"Sacramento" Bruce Conklin