Now I have fired a lot of revolver's and enjoyed doing it. But I've always preferred and only would own semi's. I got a "Black Friday email' and noticed this store has a sale on 642's and 442's. $336.99 shipped. My nephew has a 442 that I fired about 5 years ago. So I bought the 642 no lock model. Now I need to get some ammo.

Picture, please!

Ordered it yesterday.

You are probly gonna like it. The trigger may require extensive breaking in, but mine eventually smoothed out to a very, very nice DA pull. I do shoot some +P which is a manageable handful. Hides well in a pocket.

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

Same trigger experience. I dry fired it thousands of times, and that smoothed it out.

I like the basic FMJ ammo in it, like the Rem/UMC 130gr FMJ.

Remington UMC Ammo 38 Special 130 Grain Full Metal Jacket

Pleasant to shoot. +P no fun.

The no lock model 642 is the way to go.

That's it jimmyjoe. Nice grips on yours. Did not like the Klinton lock model. Read some bad stuff about them. Locking up when you least expect it. Gamecock, bought a box of snap caps, and some Freedom 158 grain to start the trigger break in process.

Dry firing it empty won't hurt it.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but please don't allow this "trigger break-in process" to become a mountain to climb or an ocean to cross. The 642 is set up for serious social work right out of the box. Fire it (meaningfully), clean it, carry it. No muss, no fuss. Out here in the desert, where dish towels are unheard-of, I place a tiny drop of gun oil where the trigger enters the frame. That's it. Good luck with, and enjoy, your new 642. You chose well.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

The 642 is a good choice if you want a lightweight snubbie...

If you are going to get one it might as well be the "post-lock" 642-1 version.

Below is a picture of my two 642s from several years ago. The bottom one is still going strong while the top one was replaced under warranty.

Edmo

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TRUTH: Don't delete my posts!

That's what it is Edmo, 642-1. I'm just starting to get into revolvers. Darn Smiths are habit forming. Have been buying 2nd and 3rd gen semi's. Sometimes I wish I never found this forum. A lot of bad influences around here. And your snubs look great.

Good choice. I have mine with me at all times in an IWB kydex holster.

You'll like it. That's a good price.

I've carried one for years. It's a great pocket gun--not a lot heavier than a wallet or cell phone. I use a DeSantis Nemesis which works in most trouser pockets. I don't think any of them are going to work in all pockets.

It shoots better for me than its size and weight would indicate. I've pretty much always loaded mine with Speer 135 Gr.Short Barrel +Ps.

As others have said the trigger will smooth out considerably over time.

I hope a range report is forthcoming...

I carry a 442 as second gun every day in my off hand pocket.

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Two Handguns every day

J-Frames are timeless. The 642 is a great choice...

nice gun ive been kicking getting one around for a while, right now ive got a 637 wyatt deep cover edition,in fact had it at the range yesterday, im a small guy, 5ft.4in around 150lb and that thing packs a wallup. i could but wouldnt recomend shooting 50 rounds of 147gr fmj in one setting!

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prepare to defend yourselves

The trigger pull from the factory is a defect. You can ignore it, or you can fix it. Or you can buy an LCR, which has a good trigger out of the box.

I've been watching this sale, too. The $336 price is pretty great, I'd say. Seems like the sale is good until tomorrow evening. Giving it some thought....

Love my 642 Pro moonclip version. Great, great guns.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

So what do you guys prefer as far as target ammo goes? I'm looking at one myself and this would be my first revolver.

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Save time, see it my way. LP

I paid 349 for my 442 not long ago. Mine has the internal lock. A 642 sans lock was $50 more.

I changed my boot grips out for more hand filling Hogues right there before it left the store. I use a shoulder holster so this is fine.

I have been using Blazer Alumn case 125 gr +P JHP as practice loads.

My 442 no lock ran me $355 so you are getting a good deal. My wife's 642 Ladysmith was $415 but hard to find so I paid a little extra. Hers definitely has a much better trigger. We are happy with both.

Something low cost/low recoil to get the most practice, without developing a flinch. If you reload I'm real happy with 148gr double ended wad cutters (the largest flattest frontal area you can get) with 3.2 gr bullseye is accurate & hits steel plates & bowling pins hard without much recoil or noise. Granted my stainless 640 is heavier, which helps.

Great choice. For practice in my 340 M&P and 640-1, I like to 148 gr. SWC loaded to about 800 fps. I sometimes use a similar load in 158 gr. LHP-GC.

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Dave Frost

I like ~130gr FMJ. I'm currently using PMC 132gr FMJ for most of my practice.

I also have some Speer Lawman 158gr +P TMJ that works well. The felt recoil, to me at least, is similar to the Speer 135gr SB-GDHP +P that I carry and at the distances I practice most POA/POI isn't that different. I don't know what the current availability of it is, though. I bought a case a few years ago and still have a few 50-round boxes left.

642's are great. I carry mine in my pocket. I don't see the point in carrying a 5 shot revolver IWB or OWB...but nothing against those that do.

I've been using Georgia Arms wadcutters for practice. They're cheap, and recoil is low. I think they're about .26 a round...it's about the cheapest I've seen. They sell remanufactured and new ones. I've used both and never had a problem with either.

Fox

For carry, I use the Speer 135gr SB mentioned in several posts. A bit of a handfull, but quite useable.
For practice, I load 125gr plated flat point bullets over a non plus P charge of HP38. Fun and easy to shoot a box or two. They seem to shoot close to the 135gr Speer. In my 642, that is high. Aim for the chin!

Best,
Rick

Thank you gentlemen. I see the blazer is readily available, but my experience has been it is a bit dirty, although 100% reliable. I don't mind the cloud so much outdoors, but indoors it is a bit much. I did find the mentioned PMC 132gr. for a reasonable price. The above comments are a good starting point and I'll see what I can find out there in stock.

I guess I should probably look into a comparable +P/target round based on the availability.

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Save time, see it my way. LP

looks like the $336 no-lock version is sold out. That's what i get for waiting too long. Bummer.

I have loved and carried mine extensively in Simply Rugged Silver Dollar Pancake. Mine shoots POA and is incredibly accurate with most everything I have run through it.