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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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  #51  
Old 01-13-2021, 01:06 PM
tws3boys tws3boys is offline
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Well, it seems I can't let this go yet. I really no longer care if my 642-1 is rated for +P or not. I just want to know more about the gun. I'm now to the point that I don't really know if I have a 642-1 or 642 or what. I found the plastic box the gun was shipped from the factory in. I know it's the correct box because the serial number is printed on the S&W sticker attached to the box. It gives the model number 642 not 642-1. The ammunition chart inside list models from model 24 to 657. It list the model 642 but says nothing about the 642-1. It says the 642 is not rated for +P. Why would the label say 642 and not 642-1? Why would the ammo chart inside list the 642 and later models and not the 642-1? 642-1 is clearly stamped on the frame of my revolver. In the photo you can see the model # and sn# . I contacted S&W again asking for more info on why but I don't think they will have the answers I'm looking for.
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  #52  
Old 01-13-2021, 05:28 PM
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So, Here is the response from S&W.
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  #53  
Old 01-13-2021, 05:31 PM
tws3boys tws3boys is offline
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So, Here is the response from S&W.
Does that mean they have no idea???
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  #54  
Old 01-13-2021, 07:35 PM
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It should be marked right here.
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  #55  
Old 01-13-2021, 07:52 PM
JimCunn JimCunn is offline
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"It should be marked right here".

As mine are.

"The alloy J Magnum frames like your 637-2"

I've seen no indication that my three are anything other than aluminum - they are not scandium. They do have the magnum window, but what is the specific alloy? As an aside, I shoot 9x19 in them, so am not much worried about +P.
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  #56  
Old 01-13-2021, 08:26 PM
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I read that the difference between the 642 and the and the 642-1 is that the -1 Smith changed the barrel and cylinder to SS to handle the +P loads.

I don't know this to be a fact.
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  #57  
Old 01-13-2021, 08:53 PM
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It should be marked right here.
That's what I don't understand. Your's is a model 642-1. Mine is a model 642-1. Your's has a SS Barrel. Mine has a SS barrel. Your's has a SS cylinder. Mine has a SS cylinder. Your's is an Airweight. Mine is an Airweight. Your's has Alloy J frame with the J lug. Mine has Alloy J frame with the J lug. Your's is stamped +P . Mine is not. Just curious as to why. It's the same gun.
On the right side, just in front of the trigger does your say Made in USA. Like mine. Or does it say S&W USA.
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  #58  
Old 01-13-2021, 10:15 PM
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S&W U.S.A.
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  #59  
Old 01-15-2021, 06:32 PM
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Ok, Smith & Wesson says my 642-1 came to life on 7-15-1997. Apparently " Before" the model was rated +P. Also, My 642-1 on the right side is marked
Made in USA
Marcas Registradas
Smith & Wesson
Springfield, Mass
Changed to
SPLD, MA
S&W USA
Around 2000.
I bought my 642-1 about 8 years ago, From a gun shop on consignment in like new condition in original plastic box with original booklet. The booklet said model 642. Nowhere did it say 642-1.
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  #60  
Old 01-15-2021, 10:10 PM
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Yours and mine could be exactly the same but without the +P being stamped on the barrel I seriously doubt that their legal department would allow them tell you that its safe to shoot +Ps.

My brother bought mine in 2008, it was his back-up gun until he retired in 2014. He bought a new one and gave this one to me.
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  #61  
Old 01-15-2021, 11:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rubiranch View Post
I read that the difference between the 642 and the and the 642-1 is that the -1 Smith changed the barrel and cylinder to SS to handle the +P loads.

I don't know this to be a fact.
I believe all versions of the 642 have had steel barrels and cylinders. The initial change from no-dash to -1 was to the slightly larger frame and cylinders of the (then) new magnum-rated Js.
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  #62  
Old 01-15-2021, 11:59 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tws3boys View Post
That's what I don't understand. Your's is a model 642-1. Mine is a model 642-1. Your's has a SS Barrel. Mine has a SS barrel. Your's has a SS cylinder. Mine has a SS cylinder. Your's is an Airweight. Mine is an Airweight. Your's has Alloy J frame with the J lug. Mine has Alloy J frame with the J lug. Your's is stamped +P . Mine is not. Just curious as to why. It's the same gun...
The likeliest explanation has already been posited: it's a +P 642-1 that S&W used a leftover 642 barrel on; S&W's got a long history of "transitional" pieces with features or parts from different iterations on the same gun.

When the 642 became +P rated, it stepped up to the slightly longer magnum-J frame and longer cylinder, compared to original Js. If you have the longer frame and cylinder, you probably know what you've got; as already mentioned, that your 642-1 has the integrated cylinder lug is yet another indicator yours is the modern +P rated 642.
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  #63  
Old 01-16-2021, 12:08 AM
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As a practical matter, +p ammo adds only to the ammo maker’s bottom line.

Standard velocity ammo will work just fine for any application appropriate to the gun.

I’m always amazed by the attraction of +p ammo: folks are always happy to spend for pricy ammo instead of spending on range time and standard velocity ammo to develop the skill needed to hit what they’re shooting at.
My go to ammo is Remington 125 grain HP +p. Has good reports on expansion and penetration. Pre pandemic pricing on this was reasonable
Under certain circumstance I’ve used full wadcutter ammo. Not +p and proven stopper by NYPD gun fight veterans
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  #64  
Old 01-16-2021, 12:30 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tws3boys View Post
Ok, Smith & Wesson says my 642-1 came to life on 7-15-1997. Apparently " Before" the model was rated +P. Also, My 642-1 on the right side is marked
Made in USA
Marcas Registradas
Smith & Wesson
Springfield, Mass
Changed to
SPLD, MA
S&W USA
Around 2000.
I bought my 642-1 about 8 years ago, From a gun shop on consignment in like new condition in original plastic box with original booklet. The booklet said model 642. Nowhere did it say 642-1.

Mine (642-1) is from 1999, it reads on the right side, just like yours.



But the left...



Last edited by transit; 01-16-2021 at 12:38 AM. Reason: 642-1
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  #65  
Old 01-16-2021, 10:48 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hapworth View Post
The likeliest explanation has already been posited: it's a +P 642-1 that S&W used a leftover 642 barrel on; S&W's got a long history of "transitional" pieces with features or parts from different iterations on the same gun.

When the 642 became +P rated, it stepped up to the slightly longer magnum-J frame and longer cylinder, compared to original Js. If you have the longer frame and cylinder, you probably know what you've got; as already mentioned, that your 642-1 has the integrated cylinder lug is yet another indicator yours is the modern +P rated 642.
In the email I got from S&W they said they did not test "My Firearm" with +P so they cannot suggest using +P with it. But, They did not suggest Not to use it. Just a legal stand point I think. As far as I can determine it's the same gun inside and out. Just no +P. I'm going to use +P when I carry and change to target rounds at the range.
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  #66  
Old 01-16-2021, 12:52 PM
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+P is no fun in a 642, no matter what's stamped on the barrel.
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  #67  
Old 01-16-2021, 01:37 PM
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Quote:
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I'm going to use +P when I carry and change to target rounds at the range.


66 post on whether or not to use +P in your 642 and you had the answer the entire time.....
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  #68  
Old 01-16-2021, 02:00 PM
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I'm satisfied with S&W answer and happy with the gun, +P or no +P.
But, it just makes me wonder. How can they say the model 642-1 is rated +P but not that one? Just seems to me that all firearms with the same model # would be alike. Any difference would be noted by the model#. Especially when it comes to what ammo it can handle. I thought that what they used dashes and extra numbers or letters for. Just wondering why. I do that a lot these days.
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  #69  
Old 01-16-2021, 02:21 PM
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My buddy has a 642-1 that he got about a year or so ago, it is stamped '+P' on the barrel. I have a 442 Airweight that I bought in the mid 90's. Alloy frame/steel cylinder. It has '.38 S&W Spl.' stamped on the barrel. It says nothing anywhere on the gun or owners manual about whether or not it is +P rated. I have run maybe 10-20 rounds of +P ammo through it just for S&G's, and standard .38 spl when I had to qualify with it. I don't consider it a 'Range Gun' so I seldom shoot it. But when I carry it, it is loaded with 5 rounds of +P ammo.

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  #70  
Old 01-17-2021, 10:08 AM
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Speculation: There is a new issue 642-1, notable for No Lock. Maybe first issue 642-1s weren't +P.
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