newbie - Two questions 659 & 642

[Hogan642]

Hello All,

New to the Site. I have a snuby 642 that I bought a year ago and have had a lot of fun with. Can hit 8.5 x 11" paper at thirty feet and 5" target at 7 yards. Can't do it on every shot, but can do it three out of five shots. Any advice on how to shoot it better would be appreciated.

I recently aquired a model 659 9 mm from my dad and was wondering if anyone new anything about this gun and how good it is. It is almost new, my dad only put like 100 rounds through it. I have not ever shot semi mags. Any advice on shooting it would be great. I used to carry a 686 4" 357 in florida and I am a great shot with that, but when it comes to semi mags I am having a tough time getting accurate.

Any comments would be appreciated.

[Gunhacker]

Welcome to the forum... the 659 is an excellent pistol, it is what is know as a 2nd generation (or gen) S&W pistol, the first generation was the Model 59, and the version that came after yours (3rd generation) is the 5906.

The original Model 59 had an aluminum alloy frame, when the 2nd gen pistols came out they were available in 3 different frame materials...the model 459 (alloy), 559 (carbon steel) and 659 (stainless steel), internally they are identical and all had steel slides.

Whats the difference between the generations? They all are of the same basic design, each new generation was an improvement/refinement of the previous version.

Some parts will interchange, a magazine from a 5906 will fit and work with the older versions.

I've had a 459, and now have a 559.

The key to successfully shooting a semi-auto pistol is not much different than a revolver... sight alignment and trigger pull.

The rest of the difference is just operational and the concept is not unlike switching between a bolt action and a lever action rifle... they load and operate differently, but the basics of being able to shoot either one of them well is the same... proper sight alignment and a good trigger release/pull.

It sounds like you're not doing that bad with the 642, in my opinion what you are achieving now with a snub barreled gun sounds pretty good, is that shooting it double action of single action mode?

[Hogan642]

Thank you for all the info. I really appreciate the breakdown. I have watched some of the clips on the different forums which have helped a lot. Holding the gun, stance, figer pull with pad, so on.

I think the first thing I need to do is make sure my sights are correct on the gun. Since it is that good of a gun it has to be me screwing up.

The snub I have (642) is hammerless, or shrouded. Its double action only. Very long pull and has taken me a long time to practice the pull.

I have seen NRA instructors at the rang tell me I am not shooting it properly and then I let them try and they don't like the gun because of either the 38 caliber or the 1 5/8 inch barrel. I love the gun. It is thee most accurate 38 snub I have shot.

Again thank you for the info on the 659. Just need to practice with that now.

[edrice]

Years ago I had a 459. I never thought I was very accurate with until I started loading my own ammo. All of sudden my groups tightened up. So you might try various loads to see if anything shoots better.

Ed

[Gunhacker]

Ed makes a good point that I forgot about... I had the same experience with my 459, I was shooting inexpensive milsurp ammo and was amazed at how accurate the 9mm can be when I started doing my own hand loading. Find the ammo that your 659 likes and 1/2 the battle will be over.

I hate to say it but the deck is stacked against you on shooting that 642.

I have a 432PD which double action only like yours. Between the fixed sights, and heavy DA trigger pull, it's challenge for me to stay in the black.

I worked on the action using Jerry Miculek's "trigger job" DVD and that improved things greatly.

[Hogan642]

Thank you both for your input. I greatly appreciate your advice.