640 vs 642

peshooter · Jan 30, 2011

Smith and Wesson 640 vs 642. Home defense fire arm for my daughter and wife. Which one would you recommend?
Thank you for your input, I'm new to this and want to make an educated purchase. Would you recommend a diffent
size or brand?

gregintenn · Jan 30, 2011

I have both. Obviously, the 640 is a bit heavier, which results in less recoil. The 642 is lighter, which results in easier carrying. I can shoot either about the same. The bottom line is easier carry versus less recoil. I say get both! That's what I did. The 642 is in my pocket or on my belt, while the 640 is shot at the range, and resides in the nightstand.

photoman · Jan 30, 2011

Given the parameters of your question, the 640.

USAF385 · Jan 30, 2011

Those two being the choices, the 640. If possible, have them both try it before you buy it though. When deciding on their own personal home defense guns, my mother and my girlfriend both tried a wide assortment of my handguns. Neither of them were comfortable with my J frames. Both of them went with a 4" 686 after trying my 4" 681. They preferred the weight of the gun, feel of the trigger, and size of the (rubber) grip that the larger 681 offered. They also had much better groupings with the 681. Both of them keep their gun loaded with +Ps, and the extra round is a bonus as well. That being said, one of my sisters loves my 642 and plans to get one for herself for a concealed carry gun. She doesn't enjoy shooting it, but can handle it well and doesn't plan on using it for target. She'd just shoot it enough to stay familiar with it.

Tracer_Bullet · Jan 30, 2011

Given just those two choices, the 640. More weight=less recoil. If they like the J-frames and it's to be strictly for home defense, may I suggest that you also consider a model 60 with a 3" barrel.

rickyboy · Jan 31, 2011

I would also choose the 640.My preference is a model 60.

russp1 · Jan 31, 2011

I have a 442, the wife a 642; love them both for carry. Since you're asking for home defense, I would say the heavier 640 but why a snubby for home defense? A longer barrel, full size revolver would give better accuracy and an extra bullet.

peshooter · Feb 1, 2011

Good point, thank you. I'm going by the recommendation of my local gun shop. I want my two girls to be comfortable with the gun and a smaller, short barrel seams to be less intimidating.

Tracer_Bullet · Feb 1, 2011

The longer barrel will be easier to shoot with due to the longer sight radius. It may also have slightly less muzzle flip due to the extra weight up front from the longer barrel, and will probably add a little bit of velocity.
Don't listen to the guy at the gun shop, let your daughter and wife see what they like, rent one and let them shoot it if possible, and then let them make the decision since they will be the ones who will be using that gun. A co-worker bought the new Bodyguard .38 on the advice of a guy in the gun shop and quickly regretted it because she finds that it has too much recoil for her to handle.

peshooter · Feb 3, 2011

Thanks everyone for your advise. After careful consideration, my wife and I purchased the S/W 640. Looking forward to finally owning the fire arms for our home defense strategy.

photoman · Feb 4, 2011

peshooter said:
Thanks everyone for your advise. After careful consideration, my wife and I purchased the S/W 640. Looking forward to finally owning the fire arms for our home defense strategy.

Practice as much as possible with silhouette targets and index shooting. Get training. Stay proficient. Try many different grips and ammo. The 640 will get the job done if they do their part.

perpster · Feb 4, 2011

Good choice. Since it's for home defense and not everyday carry, the 640's weight will be a benefit.

peshooter · Feb 9, 2011

642 vs. 640 NRA First Step Orientation

Thanks for everyone for your input. Going to take the course with the family on Saturday. After talking with the instructor this afternoon he has advised me that my purchase of the 640 was a bad one for home defense due to the short barrel, I started with the gun dealers recommendation of the 642, then went to the 640 for weight and a little longer barrel. Now I feel I should have gone with the 60. Thoughts?

Martya · Feb 10, 2011

The firearm you will use and use accurately is the firearm that will work. Try it out at your training, practice at the range. The 640 is perfectly acceptable as a defensive weapon. Look for ammo that you can shoot comfortably that is also good for home defense. It is not a 50 yard target gun, but that isn't what you are using it for.

I have a 642 that is part of my home defense system. I have confidence in it.

You may decide you want to try other firearms, maybe a semi-auto, or a larger wheel gun. That is part of the fun of firearm ownership in this country.

J.P.60 · Feb 10, 2011

The firearm you will use and use accurately is the firearm that will work.

From your lips to God's ear...

This is the best of all advice. I would also suggest that for a first gun, you stick with steel frame and avoid the light-weight models. If you are not carrying, go with a 3" or 4" barrel.

Try to go to a range that rents various handguns and actually shoot them. They may feel great in the hand until the first round is fired. With a single box of .38spl, you can fire 4-5 guns from the .357/.38spl family.

Great good luck.

Steve in Vermont · Feb 10, 2011

One advantage to picking a "snubby" is its versatility. It will be totally adequate for home defense AND cc should you decide to do so. And there are several good posts regarding ammo selection as well as hints for practice sessions. Good Luck.

wnr700 · Feb 11, 2011

My humble advice

Great choice in the 640!

However, I was thinking along the same lines that for a newb... a snubbie wouldn't be the best choice for home defense. I doubt distances in a bedroom would make a huge difference, but to become proficient and obtain accuracy, it is something that needs a lot of frustratiing practice at the range.

The lightweight of the 640 excels as a concealed carry, whether in a purse, on ones person, or in a vehicle.

Vs the 642, this is by far a better choice because the extra few ounces helps make it an enjoyable experience at the range where you should be visiting often.

A 640 and 100 rounds at the range might be a bit much for some females.

Certainly would hold onto the 640, but would add a heavier and slightly beefier K frame to your mix of handguns.

For home defense and as a good range gun for training, anything in a K frame would be a great choice. The L frame are equally preferable but are a bit on the heavy side for some ladies. Something with a barrel of 4 inches is pretty standard.

You have initially made a great choice and would build upon that with a K frame... A Model 10 (or 15, 19, 66, 65, 64... among the many variations) would be a great compliment!

I've tried everything from Glocks to Kel Tecs and returned home to revolvers.

My small collection consists of two jframes (442 and 649). My home/range gun is a L frame 586 (and have owned and sold any number of K frames).

Probably the best addition to my small battery is the humble Model 17. Hundreds and hundreds of cheap .22 caliber ammo on this K frame has done wonders for my enjoyment ans improved skills.

vytoland · Feb 11, 2011

between the two choices presented..............model 640 easier to handle and less recoil.

if you are looking for a revolver for the two women to use for home defense, also consider a S&W model 64 "K" frame, 2,3,or 4 inch barrel, which will reduce the felt recoil even more.

a 148gr DEWC (@ about 800 fps) and a S&W model 64 will be a good home defense combination.

photoman · Feb 11, 2011

peshooter said:
Thanks for everyone for your input. Going to take the course with the family on Saturday. After talking with the instructor this afternoon he has advised me that my purchase of the 640 was a bad one for home defense due to the short barrel, I started with the gun dealers recommendation of the 642, then went to the 640 for weight and a little longer barrel. Now I feel I should have gone with the 60. Thoughts?

Walk around your house and measure the longest possible shot you might need to take and practice at that distance or less. If you can make those shots well with the 640, then no worries. If not, consider a different gun.

wnr700 · Feb 11, 2011

peshooter said:
Thanks for everyone for your input. Going to take the course with the family on Saturday. After talking with the instructor this afternoon he has advised me that my purchase of the 640 was a bad one for home defense due to the short barrel, I started with the gun dealers recommendation of the 642, then went to the 640 for weight and a little longer barrel. Now I feel I should have gone with the 60. Thoughts?

Expect a few thing at the range as a first time snubbie owner. Accuracy will be a bit poor and random.

Just don't let buyers remorse creep into your decision. You made a wise purchase.

A Model 60 is essentially a 640 with an exposed hammer.

If anything you need to add a 4 inch K frame if concealed carry is not in the cards. (Model 10, 15, 19, 64, 65, 66)

See if the range has a K frame to rent. Maybe borrow one from a friend or family member.

640 vs 642

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