What would be your preference for pocket carry (in a pocket holster, of course)? I am leaning toward a S&W 642 or a 637, but wonder about the thickness of the cylinder compared to one of my Beretta autos (my 3032 Tomcat or my old Modello 1934 9MM Corto). Opinions?

642. The other options all have external hammers that could snag or be jostled into half or even full cock. That is why the "hammerless" S&Ws have been the premier pocket carry choices for over 100 years.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

The 642 finish peels off. Go for a 442-1 no lock.

I've had a 642 in my pocket almost daily for ten years. Finish looks like new.

Robert,

Does the 442 have an SS Cylinder & Barrel,, like the 642,, or is the Cylinder & Barrel Carbon Steel?

Just got a 642,, but thinking about getting a 442 to compliment it,, depending on cylinder and barrel metals.

Joe

I guess I wasn't aware that the Airweight j-frames had an applied finish. Is it on the alloy portion? Surely the stainless portions have no coating. ???????

No issue with thickness for pocket carry?

I carried my 442 all day today in the right front pocket. Although carbon steel there are no marks rust or pitting on my cylinder and I carry the gun alot. I'm sure the pocket holster helps keep it from getting damaged.

My 642 carries wonderfully.

While I would have liked to have a 637 or 638 in case I felt like fooling around on the range with it, for the intended purpose the 642 is definitely the better choice.

Get a Desantis Superfly holster! Much, much better than the Uncle Mike's.

There's some slight bulk to it, but it's definitely not problematic, and in a good holster it's not distinguishable.

I have more problem with it's length then width. It fits in my pockets, but some of my jeans it just barely fits. While it fits, I wish a few of my jeans had deeper pockets.

Regarding the thickness of the cylinder, I've found that it helps keep the gun stationary, especially when I'm seated. The small autos have a tendency to slide out of the pocket if you're not careful.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I have carried the 642 with Speer Gold Dots for many years.... with and without the holster... love it and have no signs of finish peeling. Also rides in my Galco ankle holster when necessary... no probs.

Thanks to all. Plenty of room for thought!

This is how I carry mine also, a 642 in a Desantis pocket holster. Works great. It is a perfect fit in the cargo pocket of 5.11 pants.

model 332 airlite 32 h&r magnum or model 638 airweight .38 special in an uncle mikes pocket holster.

My 442 has seen yeoman service for many years in a pocket holster -- never a problem

when shopping turns to buying..., mika pocket holsters, frontiernet.net/

On a related note:

Best in-pocket for snubbie

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Ogy

S&W 642's & 442's in a Bob Mica pocket holster will do the job very effectively and and at a very reasonable price.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

I pocket carry my 642 without a holster. Tried several pocket holsters, they just add bulk and add to printing. Also drawing from the pocket is faster without the holster.

I don't keep anything else in that pocket. It just looks like my other pocket which is full of junk, keys, knife, change, cellphone, pocket watch.

I just look like I am, an old man with lots of junk in his pockets.

Some states REQUIRE a holster.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

Really? I'd never heard that. What states? Although I would always use a holster, I wonder what their logic is. Just more creeping socialism?

Kramer pocket holster with a G33 in it, usually. When I had some stuff done to it, I had a 442 in my pocket in another make of holster; can't recall what maker right now.

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NHI, 10-8.

I have had several different pocket holsters in the past, but I now feel that I have found the perfect match (for me)
I carry a S&W model 40-1 (J frame) in a Robert Mika pocket holster. Great combo!!

i like the 637 over the 642 because if u want u can use single action for a more precise shot if needed...as far as the exposed hammer getting snagged just cover it with yer thumb when drawing.....

I pocket carry a Model 38 Airweight Bodyguard in a DeSantis Nemesis. Yes, the finish shows that it's been pocket carried. A lot. It will win no beauty pageants. Don't care. I don't have it with me to show it off.

At some point in the future I'll probably upgrade to a 442 or 642 hammerless. But for now my trusty Model 38 resides in my right front pocket.

Georgia reqires a holster,however a hip grip,or clip are the exceptions. Why? I have no idea.Dumb politics I guess.
It's never made sense to me,even though I prefer a holster.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

I carried a Model 36 for year in my hip pocket without a holster. Bobbed hammer. Back then, I carried a flat checkbook and used it to keep the gun from printing.

This was before Georgia had a concealed carry law. I was handling a bunch of cash, and was delivering produce in alleys and on sidewalks in Columbus, GA at odd hours of the morning. I spoke with several police officers who gave their tacit approval--they said I was foolish if I didn't arm myself.

Stu, Georgia no longer requires a holster. That language was removed a few years back when the license was changed from a GFL to a GWL. I carry a Model 60 in my right front pocket in an old Bianchi 5b holster. It is very thin and works well. I also sometimes use a belt holster Ray Cory made for me as a pocket holster for the 60.

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Georgia On My Mind

Exactly what I wound up with - a 642 and a Mika holster. Bob is a Hell of a nice guy (albeit a bit of a "chatterbug" ) and puts out great products. I'm just happy as if I had my right mind!

A 642 is my on-duty back up and frequent off-duty carry. On duty it's in a Galco Ankle Glove, off-duty it rides exclusively in a Mika pocket holster. I used a Desantis for a while but found it to be bulkier than the Mika. My 642 shows the wear of tens of thousands of hours of carry but is reliable and hits where I point it.

Require a holster for pocket carry. That is weird. Somebody in Atlanta must have got hold some bad Brunswick stew!

I'm struggling with pocket carrying my 340 PD for the same reason. I have started thinking about getting and LCP or Bodyguard.

Hey Hoosier i'm from IN also, a bit north of Columbus however. The
1934 & 1935 Beretta is my favorite medium sized auto and I have several of each. One well known gun "expert" has pronounced the 1934
the best blowback auto design ever of any make or caliber. I have
carried some of mine in a pocket holster and have some strong opinions. If most of your time is spent walking you will tire of the
weight. Pocket carry will work best if you use a magazine that has had
the spur removed. I carry mine with a round in the chamber and the
hammer at half cock, actually only a safety step, as I find it nearly
impossible to cock the hammer with one hand from the full down
position. Actually, if necessary I would be comfortable with the gun
in a pocket holster with the hammer at full cock given the weight of
the trigger pull on these. The safety is best used only for take down
for cleaning. Most of the time the gun I carry in a pocket holster is
my S&W dehorned 37 because it is so much lighter. I really dislike
the thickness of the cylinder however and it seems to constantly put
pressure against my thigh. Walking a lot the 37s light weight wins,
seated at a poker table for hours the flatness of the auto prevails.

I'm also "into" Berettas, in addition to S&Ws. Currently have a commercial M9, a 1934, a 70S (.380), and a 3032 Tomcat. All great guns, although I do hate that magazine release on the 1934.

Same thing with me. I have a Kel-Tec P3AT for those times when I must wear dress slacks, otherwise my 340 carries very well in a set of utility trousers.

Hoosier in contrast to most others I like the old style heel type magazine catch on small - medium autos because they are much more
secure than the more popular push button type for guns carried in a
pocket. Another favorite design is the 1910 FN - Browning in 32 or 380
and I have a few of those. Rarely carry them however because of the
drawbacks of striker fired guns. When removing the magazine from
a 1934 Beretta locked on empty I grasp the gun in my right hand and
reach in with my right index finger and depress the magazine follower
while restraining the slide with my left hand, then lower the slide
gently. The magazine then can be removed easily. The simplicity of
the 1934 design means the slide locks back on the follower itself
rather than a seperate catch and I just don't like to pull out the mag
and let the slide slam home on an empty chamber. Works for me.

Yeah, I always lock the slide all the way to the rear with the lock dubisary, but the magazine release is a pain to work with my left thumb. Maybe I've just got a tender thumb!

442 works fine for me in pocket carry mode.
I did ditch the rubber grip, though.
If I'm wearing a coat, its in an outside pocket.
Or, baggy trousers, front pocket in a pocket holster works for me.
Loaded with Federal Nyclad "chief's load".

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

In shorts and t-shirt weather, carry a S&W Bodyguard .38 revolver in a pocket holster. Easily accessible, doesn't print and the .38spl+p is an adequate SD round.

I carry a nickel-plated Model 37 (no dash) in a pocket holster at work as a BUG and (rarely) when I have to wear a tucked in shirt with slacks and no vest or coat*.


ECS

*Hot weather dress-up. At that I don't wear thin "dress" slacks.

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

i like them all wish i had adifferent gun for everyday of the month!

I was carrying a 640 in an Uncle Mike's, but the holster got to the point where the bottom was folding and the pistol rotating in my pocket. I got a Mika (quality product at a reasonable price.) I also just picked up a 642 (no lock) and have put the 640 to rest for the summer.) I don't have any problem with the cylinder printing in the pocket. Whatever you do, invest in the Crimson Trace grips. It's amazing what an affect it has on someone if you tell them that if they don't go away, the red dot on their chest will be replaced by another red dot consisting of the blood draining out of them. Works everytime!

-=BDD=-

11.4 oz. 340PD in a Mika holster in my front pocket.

642s and 442s are great. But, for only 4 oz more, I prefer the steel Model 36 (19 oz). I carry in the front pocket in a WRB or DeSantis pocket holster. I also have a Model 60 (22 oz) that I carry. I also have a Galco IWB tuck-n-go that fits either. You'll definitely want wood grips for pocket carry.

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But then, what do I know?

What does that extra 4 oz. get you? Other than 4 oz. more in your pocket, which isn't a good thing.

Love my 638 in it's DeSantis Nemisis in summer and in a Bianchi Minimalist in winter .

A "semi-twin" to my 642, including the magna diamond grips and the Tyler t-grip (although my Tyler is brushed aluminum, of course).

I have carried my 642 in a pocket holster for the past 5 years. I bought a M&P Shield about a month ago and it has replaced the 642 as my daily carry gun. I carry it in a Blackhawk pocket holster, fits great in my summer shorts. It also fits nicely in my Crossbreed SuperTuck IWB. 9 rounds of 9mm are a bit better than 5 rounds of .38 Spl.

Seecamp 380 is way thinner than my smith 340 and looks like a cellphone in the pocket. The j frame is just to bulky for my pocket.

Just my preference perhaps; but that extra 4oz (between the 36 and 642/442) gets you what I call "the real steel deal". A gun made of steel, that, IMHO absorbes recoil better. OH; and you get a usable hammer for SA, no IL, forged...blah blah blah You get the idea.

YMMV...

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But then, what do I know?