Thoughts on the model 642

[Browncoat]

I will be picking one up tomorrow in a trade deal. I was wondering if forum members had any experience with this mode? I would be using it as an off duty carry weapon when I want something small. I have owned some j frames in the past so I have a general idea, just wondering if this model has any special problems or quirks. Thanks!

 

[MJRiggs]

If you are familiar with other J-frames I don’t think you will have any problems or surprises with a 642. It’s excellent as a backup or off duty weapon. Mine is very comfortable to carry in either a pocket or ankle holster.

I have had my 642 for about four months now and I really like it. I have not seen any problems, but it does have the standard short barrel J-frame challenges; short sight radius, snappy recoil with +P ammo, etc. Some folks like to put in reduced power springs to smooth or lighten the DAO trigger pull, but I’ve found that dry fire practice worked well for me without the need to change anything.

The only negative issue that I’ve seen so far is that the standard factory boot stocks are too high on the left side and interfere with the use of speed loaders. I’ve got a set of Uncle Mike’s boot stocks on order to fix this. Of course if you use speed strips to reload this will not be an issue.

This is the first J-frame that I’ve ever shot and it took me a little practice to get comfortable with the recoil and get decent groups. I can now get consistent 2-3 inch groups shooting off hand slow fire at 5 yards, and I can keep all five hits on a man sized target at 15 yards. Every time I take it to the range I get a little better with it. I did find that the stainless color made the sights a little harder to pick up quickly so I used model paint to provide better contrast.


Mike

 

[PeterCartwright]

I will be picking one up tomorrow in a trade deal. I was wondering if forum members had any experience with this mode? I would be using it as an off duty carry weapon when I want something small. I have owned some j frames in the past so I have a general idea, just wondering if this model has any special problems or quirks. Thanks!

I'm no authority, but I like my 642-2. It's an unforgiving platform--meaning it will magnify any shooting problems I may have during a session. But the gun is honest with me. If I do my job, it does it's job. My gun got a dab of bright, contrasting paint on the front sight. (That's pretty well standard practice for me.)

PC

 

[BigMike76]

I was thinking of getting one of these for summer ccw. I have pretty big hands would that cause a problem for me gripping this thing? Whats the going rate for a 642?

 

[Bevo1]

I carried my 642 in a Galco ankle rig for about 5 years and now carry a 442. I changed the rubber grips to wood because the rubber seemed to hang on my pants. There are no disadvantages of either one. I bought the 642 because I knew it would be an ankle gun, and didn't want it to rust. When I realized that the 442 wouldn't rust either, I traded the 642 for a no-lock 442.

 

[MJRiggs]

I was thinking of getting one of these for summer ccw. I have pretty big hands would that cause a problem for me gripping this thing? Whats the going rate for a 642?

My hands are bigger than average, but not huge, and I don't have any trouble hanging on to the factory stocks. You could always get larger stocks if you need to.

I paid $389 in a local gun store for my 642 in S.E. Virginia back in Dec 11.

Mike

 

[BigMike76]

My hands are bigger than average, but not huge, and I don't have any trouble hanging on to the factory stocks. You could always get larger stocks if you need to.

I paid $389 in a local gun store for my 642 in S.E. Virginia back in Dec 11.

Mike

Thank you sir

 

[Martya]

My hands are bigger than average, but not huge, and I don't have any trouble hanging on to the factory stocks. You could always get larger stocks if you need to. Mike

When I got mine I ordered the S&W '3-finger' grips from their website. My hands are bigger than most, these grips work much better for shooting and don't add much to CC.

 

[USAF385]

Quite simply... a great carry option in my opinion.

 

[spirit4earth]

Which J frame has the most recoil-absorbing stock grips? I'm looking for a revolver to supplement my 9c.

 

[Browncoat]

Thanks for all the input. I picked it up earlier today. The pistol came with some nice boot grips made by Speagel I think. I took it to the range and ran 50 rounds though it. The revolver worked just fine but my group was about 3 inches right and a little high. I need to work on it as it's been a while since I have shot a snub nosed revolver. The thing sure seemed snappy with Remington 130grn fmj more than I remember anyway. That was all that I could find locally. I took the boot grips off once I got home and put some Pachmyers on it which fit me a lot better. They are large grips though but I plan on carrying it IWB so that wont be an issue I think. I would hate to run +p through it though, ouch

 

[papajohn428]

I've had one for about three years now, and I love it. I had wanted one for 20 years, but understood that it's not for everyone, it's more of an "expert's gun" because of the handling characteristics and short sight radius. With a lot of practice I've become reasonably proficient with it, shooting rapid fire. Painting the sights made them far easier to see, I'll never understand the "wisdom" of all-stainless sights!

Mine came with the larger of the Crimson Trace grips on it, and it solved the grip problem for me. I have medium-sized hands with long fingers, and the CT grip gives me plenty to hang onto, which really helps with the hotter loads.

 

[Pointblank2U]

My 642 is one of the early ones. No lock and no SN on the butt. It's on the sideplate. I've changed over to Hogue Boot Monogrips for most of my j-frames. It's one-piece and gives a nice feel and isn't much larger than the original Uncle Mike's two-piece grips. Airweight and lighter j-frames are considered "expert guns", meaning you have to put a lot of range time in to really master them, but it's worth the effort. I carry Corbon DPX in mine. Good luck with it.

 

[GF]

I bought a no-lock 642 the beginning of this year and it's as good a J frame as any of the old ones that I have. And I have a few.

As some have said in other posts about 642's trigger, it's a little stout but not overly so and the boot grips that come from the factory are pretty good (I've always liked Boot Grip style grips) at taming recoil.

Having said that, I did change them out for an "old school" Tyler-T and Factory wood...

... for a picture or two and then left them on for awhile!

GF

 

[ladder13]

My 642 before the frame cracked .....they're sending me a new one.

I'm carrying this 442 in the meantime.

 

[airman]

I had a 642 for while. Carried it on my ankle. I got by with Hogue grips until I put CT grips on it. Now that is a package.

After 330 rounds it just got too sharp in my thin hands and I traded it for a 60-4 3-inch J-frame which I really do like.

 

[Austerity]

I got one for my wife and it has been great. Paid $389 new as well.

Middle one.

 

[Packard]

I have a 340PD, which is basically the same gun but about 3 ounces lighter.

It took a while for the action to smooth out and for me to get used to the recoil.

I carry three rounds of 38 +P and two rounds of .357 in the cylinder.

I also have a 640 pro and that is a lot nicer to shoot, but too heavy for in pocket carry (for me).

 

[StatesRightist]

I was thinking of getting one of these for summer ccw. I have pretty big hands would that cause a problem for me gripping this thing? Whats the going rate for a 642?

Add the Pachmayr decelerators and it's give you a L frame grip. It takes up a little more of your front pocket, is non-issue in an ankle holster, but it solves the big hands issue AND much of the felt recoil.

Snap caps and a couple of thousand firings helps the action immensely......along with that pulling it right problem.

 

[Ralph G. Briscoe]

I've carried one for 2 years. My snubby collection includes the 642, 442, 36,49,10,327pc,LCR,D Special, Cobra, and Agent so the fact that I choose the 642 should tell you something (the 442 is really the same gun...different finish). Actually, I think the old style short-grip Agent is the best snubby--same weight as 642 but 6 shots--but mine is pristine and I don't want to risk messing up the finish.