Is a 642 Enough for Carry?

[gunhobbit]

Everybody seems to be leaning towards single hostile. What happens if you are out walking the dog in your front yard and encounter three punks? 5 shots still enough?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=co5xVHsMRV0#t=33

ETA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IfWXjRLCDc&feature=player_detailpage#t=102

What do I do with the other two rounds?

But hey - what if there are seven of them? And they have shotguns? What handgun are you going to want to rely on then? Practice your Dozier Drill often?

Me, just like I avoid pig silhouette-infested areas, I don't live in a neighborhood where there are aggressive punks in my front yard. We spray regularly to keep 'em down.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=co5xVHsMRV0#t=33

But hey - what if there are seven of them? And they have shotguns? What handgun are you going to want to rely on then? Practice your Dozier Drill often?

Me, just like I avoid pig silhouette-infested areas, I don't live in a neighborhood where there are aggressive punks in my front yard. We spray regularly to keep 'em down.

The fact that there seems to be more SD situations involving more than one BG is the biggest reason I don't like just a J-frame, but wish I was as good as Quigley.

 

[PR24]

MarkAlt, I have a Mod. 60 in magnum. I'm qualled with it & shoot it well. It has the XS tritium front sight. Unfortunately I have to use dept ammo which is the Speer 158 gr GDHP... It's no sissy & certainly let's you know the trigger has been pulled.

The Speer 135 gr .357 Mag GDHP-SB stuff is cool! I bought some for S&G. It shoots very well. Slightly hotter (hardly noticeable) than the same load in .38+P but faaaaar less buck & snort than the full house mags. I really wish the range staff would order the SB loads for those of us that have snubs.....govt operation, nuff said.

Anyway, get some Speer #23917 for your 60 & you are good. Don't buy into the internet commando ballistics experts who 'claim' the 38 special and 357 magnum are the same. They're not. Anything that goes 130 ft./s faster is going to hurt more, can't argue physics.

 

[PR24]

I prefer the 2.5 inch version for its separate, pinned front sight.
Five rounds of plus P defense ammo in the pocket or waistband is enough for most social uses.

BRING BACK THE 2.5 INCH J FRAME SMITH AND WESSON!!!!!!

 

[Squarebutt]

Not much to add except that when carrying a J-frame I carry my Bianchi Speed Strips with 6 rounds, not five. I know, there are only 5 holes in the cylinder, but I can imagine the stress of a defensive situation causing one to fumble at least one cartridge on the reload.

 

[eb07]

Everybody seems to be leaning towards single hostile. What happens if you are out walking the dog in your front yard and encounter three punks? 5 shots still enough?

What if it's ten? Better carry a rifle.

Most cockroaches scatter when shots are fired.

If you are in a situation where you may be attacked by multiples that won't back down. I suggest crew served weaponry.

 

[ADP3]

Don't worry about being attacked by an outlaw cowboy ninja pirate motorcycle gang on your way to the 7/11. Carry a firearm that you will ALWAYS have with you, and get competent enough firing and reloading it that it becomes an extension of you. Develop a situational awareness that helps you avoid conflict. I carry a 442-1 and speed loader religiously. If I sense anything threatening my right hand is already in my front pocket gripping my gun. If a threat does not manifest itself the gun stays right there in the pocket. This is one reason that I favor 442's/642"s. They are hammerless and quick to draw from a pocket and do not require a covering garment. There is no draw faster than one where your hand is already on the gun. If I have to venture into areas where the need for self-protection is even more evident I carry two 442's.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[44 Mag Fan]

Don't know if this helps, but I have been there and done that. I have always carried my model 36 or 60 as BUG's.In twenty five years on the street I only had to use it once, and it functioned as specified.BG down never to get up, I went home with just cuts and bruises, but I went home

 

[Edmo]

Today my 642-1 rode IWB while escorting my box of revolvers to the range.

It was 38 & 357 day and I took along my square-butt no dash 60, 19-5, and my 686-3.

Noise was made, holes were punched, and much fun was had! OBTW, I felt well protected throughout the whole ordeal.

Edmo

 

[ibewbull]

Everybody seems to be leaning towards single hostile. What happens if you are out walking the dog in your front yard and encounter three punks? 5 shots still enough?

So far body language and my 3 cell mag light have worked for me.
You would be surprised at the reactions this old guy gets when he walks into a bar in leather and no other weapon in sight.
I'm not saying I am looking for trouble I don't like problems. I attempt to just get along. Be aware of what is around you. Don't tread in stupid places. Be ready to TCOB. I have already cheated death [ the big C ] and am too old to run so if the 5 in my right hand don't my solve the problem then the 5 in my NY reload will have to do.
I never had a FTF or smoke stack in my revolvers. Plus the fact that it is 100% functional [640] while in a coat pocket or mitten.
Find me a bottom feeder that can do that.
If I were in a riot infested city I want my Galil and a 35 round magazine. Even then I am going to stay put. Our 1st. weapon is between our ears, we should use it.

I am surprised we haven't mentioned ZOMBIES yet. Too Late!

Seriously now.
I have 2 J frames or a J and a 686 3 inch 357 18 rounds total,my wife has a 642 2 speed loaders 15 rounds. My first wife did not shoot, must have been a factory defect. So I traded her for one that I could depend on. All is well now.

 

[CoMF]

To the OP: I personally traded a G19 for my current EDC, a 1971 Chief's Special. Glocks are fine pistols, but it was "too much gun" for my liking, plus it was a pain to dress around. By contrast, I can hide my M36 under a fairly close fitting T-shirt or secret it away in my pajamas pocket (don't laugh) and have it "always there" whenever I need it.

I've said it elsewhere, but I'll say it again: Carry what -you- feel properly addresses your perceived threat level. Practice with it 'till it becomes second nature. Doesn't matter if it's a Shield or a Baby Glock or a J-frame or a 1911.

 

[629shooter]

As long as it's enough for you, that is all that matters.

 

[ladder13]

YES..............

 

[ibewbull]

J frame is plenty in my opinion.

I just have to pipe up again.
A J frame or anything else is useless if it is not within easy reach. I think we would all agree here.

What ever you carry it must be stoked with the best ammunition for the intended purpose.
I like the old stand by 158 gr. LSWCHP in a 38 after all it has been with us a long time.
A note on my preference of a BUG , two guns gives instant options on what comes out the pipe. Could be a 158 gr. LSWC 38 in my 642 or a 158 grain .357 JHP in my 686. The speed strip packed with .38s to feed either.
I prefer having options.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Back when I taught concealed carry. I managed to conceal 8 handguns(snubs/4"er's/autos)on my person. Even ate breakfast in a Hardee's before class and no one noticed..............HOWEVER....Had I fallen down I believe someone would have had to help me back up. All that steel felt like I had a log chain wrapped around my waist.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

I usually don't get involved in this type of discussion.


Stay alert............

CONGRATS ON YOUR 500TH POST!

 

[mhl6493]

Y'all are making me miss my 442 that I recently traded toward a Glock 19. (Yeah, I know... ) The little sucker literally *hurt* the web of my hand to shoot, and instead of getting some grips that covered the backstrap, I got frustrated and traded it. I do still have a 640-3 that I love, but there are days that I wish I still have my 442. A lot less weight in my pocket. Oh well, lesson learned for a newbie, I suppose...

 

[Black_Sheep]

If you feel "undergunned" going someplace with a J-Frame .38, you probably shouldn't be there in the first place...

 

[Cal44]

If you feel "undergunned" going someplace with a J-Frame .38, you probably shouldn't be there in the first place...

I'm turning 65 next week. I've never carried a concealed gun in my life.

Just got my first carry license.

I've always just stayed away from places where trouble looked likely.

I plan to continue to do so. Having a 5 shot gun is a big step up from nothing.

But sometimes "stuff" happens so I'll be prepared.

And times are changing -- and not necessarily for the better.

Just last week I noticed four pig silhouettes following me when I went to get the mail.

Dave

 

[John R]

If you get into a confrontation and 5 shots won't get you out of it, you've probably already been shot.