New 642 snub nose carry

[jdlahood]

642 smith

Hello freind, yea i own one and it has been awsome. May i suggest the Apex Tactical carry spring kit. It comes with a main spring, trigger return spring ,and firing pin. I installed it myself and it took about 45 minutes taking my time. I would suggest their videos. It dropps the trigger pull down to about nine lbs. 12 -14 is quite heavy if your'e not as strong as you used to be like me. Good Luck with it

 

[DepOne]

Thanks for the input. I'll look that up. I also had my 340 Magnaported. It dose help a little.

 

[Larry69RT]

662

I used a 342Ti with CT grips for years in a Kramer pocket hoster.
As others have already said, get a quality pocket holster, you don't want keys, coin, hankercheifs, etc to come out when you go for your revolver.
Besides, it's a much safer way to carry and keeps you rovolver orientarted for proper grip.

 

[KertP]

Excellent choice for EDC

You join a large following of snubbie fans. I second the recommendation of Shorty 45 MK2 about Ed Lovette's book - excellent resource.

When I pocket carry, I carry my 642 in a DeSantis Nemesis holster. I equipped my 642 with the compact grip version of the Crimson Trace Lasergrip (LG-405).

When colder weather comes, I IWB carry a 640 Pro that has been Mag-na-ported and equipped with Crimson Trace LG-305 lasergrips.

Incidentally, neither of my EDC revolvers have the lawyer lock on it. I had one of those lock up a 637 of a friend of mine while I was shooting it with standard pressure .38 Spl ammo. It was the third round of the five in the cylinder. When I got home, I uninstalled the lawyer locks on the remaining S&W revolvers that I owned (that had the locks), as the last thing I need is to have one lock up on me when I am in the field and need to defend myself against something that wants to chew on me.

My carry ammo for the 642 is Hornady Critical Defense. My carry ammo for the 640 Pro is Federal Hydra-Shok 158gr. Both of those choices shoot to point of aim of the iron sights.

 

[Rick_A]

I've said it a few times. For a small gun they are a perfect balance of power weight portability and accuracy.
20140721_092448 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

I use mine as a backup in the pocket of ankle.

Soon it'll be my "New York reload" for a 649 357 when my bigger guns are too cumbersome.

 

[Friggs]

You folks are making me cry. Why did I trade that gun? I could kick myself a thousand times. It still hurts and it has been years sincce I had the stupid moment.

Bill

 

[kenprice]

Personal choice

I have carried a Model 42 for years, both in the USA and Mexico. It has been 100% reliable, and a pleasure to carry. It is registered in both countries, and has crossed the border many times. Some day I may retire it, before I retire!

 

[jaaeatax]

I have both a 640 and 642. They are incredible guns. Easy to conceal.. I have the pac compact grips on the 642 and stock that came with the 640 and love them both. I carry each in an IWB holster but also have a pocket holster that works great. I carry the 642 IWB almost all the time loaded with Gold Dot 135gr plus p or Hornady 158gr xtp standard pressure. I have a shield also but the 642 is my preferred carry gun. Thinking about the 442 also.

 

[flyrobb]

You folks are making me cry. Why did I trade that gun? I could kick myself a thousand times. It still hurts and it has been years sincce I had the stupid moment.

Bill

Dang, I hate to see a grown man cry. After all those years of grief, and before you kick yourself one more time, you should make amends and treat yourself to another one.

 

[Deacon KC]

Also a 642 carrier here. An extremely comfortable carry for it is the Desantis L-Gat belt holster.

 

[Swengen]

I carry my 642-1 in an Uncle Mike's #3 in front pocket. Hardly know it's there. You made a good choice!

 

[Dpapa]

it's all good

I have a significant number of S&Ws. The three in the category you're describing are an all steel 640, a 38 Airweight, and a 638 Airweight. the 638 is rated for +P, and the 640 is rated for +P+. The mod 38 is rated for std pressure loads only. Here's my take, the 640 is well balanced and has enough weight to handle a hotter load if desired. For front pocket the 38 or 638 work well. These are humpbacks which I prefer because the hammer is shrouded so nothing to get hung up on fabric, however it provides a single action option for greater accuracy if desired. The only reason I prefer the 38 over the 638 is that the 38 is old school, and doesn't have the integral trigger lock (which I hate.) Neither does the 640 for that matter. Bottom line, I prefer the alloy frame for concealed carry when wearing light clothing, and the 640 when wearing heavier layers. IMHO, you can never own too many S&Ws.

 

[3rdRRU_PhuBai]

Congratuations on your gun. I have one and carry it often. I changed the grips to Pachmayr compacts. They handle the recoil great for a light weight gun.
If you're pocket carrying, get a pocket holster. I use a Mika. Much safer than carrying your gun loose in a pocket.

Another vote for the above; Pachmayr Compaq grips and Mika's pocket holster for both 642-1 and 640-1.

 

[petepeterson]

Welcome to the 642/442 club!

These are great little guns that I feel are a good balance of power and weight.

I carry one everyday as a back up gun to my model 10 or 3rd gen S&W pistol.

I would recommend a good pocket holster since you are going to pocket carry and picking up a copy of Ed Lovette's book "The snubby revolver." It's about the best $16 I've spent.
The Snubby Revolver: The ECQ, Backup, and Concealed Carry Standard: Ed Lovette, Bert DuVernay: 9781581605716: Amazon.com: Books

We like photos too.

In addition to that book, I suggest reading some of the late, great Stephen Camp's work. He was a big proponent of the 642, and snubbies in general.

 

[DougA]

Excellent Choice

I rotate carry between a Shield and my 642 depending on what I'm wearing. The 642 is my pocket gun in a Sticky brand holster. I also shoot Hornaday Critical Defense. Although designed as a close distance weapon, one selling point for me is the ability to "stage" the trigger for a near single action distance shot should the need arise.

 

[exdetsgt]

I frequently carry a 637 (I like the hammer and the single-action trigger) in an OWB Masters or an OWB Bianchi Black Widow thumb-break. Wear an un-tucked shirt. I've also got a Bianchi IWB but seldom use it as it makes my pants too tight.

 

[getoff]

a 642? NEVER... i will only carry a 442. black is way more tacticool. ; 0

 

[exdetsgt]

I agree. I much prefer a Model 36 but they're heavy and I didn't know a 442 existed. Now I'll have to find one.

 

[jack the toad]

For all-around carry, the 442/642 is hard to beat IMO.

 

[Mark6005]

Don't have a 642 but carry the 442 daily around the place. Fits in all pockets. Heard wad cutters are good in snubbies so I've got winchester silver box 148 grain in it. Told they are good in short barrel revolvers. Any opinions or recommendations appreciated