S&W 642

[I-Toon]

I'm thinking about buying a 642. It'll be my first revolver. What do you guys think about it?

[stmry]

I bought one some years ago, and like it a lot. As a easy to cary piece, i don't think you can do much better, especially for the price.
I'd say buy it, you will always make use of it no matter where your gun interests take you.

[Robert B]

I have both a 642 and a 442. The 642 lays in the safe. This is because if I carry it, I'm betting on having a finish problem. The 642's finish begins peeling after awhile, and it generally looks like **** after a while. I now carry the 442 because the finish holds up to holster wear a lot better.

[I-Toon]

It'll be my carry gun. I didn't think about the finish. Maybe I should get the 442.

[mc5aw]

I-Toon ... As its your first revolver, and CCW piece, you might give consideration to the amount of practice time you'll be able to put in vs. the light weight of the pistol. The lighter snubbies can literally become a handful at the range during extended practice sessions, and/or with shooters not accustomed to the light weight. Add in the fact that the pistol is a DAO Centennial, and you've got a firearm that will require significant time to master for CCW. You might also give consideration to one of the regular weight steel J-Frames to start, then move on from there. Ideally, you should find a range/shop that offers rentals and put a box through whatever you are considering.

One other suggestion, invest in Stephen Camp's fine book "The Shooter's Guide To Airweight J-Frames" ... It is an excellent and informative read.

Just my opinion, from owning, shooting, and carrying a multitude of Js over the years. Good luck with you purchase.

[stmry]

I've been carrying my 642 for three years and it still looks like new...no problems with the finish. If you can drive nails with a framing hammer, pound some veal with a rolling pin to make cutlets, and not die of trauma, you will be able to handle a the recoil of 38 specials in a 642 or 442. 357 mags in the scandium models might be too snappy, but you will do fine with this model in .38I have the 642 as stated previously, but wouldn't mind getting the black 442.
Best wishes with your choice. I'm sure it won't be your last revolver.

[one eye joe]

Originally Posted by stmry

I've been carrying my 642 for three years and it still looks like new...no problems with the finish. If you can drive nails with a framing hammer, pound some veal with a rolling pin to make cutlets, and not die of trauma, you will be able to handle a the recoil of 38 specials in a 642 or 442. 357 mags in the scandium models might be too snappy, but you will do fine with this model in .38I have the 642 as stated previously, but wouldn't mind getting the black 442.
Best wishes with your choice. I'm sure it won't be your last revolver.

EXACTLY, my sentiments stmry. I carry my 642 in a pocket holster, and treat it to a periodic coat of Renaissance Wax. It still looks brand new. Recoil is manageable with standard pressure .38 Spl ammo, even for a newbie. The 642 is VERY accurate out to 25 yds.(the longest range I have shot mine at.) It's a SD weapon, not a range gun. I have a set of LG405 CT Lasergrips on mine. I think they're a wonderful addition to an already great weapon. Buy a 642-1, THEY DO NOT HAVE THE ACCURSED LOCK. They are still available.........

[got2hav1]

I like mine. I have carried for about a year now. Finish looks like new. Not a fun gun to shoot a lot. But as someones else stated it carries really good. Sometimes I forget I have it on! Buy one I think you will like it. Also mine has the Crimson Trace grips and I love the set up. Highly recommend both.

[texasj]

If you are only familiar with semi-autos the j-frame does take a while to get comfortable with and does require practice. As for the finish, if it is an everday carry I wouldn't worry about it, it's a protection tool. Recoil, even +P is not a problem it just requires practice to get follow up shots on target.

[Old cop]

I have a 442 nickle as my daily carry, excellent SD gun but requires lots of regular practice to master. Something else you might consider is a Model 638 w/the shrouded hammer. I have both and switch out from time to time. The advantage of the 638 is you can shoot single action, but the 642/442 is DAO.

[bennettfam]

My 642-1 with boot grips is a great CCW piece, but not fun to shoot. I've had no probs with the finish so far. Yesterday I shot a friends slightly heavier 640 with 3-finger groove grips. It was a dream to shoot. Choose wisely or prepare to add to your stable later.

[photoman]

While the 642 is not the best choice for a first gun, it is an excellent choice for a first CC gun. Why? Because you will actually carry it!

Regarding recoil, with three finger rubber grips and standard pressure ammo, they really don't recoil ~that~ much. I think the average person would not have any problem shooting 50 to 100 rounds per session with that setup.

Regarding accuracy, they are just as accurate as any other revolver Smith & Wesson makes but the short sight radius and double action trigger is challenging. To begin with, keep the target distance close. With smooth trigger control and good sight picture, you'll get the hits you are looking for. Also, many find the laser grip option to be a big benefit to getting good hits with these guns. But don't use it as a crutch! Learn how to shoot the gun with the sights also.

Also, take your new 642 and dry fire it a lot. You can just work the action or actually practice your sight picture and trigger control while you're at it. This will do two things. The action will smooth out considerably after a thousand cycles or so and your trigger fingers (practice left and right hand) will strengthen.

If CC is the mission, the 642 is a great option to consider if you are willing to put forth the effort to master it. Remember, your primary CC gun should be the one that you are willing to carry 100% of the time. Buying a bigger, heavier CC gun that shoots easier is no benefit if you don't carry it 100%.

[jimmyjoe]

Originally Posted by I-Toon

I'm thinking about buying a 642. It'll be my first revolver. What do you guys think about it?

I have a 642-1 which I use for conceal carry. I like it a lot. It carries well in a pocket holster. If you get one, get a no lock.
[IMG][/IMG]

[turbo38gn]

Originally Posted by Old cop

I have a 442 nickle as my daily carry, excellent SD gun but requires lots of regular practice to master. Something else you might consider is a Model 638 w/the shrouded hammer. I have both and switch out from time to time. The advantage of the 638 is you can shoot single action, but the 642/442 is DAO.

Same here, I bought my 638 with the IL for that very reason. It took a few rounds to get it shooting POA, but I got it. Shoots great, I like 38sp loads, I believe they will get the job done if called on... IL guns are fine by the way, don't get caught up with the BC..

[photoman]

Originally Posted by turbo38gn

IL guns are fine by the way, don't get caught up with the BC..

I have one 642 with the lock that I use every day. I haven't had one bit of problem with that lock. But then again, I removed all the lock guts a long time ago.

[I-Toon]

The 642 would not be my first gun. I carry a S&W 4053 right now. That was my first gun and it's DAO. (It was a cannon to me the first few times I used it at the range. I hit one bull's-eye from 15 yards out every time I'm at the range). I'm looking for something a little lighter and easier to carry every day. I have a Glock 26, but it's too small for my hand. I also have a Glock 22, but it's a full size pistol. I want to try a revolver like the 642 or 442.

[357 guy]

I have a 642 that I carry daily. Finish looks like ****. Flakes off. It shoots and I will continue to carry it every day. I have dry fired it with snap caps and it is very smooth. It has that damn lock though. That is the ugliest part of the gun.

[turbo38gn]

Originally Posted by 357 guy

I have a 642 that I carry daily. Finish looks like ****. Flakes off. It shoots and I will continue to carry it every day. I have dry fired it with snap caps and it is very smooth. It has that damn lock though. That is the ugliest part of the gun.

Thank you!!! I love that little freckle...if you guys hadn't pointed it out to me when I joined this board, I would never have known it was there... Now I try to buy all my guns with the IL, They work so well, it's almost like a sign of getting the best gun available..

[Decker]

Originally Posted by I-Toon

I'm thinking about buying a 642. It'll be my first revolver. What do you guys think about it?

Since carrying is it's primary intended use, you can't do any better for a snubbie revolver than the 642.

But it's a punishing range gun, so don't buy it as a plinker or frequent shooter.
The same thing that makes it a great carry pistol (light weight and handles +P) is the same thing that makes it less desireable as a range gun.

If you want to practice on the range with a snubbie, then consider either a 66 snubbie or a 686 snubbie, both much heavier and less painful to handle the recoil.
Those guns would give you a feel for shooting a snubbie.
Many carry the 66 snubbie for concealed carry (including myself once in a while), but it is definitely heavier than my 642, and I only carry the 66 in cool weather when I can wear a jacket or heavier shirt worn outside.

[AZretired]

I have a 642-2 with lock I've carried dailey in either an ankle or pocket holster for over 4 years. It replaced my 640. I have yet to see any finish problems, and I've put over 1000 rounds thru it.

"Don't piss down my back and tell me it's rainin"

[wrangler5]

Originally Posted by Decker

Since carrying is it's primary intended use, you can't do any better for a snubbie revolver than the 642.

But it's a punishing range gun, so don't buy it as a plinker or frequent shooter. The same thing that makes it a great carry pistol (light weight and handles +P) is the same thing that makes it less desireable as a range gun.

It's a bit of a nuisance, but if you get a Pachmayr Decelerator grip for your 642 you can shoot it all day with no pain. Now that grip's too big and sticky to conceal well under anything but a loose raincoat, so for actual carry you'd want to put small grips back on. Swapping grips is a 1 minute job with a small screwdriver (the screwdriver blade on my Swiss Army knife works just fine) and you're in business.

Range work with the big grips won't match what you'll do in actual combat with carry grips, but you will get trigger time and sight alignment practice without pain. And they say that in a real gunfight you don't notice little things like recoil anyway.

[Bud11]

$361 at Bud's. Seems like a nice gun for that money.

[papajohn428]

I consider 2-inch revolvers to be guns for the experts, they are not easy to shoot well. But after thirty years of shooting revolvers I chose one as a summertime CCW gun, and I'm happy with it. Recoil with Plus-P loads is a bit snappy but not painful, and while it's not fun to practice with, it's necessary..........and eventually rewarding.

Mine wears a Crimson Trace grip, which I used to think was a pricey cat toy. Now I like it.

[white cloud]

i agree with most said here. a 642 is not a range or plinker but a great carry gun. i would not be without one.

my finish started to peel so i stripped the rest of it off. i think its a better looking gun now. i added some collin's craft faux ivory grips.

[one eye joe]

Originally Posted by white cloud

my finish started to peel so i stripped the rest of it off.

What did you use to strip the finish, white cloud ? ? Can you post some pics ? ?

[45solo]

There's a thread on this. Page 9 in this section.

Anyone strip and polish their Airweight?