I did a search on this thread a couple of hours ago for anything on the 642 Airweight and didn't get any results. I come back from the gun shop, and the latest post is about the 642, hence the "I'll be darned".

I gotta stay away from the gun section of one of my local ffl stores. I saw (and handled) the 642 last Sunday, and was really impressed. It is stamped on the barrel +P, but it seems awful light for +P loads. Anyway, it's half paid for.

I will most likely let my wife shoot it and see if she likes it or the .380 Bodyguard better. If she likes the 642 better, I'll let her have it. I imagine it is fun to shoot with 125 grain .38 special loads.

Congrats, the 642 is a great gun. Be aware that a no lock model is available, though not as easy to find, if you do not like the ILS. 642s are rated for +P, you will find the recoil manageable but not very pleasant. Shooting them with light 38s is much more enjoyable. Practice with light 38s, carry +Ps is the procedure most of us follow. Enjoy your new gun.

Joker, just out of curiousity I searched 642 using the Google site option and came up with at least 10 pages so if you are still seeking information you might want to try that option, if you haven't already.....

http://smith-wessonforum.com/searchr...=642&sa=Go#899

I've seen a post-lock-introduction Model 40 with grip safety. Does the 642 you're referring to have a grip safety or is it pre-lock-introduction model?

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Jim
S&WCA #819

The currently available 642-1 does NOT have the IL. The 642-2 does. NONE of the 642s have a "grip safety"........

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Congrats on your new gun. I've carried a 642 (no lock) for the past year or so. I bought it to replace one of those 11oz 340pd's which was simply too light IMO. I've been happy with the 642...still light, but enough mass to be shootable and less worry about bullet pull. The finish will wear even with TLC but don't let that bother you. I like standard P 158gr LSWCHP's as a defense load. I roll my own using Speer swaged bullets over 4.7 gr of Unique which chronographs at 815 fps average. I've worked up a practice load using the same bullet over 2.7 grains of Trailboss....very pleasant to shoot and the POI is very close to my defense load. Hope this is helpful.

The 642 is an excellent personal defense handgun given certain conditions!


1. Large rubber grips are a must for beginners.


2. Standard pressure ammo only until the shooter is used to the recoil of the lightweight 642. That includes carry ammo too!


3. 1000 dry fires as soon as possible. This will smooth up the action quite a bit and make trigger control much easier.


4. The Apex spring kit is a good option if you are handy enough to install it or can afford to have a gunsmith install it. This will do wonders for trigger control (especially when combined with the 1000 dry fires).


5. Practice firing at distances less than seven yards. Anything beyond that will likely frustrate the beginning Airweight shooter.


6. Use silhouette targets at the range. Airweights are fighting guns, not target guns! Trying to shoot small bullseye groups with an Airweight is not the mission of this handgun (although you might find it most rewarding later on).


7. A good pocket holster is a must for your new 642. It's like peanut butter and jelly! They just go together so well.


I highly recommend that everyone have at least one Airweight. They are excellent guns for self defense if one is willing to invest the time and effort to master them.

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Centennial Every Day

Joker,
What they said, plus.... When you get used to firing the 642,
then go ahead and try some 25-yard shots. You'll be surprised what an accurate gun the 642 is when you;ve mastered the trigger. That bit
about a thousand dryfires is pretty close, too. Personally, I used snap-caps, but 100-200 dryfires a day brings you and the trigger to a state of
smoothness before you know it.
How about a range report after you get everything settled. The 642
is actually a fun gun, considering its stated purpose.
If the grips are a little harsh on the hands, a set of C-T laser-grips are a little more comfy, plus now you've got the laser, too.
JMHO, TACC1.

This is a point and shoot for me, carrys very well in jeans or coat pocket, also have a hard case clips on back of hip and carrys well there, easy to forget its there.

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rogerb

The 642 does not have a grip safety. The original M40 and M42 had them when they were introduced in the early '50s, and had them all through their production up until they were discontinued in 1974.
The new M40 and M42 are the Classic Series. They brought back the grip safety for them. It's a retro thing, but I think it's kinda cool. You won't find it currently on the other Centennials.
Jim

Thanks for all the replies and info. Ogilyyspecial I did not use the Google search option, I only did a search in this thread - duh, guess I wasn't thinking.
I will use all the suggestions concerning shooting the airweight on my wife. I have shot (and qualified with ) other ligtweight J-frame revolvers when I was LE so I expect a steep learning curve with respect to feeling comfortable with the 642..
I have to say wow if the action gets any smoother after 1,000 dry fires. I thought it quite smooth right out of the box. I have a whole roll of silhouette targets left over from my LE days and I can't wait to ventilate them heh, heh.

Yes very cool!! They do not have the ability to be pinned down and inactivated like the originals but I wouldn't do that anyway. Dornhouse and Dixon will install a grip safety in any of the Centennial and Bodyguard models. I've seen a Model 38 that he did for sale on GunsAmerica.

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Jim
S&WCA #819