S&W 642-2/Cylinder & Slide Work

Bklyn_Irish

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Picked up a carried-a-lot-shot-a-little 642-2 the other day and am strongly considering sending her to Cylinder & Slide for the following:

1. Action Job
2. Smooth, polish, radius trigger face
3. Install an XS tritium Big Dot front sight
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They worked a H&K Compact Tactical for me a few years ago and did a fantastic job. Anyone have any experience with their revolver action jobs?
 
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After shipping both ways and all the other costs you might be into the price of the revolver again. I would just keep it stock and use that money for ammo. That being said I have had good experiences with C&S but that was with an autoloader.
 
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No experience with them or the 642, but I have a 640-1 and have never seen a need for anything beyond a good cleaning and proper lubrication. A tritium front sight might be useful.
 
They do great work but as others have said the final cost could come close to the price of a used gun. I do agree on the smooth trigger on a carry gun but beyond that, it is an up close and personal type of firearm and if I were going to spend a lot of money reworking a snubbie, I would do it on an all steel version and even then you can get a gun with much of what you are asking for as a factory model such as a 640 Pro Series or if you need a super lightweight gun, something in the 340 series.
My 2¢
 
A big glowing dot at night might help. I prefer crimson trace lasers myself. Night sights dim over time. Like others said. the cost of C&S doing the work/parts plus shipping with probably cost more than the 642 brand new. Now you will be $700-800 in total cost. If you have the funds go for it.
 
I picked up a 642PC a few weeks ago that has most of what you want. It has by far the best trigger of any of my J-Frames and no lock. I wish it had a front night sight though.
 
I don’t see how the front sight can be changed it is integral with the barrel; not pinned. That why I own Ruger snubs, the pinned front sight can be changed in about 15 minutes.
 
I don’t see how the front sight can be changed it is integral with the barrel; not pinned. That why I own Ruger snubs, the pinned front sight can be changed in about 15 minutes.

The integral front sight is machined into a tenon and the XS Big Dot sight is mounted onto it with epoxy.
 
I don’t see how the front sight can be changed it is integral with the barrel; not pinned. That why I own Ruger snubs, the pinned front sight can be changed in about 15 minutes.


It requires milling off the original sight, then milling a dovetail for a dovetail sight.
 
I have a 642 that is my #2 carry, me, like above save your cash and become proficient with the weapon. I would send in a steel 36 to C&S not a alloy weapon.
 
I'm sure C&S can perform the work you want done. But my question is; why would you want to pay for that kind of work on a 642, which is a great revolver for its intended purpose. It isn't a target revolver and never will be. But as they say "whatever floats yer boat". Yours truly has paid for a few mods. over the years that really made no sense.;):D
 
I dry fire, clean, and lube until my 442’s Actions are smooth. I don’t need a light trigger on a defense gun. I paint the sights so I can see them. Works for me.
 
For the most part, I agree that a 642 doesn't really need extensive work. One certainly doesn't need a light trigger to be effective.

Having said that, a smooth trigger pull can be beneficial and may be worth the cost if your gun's trigger pull is less than optimal. I've often considered having a trigger job done (with factory springs retained for reliability) on my 642-1 as there is an occasional hitch towards the end of the trigger pull. It doesn't affect reliability or accuracy (as far as I can tell), but I would prefer a smoother, more consistent pull. I have a 642ND with a trigger job, and it is a noticeable improvement. I've also considered having the front sight re-profiled to more of a modified ramp/Patridge shape as the full ramp profile is prone to glare issues in some lighting.

Personally, I don't see a problem with having work done on your carry gun, so long as reliability and safety aren't compromised. But I think you may be better off seeking a good gunsmith in your area who can perform the work, if possible. You won't incur shipping expenses, which can be a significant portion of the total cost. The price of the work itself may be less expensive. Turnaround time may be faster. I don't know what C&S's turnaround time is, but it's not unusual for well-known gunsmiths to have turnaround times measured in months, if not years. I've had trigger jobs done by local gunsmiths that turned out nicely and took, at most, a few weeks. And if there is some kind of issue, it's much easier to deal with a local gunsmith than having to ship the gun (again!) back to the gunsmith.

Just my opinion.
 
My handguns that Cylinder & Slide have worked on/built have absolutely been top notch. I highly recommend them!
 
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