I am a novice pondering my first CCW purchase - I've taken 2 courses (firearms safety and home & self-defense; both offered time shooting on an indoor range) and spent time renting a pistol at a firing range. I really like the Glock 26 but since I'm a tall, slender sort who wears Levi's jeans a lot and I wear my shirts tucked, I feel the model 642 may offer me something more practical to carry and effectively conceal.

I have never handled or shot the model 642 (nor any other revolver) but I have located a local range (I live in Marietta GA) that claims to offer one for rent. I want to go and test this gun and see if I feel the use and concealability are practical for me. I understand this gun will be primarily for self defense and carryability and not a range pistol for extended practice. To give me a realistic feel for its potential use, would anyone have any advice for me about the gun and especially the ammo to test with? I wonder if the employee at the range rental would be able to advise me about ammo and how best to assess the 642 as appropriate for me. Thank you for any insights or advice you might share. I know there are very knowledgeable people on this forum as I have already learned a great deal; enough so that I felt like I could compose this now.

I am a novice pondering my first CCW purchase - I've taken 2 courses (firearms safety and home & self-defense; both offered time shooting on an indoor range) and spent time renting a pistol at a firing range. I really like the Glock 26 but since I'm a tall, slender sort who wears Levi's jeans a lot and I wear my shirts tucked, I feel the model 642 may offer me something more practical to carry and effectively conceal.

I have never handled or shot the model 642 (nor any other revolver) but I have located a local range (I live in Marietta GA) that claims to offer one for rent. I want to go and test this gun and see if I feel the use and concealability are practical for me. I understand this gun will be primarily for self defense and carryability and not a range pistol for extended practice. To give me a realistic feel for its potential use, would anyone have any advice for me about the gun and especially the ammo to test with? I wonder if the employee at the range rental would be able to advise me about ammo and how best to assess the 642 as appropriate for me. Thank you for any insights or advice you might share. I know there are very knowledgeable people on this forum as I have already learned a great deal; enough so that I felt like I could compose this now.

158 grain LSWCHP .38special+P

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Mike
686 no dash

+1

I buy them from Georgia Arms. They'll be at the Gwinnett County gun show in 3 weeks I'm sure.

And hold the gun high and tight.

Munster

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GO NAVY!

My carry gun is a 642. The recoil may or may not be a problem (that seems to be pretty much an individual thing) in that light gun. However, I find that choice of ammo gives you (drum roll) A CHOICE. Frankly, I use w/c target loads for most practice and have a few full loads to finish off my practice session.

Grips can make a BIG difference in how you perceive recoil. The Pachmayr Compacs are the most comfortable to use but they increase the bulk a bit regarding Concealed Carry. I am currently using Crimson Trace grips on my 642 (I have big hands so use the #305 set) and am completely happy with my choice. I carry my 642 in the front pants pocket with a Mika pocket holster.

Any snub nose revolver needs practice to gain and maintain competence. The lighter the revolver the harder it is to control. I believe that the limit is reached (but not exceeded) by the 642. It is light enough to carry on a daily basis and heavy enough that recoil will not damage you (with grips that fit YOU). The "Airlight" in .357 crosses the line big time and will HURT many a shooter.

Good luck with your choice.

Dale53

As a duty gun, I have carried a Wilson Master Grade 1911, an HK P-7 and finally, for the last 9 years, an issue Glock 35.

For the past 15 years, my back up gun has remained the same. A 642. Its also the same gun I drop in my pocket when I don't really feel like carrying a gun, or, can't dress around a gun. I have worn out 3 ankle holsters for it.

I really can't say enough good about the 642.

Mine is currently loaded with the 158 GR +P Semiwadcutter HP. I have carried and shot the Speer Gold Dot .38 special and it shoots fine too. I don't think it really matters what load you carry in it as long as its a decent factory load. If you can it shoot it well and the recoil is not to bothersome, get the +P, if you are not comfortable with that, go non +P.

The first rule of a gunfight is to have a gun. If you will carry that little 642 EVERYWHERE, it beats the **** out of the Sig P226 laying in a dresser drawer.

Howdy neighbor! I'm in Kennesaw. I carry, and so does my wife, that exact gun daily. We are very happy with it, and although the trigger pull was a bit "crunchy" out of the box, we have solved that.

I use 130 gr (129??) Gold Dot +P in several loadings.

I have two 642-2 revolvers now, and have owned and shot 642s of one version or another since about 1997. They're good simple reliable guns, but not conducive to extensive practice. Since about that time I've looked for a replacement "always" gun, because of the 642's slow recovery between shots and limited 5 round capacity.

The closest I've come is the Kahr PM9; it is very small, easier to shoot accurately and fast; it holds 6+1 as opposed to only 5; on the downside it was finicky about reliable function initially requiring a replacement recoil spring assembly, and it requires more lube than the 642.

If you intend to practice a good bit (which IMHO anyone carrying a small, difficult-to-shoot gun should) perhaps you should consider the 640, the all stainless steel version of the 642. It weighs about 30% more than the 642, making practice less unpleasant.

I also recommend looking at the Kahr K9, an all steel gun, with 7+1 capacity, .5" longer slide and longer grip than the PM9, and a weight of about 26 oz. unloaded. They are known to be reliable guns. The K9 might not fit your jeans pockets, though.

If you go with a .38, I would consider Speer's 135 grain +P load specifically designed for short barrels, and also CorBon's 110 grain +P DPX load. IIRC these loads give about 13-14" penetration in ballistic gelatin and reliable expansion even after passing thru 4 layers of denim first (as per IWBA test). The four layers of denim simulate a person wearing heavy clothing. The 158 grain LSWCHP loads are good, but IIRC tests have shown they have unreliable expansion in ballistic gelatin (if fired from barrels shorter than 3") if they must pass through 4 layers of denim first.

I've been carrying a S&W 642 since 2003 in my pants pocket using a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster (specify the one for the S&W 'J' frame).

I have also equipped it with a Crimson Trace laser grip (LG405), which I greatly recommend. It has the right kind of rubber to absorb recoil better than the stock 'Bantam' grips yet does not increase the size of the gun. They allow VERY accurate shooting in most lighting conditions without having to use the sights (which can be an advantage in a SHTF situation), but the fixed sights are still fully available in open sunlight (which can overcome the laser dot's visibility in bright sunlight).

Ron

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Stand behind our troops!

Oldtexan:

I had the same issues with J-frames when I was considering my first purchase. I ended up - helped in no small part by forum members here - selecting a 432 PD in .32 H&R Magnum chambering. I have a number of physical limitations to my upper extremities including arthritis in both hands. The 432 fits the bill nicely and I can shoot well with either hand. I have equipped mine with the Lasermax laser sight and it works well. Occasionally, when I'm feeling cocky, I start looking for a 642, but I don't feel bad at all about my 432.

Regards,

Dave

Congratulations on how you are going about selecting a defense firearm. I've been carrying a 642 as a back-up duty weapon for a while and can not say enough about how well it carries and shoots. Great little gun. My primary carry gun is a .45, but with proper ammo, I do not feel undergunned with my 642 off duty.

AMMO. You're likely to get a bunch of differing opinions on that one. Because a snubby by design has a short barrel, the laws of physics dictate that you are going to lose bullet performance because the propellant is not able to fully burn in the short tube. That has long been the bane of snubbys. For years, Speer Gold Dot ammo has been a proven performer in police and other shootings. Recently, Speer began making a new cartridge and bullet specifically engineered for snubbys. The bullet is designed to penetrate and expand, despite being launched by a short barreled gun. I've purchased a couple of 20 rd. boxes and put them in both my gun and my wife's. They are expensive, over $1.00 per round, but cost should be no object when you are defending your life. They are 135 grain Gold Dots, in .38 spl.+P and .357 magnum.


http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/short_brl.aspx

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Retired Police, Life NRA

I have a 642 that I use as an everyday carry in the summer here in Florida. You can not go wrong with this weapon,goes BANG everytime,very easy to conceal and will hit what you aim at with proper practice. I carry in the front pocket of my shorts with an Uncle Mike`s clip on holster,nobody ever knows and I go everywhere with it!. I load it with Remington 125gr semi-jacketed hollow points and practice with the same. I buy most of my ammo at Wally World as around here that`s the cheapest buy. This is a very easy weapon to get used to BUT you need to get out on the range and practice at least monthly and try different loads to suit your purpose. Just remember this is an "Up close & Personal" weapon,not one to be used beyond 25ft. I carry a S&W 9ve when it`s not so hot and I can conceal better. Both weapons have proved to me to be totally reliable enough to stake my life on them. Hope this helps.

If you are new to revolvers I would start off with some 148 gr target wadcutters just to get the hang of it. Once I was feeling pretty good about it, I would try some +P stuff.
The 642 is a wonderful gun. If you like it you ought to jump on one of the recent production no-lock guns before they are just a memory.

I carry a 642, recent production no-lock, in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster and hardly know its there. I load it with Buffalo Bore 158+P LSWHP. This load is stout! The gun wears Uncle Mike's rubber boot grips. I practice dry firing almost every day(this helps smooth out the factory trigger a little). I have fired Starfire 125gr.+P and liked that loading as well(I don't know if that brand is still in production) as it shoots to point of aim and doesn't kick as hard as the 158+P's. I practice with Federal 130 gr. FMJ. I find this to be a mild loading and easy on the budget too. The most important thing with these small revolvers is that you are well practiced enough to be able to hit what you aim at. I prefer a Colt.45 but I can't carry one all the time. I like the reliability of a revolver too. Just so you know, the 642 is S&W's best selling revolver!

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From My Cold Dead Hands!

bameroni

TNDave nails this discussion!

Get the grips, holster, and speedloaders that work best for you and you're all set. Oh Yeah.....practice and train, practice and train.......

Cheers,
dan

Try in this order:

1. Federal Gold Match 148gr target wadcutters

2. Winchester 110gr Silvertips (standard pressure)

3. Winchester 125gr JPH+P White Box

4. Speer 135gr Gold Dot Short Barrel

If you decide to buy a 642, consider sending it to Smith and Wesson for a Master Revolver Action Package. This will make the gun MUCH easier to use well.

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Centennial Every Day

I find it hard to thank everyone enough for their thoughtful and insightful advice and tips. I am saving all of the responses and will use your suggestions for test shooting the 642.

As a novice with firearms I have learned from my training courses and this and the DefensiveCarry.com forum to carefully consider what I decide to buy and conceal carry and finally take the steps I need to adequately prepare for self defense with a firearm. I am grateful for being able to access and hopefully contribute in the future to the wealth of information available on this site.

May I suggest, since you are in Marietta, that you check out the great folks at georgiacarry.org as well?

A snub nose revolver requires extensive practice in order to gain and maintain profiency as a carry gun.I carry a Model 640 in 357 Magnum which is the stainless steel version of the 642.It only weighs about 30% more and that extra weight does conduct itself to more comfortable shooting.I just grab a pocket holster and throw it in when not wanting to dress around the gun.A excellent grip for it is the Badger grip which fits my hand perfectly.I use the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain JHP round which was developed in association with NYPD to not loose velocity when fired from a snub nose.One further suggestion would be to get a trigger job by a gunsmith who know what they are doing which will make it much more enjoyable to shoot it well...God Bless......Mike

Since you are just going to practice with it, I would suggest a simple approach.

Go to Walmart, and get the 100rd box of Winchester .38 fmj ammo.
It's perfect for practice, has a reasonably light bullet (135gr) to help with recoil, and will only cost about $30.

Then, take some kind of thin glove.
My wife uses one of my old weight lifting gloves.
If you don't shoot much, the recoil of the 642 can seem sharp initially.
Different grips can help with this, or simply shoot more.
If you'll shoot a few rounds every 2 weeks or so, you'll find that the recoil seems less and less noticeable.
(Eventually, you'll want to practice without the glove.)

My wife loves her 642, but she only likes to shoot it with oversized grips.
That takes away from the concealability of the gun, but it's her HD gun, so it doesn't matter.

For self defense ammo, I'm a firm believer in a quality +P hollow point to maximize the potential of the short barrelled gun.
Get some 125gr +P Gold Dots, (Georgia Arms also makes these), or some of the 135gr +P "Short Barrel" Gold Dots.

If you'll take the time to get used to it, not only is the 642 one of the ultimate CCW guns, but it's also one of the best values on the market.

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