640 vs 642

[JoeGun]

Thank you, Joe.

What does "No lock" mean?

Hey Suzie,

I see that they have explained the difference in the Lock & No Lock.

I like the No Lock,, cause in an emergency,, I don't won't anything that can go wrong,, go wrong.

With the No Lock,, allst you have to do is "Pull The Trigger". If the Lock was set,, and forgot about,, it would take the allen wrench to unlock the gun. Scenerio ~ Oh My God,, They're breaking in the Front Door,, and Where's That Dam Allen Wrench!!!!

The reason I like the 642 or 442,, is that they are small, Lite, No Hammer to Snag, & Double Action Only. Downside is that they have a little bit more kick, and the Trigger is a liittle bit harder to pull. But with low recoil ammo,, and with practice in holding,, whether it be one hand or 2,, IMO,, that can be overcome.

I sold my CIA SS 650 Taurus 357 magnum,, because it was just too heavy to carry around, once I held the 642 and realized it was basically the same gun,, but so much liter,, I was bit,, and had to have one.

In the end,, it'll be your decision,, but don't fret,, if you find that you like another gun better later on. It's sort of like buying a Vehicle, to me anyways.

The no locks go pretty fast,, so if you decide that is what you want,, you may have to hunt for a whilst,, but they do still make them,, as far as I know.

All The Best,, Take your time, and shoot as many different guns that you can,, so you'll be able to make the best decision possible.

Like I said though,, you may come across anothern that you may like better down the road,, cause it happens to most of us, ie The 642 Evil Twin:

http://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/64137

Joe

 

[Darkenfast]

Just went through this with a small 70 year-old lady. We tried her on several guns, but the only revolver we had available was a Model 60 (2" barrel, exposed hammer, stainless J-frame). Kicked pretty hard for her hands (which damage easily). So, off to the gun shops. I thought a K-frame 4" would be perfect, but they were a little too large. "Perfect" turned out to be a used 3" barreled Ruger SP101 in .357 (but it will only be shot with .38's). For our newer members, this is Ruger's take on a compact 5-shot revolver. Chunky weight (much heavier than the usual J-frame), rubber grips that fit her hands, it's a good home defense weapon for her. Hornady Critical Defense 110gr +P's in the gun. She's very smart, and has thought everything through, so I'm confident she'll be fine.

 

[18DAI]

The Ruger SP101 is an excellent choice as well. Had I not found a pre lock 640-1 I would have gone with the SP101.

Susie Homemaker the Ruger SP101 is a common range rental gun and readily available for sale in most gun shops. It can be had in 2.5 inch and 3 inch barrels too. Were I you I would give it serious consideration.......should you be unable to locate a nice pre lock 640-1.

The SP101 has very nice rubber grips which soak up recoil very well. Stoke it with Speer 135 grain short barrel 38+P and you are "good to go". Good luck with your search! Regards 18DAI

 

[Suzie Homemaker]

What ruled the 640 out?

Thank you, Hapworth, for all the info. I should have said that a new 640 has been ruled out. I prefer to buy new because then I'd know how it had been treated and that only 38+P had been fired in it. I like the concept of using the 38+P in a 357 because it seems to me like "over engineering" If that makes sense.

However, I do not want to buy a new one and then have to pay a gunsmith to remove the internal lock. I read somewhere that it makes the gun ugly to remove the lock. If it's not pretty, I'm not going to be inspired to practice with it.

 

[Suzie Homemaker]

The no locks go pretty fast,, so if you decide that is what you want,, you may have to hunt for a whilst,, but they do still make them,, as far as I know.

.... shoot as many different guns that you can,, so you'll be able to make the best decision possible.

Thank you, Joe. From what I understood looking at the catalog only the 642 comes no lock now. And since the 642 has an aluminum frame, I'm thinking I need a 640 from the PRE LOCK era. I guess I'll be shopping the classifieds. First, I'm going to try to buy local. I put a Want to Buy ad on the Facebook page for Buying and Selling in my hometown.

 

[Suzie Homemaker]

... "Perfect" turned out to be a used 3" barreled Ruger SP101 in .357 (but it will only be shot with .38's). For our newer members, this is Ruger's take on a compact 5-shot revolver. Chunky weight (much heavier than the usual J-frame), rubber grips that fit her hands, it's a good home defense weapon for her. ...

Thank you, Darkenfast

 

[Suzie Homemaker]

The Ruger SP101 is an excellent choice as well. Had I not found a pre lock 640-1 I would have gone with the SP101.

Thank you, 18DAI, I took a look at one on Ruger's website and am definitely interested and will shoot it if it's available. I couldn't tell from looking at the ad, but since you like it, I surmise that it does not have an internal lock ???? If it does not have an internal lock, I believe I'd rather have a new SP101 than an pre-lock 640-1 that some stranger has mauled.

Also in reviewing the website, I noticed that the KSP-321 (357) and KSP 821X (38 Spl +P) are the same price. I'm just wondering, if there are the same price, why would anyone go with the 38 over the 357? Is there any criterion, other than weight, that would make the 38 a better choice than the 357?

 

[JoeGun]

Thank you, Joe. From what I understood looking at the catalog only the 642 comes no lock now.

http://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/64137

 

[MShambarger]

My wife bought a 642CT. She had a snubby of some other brand before that she gave to her daughter. The j-frame is the only gun she has experienced with and wanted another snubby (she named it "Smitty"). She has gotten her carry permit and practices fairly regularly. She enjoys it. She won't even try my K-38 which she thinks is too big and loud. Obviously it would be easier to shoot with the same ammo... I give her light recoil reloads but she does very well with full power factory ammo also. The laser is a big plus for her. She has shot some imressive targets - all slow fire which isn't very realistic for a self defense situation but it gives her confidence. The gun was almost new and we got it for a good price. All around a very good choice for her.

 

[MShambarger]

Suzie-
If you are in Shreveport, LA, Clark's has a shop in Bosier City and a range in (I forget the name of the little town) near by. You can probably try out anything you want. I bought a Springfield 45 and had Mr. Clark accurize it over 20 years ago. It is still shooting well. Mr. Clark has passed on but his outfit is still there. It is worth checking out.

 

[ladder13]

Or, you can get a 649-3 357 mag, does everything the other guns do and also has the single action option.

 

[Ceapea]

Bud's gun shop has police trade in S&W model 10's, 4" barrel, 6 shot, for $269 with free shipping. They had them in stock yesterday. They do sell out quickly, but they get more in, in a few weeks at the most.
This is the way to go.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...790/Used+S&W+Police+Model+10+38sp+Square+Butt

 

[Ed333]

.... I do not want to buy a new one and then have to pay a gunsmith to remove the internal lock. I read somewhere that it makes the gun ugly to remove the lock. If it's not pretty, I'm not going to be inspired to practice with it.

There are plugs made which fill the hole where the lock was, not a real cosmetic issue. I personally have no problem with the lock, I have a model 60 snubby with 2500 rounds fired, no problem. I just never lock the lock.

I have been fond of 640's and 649's , I definitely agree with the advice that says stay with steel frames, they aren't all that heavy. I also agree with your assessment of buying a .357 but only shooting .38 special in it. If you do go with an older K frame, be careful, model 10's and model 15's, revolvers which were made for .38 special, in my experience do not handle 38+P very well, I have had issues with screws loosening up when shooting a diet of +P, with the older revolvers.
Final advice, don't believe advice that says snubs are not accurate, it is a matter of the shooter putting the time in and using proper technique, they can be quite accurate, beyond 25 yards even. But you have to practice.
And the good news there is, it is really fun!

 

[Suzie Homemaker]

http://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/64137

Thank you, Joe. I'll give them a look-see,

 

[Suzie Homemaker]

Suzie-
If you are in Shreveport, LA, Clark's has a shop in Bosier City and a range in ...

Thank you, MShamburger

 

[Tough Guy Levi]

S&W Pro Series 640

Howdy:

IMHO-the "obvious" choice for a home defense revolver is the S&W Pro Series 640 (Model 640 SKU #: 178044) adorned with CT-grips!! This is an ideal weapon for your daughter/wife. Double action ONLY- Barrel 2.125-SIGHTS-"Hammerless" (hammer covered by frame) thus no breathe on trigger discharges when under stress! THE CHOICE!!

Tough Guy Levi
NRA Certified Pistol Inst.
NRA Range Safety Office
Orange, CA

 

[scwcharlie]

Revolvers: S&W 442ct, 640, 686+

I'm age 80 my wife is 70. I'm 5'8",164# and my wife is 5'6", 118#. That's our physical background.
We own the three revolvers listed above. The 642ct & 640 are 5 shot J-frames with <2" barrels and the 686+ is a 7 shot w/4" barrel. We use only .38 caliber ammunition for both practice & carry.
The 642 is "never" pleasant to shoot and two cylinders (10 shots) is enough for either of us. The 640 eats a box of 50 shared by the two of us and is my daily carry gun. With the 686 we can fire 50-100 rounds each with no real problems.
Accuracy improves going "up-the-line" from the 642>640>686. Weight and barrel length very-much improve our accuracy. (Both the 640 & 686 can handle .357 ammunition but we don't enjoy them. I prefer using the .357 in my Marlin 1884C lever action.)

Bottom line: 686-4"= house gun, 640-2"=carry, 642ct-2"=backup carry and nightstand backup.

 

[Pointman]

I would recommend the 640 over the 642 for your stated use and users. I have a 642CT and it is nicely light to carry and recoils nicely (alot), and deadly accurate with laser. So I think you should consider two important things in making your selection (especially for your intended users):

1. Consider having single/double action capability (although rules out these two). Sometimes in a stressful situation, pulling double action will throw your point of aim WAY off. Single action is easier to control.

2. Strongly consider a laser, i.e., Crimson Trace Grips w/light. In the dark and/or stressful situation, you KNOW where your bullet is headed with the little red pointer. The CT grips are rubber, a little bigger and can better absorb recoil - killing two or three birds with one stone.

 

[Hapworth]

Thank you, Hapworth, for all the info. I should have said that a new 640 has been ruled out. I prefer to buy new because then I'd know how it had been treated and that only 38+P had been fired in it. I like the concept of using the 38+P in a 357 because it seems to me like "over engineering" If that makes sense.

However, I do not want to buy a new one and then have to pay a gunsmith to remove the internal lock. I read somewhere that it makes the gun ugly to remove the lock. If it's not pretty, I'm not going to be inspired to practice with it.

While you can certainly find pre-lock S&Ws that have been well-maintained and save some money that way, you're right, it takes a little extra searching sometimes to find a good one.

But there is a current version of the 640 that to the best of my knowledge does not have the lock, the 640 Pro:

Product: Model 640

It's cut for the aforementioned moon clips, and has three dot night sights. About the best defensive J-frame set-up S&W has made in my opinion.

 

[Hapworth]

Thank you, Joe. From what I understood looking at the catalog only the 642 comes no lock now. And since the 642 has an aluminum frame, I'm thinking I need a 640 from the PRE LOCK era. I guess I'll be shopping the classifieds. First, I'm going to try to buy local. I put a Want to Buy ad on the Facebook page for Buying and Selling in my hometown.

Both the 642 and 442 have lock and no-lock options; the 640 Pro and 442 Moon Clip have been shipping with no locks unless S&W has suddenly changed that.

Do be on your guard if you decide to purchase face-to-face with individuals met online.