I have a 642-1 AirLite that I bought a few years ago. Today I attended a class where it was indicated that a hammerless DA only was not a wise choice because accuracy was much better when shooting SA. I would like to hear other opinions on this, and whether I ought to consider trading for another. What would be a better choice?TIA.
642-1 opinions
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I have 2 of them, and the advantage is pocket carry without snagging on clothes. They can be very accurate if you practice.
For the distance they are designed to be used, it would be very hard to miss.
2K7
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Well....in the classroom world, you may have ample time to cock, sight, squeeze, breathe, relax, adjust...etc.
On the mean streets, a hammerless revolver fired from within the coat pocket or drawn quickly from an inside the pants pocket is simply as good as it gets.
Smooth trigger pull, action "stages" nicely, and extremely accurate with the 3" tube.
On the mean streets, a hammerless revolver fired from within the coat pocket or drawn quickly from an inside the pants pocket is simply as good as it gets.
Smooth trigger pull, action "stages" nicely, and extremely accurate with the 3" tube.
HEADKNOCKER
Member
Keep your 642-1 "Airweight"
As said above in the "Real World" a Centennial with DAO capabilities is all you will ever need..
And with practice can give amazing accuracy BTW..
It has more to do with trigger control & a smooth action than to do with the longer heavier trigger pull..
I don't stage the triggers on mine but pull clean through..
Gary/Hk
Models 940 & 642/942
As said above in the "Real World" a Centennial with DAO capabilities is all you will ever need..
And with practice can give amazing accuracy BTW..
It has more to do with trigger control & a smooth action than to do with the longer heavier trigger pull..
I don't stage the triggers on mine but pull clean through..
Gary/Hk
Models 940 & 642/942
Hi,
Well I gotta say; I think I actually shoot my 642 just as good at 10 yards, as I do my 686 with a 6" barrel.
It's been a surprising delite, as I wasn't expecting accuracy out of this snub conceal carry revolver!
Also, I had previously shot Single Action with my 686 99% of the time...So I was not use to the Double Action at all. But, I have found the adjustment of shooting the 642 with it's DA smooth and enjoyable.
For the range that it is intended for, I think it is one awesome handgun!
Well I gotta say; I think I actually shoot my 642 just as good at 10 yards, as I do my 686 with a 6" barrel.
It's been a surprising delite, as I wasn't expecting accuracy out of this snub conceal carry revolver!
Also, I had previously shot Single Action with my 686 99% of the time...So I was not use to the Double Action at all. But, I have found the adjustment of shooting the 642 with it's DA smooth and enjoyable.
For the range that it is intended for, I think it is one awesome handgun!
Attachments
Completely false. Accuracy is NOT always better when shooting SA, accuracy is not always the first consideration, and other considerations may indicate that cocking a revolver is very unwise.
You should not accept this instructor as an authority, period. You should THINK about things he has said or suggested, but he clearly is not an expert on handgun choice for defensive use. You might also look into the video arcade shooting in Miami in the late eighties - the unwarranted charges against the policeman who killed a would-be murderer in self defense caused many whole departments to go DAO after the trial, even though he was acquitted.
With a little practice you can stop the trigger just before let off thus making a single action type shot.
I chose the M638 because I wanted the choice of real single action.
So keep the M642, practice with it, and enjoy it.
Neither of the models have an exposed trigger to snag.
I chose the M638 because I wanted the choice of real single action.
So keep the M642, practice with it, and enjoy it.
Neither of the models have an exposed trigger to snag.
SA fire may be more accurate and for target/plinking that's fine but for self defense, combat shooting, etc. DA is the recommended way to go.
IMO, the 642 is an excellent SD firearm.
IMO, the 642 is an excellent SD firearm.
That so-called instructor doesn't have a clue as to what he is talking about. Suggesting single-action in a close quarters defensive situation can be a recipe for disaster. I was a Police Firearms Instructor for over 20 years and every agency I knew of trained personnel to always use double-action in such encounters. A deadly force incident creates sensory overload, (maximum pucker factor), even among highly trained individuals, causing a large decrease in the fine motor skills necessary to draw, cock single-action , and fire accurately on a target. Even if accomplished a weapon with the hammer cocked back in single-action requires very little effort to fire and may do so at the worst time. One may trip or stumble resulting in an unintentional discharge resulting in accidental injury to a fellow officer or other companion or an uninvolved bystander. The result can result in the shooter suddenly becoming a defendant in a criminal/civil action.
With sufficient practice double-action can be very accurate and controllable and considerably less likely to result in an untintentional discharge. It has the benefit of requiring fewer manipulations and has the same trigger stroke for all shots (KISS). Yeah, I know there are some individuals who are highly efficient firing in single-action but for most of us it just isn't so. Law Enforcement agencies did train in single-action shooting for many years in the past, but all I am aware of now require double-action firing with revolvers and it is for the reasons mentioned above. They learned the hard way.
With sufficient practice double-action can be very accurate and controllable and considerably less likely to result in an untintentional discharge. It has the benefit of requiring fewer manipulations and has the same trigger stroke for all shots (KISS). Yeah, I know there are some individuals who are highly efficient firing in single-action but for most of us it just isn't so. Law Enforcement agencies did train in single-action shooting for many years in the past, but all I am aware of now require double-action firing with revolvers and it is for the reasons mentioned above. They learned the hard way.
Just noticed how many times I used the word "result/resulting". Must be my word of the day, it's getting late, and, heck you know what I mean.
Bullseye Smith
Member
Ask him why Police Dept. ordered DAO on thier revolvers? I myself shot DA 95% of the time.
silvertiphp
Member
Can't go wrong with a 642-1. Also Crimson Trace Laser Grips work pretty dang good. Don't leave home w/out either.
Regards from down in Austin.
silvertip
Regards from down in Austin.
silvertip
Dale53
Member
You don't need to be creating problems in a defensive situation (single or double, etc) but what you REALLY need to do is PRACTICE, PRACTICE, and PRACTICE some more. THAT is the answer to a serious potential problem. This is one case you cannot buy your way out of but must pay the price (the price is time and effort practicing). Trying to shoot single action will only cause yourself problems in the aftermath...
Competency breeds self confidence and THAT is what you need in a serious situation.
FWIW
Dale53
Competency breeds self confidence and THAT is what you need in a serious situation.
FWIW
Dale53
otteray
Member
Practice is essential!
Because of limitations for live ammo sessions at the range, I practice with dry firing drills at home while reloading dummy rounds from a speed reload strip.
I love my 642
and it fits in my pocket, too!
2000Z-71
Member
Definately keep that 642-1. I've got one and it would be one of the last I would ever get rid of. The -1 series is THE 642 to have, rated for +P and no lock, what more could you ask for?
Mitch_D
Member
You have to consider the application. For up-close SD "social work" the 642-1 is an excellant choice. It was not designed for SA target work. We have other tools (models) for that.
Practice, practice, practice.
Practice, practice, practice.
67 GTO
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I have a 642 and also some traditional revolvers that have exposed hammers and shoot DA or SA. I occasionally enjoy practice shooting SA AT THE RANGE because it increases my accuracy with those particular handguns. But since the main reason I practice is to improve my self defense shooting skills, I resist the urge to go SA and 95% of the time shoot DA with those guns. The 642 offers no choice, but is an EXCELLENT pocket gun. I run more rounds through it than my others because it is my carry gun. It's the one I need to know best.
At home I have several at my disposal if needed in case of a late night break-in, etc. If I'm in the house, the 642 is not at the top at that list. If I'm entering the house, it is.
Best advise I can offer if your 642 is a new gun, is to dry-fire at least several hundred times to smooth out the trigger. And then do it some more.
At home I have several at my disposal if needed in case of a late night break-in, etc. If I'm in the house, the 642 is not at the top at that list. If I'm entering the house, it is.
Best advise I can offer if your 642 is a new gun, is to dry-fire at least several hundred times to smooth out the trigger. And then do it some more.
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