642-1 - What's the story?

[Fastbolt]

When I first heard about these currently released 642-1's I called back and asked someone at the factory about them.

I was told they were the result of S&W deciding to clear out some back stock of older frames and that there were a limited number of them being released.

When I called back another time and checked on the product code used for these 642-1's being released at the present, I was told that this was a discontinued code which had previously been used for the earlier 642-1 model.

FWIW, the serial number series of these new guns being discussed on the various forums is a later series number than that on my older 642-1.

Whatever the case may be, considering how much I like my 642-1, and how it's unknown if S&W will ever make another standard catalog/production Airweight without the ILS, I decided to order one of them.

Might as well have a second one, even if it ends up in the safe most of the time with the DAO 37-2 I picked up about a year ago (when that earlier production run for the canceled foreign order was released to the commercial market).

 

[kone]

picking mine up today.

was really tempted to trade in my 638 for a 2nd one.

 

[460v LAC du FLAMBEAU]

For all of you new 642-1 owners, send an email or fax to John Nichols, S&W Chief Operating Officer. He needs to hear these positive comments. S&W is looking for good marketing ideas for next year "SHOT" trade show in February...now they've got it!

Email [email protected]
Subject line... To:John Nichols, model 642-1

OR

Fax# is (413) 747-3317

 

[Sonny Crocket]

Originally posted by Fastbolt:
When I called back another time and checked on the product code used for these 642-1's being released at the present, I was told that this was a discontinued code which had previously been used for the earlier 642-1 model.

He's correct. According to the 3rd.ed. SCSW code 103810 is 2" S DA Special for 1996-2001. I also picked one of the new ones up and might get a second to keep back if there will not be any more.
I'm guessing if they were spare parts laying around for warranty repair then there would be no serial numbers stamped on them so they could put the customers damaged gun's same serial number on them when replaced. That would be one reason why they have current serial numbers on them. Or they really are a special current production run. Who knows, the stories are too conflicting so far.

 

[Retired Old Man]

460v, thanks for the e-mail address. I just purchased a 642-1 and let him know I'd buy more Smith's if they expanded their decision to cover more models.

 

[niceguymr]

Originally posted by 460v LAC du FLAMBEAU:
For all of you new 642-1 owners, send an email or fax to John Nichols, S&W Chief Operating Officer. He needs to hear these positive comments. S&W is looking for good marketing ideas for next year "SHOT" trade show in February...now they've got it!

Email [email protected]
Subject line... To:John Nichols, model 642-1

OR

Fax# is (413) 747-3317

Email sent. Thanks for the info!

 

[RABULL]

Thank you for the e-mail address. I also sent him an e-mail thanking him for the 642-1's (I bought 2 of them) and that I would buy more models if they didn't have the IL on them.

 

[Retired Old Man]

Sent an e-mail to S&W COO last night. This morning had a reply:

Thank you for taking time to write. We appreciate the feedback. The Model 642 is a special run only. We had some frame in our inventory that were the old style.
We will continue to manufacture the revolver line with the internal lock.

Thank you
kf

Looks like it's get 'em while you can if their response is accurate........

 

[niceguymr]

Originally posted by Retired Old Man:
Sent an e-mail to S&W COO last night. This morning had a reply:

Thank you for taking time to write. We appreciate the feedback. The Model 642 is a special run only. We had some frame in our inventory that were the old style.
We will continue to manufacture the revolver line with the internal lock.

Thank you
kf

Looks like it's get 'em while you can if their response is accurate........

I wonder who KF is.

 

[460v LAC du FLAMBEAU]

Anyone else sending an email to S&W...send attention "John Nichols". Above "KF" sounds like a customer service rep. Who knows if it ever got to John Nichols??

Also, service reps should use their full names not initials!!!

 

[460v LAC du FLAMBEAU]

Thanks for the contact info. My brother is going to purchase 3 more...wish I had his money!!

 

[Retired Old Man]

460v, I agree, it probably got shunted directly to a service rep. Moondawg, I ordered one (yes, only one!)from my FFL Wednesday, and she said they had plenty in stock. Seems like they ought to be flying off the shelves with the interest shown (at least on this board).

 

[Fingolfin]

Sent an e-mail to S&W COO last night. This morning had a reply:

We will continue to manufacture the revolver line with the internal lock.

Oh well, guess i'll give more money to Ruger, and used S&W sellers.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Top Gun also has the S&W M642-1 is stock at $419.95 + $18 S&H. Of course you will have to get it shipped to an FFL but it might work out cheaper for you in some cases.

 

[RABULL]

I e-mailed S & W also and go the same canned response:

Hi,
The run of the Model 642 was only a limited run. We had some frames
that were in our inventory that were the old style. We will continue to
put the internal lock on all of our revolver line. We thank you for your comments
concerning the special run.

Thank you
Kf

 

[460v LAC du FLAMBEAU]

I'm faxing these 3 pages directly to John Nichols at S&W offices now. Thanks for your replies to S&W.

 

[3rdRRU_PhuBai]

[/QUOTE]I wonder who KF is.[/QUOTE]
My guess? Mr. Kermit Frog, VP of Politically Correct Responses to Media Inquiries.

 

[Frankie2blue]

Watching all the internet sites, it's amazing how fast these guns are being consumed. I will NEVER own a S&W with the IL and it is really refreshing to see a few new ones come out without the lock like the 40, 37 (bobbed hammer) and the 642-1. They must be really doing well not to pay attention to the response and feedback of the customer base and scrape those ridiculous locks once and for all. There are a number of newer revolvers I would love to buy if they scraped the lock.
By the way, how fragile is the finish on the 642's with that clear coat and all for actual carry guns? Does it give out in a hurry?

 

[welldoya]

I really didn't need another gun but I just couldn't pass up the chance to buy an S&W without the lock. So, even though I already have a 642 with the lock, I picked up one of these new 642-1s last Thursday. I paid $409 plus tax. I've seen them cheaper thru the mail but once shipping is added and my FFL's fee, it all evens out.
I wish I had the money to buy a couple more.
Smith is sure missing the boat by keeping those locks on there.

 

[Parson Colt]

Originally posted by RABULL:
I e-mailed S & W also and go the same canned response:

Hi,
The run of the Model 642 was only a limited run. We had some frames
that were in our inventory that were the old style. We will continue to
put the internal lock on all of our revolver line. We thank you for your comments
concerning the special run.

Thank you
Kf

I got exactly the same answer. I wrote back and said, too bad. I'll go buy a used one.