642 vs. 637 Advice

[Honey Badger]

I've been thinking of purchasing a J frame for weeks, but I'm still not sure which one is better. I've shot the 642 and I'm not in love with the D/A only trigger. I think the 637's advantage of SA/DA may be offset by the hammer's tendency to catch when used with a pocket holster. In addition the 637 is only available with the internal lock . The 642 can be obtained with or without the IL. I have no idea why S&W sells the 642 with or w/o the IL, but the 637 only comes with the IL. I have found that the 1911 I carry is too large to conceal during the warm and humid summers we have in SE Pennsylvania. My other choice for pocket carry, is a 9mm semi-auto like a Beretta Nano or Ruger LC9 (don't feel comfortable with a smaller .380 pistol). My experience with small semi autos is that even if they are reliable (and that usually takes putting at least 200 or more rounds through it) they still have a couple of more rounds in them, also I have well over a thousand rounds of 9mm. Yes I know and have the rubber strips that hold six rounds of .38, but that's still not as fast a reload as carrying an extra magazine. So I am leaning toward the J frame, but both the 642 and 637 as stated above have what I consider big disadvantages. Any thoughts from other J frame people?

 

[Alnamvet68]

Not much to think about...99% of civilians will never be in a situation where a rapid reload using a high capacity magazine is warranted. I carry a Government Colt 1911 only in a shoulder holster, and only when I'm hiking, mountain biking in the winter through forests, and when I'm 4-wheeling. Apart from that, there is nothing that says absolute reliability and you never know it's there when carrying a J frame snubby. As for the ILS, I personally find it more of an urban legend, and in those rare instances where the lock self engages, the reports I've read apply to the scandium feather weights that have been shooting big bang .357 loads for an extended period of time.

Nobody is going to convnce you one way or the other...the choice and decision is really yours.

 

[RichCapeCod]

I have a 642 and several various other J-frame (hammer) handguns. For pocket carry and personal defense the 642 is the superior piece. Use of the single-action mode of fire not only slows you down but creates a very real safety hazard. The NYPD found that the cocked handgun was one of the primary causes of ADs.

It will take a bit of practice, but I assure you learning to properly use the double-action mechanism in your handgun would be the way to go.

Best of luck,

Rich

 

[P&R Fan]

Definitely get the M642. The Centennials are, I believe, S&Ws best selling revolvers. They are perfect for pocket carry because there is nothing to snag. I bought a M642 and a M640-1 in .357 Magnum on the same day in 1997. I rarely carried the Airweight, but carried the Magnum constantly. It has been semi-retired since I got a M340PD a few years ago. It lives constantly in my non-dominant side pocket, and I literally forget it's there.
If you have the money, buy both. But definitely get the Centennial.
Jim

 

[snubbyfan]

I'm also going to say to go with the 642. As you pointed out the 637's hammer has a tendency to catch when used with a pocket holster. When you need your gun you need to be able to draw it without fumbling with it. Also, in a defense situation you'll be firing in double action anyway.
The 642 is DAO but with practice it becomes easier to shoot accurately.
Make sure to get a proper pocket holster and practice with it.
I daily carry a 442, which is the blued steel version of the 642, in either a pocket holster or owb.

 

[TACC1]

I've tried both the 431 and the 642. In some instances
the hammer does snag. I only shoot DA these days, so for
me, the hammer is useless.
Like the earlier posters said, with practice comes accuracy.
The 642 is pretty accurate to 25 yards, and it's DAO.
JMHO, TACC1

 

[Honey Badger]

Looks like the 642 (with no IL) is the way to go for pocket carry. Thanks for all of your input.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I've been thinking of purchasing a J frame for weeks, but I'm still not sure which one is better. I've shot the 642 and I'm not in love with the D/A only trigger. I think the 637's advantage of SA/DA may be offset by the hammer's tendency to catch when used with a pocket holster. In addition the 637 is only available with the internal lock . The 642 can be obtained with or without the IL. I have no idea why S&W sells the 642 with or w/o the IL, but the 637 only comes with the IL. I have found that the 1911 I carry is too large to conceal during the warm and humid summers we have in SE Pennsylvania. My other choice for pocket carry, is a 9mm semi-auto like a Beretta Nano or Ruger LC9 (don't feel comfortable with a smaller .380 pistol). My experience with small semi autos is that even if they are reliable (and that usually takes putting at least 200 or more rounds through it) they still have a couple of more rounds in them, also I have well over a thousand rounds of 9mm. Yes I know and have the rubber strips that hold six rounds of .38, but that's still not as fast a reload as carrying an extra magazine. So I am leaning toward the J frame, but both the 642 and 637 as stated above have what I consider big disadvantages. Any thoughts from other J frame people?

What you want is a 638. Best of all worlds. No snag and you don't loose the ability to use it SA when the mood strikes.

 

[Old cop]

Why run the risk w/the IL when the 642/442 can be had without this silly feature? In reality if you had to use your gun in a SD situation you will most likely not have time for a single action shot. My EDC is a 442 that I've practiced with enough to be confident in its double action pull.

 

[getoff]

i have 60's, 36's, a 640, several airweights and a 360 pd ti-lite. the one that seems to always be with me is the 442-1. next up is my 638. the 442 is probably one of my EDC's 90% of the time. galco horsehide pocket holster, or a bell charter oak kydex owb with my 638 in the other holster. J's are a great self defense tool. 75-85% of all self def shootings involve 3-5 rnds from one or both shooters combined. theat the best reason to carry two guns yet, no reload worries!

 

[Harry58]

I also would go with the 642, & I wouldn't worry about the IL. You will learn to shoot it with the DA only & no snags on the draw.

 

[wrangler5]

What you want is a 638. Best of all worlds. No snag and you don't loose the ability to use it SA when the mood strikes.

My sentiments exactly. I carried a 442 for a year or more, but found it would rust (on the crane) if I didn't wipe it down every night. When I went looking for a stainless substitute I picked the Bodyguard-style 638, having had an original (all steel 49) for many years. No snag frame and typical S&W J frame double action, but with the option for a carefully aimed single shot should the (unlikely) need - or (more likely) desire - ever arise. It is great fun to take a break from close-up double action practice, and knock down steel plates at 25 yards, reliably, with carefully aimed single action shots from your pocket size daily carry gun.

 

[IkenI]

I have them both in the blued (or, modern black +P) version. Pocket carry is my second to last option (ankle is last.) I shoot them both double action. I like the sleek look of the Centennial but my favorite is the 37. There is just something about having the option of a single action shot. I tried the Bodyguard style but could just never warm to it. My preference is probably based on having one or more Chief Special's around for the last few decades. In fact, I am in the process of getting another 37.

 

[M3Stuart]

My experience; I pocket carried a 36 for awhile. I also have a 60-9 that I carry IWB. I recently sold the 36 and bought a pro-series 642. It is cut for moonclips, no ILS (not that the ILS is a big deal). I'd say the 642 is not a range gun (neither are the 36, 60 - or 637 for that matter). So I don't miss the SA capability. I'm happy with the 642 but your mileage may vary.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I looked for a long time and finally came across a 638-2. I passed on seveal model 38's as I wanted a no lock with the J magnum frame. FInally found one last fall and got it off gunbroker into my hands for $475 which included shipping and my dealer transfer fee.
It ain't going anywhere!!
I still have my 337 and love it but I really wanted a snag free gun for pocket carry (although quite frankly, I have carried the 337 in my pocket and it has never snagged ). At some point I may get a titanium cylinder fit to the 638 to shave some weight (my 337 weighs less loaded than the 638 weighs empty). The only centennial I would consider would be a 342-One was for sale here recently at a pretty good price, but alas at the time the cat's tail was short so I let it pass. That and I really couldn't justify buying another 38

 

[Honey Badger]

Back After a Few Years

Well, to continue the 442 vs. 637 decision, here's what has happened. The 637 I had on order at a LGS in Pennsylvania (lived there at the time) was canceled. It seems the President back then had a reputation for being pro gun control. This resulted in S&W (or the LGS) to raise the price on the 637 I ordered so when it became available, I was given the choice of the gun at the higher price or my deposit refunded. I took the money, somewhat annoyed at the situation. In late 2013 I relocated to Wyoming and was without any S&W products, therefore absent from this forum. Recently, I became concerned carrying my small semi-auto, because of its habit of mysteriously going off safety. It was a 1911 design (brand and model upon request) and I didn't want it to accidentally go boom and rip into my leg. Now I went back to the S&W choice again. I know there will be unhappiness and many groans because of my decision, but I choose the 637. Why, you say! Well, although I am aware the revolver is not a target gun and in a pinch not only will I not be able to pull the hammer back, but I will also not have time to run home to change my underwear. I have ordered a holster from my regular supplier and I will try to practice putting my thumb over the hammer when pulling the revolver out of my right front pocket in order to avoid getting it caught in my pocket. I did look at a Ruger LCR and a 642. The 637 has a better trigger than either, but that's because they are DAO. Also I like metal guns better than plastic in the case of the Ruger. Gentlemen (and ladies) grab your flamethrowers

 

[Mister X]

Actually, the centennial models have the better double-action trigger. Placing your thumb on the hammer is supposedly a solution to drawing an exposed hammer snub from the pocket and it works well enough done relatively slowly in controlled conditions, but quickly fishing it out of a pocket in a panic during the chaos of an actual defense encounter is a different matter altogether. I've even seen someone inadvertently cock one during a ECQ force-on-force scenario. The enclosed hammer models are also much more reliable in contact distance fights since an exposed hammer can be grabbed or fouled by becoming entangled in clothing during a disarm attempt, grappling or when being shot from the pocket(or purse). Single action simply isn't (realistically)needed for self-defense and with the centennial frame you can assume a higher grip on the backstrap improving leverage and effectively lowering the bore axis for more recoil control and faster follow up shots. I hope the 637 works out for you, but obviously I feel you made the wrong choice. Good luck.

 

[Hasbeen1945]

I pocket carry. I’m pretty good sized so I have large pockets. I own a 640-1, 360j, and and 637.
I carry every day the 360 strictly because of its lite weight.

 

[OLDSTER]

King of the hill

 

[uncleted327]

I only have exposed hammer revolvers, I can't stand DAO. As far as the hammer catching on the draw, that's a lack of training, not a given. I've never had any hammer, revolver or pistol, snag on the draw, ever. Also there are certainly times when a precise single action shot would be just what you want in a defensive scenario. And as far as the lock, it's a non-issue. They offer it on select DAO J frames because of their heavy triggers.