3rdgeargrndrr
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King of the hill
Yes. I agree. The silver color reflects light. The 442 absorbs light so it is heavier.
642 vs. 637 Advice
- Thread starter Honey Badger
- Start date
Yes. I agree. The silver color reflects light. The 442 absorbs light so it is heavier.
3rdgeargrndrr
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OP-triggers weights DAO or SAO are not that important in a self defense situation. It is not like careful shot placement at the range.
Bad guys wont hold still for you to shoot them.
You will not notice a 1,6,or 12 pound trigger or long trigger pull.
Practice your point and shoot at 3&10 yds. Practice again at home with a laser.
There are free shot timer apps for the phone. Get off all five shots on center mass within 3 seconds from the holster to simulate a life death scenario.
I carry J frames but there is no accuracy difference when I practice with the SP101.
I too have a P239 but it wont make it into my rotation.
Bad guys wont hold still for you to shoot them.
You will not notice a 1,6,or 12 pound trigger or long trigger pull.
Practice your point and shoot at 3&10 yds. Practice again at home with a laser.
There are free shot timer apps for the phone. Get off all five shots on center mass within 3 seconds from the holster to simulate a life death scenario.
I carry J frames but there is no accuracy difference when I practice with the SP101.
I too have a P239 but it wont make it into my rotation.
The 638 works for me.
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
For a number of reasons, some physical and neurological, I definitely don't want the option of single action fire. I have no surface sensation in the thumb and first two fingers of either hand, but before that became a problem I decided that in an up-close-and-nasty defense situation SA would be both unnecessary and risky.
When I decided, twenty years ago, to go to a pocket-carried snub revolver as my EDC, the considerations in the three articles above--I did a lot of research and talked to cops and other experienced people--tipped the balance for me.
For a couple of years I carried a Rossi 88, a very decent inexpensive clone of the Model 60. Immediately after buying it I had a smith bob the hammer and polish the internals a little. It had a surprisingly good DA trigger, equal to or better than a few Smiths I had handled. I wish I had kept it as backup.
But when I got the chance I jumped at a very lightly-used 1990 CEN- prefix 640. It met every condition I had decided on after doing the research, and it's been my EDC ever since.
I particularly like the high hold the design affords me, enhanced further by the Pachmayr Compacs I put on it immediately. Makes it much more controllable.
When I decided, twenty years ago, to go to a pocket-carried snub revolver as my EDC, the considerations in the three articles above--I did a lot of research and talked to cops and other experienced people--tipped the balance for me.
For a couple of years I carried a Rossi 88, a very decent inexpensive clone of the Model 60. Immediately after buying it I had a smith bob the hammer and polish the internals a little. It had a surprisingly good DA trigger, equal to or better than a few Smiths I had handled. I wish I had kept it as backup.
But when I got the chance I jumped at a very lightly-used 1990 CEN- prefix 640. It met every condition I had decided on after doing the research, and it's been my EDC ever since.
I particularly like the high hold the design affords me, enhanced further by the Pachmayr Compacs I put on it immediately. Makes it much more controllable.
AZretired
Member
I carry both the 638-3 (IL deactivated) and the 642-1 (no lock) and although the 642 gets carried more, both shoot he same and I never use the single action on the 638 anyway. I just like both.
Squarebutt
Member
Can't have too many J-frames. My first, and still a favorite, is an old Model 36 squarebutt. A humpback 649 followed me home one time, and it's fun to explain that design to the newbies at the range. The 642-1 has been the pocket carry of choice for the last decade, mostly for the weight advantage. As others have said, the DA trigger takes some getting used to, but the trigger gets better with some dry fire.
One advantage of the hammerless snubs that hasn't been mentioned here is that they won't get jammed with a stray dime or pocket crud down behind the hammer.
One advantage of the hammerless snubs that hasn't been mentioned here is that they won't get jammed with a stray dime or pocket crud down behind the hammer.
OP
Honey Badger
Member
Nor will they get jammed in a dedicated pocket holster in a pocket that only has the gun in a holster. The vast majority believes I erred in buying a S&W 637. So, I have no choice to wait for delivery of my NIB 637 on Wednesday, 5/30 and immediately sell it. Fortunately, I bought in on the internet at an excellent price. I should be able to sell it for a couple of hundred dollars and add the difference for a Kimber K6s Stainless (NS) Revolver in 357 Magnum as it is a double action only revolver. Thank you for all your input.
Nor will they get jammed in a dedicated pocket holster in a pocket that only has the gun in a holster. The vast majority believes I erred in buying a S&W 637. So, I have no choice to wait for delivery of my NIB 637 on Wednesday, 5/30 and immediately sell it. Fortunately, I bought in on the internet at an excellent price. I should be able to sell it for a couple of hundred dollars and add the difference for a Kimber K6s Stainless (NS) Revolver in 357 Magnum as it is a double action only revolver. Thank you for all your input.
Don't let other people change your mind, no one even mentioned the the "Gunsmoke" customs that were all the rage when they came out, the only complaint I heard about them was cosmetic. They did have bobbed hammers though.
Take delivery, look the 637 over, take a few days off the forum to clear your head and re think your decision, after all, you wanted the 637 to start with. You could slick up that 637 for less than you would lose on the deal.
3rdgeargrndrr
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Who says you erred? No way! The Chief special was carried for many years by those who put their life on the line. Dont write it off, you will be fine. Practice practice practice. And get the black K6 version too while youre at it.
Nor will they get jammed in a dedicated pocket holster in a pocket that only has the gun in a holster. The vast majority believes I erred in buying a S&W 637. So, I have no choice to wait for delivery of my NIB 637 on Wednesday, 5/30 and immediately sell it. Fortunately, I bought in on the internet at an excellent price. I should be able to sell it for a couple of hundred dollars and add the difference for a Kimber K6s Stainless (NS) Revolver in 357 Magnum as it is a double action only revolver. Thank you for all your input.
I don't think you erred. Get to know your new 637. Shoot it. Dry fire it. Carry it in all the positions to see where it carries best for you. You may never use single action for Self Defense but, it's fun on the Range and shooting outside to see how far away you can shoot. If you hate the hammer you can Bobbi it . You may find it no problem and keep it. Masad Ayoob has a draw technique for hammer guns. When he draws from a pocket he puts his thumb on the hammer. Nothing catches it and it makes a smooth draw. If this is your first J -Frame, my bet is you will be hooked and want more.
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I know more people with 637s than 642/442 and few with 638's. I think the 637 hammer slides out of a pocket fine if you hold your hand so the pocket opens and your hand blocks the hammer from hooking. I have never had an issue with hammer guns.
The trigger pull of the 642 is that way for a good reason. Safety.
The 642 is also the best seller by far. For good reasons.
If you intend to pocket carry, you should not want a hammer.
The 642 is also the best seller by far. For good reasons.
If you intend to pocket carry, you should not want a hammer.
Squarebutt
Member
Don't give up on that 637 just yet.Nor will they get jammed in a dedicated pocket holster in a pocket that only has the gun in a holster. The vast majority believes I erred in buying a S&W 637. So, I have no choice to wait for delivery of my NIB 637 on Wednesday, 5/30 and immediately sell it. Fortunately, I bought in on the internet at an excellent price. I should be able to sell it for a couple of hundred dollars and add the difference for a Kimber K6s Stainless (NS) Revolver in 357 Magnum as it is a double action only revolver. Thank you for all your input.
You are absolutely correct that a pocket rocket should be in a proper holster and should be the only item in that pocket. I'd cheerfully carry one that way, and have carried a Model 36 like that before I bought the Airweight. Don't know what the Kimber weighs, but I doubt it's as light as a 637, and you'll appreciate the difference.
Although you are intending to carry the 637 in your pocket, you might end up preferring to carry it on your belt. In that case the exposed hammer should not be an issue and might be preferable instead
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