649 vs. 642 (Performance Model) Member Recommendations

[Helderberg]

This is a Performance Center 642 made for Talo. I have owned a stock 642, 442, 640, and now own the 642PC and a 638. Of these guns the 642PC is head and shoulders above the rest, including the Ruger. I had a Security Six years ago and while it is, and the Ruger revolvers now, are built like Tanks I pocket carry and the Airweight 642PC is my best of this group. If you can find a 642PC try it heads up to a stock Ruger or S&W. Day and Night and so will your accuracy.
Just my .02, Frank.

 

[exdetsgt]

John, I live not too far from you (Bisbee) and EDC a 442. It's the most lightweight easy-to-carry snubby I've yet to own and because of this I'll inevitably pick it over my 1911 CMD or my Glock 26.

With a caveat or two: It's not a range gun and it's therefore not fun to shoot for more than fifteen minutes. But it wasn't intended for anything other than close quarters self defense anyway. It's the same as a 642 only black.

 

[GB]

Add me to the 649 side of the ledger. I have a -1, bought used 4 or 5 years ago. It has become my go to carry piece for my morning "Old Fart" walk. Easy to wear, pleasant to shoot with any reasonable factory or handloaded 38 spc. I like it better than my Model 60 because if I choose to drop it in my sweatshirt or vest pocket there is no snag trying to get it out. Either of your Smith choices would work but I like steel and the extra weight will make it more pleasant as a range gun. GB

 

[Realgunner]

If you intend to carry (and I mean ALWAYS carry), the clear winner is the 642. Carry it in your front pants (or shorts) pocket in a well-designed pocket holster. End of story.

 

[Rpg]

You would be well served to handle the firearms you are considering, as well as some others before buying.

I would encourage you to also handle the M38, 49, 40 and 42 or 042 before you decide.

These older revolvers are decidedly more elegant in my opinion as well as being built on a smaller non magnum frame. Accordingly, they are 38 spcl, not 357.

They feel better in my hand than the larger magnum frame revolvers considering the intended purpose.

I believe any of those older revolvers will hold value better than the ones you mentioned initially.

Of course, they aren't stainless (which matters not at all to me ).

I see no need for a 357 in a j frame so have no interest in the larger magnum frame j.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[kaaskop49]

This is a Performance Center 642 made for Talo. I have owned a stock 642, 442, 640, and now own the 642PC and a 638. Of these guns the 642PC is head and shoulders above the rest, including the Ruger. I had a Security Six years ago and while it is, and the Ruger revolvers now, are built like Tanks I pocket carry and the Airweight 642PC is my best of this group. If you can find a 642PC try it heads up to a stock Ruger or S&W. Day and Night and so will your accuracy.
Just my .02, Frank.

Hi Helderberg, can I get .03 from you? I've been tempted by the 642PC at shows, but have held back since I already own standard 642s. What do you find to be the difference? Could the PC have the more refined DA I enjoy on the Wyatt/Deep Cover 637 model?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

P.S. I guess, as a certified J-hound, you can already tell I'm looking to buy another J-frame...

 

[mg357]

I have shooting experience with the performance center 642 and it is a great gun, but don't shoot plus p ammo through it the recoil is incredibly painful.

 

[kaaskop49]

I have shooting experience with the performance center 642 and it is a great gun, but don't shoot plus p ammo through it the recoil is incredibly painful.

Know what you're talking about! If you use those factory grips, they could cause a rock to feel pain. Have you changed them out? Similar grips came on other Smith guns I own, and they're all in the boxes!

How about a shooting glove for range work? It's a must for me, given the nerve damage in my shooting hand. Good shooting!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[mg357]

kaaskop49: actually the performance center 642 i shot was my uncle's gun i just borrowed it i tried shooting gloves they did not help me.

 

[Boogsawaste]

The whole recoil thing is very, and I mean very subjective. I find it ok to shoot a box of 50 .357's with wooden and exposed backstrap grips out of a steel j frame not bad. +p out of an airweight is easy on the hands, for me. However as you can see others will say the 38's out of their airweights hurt like h***. I guess each of us has to go out and see what their threshold is. Oh, and just because I say it isn't bad on my hands to shoot that stuff doesn't mean I regularly do it. I don't like to needlessly beat up on the guns, wether they can take it or not.

 

[exdetsgt]

I tried gloves also and they didn't work either. Even tried golf gloves (open finger tips ergo better trigger feel).

In my opinion NO J-frame snubbies are comfortable to shoot regardless of whether airweight or steel; just lesser degrees of pain. K-frame snubbies are OK but they're heavy and good luck with pocket carry.

But, as many others have written, these are not range guns. They are for personal, close quarters defense. In such a scenario sights, good or bad, are probably irrelevant because either it's dark or you're shooting from the hip (which is something I practice because there may not be time or even space enough to get arms fully extended and take any meaningful aim).

As for the factory grips, whether wood or rubber, If you want to improve both comfort and perhaps aim, try Hogues; they are longer and have finger indents. Other manufacturers make similar styles. Sure, longer grips don't conceal as well as the shorter grips. But they do make shooting a snubby tolerable.

 

[Helderberg]

Hi Helderberg, can I get .03 from you? I've been tempted by the 642PC at shows, but have held back since I already own standard 642s. What do you find to be the difference? Could the PC have the more refined DA I enjoy on the Wyatt/Deep Cover 637 model?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

P.S. I guess, as a certified J-hound, you can already tell I'm looking to buy another J-frame...

As I understand it the Wyatt is basically a PC gun without the engraving on the side. I have not had the opportunity to handle them side by side, but I believe they have undergone the same tune-up. If you have the Wyatt then the only difference is probably the closed hammer. Not an authority but I think this is accurate. Also, the Pacy compact grips are good but not as pocket carry friendly. They have a covered backstrap that helps with recoil absorption.
Be safe, Frank.

 

[Helderberg]

My two j's with the compact grips.

Hope this helps, Frank.

 

[creekman]

RECOIL

have a 642 enhanced action...love it. any suggestions on lessening recoil pain when practicing-50 to 100 rounds

 

[creekman]

also...suggestions on best holster for IWB for 642

 

[Mister X]

The 642 is a great carry weapon. If wanting all steel construction and .357 magnum capability, I'd go with a 640 although I think the 642 is the better bang for the buck and a much better choice if wanting to pocket carry.

The 649 has never made much sense to me. It's neither here nor there and ultimately a bad compromise since single action is of little practical benefit on a gun whose purpose is close-quarter personal defense.

I owned a Ruger SP101 years ago and never warmed up to it. Too heavy and bulky for only 5 rounds and I found the trigger difficult to manage in rapid fire. I promptly sold it and bought a 640 which I eventually traded in for a second 642.

 

[L-2]

For Posts#34&35:
I use a hand-filling aftermarket rubber grip which also covers the back of the frame either from Pachmayr or Hogue. The Pachmayr I reference is a bit easier to remove should you want to go back to the original & smaller stock grip:
Compac Grips | Pachmayr Revolver Grips

Centennial Model - J Frame Revolvers - Grips for Smith & Wesson - Handgun Grips - Hogue Products

There are several other models which I've not had the need to buy & try.

For a good IWB holster for a 642 (doesn't fit my 640-1, however) is the "Klipt" from Blade-Tech.
Klipt J Frame Revolver Holster | Blade-Tech Industries

The "Klipt" works well for me as an "AIWB" worn in front, but can also be used in a 4 o'clock position if desired; right handers only. Every holster maker believes they'll have the just right holster for you and there are several good holsters out there. I've also not had the ability to buy & try every other holster. These work well and I've not had the need to shop for more (right now).

For my similar, but larger 640-1, I bought this Galco AIWB holster (again, can work as an IWB, too), but does rely on one's belt for retention, which is fine, but beware the gun can fall out when removing one's pants for whatever reason.

STOW-N-GO INSIDE THE PANT HOLSTER: Appendix Carry Holsters | Galco Gunleather

 

[elm_creek_smith]

I carry a 642-2 in my off-side cargo pocket at work with a 4 inch 686-4 in a cruiser holster on my duty belt. My 642-2 has the Apex Duty Spring kit installed and is enthusiastic with +P ammo. It is loaded with Hornady Critical Defense 110 grain +P which is not too hard on the hand. I practice with standard pressure ammo with is not bad at all. Off duty my 642-2 backs up either my 2 inch Model 12-2 Airweight 22 ounce K- frame or my 3 inch 13-3 .357 Magnum. Depending on what I’m doing and where, I’ve been known to carry both the 12-2 and the 13-3. Regardless, I always have the 642-2.

I don’t have a .357 Magnum Airweight or Airlite J-frame, and if I do I won’t shoot.357 Magnums in it.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[white cloud]

I prefer the 649 no dash .38. 90% of the time, this is my carry gun. Great for pocket carry and no peeling finish issues. I know that single action capability is frowned on now days but I like it. The steel frame makes practice tolerable. I have a wide variety of holsters for it. This makes wardrobe choices much easier. I carry two speed strips and have extra ammo stashed in my Jeep and truck.

My wife prefers the 642.

The SP101 is a neat gun. I have two. You can do a pretty decent action job yourself if you watch some Youtube and are careful. The SP101 seems to be very rugged. My problem with the SP101 is that I can carry a pretty serious autoloader for the same weight. If you are a true revolver guy then this doesn't matter. I have pocket carried one but its really too heavy for that.

If you get a .357 snubbie you might want to check out the Remington 125 grain .357 Golden Saber.

 

[AZretired]

Both a Model 642 and .38 Special chambered Model 649 live here.


The Model 642 is so convenient and light which is so important to many who carry. Recoil with good self-defense loads is fairly "enthusiastic." It's double-action only and "hammerless." It's the last new Smith & Wesson revolver I've purchased and I've had it since 1998. I've become disenchanted with it since that time and feel the whole Model 642/442 revolver family is overrated and oversold.


The Model 649 is heavier, not being an alloy-framed revolver but it is just as compact for hiding purposes. It soaks up recoil better. It offers choices. One may shoot it in single-action mode or double-action. I like choices. It still slips in a pocket easily and is snag-free like the Model 642. The Model 649 is the gun that the Model 642 ought to be.



http://s74.photobucket.com/user/bryanmcgilvray/media/Album II/f0346944_zps7531a72d.jpg.html

I think you are comparing apples & oranges. The 649 (in 38 special) should be more rightly compared to the 640 (no dash) also in 38 special. I think think the 642/442 are great guns and not over rated at all. They can be tough to shoot for some, but you can't beat them for pocket carry. The 649 and 640 are easier to shoot but can weigh down a pocket.