Air Weight 642 Question

[Geroge Rodgers]

Shoot some at paper to understand your grouping. However, also shoot at "fun" targets that help keep your mind off the recoil.
When I shoot at steel "cowboy" targets, the pistol is a lot more fun to shoot.

 

[AKsRule]

Shooting slow Single Action with my J frames I
can roll coffee cans out to a really silly distance.

Of course the cans don't shoot back

 

[yashua-p]

For me, the Smith 386PD seems to be the best of both worlds. I have seven rounds of any ,357, light weight. It is comfortable and is easy to carry. It is becoming an almost a constant companion. When it is not, there is the 642, a colt pony pocketlight or a S%W CS.45. I'm a happy guy. Also a Glock M -39 turns up occasionally

you will find yours

regards,

yashua

 

[Gearhead Jim]

Many years ago when my eyes were younger, I could hit a 12" x 20" steel plate at 80 yds, 4 shots out of 5 from a Model 38. Wish i could still do it.

 

[460v LAC du FLAMBEAU]

All previous posts have good info. My 642 w/CT grips is snappy with the +P's.

I practice the 642 wearing weightlifting gloves which provide just enough padding in the palm area. These gloves (available @ Wal-Mart $10)have the bottom half of the fingers open for good grip control.

 

[Match10]

Dry fire the heck out of it! ...and I placed lighter springs in mine and had a trigger job done. (big difference) The trigger is rather stiff for such a light weapon and it takes prctice. Most people pull to the side in anticipation of the recoil, and I caught myself doing it at first too. I also used TESTORS white model paint to help these old eyes with the short site distance. Practice!!

 

[ronlovell]

I got me a trigger kit from Wolff Gun Springs and bought a 642 pistol pack and changed to the lighter springs. Then put a pair if of C/T grips #405 with the extra padding on the back of the grip and got her a pair of shooting gloves with the gel pad between the thumb and finger. Now she's a dead eye dick with it. The lighter hammer spring was easy to install and really made a difference in trigger pull. Then I changed the trigger rebound spring from a factory 18 lb. spring to a 13 lb. spring. Makes a world of difference with smother & lighter trigger pull without sending to a gunsmith and paying lots more.

Wolff Gun Springs

SHOOTER'S PAK - Reduced Power
This pak contains 1 each 8 pound reduced power hammer spring and 1 each 13, 14 and 15 pound reduced power rebound springs allowing adjustment for lighter and smoother trigger and hammer action. Note: Models 317, 650, 651 have a 12 Lb. factory hammer spring.
Stock No. 17125.....$ 9.00 ea

Trigger rebound springs are common to all Smith & Wesson J, K, L and N frame revolvers. These springs greatly influence the double action trigger pull which is a major concern of competitive shooters. W.C. Wolff company offers reduced power rebound springs rated from 12 to 16 pounds. For reference, the factory rebound spring is 18 pounds. These springs lighten trigger and let-off functions for smoother and easier trigger pull. We offer these springs in several assortment paks as well as individually.

 

[wjh2657]

Originally posted by ENH:
I have several including the light weights and they all shoot well out to 25 yards and beyond. The key is practice and trigger control. I have a 317 2" and that little .22 has helped my double action shooting more than anything. Don't give up, most likely it is not the gun.

I have 5 J-Frames and one of them is always the "duty" EDC. The 317 is the secret. I use one as a trainer and fire at least 3 times a week.
Reality Checks:

1. J Frames are best at 25', you are not going to do any 15 or 25 yard shooting with the little guys.

2. Most SD shootings are under <25'.

3. J-Frame carriers are into Self Defense not Combat Shooting.

4. A good group is anything in the COM. 2" groups are not at all necessary.

See trainer below:

 

[5Wire]

This has been posted before but I thought it might be good for this thread because there is a segment at about 1:10 in the Jerry Miculek video Revolver Grip illustrating grip on a 642. A text with photos version is here.