Does the 642 still make sense?

[Mr. Vito]

For many years my 642 in a Desantis pocket holster has been my "go to" gun for concealed carry. I don't carry while in my home, and it was just so easy to grab the 642 and put it into my front right pocket as I was leaving. But lately I find I am having capacity anxiety, thinking that it is foolish to be limited to 5 rounds of 38+, especially if I honest with myself that my accuracy with this short barreled revolver is pretty much limited to bad breath distances from my attacker. Sometimes instead I carry my Glock 26 with its 10+1 capacity in an OWB holster, but it sure is not as concealable and convenient as the trusty 642. Thoughts?

 

[Breakaway500]

My 642 goes along with me often. If I need more than 5 rounds I should have stayed home,and an extra 5 or even 10 rounds most probably will still be in my magazine when they find it in my cold dead hands.

 

[kmk008]

I carry a 642 and a Bodyguard 380 frequently. Why? Because in many cases it's the difference of me carrying at all. Both of them ride in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster and over time I've started to favor the 380 because it's even a touch smaller and lighter.

I've never been too concerned about capacity with either because to me it's a close range escape tool. Both of them have enough firepower at 3yd or less range and can likely buy me time to get out of whatever situation I'm in.

Occasionally I'll carry a P99 or 4006, but if that was all I had I wouldn't be carrying nearly as much given my clothing and environment in daily settings.

 

[Goldstar225]

Though my Shield plus is my primary EDC my 642 isn't going anywhere. It was my backup gun during my working days and still goes into my pocket on occasion. I'm confident with it to 15 yards and at 25 still pose a threat though those distances are unlikely to be an issue.

 

[Ingramite]

For many years my 642 in a Desantis pocket holster has been my "go to" gun for concealed carry. I don't carry while in my home, and it was just so easy to grab the 642 and put it into my front right pocket as I was leaving. But lately I find I am having capacity anxiety, thinking that it is foolish to be limited to 5 rounds of 38+, especially if I honest with myself that my accuracy with this short barreled revolver is pretty much limited to bad breath distances from my attacker. Sometimes instead I carry my Glock 26 with its 10+1 capacity in an OWB holster, but it sure is not as concealable and convenient as the trusty 642. Thoughts?

Many days when I don't feel like "strapping up" it's my 442. I carry it with a DeSantis Clip Grip.

The arguments for high capacity in a personal defense weapon is a never ending push from people selling high capacity firearms. It's as simple as that. If it wasn't compelling, they wouldn't be very good at their jobs.

It's not just high capacity but whatever is the latest and the greatest. The push to black plastic and optics is all you see on the internet from "influencers". These people will also sell you a spot in their training classes so that you too can be "tactical" in all you do and think.

The use of "Fantasy Gun Fight Scenario" is the hook they pull you in with. It goes like this: "Suppose you're in a shopping mall and a shooter is XXX yards away?" Could you make that shot to take him out?

The reality? My reality? In 50+ years of carrying a firearm, as a Police Officer and then as a private citizen, I have never had to fire a SINGLE shot.

What do statistics tell us? You know....but the pull for these high capacity firearms is strong. I get it, and sure, I have succumbed myself. I have these high capacity firearms myself. BUT what I won't do is dismiss the utilitarian use of the J frame in total.

Over the years my various J Frames have served me very well and will continue to do so. I'd hate to be without 1 or 2 of them.

 

[dubshooter]

The old argument of "multiple attackers" gets me. If you're getting robbed by 4 guys with guns, can you quickly shoot all 4 of them before they shoot you, despite how many bullets you have?

I carry what makes sense. Most of the time I'm more worried about a stray dog or coyote trying to attack my dog or daughter than I am getting robbed

 

[noonster]

Wild hogs travel in big groups. Local thugs hang around in groups - nobody wants to have thre first hole. Et cet.

 

[aphelion]

People should carry whatever they like and are comfortable with, of course. The odds that you will have to shoot in defense of yourself or others are extremely small. But if you choose to carry, it is a tacit admission that you are considering you may have to. That said, I'll be willing to put money on Elisjsha Dicken being glad he wasn't armed with a snubnose J-frame on July 17, 2022.

 

[hdfinder47]

Carried a J frame light weight variant with a speed loader as a back up and off duty EDC for many years. Now carry a P365 with an extra mag. Completely comfortable (comforted) with either but shoot the 365 better at 15-25 yards and do like the extra capacity. Agree that I'll likely never need the extra capacity - guess I just bought in to the hype.

 

[NYlakesider]

I carry a Ruger LCR.38 in a pocket holster. I understand what you say about 5 shots. I have had that debate and I carry the little gun only when going into a area/time I feel comfortable. At 78 I'm not doing any late night bar hopping and for the most part not going in harms way. I consider myself quite street wise and avoid most bad situations. FWIW I now live rural.

Of course I know bad things can happen anywhere any time but I spent a lot of time thinking about it. Lets be realistic it will probable not be utilized unless something unusual pops up.

If going out of my self imposed safe zone or bad things are happening I will move up to one of my .45s with a spare magazine.

 

[quinn]

I'm of the 'escape tool' clan. The only time I ever discharged my 340pd was dealing with an attaching Rhodesian Ridgeback... even then I think the muzzle blast was the most effective aspect. JMHO

 

[smithman 10]

Just look real mean and nasty

When confronted by nasty ole hoodlums. No one wants to deal with a stubborn (and maybe crazy) geezerman.

He might shoot you or something.

With his 642!

 

[Mercury]

Mr. Vito, you're covered according to the Rule of Threes:

Three yards, three rounds, three seconds.
.....most gunfights involving civilians and felons takes place at a distance of approximately three to five yards, approximately three and one-half rounds are fired, and no further shooting takes place after approximately three seconds. I believe that this is based on FBI stats but this quote comes from:
The Rule Of Threes

As most civilian's defensive use of a firearm fall into these parameters, feeling adequately prepared for an encounter is dependent on one's personal risk assessment.
Many still feel prepared with a 5-shot J frame while others have opted for an auto that has higher capacity. As it is said, YMMV.

I guess we all should just go with what we feel is best for our own circumstances and hope that we never need to find out.

I will add that leaving a higher capacity gun at home because it's heavier or a little too big, does no good.

 

[rockquarry]

A J-frame is plenty accurate at 25 yards, but many shooters don't do well beyond a short distance with a J-frame. Plenty of practice will take care of that. When you're capable of shooting a J-frame well at distance, all the other guns become surprisingly easier to shoot well.

 

[kmk008]

A J-frame is plenty accurate at 25 yards, but many shooters don't do well beyond a short distance with a J-frame. Plenty of practice will take care of that. When you're capable of shooting a J-frame well at distance, all the other guns become surprisingly easier to shoot well.

I remember HATING the DAO trigger when I first got it. After awhile I became surprisingly accurate with it and have grown to like DAO triggers for what they are. It definitely feels like a badge of honor to shoot a small double action gun well.

 

[Dvus]

Carried a J frame light weight variant with a speed loader as a back up and off duty EDC for many years. Now carry a P365 with an extra mag. Completely comfortable (comforted) with either but shoot the 365 better at 15-25 yards and do like the extra capacity. Agree that I'll likely never need the extra capacity - guess I just bought in to the hype.

It's no hype when you can carry 12 rounds in roughly the same size package weighing just a couple of ounces more and a better chance of putting them where you need them. These are exactly the reasons that I semi-retired my J frame and went with my P365.
Rockquarry makes an excellent point about practice, and then makes the argument FOR
something else with his statement that "all the other guns become surprisingly easier to shoot well."

 

[Yaworski]

The use of "Fantasy Gun Fight Scenario" is the hook they pull you in with. It goes like this: "Suppose you're in a shopping mall and a shooter is XXX yards away?" Could you make that shot to take him out?

What I call "Walter Mitty Syndrome." Far too many guys prepare for getting into a pitched gun battle with an armed gang while having dinner at a restaurant.

 

[Yaworski]

That said, I'll be willing to put money on Elisjsha Dicken being glad he wasn't armed with a snubnose J-frame on July 17, 2022.

I can't find the video but the other day I saw a Youtube video of a guy ringing steel plates with a Charter Arms Undercover at 25 yards.

 

[Yaworski]

A hammerless revolver can be fired from inside of a pocket without jamming.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Watching too much John Wick imo. My theory about driving anywhere is to go from point A to point B and back again without any interaction with other drivers or the HP. My theory about my edc [either a J frame or a Colt Mustang] is to carry it every day, even in my own home, and never have to use it. Practicing defensive driving and situational awareness is absolutely necessary to do those two things. To quote Sgt Esterhaus 'Hey, Lets be careful out there'.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Between situational awareness, defensive driving, learning to point shoot, and not walking around where you shouldn't, a 5 shot J frame is likely all that you will ever need. I don't like Airweights so I carry a M649 virtually every day except when I KNOW that I am going to be someplace that could be a target (house of worship leads the list). The I break out a 9mm with more cartridges but I still stick to smaller guns.

 

[rockquarry]

It's no hype when you can carry 12 rounds in roughly the same size package weighing just a couple of ounces more and a better chance of putting them where you need them. These are exactly the reasons that I semi-retired my J frame and went with my P365.
Rockquarry makes an excellent point about practice, and then makes the argument FOR
something else with his statement that "all the other guns become surprisingly easier to shoot well."

Perhaps I didn't say that well.

I would guess we all shoot more than one gun when we make our frequent trips to the gun range. Just my personal experience, but I've found that regular practice with a J-frame at 25 yards has helped me to shoot better with larger guns.

J-frames are very unforgiving when it comes to grip, firmness of grip, sighting, and adapting and becoming accustomed to a stout trigger pull (or at least it it feels that way) in a small, lighweight revolver. Consistency with all the above factors helps develop a shooter's skill.

When you revert to shooting a larger-framed heavier gun, you carry over the shooting discipline acquired with the more difficult J-frame.

Based on my own results, that's as simple as I can explain it.

 

[Lucnic]

All I carry anymore is a J Frame, either a 640 OWB or a 642 pocket. I've got Glock, Sig, Springfield etc. But a J Frame just fits my lifestyle better. I've even tried to like my Kimber K6s. I shoot it well, it's dependable but I just can't warm up to it. So I've decided if a J Frame and a speed strip can't get me out of the situation, today just isn't my day.

 

[pasound]

My Model 38 with a DeSantis Clip Grip is my go to for walking out the door. It's a 1983 classic humpback, and the DA trigger is butter smooth. They built them like that 40 years ago. It nickel, and has almost no turn line. A policeman's ankle backup during it's first life. My practice shooter is a 637, and I've fired and dry-fired it enough that the DA is smooth, but still not up to the old builds. Practicing with it makes the occasional cylinder with the 38 even easier, as it pulls through even smoother.

 

[SmithSwede]

I think there are two separate questions here. Capacity and accuracy.

As to capacity, I don't think there is much need to worry about having "only" 5 or 6 shots, provided you can shoot well.

But you also seem to be saying you don't have confidence you can shoot the J frame well. To that question I'd say either practice more with the J frame. Or carry something else you can shoot better—not because it has higher capacity.

Whatever you do, don't get so tangled up in the details that you stop carrying regularly. Having the gun when you need it is 99% of the solution.

 

[Walter Rego]

I carry a Model 640 sometimes. Light weight in a carry gun isn't important to me, as long as it is lighter than around 30 ounces anyway. Comfort in carrying is most important.

I know the polymer framed autoloaders are popular due to light weight and mag capacity but for a legally armed civilian vs. a law enforcement officer, the probability of needing to fire more than a few shots and needing a reload are slim. The current thinking seems to be if one needs to shoot an attacker, then they need to have a mag dump applied to them. This is why so many police shootings seem to involve having 15 or more shots fired. If you have limited capacity maybe you'll place your shots better.

I find it ludicrous how so many CCW holders feel the need to gear up with a 17 shot Glock plus two spare mags, a Surefire light, a folding knife, a can of pepper spray and a tourniquet or first aid kit all on their belt before leaving the house.
Oh, and that Glock needs to have an RMR and attached weapon light or laser too. People are watching too much TV.

 

[Bill In Texas]

I've recently made some concessions for capacity. My edc for years was a 640. We bonded well. I liked the weight of the stainless steel. I mostly carried it in my right front pocket, but also occasionally on my hip.

My backup to the 640 was a 642. Same manual of arms, just a little lighter.

Lately my edc has changed to my 1st generation Shield in .40 s&w. This was my daily prior to acquiring the 640. It has never failed me and my capacity went up from 5 to 7. The 642 remains as my bug.

As a revolver guy I do have some guilt over the change, but with a spare mag in my pocket, I have 2 reloads instead of one, with the extra benefit of a couple more rounds. The weight between the Shield and the 640 is about the same, so I can still carry it in a pocket or on my hip.

Not to lose track of the topic though, the 642 remains my bug through this change. It is so easy to drop in a pocket to go out and gets used for that reason and more.

 

[Max-BB]

Yes to answer your question.

 

[bovw]

I sure hope so. Out of town this weekend with a snub model 10 and a 642-1. One speed strip, one J speed loader, two K speed loaders.

 

[johngalt]

For some entertaining reading on the subject, look up user Univibe.