Finally found a recent No-Lock Airweight

[GeoJelly]

I have a couple of pretty nice Airweights, but they're all newer versions, and until this past week, all had locks. Not to toss out a blanket criticism of the newer Airweights, I have two 360J's and they're both near-perfect both mechanically and cosmetically. I found this 642-1 at one of the few stocking gun dealers here in the the Islamabad (No. Virginia) area. The seller goes to gun shows all the time so it had a couple of zip-ties on it plus the expected marring of the BB on the cylinder. (separate post some time, the bead-blasted cylinders are easy to clean up as most of you, I'm sure, know) I asked them to cut the ties and found it to be good-enough for me; I was especially happy to discover that the yoke is tightly retained/held to the frame. I have examined many of the mothership's recent J's and found that a lot of them would flex out with just light pressure on the cylinder. It's prolly a moot point to most folks, I just like to see it nice and tight like the old days. I also noticed that the barrel was slightly over-clocked (clockwise) in the frame, which is why, I think, the yoke is held so tightly. Maybe it's underclocked, I dunno, I've never used a barrel wrench. Not a gunsmith so there may be some other reason but I like it. The absence of the Hillary Hole was the icing on the cake. Brought it home and put a pair of Altamont boot grips on it and I'm very happy with it. Speaking of Altamont, I've found the best place to get them is on Bezo-land. I've got an order pending with Altamont now, but it takes them weeks to make the grips so they may be a little under the weather business-wise

These particular grips are $54 from AMZ - I like them so much that another pair is on the way ... I now have eight J's so kinda-sorta justified + the fit is near-perfect except for being a wee bit long.

 

[Dave Baird]

SEXY! And I support your reasons for looking at the older Smiths.

 

[3S16]

I came across a 642-1 three weeks ago. Don't really need it. I have a number of J frames. But, I'm in Kalifornistan, and it is Hillary Hole Delete, and it was dirt cheap! I relinquished it to the bowels of the safe. Not a fan of the stock "Goodyear" grips. Now, after seeing yours with Altamont Boot grips, I'm thinking maybe the exile of the little guy was premature.

 

[SmithNut]

For whatever reason.....

The factory is putting out M642's with and without the lock (and has been for some time).

Wish they would apply this standard(?) to the original Bodyguard line as well (M38, M638 and the steel versions), but apparently the factory doesn't think Bodyguard aficionandos are worthy...

 

[demkofour]

The factory is putting out M642's with and without the lock (and has been for some time).

Wish they would apply this standard(?) to the original Bodyguard line as well (M38, M638 and the steel versions), but apparently the factory doesn't think Bodyguard aficionandos are worthy...

I could not agree more!
Until recently, my “accumulation” of J Frames was almost exclusively no-lock Centennial models (Airweight, AirLite and standard), as I never appreciated the profile of the original Bodyguard.
That changed recently thanks to the likes of two-bit cowboy and NCBeagle. I recently scored a satin nickel Airweight 38-2 off of GB. I had no idea of what I’ve been missing.