Finally got me a snubby - 642

[Irelander]

Been considering a snubby for years but finally made a trade that got me a 642 (no dash). It looks really nice and appears not to have been shot much. The previous owner shot maybe 20 rounds through it but not sure of other owners. I plan to put an Apex kit in it to lighten the trigger some and get some boot grips. I might also change the thumb latch to the new style but we'll see. I will carry this gun AIWB as a backup or sometimes as a primary in certain environments. I'm excited to finally have a snubby and learn about carrying one for CCW. Just thought I'd show it off to everyone here.

Here is a picture of it with Uncle Mike's Combat grips. I have these grips listed in the Classifieds. I'd like to trade for some boot style grips.

 

[Hapworth]

Good looking 642. Give yourself some time with it stock before jumping to the Apex; I find the older Js -- even lightly used ones -- lighter and smoother than current models.

Be safe, shoot it lots, enjoy and carry in good health.

 

[mgriffin]

Nice 642!! Actually, I'm a fan of the Uncle Mikes grips on the J frame. And no IL.

 

[dcopper]

Very Nice piece! I have a 442 no lock made in 98. Love it. 642 is on my bucket list. Choot it and enjoy!

 

[jeffnles1]

I have those same grips on a Model 60. They work fine. I do like the Hogue grips just a little better. More comfortable for my hand but the Uncle Mikes are classic and work well.

 

[imakmst]

Very nice. I have a 642-1 no lock, and carry it often. I shoot it every time I go to the range and shoot my other revolvers. I get done and the 642 comes out for 10-15 rounds so I can maintain some comfort and confidence. It's a standard and will be for a long time.

 

[Blackshirt]

I have one of those, also. The Apex firing pin/spring doesn't work on that model. The lighter firing pin spring is really what allows reliable ignition with the reduced power mainspring. You might consider just a 15# rebound spring and a smoothing of the block for starters. You may find that will smooth things enough and you'll still have reliable ignition with the standard mainspring.

 

[Irelander]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm really enjoying the gun. I have my heart set on some PGS Hideout grips. They seem to have good reviews and easily modified to suit the shooter. Last night I painted the front sight serrations orange and blacked out the rear sight a bit. I'm looking forward to getting a holster for it and practicing for CCW.

When you say that the Apex firing pin and spring do not work in the 642 do you mean they won't fit or they make the gun unreliable?

 

[jeffnles1]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm really enjoying the gun. I have my heart set on some PGS Hideout grips. They seem to have good reviews and easily modified to suit the shooter. Last night I painted the front sight serrations orange and blacked out the rear sight a bit. I'm looking forward to getting a holster for it and practicing for CCW.

When you say that the Apex firing pin and spring do not work in the 642 do you mean they won't fit or they make the gun unreliable?

I didn't understand the comment either unless he was talking specifically about older ones or something. I've put APEX in 642-1, 442-1 and 60-14. Worked in all of them.

Enjoy the new revolver. J frames are frustrating and rewarding at the same time. Never felt defenseless with one on my belt or in my pocket.

 

[Hapworth]

...When you say that the Apex firing pin and spring do not work in the 642 do you mean they won't fit or they make the gun unreliable?

I didn't understand the comment either unless he was talking specifically about older ones or something. I've put APEX in 642-1, 442-1 and 60-14. Worked in all of them...

Note the pin in the frame in the upper right area behind the cylinder. That's for the old-style frame mounted firing pin -- it's staked. The Apex kit is made for the new-style, non-staked frame mounted firing pin.

 

[Irelander]

Ok got it. Thanks for the info. I will just focus on the springs if I end up doing anything.

 

[chrisbroz]

My wife won a 442 that our collector's club in Lake Worth, FL was raffling off...it's her EDC...perfect carry gun for a woman...

 

[DepOne]

I have one of those, also. The Apex firing pin/spring doesn't work on that model. The lighter firing pin spring is really what allows reliable ignition with the reduced power mainspring. You might consider just a 15# rebound spring and a smoothing of the block for starters. You may find that will smooth things enough and you'll still have reliable ignition with the standard mainspring.

Excellent advice! Please, don't fool with the trigger on that gun. You will be sorry, I guarantee you. That is over 50 years of experience as a police firearms instructor. Any one of those double action only revolvers I have ever seen have been a disaster when anyone tried to fool with a trigger. It's a great gun. Just practice with what you have and you will be just fine.

 

[Joezilla]

My 642 is with me all day everyday. Great gun!!

Joe

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I carried a 642 in a pocket holster for many years and occasionally, if the situation and clothes require it, I'll still carry it. One caveat - those banana-style "combat" grips do NOT work well in a pocket like boot grips, do.

Send me a PM. I might have boot grips that you'll like.

One more caveat - we all love J frames but the more I shoot them the less I like them. I transitioned to snubby K frames for EDC. 20% more firepower, less recoil, more accurate. Easy to conceal IWB. Just my 2 cents.

 

[bsham]

triggers

my 2 cents worth...ALL large gun makers build guns with heavy triggers for liability reasons. cant blame them i would do the same..apex is good but the absolute best is to have the internal parts polished by a good gunsmith..smiths will amaze you how fine the can perform with just polishing..and wilson makes spring kits for smith revolvers...even the pro series need it i have done this with over twenty pistols and all are fantastic now. HONESTLY

 

[inspector177]

Before you spend money and alter the gun, grab some snap caps and spend time exercising the trigger. Do dry fire drills or just squeeze away while watching TV. I have a 642 that was stiff when I got it but smoothed out dramatically as I dry fired it. If it has not been fired much it may just need a break in; mine is now firm but very smooth and clean breaking w/out alteration. I like it as is for a ccw/ personal protection gun and spent no money just a bit of time.

 

[jaaeatax]

I bought the snap caps and dry fired and as inspector177 said, it smooths right out. I carry it iwb under any shirt. I like the grips that now ship with the model 640 on all of the j frames..

 

[jrs70]

I have 2. Both 642-1's. One is a PC gun. I carry one every day.

 

[okiegtrider]

Nice grab! I love the Centennials.