First time with the 642

[CigarGuy]

Got out to shoot 'er for the first time this afternoon. Man, you fella's are right! She's a "banger", pounding the hand. I found myself, after shooting 10, taking the brass and putting it back in the box, bringing the target back in to check on hits, whistling, checking email, etc., etc.! I did that through 25, then switched to the Ruger(SP-100, 4") for the next 25, then back and forth until 100 rounds were shot. Night and day the way the two feel upon impact!
Shooting high, so I got a little practicin' to do.....

 

[Beancounter81]

If you're shooting the 642 with the stock grips, getting some that pad the backstrap (Pachmayr Compaqs are one example) make it a lot easier to shoot without compromising concealability too much. I can shoot 150 rounds of +P through my 442 without tearing up my hand with the Compaqs.

 

[Big Ranch]

I love mine

I have carried my 642 as a backup for many years. I only shoot the +P loads I carry in it every year when I put in new ones. They definitely pound the hand. I figure if I have to use it, its already a really bad day as my primary weapon has ceased to function or I'm out of ammo for it. I also figure the adrenaline will be helping, so I won't even notice the extra recoil. I also carry it when I'm off duty and just working or playing in the yard.

 

[CigarGuy]

If you're shooting the 642 with the stock grips, getting some that pad the backstrap (Pachmayr Compaqs are one example) make it a lot easier to shoot without compromising concealability too much. I can shoot 150 rounds of +P through my 442 without tearing up my hand with the Compaqs.

Definitely checking into that!

 

[CigarGuy]

I have carried my 642 as a backup for many years. I only shoot the +P loads I carry in it every year when I put in new ones. They definitely pound the hand. I figure if I have to use it, its already a really bad day as my primary weapon has ceased to function or I'm out of ammo for it. I also figure the adrenaline will be helping, so I won't even notice the extra recoil. I also carry it when I'm off duty and just working or playing in the yard.

Kinda my thinking too. I got a box of +P's for carry and will shoot 5 or 10 a month, just because I should. And I'm thinking like you; not going to hear the BANG or remember the recoil IF I ever have to use it, defensively.

 

[one eye joe]

Definitely checking into that!

INVEST IN A SET OF CT LASERGRIPS LG-405. THAT MODEL HAS AN AIR CUSHION ON THE BACKSTRAP AND THE TACTICAL ADVANTAGES OF THE LASER. HERE'S WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE............

 

[papajohn428]

I'll second the notion of the Crimson Trace grips, I was sure they were too big to be concealable but was quickly proven wrong, I had the gun in my pocket all day today and barely noticed it. The CT grip gives you plenty to hang onto without being overly large, I can rip off five shots of Speerr 135+P and never experience any pain. My 642 is far easier to shoot than my other J-frames!

 

[CigarGuy]

THAT'S what I'm talkin'! Thanks, fellas!
I didn't find the recoil particularly bad; it was more the
pounding in the hand, if that makes any sense?

 

[Beancounter81]

it was more the pounding in the hand, if that makes any sense?

That's what the padded backstrap grips will help tremendously with. My wife has the Crimson Trace on her 642 & I opted for the Pachmayrs on my 442. Both do the job - depends on whether you want the laser. My wife loves it but I can't stand the thing.

 

[CigarGuy]

Bean-
Both of these are screw on-off's? Or the slip-overs?
On a different note, how does a fellow beancounter understand all this?

 

[coach22]

Pachmayr Compacs
If you can find the ones without the logo,
they are a little thinner.

 

[Maximumbob54]

This started life as an Uncle Mikes three finger combat grip. I didn't like the bottom finger support but I liked the rubber over the grip frame area. So a saw and sand paper later and now it looks like this. I used to use a Pachmayr Compac on my 640 when I was trying to shoot magnum ammo in it but I gave up the desire for a recoil monster that breathed fire. Now they both have Federal Hydra Shok 110 grain standard pressure but I will be moving to Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135 grain standard pressure soon. I will be migrating the chopped UM's back to the 640 and the original factory two finger UM's back to the 637 and see how that works out.

 

[Beancounter81]

Bean-
Both of these are screw on-off's? Or the slip-overs?
On a different note, how does a fellow beancounter understand all this?

Both are screw on-offs. Lots of reading, then trial & error I didn't pick the right thing the first time so I can tell you that a Hogue Bantam did nothing for me.

 

[CigarGuy]

Trigger pull on 'er does seem a fair amount heavier then on the Ruger. You guys just get used to it? Does it loosen up some over time?

 

[Martya]

Got a few hundred thru my 642 since I bought it last summer, the DA trigger has smoothed a little but it is still heavier than my 13-1; I don't think the trigger pull is going to get lighter. The heavy pull and shooting +P doesn't bother me at all, my hands are big and when I purchased it I added the S&W 3 finger grips. My buttery smooth 13-1 completely spoiled me for SA and DA shooting, but I can scatter holes in the paper with the 642 just as well as my 13-1, and I carry the 642 all the time.

A friend showed up at the range late last fall and as we were talking and shooting he mentioned his daughter was looking for something to carry. I suggested the Airweight, and I pulled out my 642 for him to try. The only comment he had was about the length of the pull, not how heavy it was, but he as a DAO semi he carries and shoots all the time.

 

[Beancounter81]

Trigger pull on 'er does seem a fair amount heavier then on the Ruger. You guys just get used to it? Does it loosen up some over time?

It does smooth out a bit after 800-1000 rounds. Apex Tactical Specialties recently introduced a J-Frame Drop-In Duty/Carry Kit with reduced weight springs and a modified firing pin. I've put that in both our 442 & 642 and it really made a difference. Trigger is lighter and smoother. Still has been 100% reliable with no misfires.

https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid49.html

You know us beancounters - once we seize onto a subject, we just can't let it go.

 

[white cloud]

my 642 has become a lot smoother. it took me a while to warm up to it but now consider it indispensable. given current prices i am considering adding another to the collection.

 

[kenjen]

the hammer and rebound spring kit from midway ( $8.70) will lighten it up. i've had no problems and it only takes 15-20 mins. to do

 

[CigarGuy]

the hammer and rebound spring kit from midway ( $8.70) will lighten it up. i've had no problems and it only takes 15-20 mins. to do

For a NON-beancounter, perhaps.........

 

[f2]

try these grips: Hogue Bantam Grips with Top Finger Groove S&W J-Frame, midwayusa.com/, $18.49

 

[kenjen]

go to youtube and look under s&w airweight trigger job. there are some very good vidieo's to show you how to do it.

 

[texasj]

Suggest that if you want to start adjusting trigger springs and polishing internal parts you find a good gunsmith that knows what they are doing. Springs are easy, but it appears that a skilled set of hands is required to effectively polish MIM parts.

 

[6pack]

I begining to feel like some type of freak of nature as I rather enjoy shooting full loads in my Airweight.

Maybe I need to join a support group or something.

Great little guns. Perhaps the most practical of any I own as this one is the most likely to save my bacon one day....

 

[glock_556]

Pachmayr Compacs
If you can find the ones without the logo,
they are a little thinner.

I had never heard of these until I saw this thread. Went to the local gun shop and they had a pair so I bought them yesterday and installed them on my 642. They are awesome and are just exactly what I have been looking for in a grip for my 642.

I would highly recommend them!!!

 

[billj47]

Another vote for the CT 405's

 

[CigarGuy]

Definitely going to check out some of those options when I can take the time to shop online............ok, work, Monday it is!
Plus, the speed strips are delivered tomorrow(Monday)!

 

[glock_556]

Just put about 30 rounds through the 642 with the compacs on and it is night and day difference over the factory or any other grips (CT included) I've tried

 

[CigarGuy]

Glock-
Why the Pach's over the CT's? Just "softer"?

 

[glock_556]

They are somewhat softer and appear to have more padding covering the backstrap. I have large hands and they fit my hand better. With that being said they are larger than factory and when in front pocket holster the end of the grip pokes out of my pocket not a big deal for me I just cover with a loose tshirt. YMMV

 

[CigarGuy]

Thanks for the input. I've got smaller hands, so..
Here's a link on a rebate for the CT's for any that go that way:
Rebate Central