Airweights and Crimson Trace laser grips are a marriage made in heaven. My Airweight is a 637, the visible hammer version of your 642. When I bought it seven years ago, I had the dealer install CT's 305 laser grips (as I now know, I coulda done it myself). At the time, I think the 305 grips were all there was for the Airweight. Now there are three versions, the 105, 305 and 405. My experience is restricted to the 305; the rest of this is a synthesis of what I have read on sites like this. Each CT Airweight grip is radically different from the other two. The 105 (the cheapest) is made of hard plastic and leaves many pinkies wandering around in space. Its major advantages are price and concealability. Its major disadvantages are 1) since an Airweight is light, and since the 105 grips do not cover the backstrap, each shot -- even with range loads -- will get your full attention; and 2) as a grip it is even harder to control than the boot grip that S&W provides with a standard Airweight. The 305 and 405 both cost the same, if memory serves, so their differences are physical. The 305's advantages are that it provides a full hand grip, which makes the Airweight easier to control. Its disadvantages are summarized thus: 1) though not as bad as the 105 version, even range loads are snappy; and 2) because of the full-sized grips 305-equipped Airweights are harder to pocket carry in tight Levis (in my chinos, this is no problem). The 405's main advantage is the "shock absorber" at the top of the backstrap, which soaks up a lot of recoil, which in turn makes it easier to control. The 405's main disadvantage is that it leaves many pinkies wandering around in space. Of the three version, I consider the 105s, though cheapest, to be the least effective. How often would you practice with a handgun that hurts to shoot? As to the other two versions, you know how they differ now. Go fondle them both, and choose the one that feels best in your very own hand.
If you think Crimson Trace laser grips are too expensive, how much are you worth? The entire purpose of an Airweight revolver is self/home defense, most likely in dark or semidark conditions where iron sights can be useless. With laser grips, Airweights really shine. I now expect some flack from those who consider laser grips to be toys for tots.
Cordially, Jack
