Is a 642 Enough for Carry?

[gunhobbit]

Just last week I noticed four pig silhouettes following me when I went to get the mail.

Dave

That's how it always starts. It'll be thugs in the front yard next!

Move.* Move now! Save yourself!!!

The majority seems to agree on these rules for carry:

1. Something is better than nothing (though I'd add "reliable" to "something," since an unreliable something may be worse than nothing).

2. Carry what you're comfortable with, so that you can carry it constantly.

3. If you can carry something that's oomphier than .380, great. But always refer back to Rule 1 and Rule 2 when in doubt.

4. Internet advice on carry is worth exactly - or less - what you pay for it.

5. Pig silhouettes in the neighborhood = bad news.**

Conclusion - if you're comfortable with a J frame Smith ... just do it!

*at least to somewhere where there are only chicken silhouettes following you.

**I made that up. We have no consensus on that one yet.

 

[njr]

I really like the snubbies and have a 638 in my pocket right now. Ed Lovette's book on snubbies convinced me to carry them.

That said, I like a flatter semi auto in the waistband which is the location, crossdraw, where I carry my 638 now, at least if I'm outside.

I have a Kel Tec P32 as a backup in pocket but am thinking I'd like the jframe in pocket and a Remington R1 or Kimber Pro Carry IWB crossdraw. I live in a big corrupt city and am marginally involved in union reform and anti-machine politics so I'd like a little more firepower than a jframe affords. However as a personal protection tool for the thug interview/mugging or CQ ambush, the jframe would be the go-to piece.

If you live in a low crime area, I'd say, carry the jframe.

 

[Harkrader]

I like mine and carry it often. I use the Hornady Critical Defense FTX in it to protect my battered hands and wrists. Not much of an "across the basketball court" gun, but suitable for most of the places I carry it. It is often backup to a bigger one on my belt or in a belly bag.

 

[shooter1911]

One of the questions nobody asked is about your life style. Nobody knows when trouble will rear its ugly head, but if you live in an urban environment, and are on the streets at night, your threat level is higher than mine. When I find the need to go into a big city at night, in my case Dallas, or to the mall, or any time in the fall or winter I am carrying my 1911 or M&P 45C. But my EDC in the hot summers in Texas on normal suburban trips is a 340PD. I feel very confident with the 340PD because I have practiced with a Jframe for the past 40 years. Currently I am carrying the Speer 135gr 357. No matter what you hear they are less than 150 fps away from the +P. For most people I would recommend the 38+P. Nobody can tell you what is best for your needs, but I can tell you the 442 is adequate in most cases. The question is are you willing to get good enough to feel confident?

 

[shooter1911]

My EDC has been a small .38 for well over 40 years (currently either an older Model 38 or 442) and I don't feel under-gunned. In retirement my travels are relatively safe and I have complete confidence in the gun.

I was on the job in 1974, armed w/my issued Colt Detective Spl. (plain clothes detective), and became involved in a gun battle w/an armed robber. The little Colt served me well and I've had confidence in these little guns ever since.

If I were to go back on the job today then one of the large high cap. semi autos would make sense.

And back then we didn't have the high tech 38 ammo that's available these days. Many cops got out of jams with the old round nose stuff as long as they could shoot. Glad you're here to tell your story.

 

[redlevel]

Sold all my Glocks

Did you get that same feeling of euphoria they say one gets on the day he finally sells his boat?

 

[westy39]

Ok, I have to chime in on this thread. What is enough, this is the question. I will say for me, when in the city, dressed casually, yes, the 642 is enough. We train and train with our sidearms, the range Officers score our targets and we talk about shooting situations. I carried a Glock 22 which is a .40 cal semi auto on duty. I retired and I have carried a 642 since 2008. The average distance between Police and perp shooting situations is about 21 feet according to the info I was given. I can and do shoot my 642 on a regular basis. I,meaning just me, believe if forced to actually use a firearm to defend my life or that of my family I will be able to do so. The main attraction to the 642 is that it is easy to conceal. Hey, I am no expert nor do I play one on TV, but I know what works for me. Be safe and remember keep your head down and your powder dry.

 

[ayetee]

Carried this for 15 years. Never had to fire it buy I did have to draw it once. I have fifty handguns, at least ten of them suitable for concealed carry ranging from 357mag. to 9mm, but I always grab my 642.

 

[rwsmith]

Even if I had a j frame .357...

Even if I had a J frame .357 I wouldn't use hot .357 loads in it. I never plan on pulling the trigger just once and follow up shots are important. That way you never have to rely on the 'one shot stop'. I especially wouldn't use full .357s in our house. We value our hearing.

 

[WASATCH CHARLIE]

Be glad you folks can carry a J frame,. alloy or steel cyl. up here in B.C I am stuck with a 12 ga. pump or one of my light semi auto carbines in my truck. I keep well away from the big city of Vancouver where shootings are on par with ANY u.s. city now. Have to drive up to ALASKA or down to ARIZONA to carry open carry. Up in Alaska its my 28-2 .357 180gr. sil.projectiles or my .44 single action by that OTHER maker!!!

 

[Hans Gruber]

The M642 is an excellent choice for deep concealed carry! It's light, VERY well made, functions flawlessly, and with +P ammo, capable of delivering some serious "medicine!"
CC is always a tradeoff between something bigger you COULD carry, and the something small you ARE carrying. I own a 642-1 PRO with Moon clips and I absolutely LOVE the way it slips into a pocket and can be loaded with an "en bloc" clip of five rounds - and EJECT said en-bloc clip when empty.

 

[zelda]

Dad told me the only shot that really counted was the ''first shot'' from my Chiefs Special

 

[rwt1405]

Only you can answer that question, for you. As for me, yes, the 642 is what I carry many times.

 

[at_liberty]

One of the questions nobody asked is about your life style. Nobody knows when trouble will rear its ugly head, but if you live in an urban environment, and are on the streets at night, your threat level is higher than mine. When I find the need to go into a big city at night, in my case Dallas, or to the mall, or any time in the fall or winter I am carrying my 1911 or M&P 45C. But my EDC in the hot summers in Texas on normal suburban trips is a 340PD. I feel very confident with the 340PD because I have practiced with a Jframe for the past 40 years. Currently I am carrying the Speer 135gr 357. No matter what you hear they are less than 150 fps away from the +P. For most people I would recommend the 38+P. Nobody can tell you what is best for your needs, but I can tell you the 442 is adequate in most cases. The question is are you willing to get good enough to feel confident?

150 fps is 15-20% greater than 38 Spl +p. In those terms, the difference is far more significant. I'm sticking with my Speer Short Barrel 357 Magnum, thanks. But is it not a moot point with our topic of the 642?

 

[SAFireman]

I have heard this question asked, and I have even asked similar questions. No matter what anyone's opinion is, none of them would volunteer to stand in front of my choice of a carry gun (regardless of make, caliber, ammunition, ect).

Good luck with your search

 

[340PDOperator]

Small snubby .357's aren't for everyone. Or shall I say most people. I'd rent one and try to get thru a box of full house .357's. It's tough. And the muzzle flash is blinding.

 

[shooter1911]

Small snubby .357's aren't for everyone. Or shall I say most people. I'd rent one and try to get thru a box of full house .357's. It's tough. And the muzzle flash is blinding.

I'm going to have to take issue with that statement. I've been carrying a 340PD for years and never have I, nor would I ever shoot full house .357s in my gun. My comfort level stops with Speer 135gr 357s at just under 1000 FPS. Why in the world would you recommend anyone shoot a box of full house loads in that gun? I'm currently carrying Speer 135gr +Ps due to lack of availability of 357s, and I feel very well armed. It's still an 11.4oz gun no matter what ammo you carry, and that's why I bought one.

 

[340PDOperator]

I'm going to have to take issue with that statement. I've been carrying a 340PD for years and never have I, nor would I ever shoot full house .357s in my gun. My comfort level stops with Speer 135gr 357s at just under 1000 FPS. Why in the world would you recommend anyone shoot a box of full house loads in that gun? I'm currently carrying Speer 135gr +Ps due to lack of availability of 357s, and I feel very well armed. It's still an 11.4oz gun no matter what ammo you carry, and that's why I bought one.

I think we're saying the same thing. I can't get thru one barrel of .357 out of any snub nose and I too have shot full house from a 340PD (ouch!!!). My point is, the OP should try it. It would answer his question in a hurry.

 

[shooter1911]

I think we're saying the same thing. I can't get thru one barrel of .357 out of any snub nose and I too have shot full house from a 340PD (ouch!!!). My point is, the OP should try it. It would answer his question in a hurry.

OK, I went back and read the beginning statement by the OP, and I agree with you about trying a 357 Jframe to see what he thinks, but what I'm saying is don't try the 357s in a 340PD. If I am going to carry full house 357s in a snubby, it's going to be an all steel Jframe. I personally prefer a lighter gun for pocket carry, therefore I am willing to give up full house 357s for the short barrel version or +P. If on the other hand the OP wants to strap on a holster with a .357, I think that's fantastic as long as he is willing to learn how to control the beast.

 

[mc5aw]

The high capacity and larger caliber argument has paralleled the auto industry's horsepower developments over the past 10 + years. It wasn't that long ago that 200 HP in a car was satisfactory, and 300 HP was nearing King of the Road. Now, 500 HP isn't a rarity, and 300 HP is considered "underpowered" by many. A J-frame cylinder filled with five .38 Special hollow points, augmented by another five in a strip, is ample juice for the vast majority of potential SD scenarios. If a person "needs" a high capacity magazine topped off with .45 ACP, he's probably the same person driving around town watching his fuel gauge drop every time he hammers the gas pedal on the big horsepower machine he also "needs".

Carrying in the woods is a different story, no different than driving off road where more horses may be required.