Is a 642 Enough for Carry?

[gunhobbit]

Everybody seems to be leaning towards single hostile. What happens if you are out walking the dog in your front yard and encounter three punks? 5 shots still enough?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=co5xVHsMRV0#t=33

ETA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IfWXjRLCDc&feature=player_detailpage#t=102

What do I do with the other two rounds?

But hey - what if there are seven of them? And they have shotguns? What handgun are you going to want to rely on then? Practice your Dozier Drill often?

Me, just like I avoid pig silhouette-infested areas, I don't live in a neighborhood where there are aggressive punks in my front yard. We spray regularly to keep 'em down.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=co5xVHsMRV0#t=33

But hey - what if there are seven of them? And they have shotguns? What handgun are you going to want to rely on then? Practice your Dozier Drill often?

Me, just like I avoid pig silhouette-infested areas, I don't live in a neighborhood where there are aggressive punks in my front yard. We spray regularly to keep 'em down.

The fact that there seems to be more SD situations involving more than one BG is the biggest reason I don't like just a J-frame, but wish I was as good as Quigley.

 

[PR24]

MarkAlt, I have a Mod. 60 in magnum. I'm qualled with it & shoot it well. It has the XS tritium front sight. Unfortunately I have to use dept ammo which is the Speer 158 gr GDHP... It's no sissy & certainly let's you know the trigger has been pulled.

The Speer 135 gr .357 Mag GDHP-SB stuff is cool! I bought some for S&G. It shoots very well. Slightly hotter (hardly noticeable) than the same load in .38+P but faaaaar less buck & snort than the full house mags. I really wish the range staff would order the SB loads for those of us that have snubs.....govt operation, nuff said.

Anyway, get some Speer #23917 for your 60 & you are good. Don't buy into the internet commando ballistics experts who 'claim' the 38 special and 357 magnum are the same. They're not. Anything that goes 130 ft./s faster is going to hurt more, can't argue physics.

 

[PR24]

I prefer the 2.5 inch version for its separate, pinned front sight.
Five rounds of plus P defense ammo in the pocket or waistband is enough for most social uses.

BRING BACK THE 2.5 INCH J FRAME SMITH AND WESSON!!!!!!

 

[Squarebutt]

Not much to add except that when carrying a J-frame I carry my Bianchi Speed Strips with 6 rounds, not five. I know, there are only 5 holes in the cylinder, but I can imagine the stress of a defensive situation causing one to fumble at least one cartridge on the reload.

 

[eb07]

Everybody seems to be leaning towards single hostile. What happens if you are out walking the dog in your front yard and encounter three punks? 5 shots still enough?

What if it's ten? Better carry a rifle.

Most cockroaches scatter when shots are fired.

If you are in a situation where you may be attacked by multiples that won't back down. I suggest crew served weaponry.

 

[ADP3]

Don't worry about being attacked by an outlaw cowboy ninja pirate motorcycle gang on your way to the 7/11. Carry a firearm that you will ALWAYS have with you, and get competent enough firing and reloading it that it becomes an extension of you. Develop a situational awareness that helps you avoid conflict. I carry a 442-1 and speed loader religiously. If I sense anything threatening my right hand is already in my front pocket gripping my gun. If a threat does not manifest itself the gun stays right there in the pocket. This is one reason that I favor 442's/642"s. They are hammerless and quick to draw from a pocket and do not require a covering garment. There is no draw faster than one where your hand is already on the gun. If I have to venture into areas where the need for self-protection is even more evident I carry two 442's.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[44 Mag Fan]

Don't know if this helps, but I have been there and done that. I have always carried my model 36 or 60 as BUG's.In twenty five years on the street I only had to use it once, and it functioned as specified.BG down never to get up, I went home with just cuts and bruises, but I went home

 

[Edmo]

Today my 642-1 rode IWB while escorting my box of revolvers to the range.

It was 38 & 357 day and I took along my square-butt no dash 60, 19-5, and my 686-3.

Noise was made, holes were punched, and much fun was had! OBTW, I felt well protected throughout the whole ordeal.

Edmo

 

[ibewbull]

Everybody seems to be leaning towards single hostile. What happens if you are out walking the dog in your front yard and encounter three punks? 5 shots still enough?

So far body language and my 3 cell mag light have worked for me.
You would be surprised at the reactions this old guy gets when he walks into a bar in leather and no other weapon in sight.
I'm not saying I am looking for trouble I don't like problems. I attempt to just get along. Be aware of what is around you. Don't tread in stupid places. Be ready to TCOB. I have already cheated death [ the big C ] and am too old to run so if the 5 in my right hand don't my solve the problem then the 5 in my NY reload will have to do.
I never had a FTF or smoke stack in my revolvers. Plus the fact that it is 100% functional [640] while in a coat pocket or mitten.
Find me a bottom feeder that can do that.
If I were in a riot infested city I want my Galil and a 35 round magazine. Even then I am going to stay put. Our 1st. weapon is between our ears, we should use it.

I am surprised we haven't mentioned ZOMBIES yet. Too Late!

Seriously now.
I have 2 J frames or a J and a 686 3 inch 357 18 rounds total,my wife has a 642 2 speed loaders 15 rounds. My first wife did not shoot, must have been a factory defect. So I traded her for one that I could depend on. All is well now.

 

[CoMF]

To the OP: I personally traded a G19 for my current EDC, a 1971 Chief's Special. Glocks are fine pistols, but it was "too much gun" for my liking, plus it was a pain to dress around. By contrast, I can hide my M36 under a fairly close fitting T-shirt or secret it away in my pajamas pocket (don't laugh) and have it "always there" whenever I need it.

I've said it elsewhere, but I'll say it again: Carry what -you- feel properly addresses your perceived threat level. Practice with it 'till it becomes second nature. Doesn't matter if it's a Shield or a Baby Glock or a J-frame or a 1911.

 

[629shooter]

As long as it's enough for you, that is all that matters.

 

[ladder13]

YES..............

 

[ibewbull]

J frame is plenty in my opinion.

I just have to pipe up again.
A J frame or anything else is useless if it is not within easy reach. I think we would all agree here.

What ever you carry it must be stoked with the best ammunition for the intended purpose.
I like the old stand by 158 gr. LSWCHP in a 38 after all it has been with us a long time.
A note on my preference of a BUG , two guns gives instant options on what comes out the pipe. Could be a 158 gr. LSWC 38 in my 642 or a 158 grain .357 JHP in my 686. The speed strip packed with .38s to feed either.
I prefer having options.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Back when I taught concealed carry. I managed to conceal 8 handguns(snubs/4"er's/autos)on my person. Even ate breakfast in a Hardee's before class and no one noticed..............HOWEVER....Had I fallen down I believe someone would have had to help me back up. All that steel felt like I had a log chain wrapped around my waist.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

I usually don't get involved in this type of discussion.


Stay alert............

CONGRATS ON YOUR 500TH POST!

 

[mhl6493]

Y'all are making me miss my 442 that I recently traded toward a Glock 19. (Yeah, I know... ) The little sucker literally *hurt* the web of my hand to shoot, and instead of getting some grips that covered the backstrap, I got frustrated and traded it. I do still have a 640-3 that I love, but there are days that I wish I still have my 442. A lot less weight in my pocket. Oh well, lesson learned for a newbie, I suppose...

 

[Black_Sheep]

If you feel "undergunned" going someplace with a J-Frame .38, you probably shouldn't be there in the first place...

 

[Cal44]

If you feel "undergunned" going someplace with a J-Frame .38, you probably shouldn't be there in the first place...

I'm turning 65 next week. I've never carried a concealed gun in my life.

Just got my first carry license.

I've always just stayed away from places where trouble looked likely.

I plan to continue to do so. Having a 5 shot gun is a big step up from nothing.

But sometimes "stuff" happens so I'll be prepared.

And times are changing -- and not necessarily for the better.

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

Dave

 

[John R]

If you get into a confrontation and 5 shots won't get you out of it, you've probably already been shot.

 

[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!!!