Is a 642 too heavy?

[SS57]

I have a 642-2 that I carry occasionally and I find it super light. Someone may find it a bit on the heavy side. I have read posts that state that this gun or that gun is too heavy to EDC carry and have switched to a lighter gun.

I am just a little guy, 5-9, 185lbs and my normal carry gun is a G23. I carry a mag on the off side, a MT Socom Elite, wallet, and car keys typically. I literally forget I am wearing any of it.
It may be due to the fact that I have been wearing a full duty belt for 27 yrs.

I am curious as to what you think is too heavy for SD carry and what's your sweet spot.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

There is no J frame that is too heavy to carry every day. In another thread I just exalted the concept of carrying steel J frames as opposed to lightweight J frames.

And you are NOT "just a little guy". I'm way "littler" than you are and I can carry any J frame in a pocket, any snub nosed K frame on my belt, and any compact 9mm in a pocket or on my belt depending on the particular pants, like jeans versus cargo pants. Actually, I can easily carry a CS-45 on my belt, too; I never did try carrying my CS-45 or CS-9 in my pocket but maybe I will someday.

For concealed carry, that's my limit. Including a 2.5" M686+ and a 2.5" Ruger Security Six, but I was in the field when I did that and the concealment was just because I had a jacket on; otherwise, open carry was happening. For open carry, heck, I've carried a 4" M686+ on my belt in the field and on one road trip I carried a 4" Model 27 Classic on my belt on my "weak side" as a cross draw.

But EDC is different and I've meandered- - - any compact pistol, and any 2" or smaller snubbie can be carried concealed every day, all day.

YMMV

 

[ContinentalOp]

Depends on how you're carrying it. I think the 642 is a good balance between size, weight, and power for a variety of carry methods. It was my EDC for several years, carried IWB and, rarely, in a pocket holster (not because of weight, but because of bulk and accessibility). Occasionally, I'll carry a pair of them. Most of the time, I carry it as a BUG in an ankle holster.

For belt carry, weight isn't as big a factor as other carry methods. For me, at least. I used to have a 3" 65 and a 2" 64, both of which I carried IWB, sometimes over 12 hours/day with good concealment and comfort. Right now I've got a 5" steel 1911 in an IWB holster on my hip and I find it very easy to carry, often all day long.

With heavier guns, holsters and belts become more important for both concealment and comfort. I'm using a Kramer IWB holster and a 1.25" Beltman horsehide belt with my 1911 right now. Sometimes I use Perry Suspenders, but I don't really need them.

Body type/shape/size and what kinds of clothes you wear are also factors, as well as how much you're willing to commit to carrying a gun. Fortunately, the clothes I normally wear can conceal a relatively large gun. I could probably carry my Beretta 92FS with the right gear. As they say, YMMV.

Just my opinion.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

When is a 642 is too heavy?
When I drop my trousers sitting on the john, the 442 doesnt nearly bang on the floor as loud as my 1911 does.

 

[NCBeagle]

I carry IWB, AIWB, ankle or pocket most of the time. Weight is just one factor to consider. Primary concern is usually deep concealment in a professional setting. Well, that was more of an issue when not working primarily from home.

My preferences:
Any Smith J or Colt D frame works fine IWB/AIWB or on the ankle. For pistols, I prefer a single stack 9mm, like Smith 3953, CS9D but will occasionally do Sig P365. Glock 19 is probably the largest that I would carry around town, and rarely. I like airweight J Frames for pocket carry. It feels better than solid steel but really not that much.

So, short answer is snub nose revovlers or light-weight, slim, alloy or polymer 9mms.

Hiking in bear country...Glock 40 (huge 10mm) or Smith 629 5".

 

[357 shooter]

I have a 642-2 that I carry occasionally and I find it super light. Someone may find it a bit on the heavy side.

I can't imagine that the 642 could ever be considered too heavy? Maybe to someone like the GEICO Gecko. I bought my 642 because I could not believe how light it was. Its called an Airweight for good reason.

 

[crazyphil]

My every day carry is my S&W 642-1 shown at left below. I usually carry
it in one of the OWB holsters shown. I carry at about 4 O'Clock. An
untucked T shirt provides sufficient concealment. I could easily forget I
have it on (it's so light), but I don't. The knife is a Piranha.

2nd is a little black speed scabbard by Chic Gaylord. The belt loops were
so narrow in those days I had to dig out this old Uncle Mike "mirage" belt.

3rd probably gets the most use. It's sharkskin by Black Hills Leather.
A high ride pancake style.

4th is a little vintage Safariland Model 16 basketweave.

5th is a Havana (color) speed scabbard by PWL (Price Western Leather).
The knife is Kershaw's Junkyard Dog II.

 

[stansdds]

I do not have an Airweight, I have a 640-1, which is heavier, but I have yet to find it's weight to be an issue.

 

[AppStFan]

There is good reason that the 642 Airweight continues to be popular after all these years. It is small, light weight,concealable, and yet shootable if called upon for use in a defensive situation. In this age of micro compact semi-autos the 642 still fills a niche and sweet spot for concealed carry.

 

[murphydog]

I see the 642 weighs 14.4 ounces empty. I can see someone not wanting to carry it because it is too small or recoils too hard, but can't recall hearing or reading anyone stating it is too big or heavy in general.

A few members here have stated they carried a tiny .25 auto or similar for deep cover LE purposes but that is about it for J frames being the wrong size.

If there are complaints about the weight, by my calculations you can save about 2 ounces by loading it with one round.

 

[Dave Lively]

I carry a Glock 43 and wouldn't want to carry anything heavier. But the 642 is lighter so it would be fine.

I 5'11', 170 lbs andcarry IWB around 4:00 so I could conceal a larger gun. My personal weight limit is the heaviest gun I can carry without having to resort to a "good, stiff gun belt". If you have or want to carry a heavy gun those belts are a necessary evil. But in general I find them too uncomfortable when I have the option of carrying a lighter gun.

I know a couple of people that pocket carry and for them anything heavier than a small 380 is too heavy.

 

[ken158]

Agree with the 642 crowd that it is an easy EDC of choice. I cant imagine a lighter gun that would give you any more comfort if you end up in harms way. I did a lot of plain clothes and undercover work in my day and recall more then once when you end up in a situation where a 642 would gladly be traded for something of greater caliber and capacity. There is a big difference of being on the job where you intentionally put yourself in potential situations verses being a regular guy just trying to get home with the milk and bread from the local stop and rob shop.

 

[uncleted327]

I bought a 360, but not because I thought the aluminum variants were too heavy. I wanted a 357 and a pinned sight. I have carried 4" L frames and N frames IWB however, so weight is all relative. Though I'm sure somewhere there's some millennial sipping a soy latte complaining about the weight of a 642 and the pain 9mms cause his wrists...

 

[crazyphil]

When I was giving CWL classes, if anyone asked I would usually
recommend the S&W 642. Almost every lady that bought one
complained about the "kicking". I would tell them it doesn't kick.
It recoils. If you are saving your life, you won't even notice the
recoil.

 

[gr7070]

I've never heard too heavy as a criticism of the 642. I can't ever recall this even being mentioned.

I and others have mentioned how the scandium J frames or the titanium cylinders in the J frames make a considerable, noticable difference in weight.

While that is a nice improvement, as is, the 642 weight is absolutely fine.

I highly recommend swapping out your cylinder for a titanium one!

 

[Bill In Texas]

My daily carry is my 640-1. Summer finds it in my pocket in a Mika holster. In the winter, it's in a Simply Rugged pancake carried own. I use a Wilderness belt either way and I don't find the steel j to be to heavy.

My only Airweight is a 637 with a bobbed hammer spur so I can put it in the Mika. It feels very light in comparison.

A 642-1 or a 442-1 is on my wish list when prices become reasonable again. I don't find them to heavy, but I don't think that I would want to go lighter. YMMV.

 

[jag1954]

I'd never handled a 642 until the other day and when I did I could not believe how light it felt and how well it fit in my hand. I then turned to the clerk at the LGS and said "Yep, I'll take it." I'm 5'8'' and 130lbs soaking wet (cancer survivor) so it's perfect for me.

 

[GaryHK]

I think the trend of making guns lighter and lighter is ludicrous.

Nothing wrong with a little heft. With the 642 its not like you are carrying around a Desert Eagle.

I carried a 649 as a backup in my left pocket for years in a backup sleeve, never even noticed it.

 

[SS57]

I bought a 360, but not because I thought the aluminum variants were too heavy. I wanted a 357 and a pinned sight. I have carried 4" L frames and N frames IWB however, so weight is all relative. Though I'm sure somewhere there's some millennial sipping a soy latte complaining about the weight of a 642 and the pain 9mms cause his wrists...

Too F-ing funny! But true.

 

[SS57]

When I was giving CWL classes, if anyone asked I would usually
recommend the S&W 642. Almost every lady that bought one
complained about the "kicking". I would tell them it doesn't kick.
It recoils. If you are saving your life, you won't even notice the
recoil.

In past few months numerous newbs have asked me what handgun to get for SD. I always advise them to get a revolver for its simplicity and reliability.