Model 642

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Chaplain Curley

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Hello to all of you; I am a new person to this forum. My wife and I have been shooting S&W revolvers since we got our pistol permits in 1974. I was hoping to see if I could get some info on a revolver that I am interested in. It is a used Model 642 .38 in very nice condition. I am interested in this for a carry gun. My friend is asking $360.00 for it. I would like info on this such as what ammo NOT to use, your recommenations and anything else that I should be aware of. Is the price OK and what year was it made. SN is 3731. Thanks in advance. Chaplain Curley
 
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The Original 642 No Dash Isn't +P rated as the later 642-1 & 642-2 w/lock are..
The 642 No Dash has an anodized frame were as the later -1 & -2 have the spray on finish..
I have a 642 No dash & have shot several wheels full of +P in it for testing & currently carry Federal Nyclads Non +P 125gr..
BTW $360 is a good price for any 642..
I'd grab it up before the deal goes south on you..
The 15oz Airweight is a great carry weapon..
Gary/Hk
 
:) That is a great buy. A friend sold a 642 as new
for $500 about a month ago. Better hurry it will
get away from you. Don:cool:
 
Here maybe a pic of my Centennials will make you "RUN" Don't Walk to your friends House..
Gary/Hk
Pair of 940s & 642 No Dash
NOTE: Anodized Frame of the 642-0
And of Course "Craig Spegel Boot Grips :D
940940642.jpg
 
642

I carry my 642 all the time! You might find the +P ammo to have significant recoil - but it's really not that bad. One trip to the range, I fired 200 rounds of 158gr +P ammo and ended up with a sore hand.
As far as other ammo? That gun will fire ANYTHING.......
 
Welcome to the Forum Curley!

I just bought (another) used 642 recently and paid $285 for it. I think that's a great price and you don't see them that cheap very often. The gun had been carried a lot so it's not much to look at but is mechanically sound.

Regarding ammo, I highly recommend Federal Nyclad 125gr hollow points (a standard pressure load) and 148gr Federal Gold Match wadcutters (another standard pressure load) as they are both lighter recoil loads.

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/index.php/cName/38-special-hollow-point-ammo
 
Not to beat a dead horse, but yes, buy it quick before it gets away. I bought a very nice, hardly used 642 for what eventually ended up being $150.00. I agree with Photoman and 148gr. wadcutters are excellent low recoil rounds that are good for target work as well as for anti-personnel use as well.

Best of luck,

Dave
 
I agree you got a good price on the 642, I've been tracking the model for a while and maybe this will help with perspective.

Smith & Wesson 642 in .38 Special, Plus P, 1-7/8 in Bbl. Bluebook of Gun Values (30th Edition) indicates between $425 in 98% condition and $575 in 100% condition for this gun. I have 39 recorded prices for this model gun from $265 to $540 over a period of 5 Yrs 6 Mos ending February 22, 2009. The average price as of that date was $358. No refurbs, no refinishes, all represented as 95% or better, no distinction for engineering revision, if any, no special editions, no distinctions for box, papers, tools. Current or last MSRP is $798.

Here's how the data charts out, notice the price was trending over $400 as of February 2009, and they're getting scarce:

SW6420906.jpg
 
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Hi I have the Model 640 in 357 magnum that I love.Last week shot my friends 642 carry gun with Speer 135 grain JHP rounds.I thought that this cousin would hurt due to the lighter weight but the recoil was minimal with this load.It made me rethink my initial adversion to the Airweight line.For that price run and buy it because it won't be there long.......God Bless.......Mike
 
I live in SouthWestern Ohio and at most any gun show around here (and we get some MAJOR ones) you can easily get $400.00 for ANY S&W snub nose in excellent condition.

My daily carry is a 642 (the near perfect combination of light weight, usable recoil, and sufficient power).

If I knew I were going to be in a gun fight, I would stay home. Secondly, I would arm myself with a 12 gauge auto shotgun. Thirdly, I would carry a 1911 .45 ACP. However, I carry a 642 (better than no gun by a BIG MARGIN).

Dale53
 
5 Wire,
I've been meaning to address for months, those blatantly unnerving (though truthful) graphs you always choose to post. Do you have no appreciation of how much damage your doing to the nations psyche, by allowing such counter-revolutionary propaganda to be disseminated?
 
Spotteddog said:
5 Wire,
I've been meaning to address for months, those blatantly unnerving (though truthful) graphs you always choose to post. Do you have no appreciation of how much damage your doing to the nations psyche, by allowing such counter-revolutionary propaganda to be disseminated?
Click to expand...
Umm, thanks, I think. What revolution are you talking about? Pysche? Unnerving? I'm confused.:confused: Perhaps you could 'splain me about all that.

What's interesting to me about this 642 chart is how the price trend line seems to parallel the actual inflation, i.e. the relative "value" seems to be almost the same but with slight appreciation.
 
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Last evening, I helped a friend set up for an up-coming IDPA weekly session. The scenario we worked on included three assailants, all within 7 yards. I chose to shoot the scenario with my 642.

In all honesty, I don't carry the J-frame very much, since I find it just as easy to tote my Kahr P9 in warm weather. However, the little Airweight was so well behaved last evening, I was reminded all over again why this platform remains popular for the self-defense mission. Just point it, keep the front sight on the target, and "pull through". Presto! Holes appear magically at the point of aim.

I'm think'n the 642 deserves some more pocket time. I don't think you'll be disappointed with the 642, especially if you're already familiar with double action revolvers.

PC
 
A big thank you to all of you for answering my questions. WOW I am greatful for all the ammo replys, as my wife will also be shooting and carrying this gun. We also now have the S&W 686 8-3/4" bbl. for hunting. A GP100 6" bbl. and most recently a Ruger .380 LCP. I still love my S&W. We started out in 1975 with a Model 17 .22 6" bbl. Wish I still had it. Thanks again and May God bless all of you, and OUR TROOPS. Curley
 
642-1

I bought my 642-1 in 1997 and mine is not +P rated. The gun is not marked with +P, nor is the box or the paperwork. A phone call to S&W several years ago resulted in, "...don't shoot +P in it its too old."

Of course I carry +P ammo in it and have shot some in it. Afterall, it is on the same exact frame designed for the +P guns.

my very often carried gun
360125090.jpg


360125088.jpg
 
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