My better than new S&W 642

[Richard M]

Around 1990, I needed a small, compact gun for deep concealment. After 2 failed attemps of .380 subcompacts that would only shot 1-3 rounds before jamming I looked at getting a Colt Mustang or a S&W 642. A new Mustang was twice the price of a new 642 and I decided to buy the new 642(no dashes, not plus P) and get a guarenteed 5 shot. The downside of my new 642 was a heavy and gritty 13.5 lbs trigger, a sharp edge at the top of the trigger that would cut my finger and a poor front sight that was hard to see. I carried it in my front pocket, in a holster, for 3 to 4 years then only carring it occasionally for a late night run to the store or atm machine, then not much at all. I recently decided to carry it again but sent it to Teddy Jacobson of 'Action by T' in Sugar Land TX and I wish I did it after I first bought it. Teddy did an excellent trigger job, bringing the trigger pull to a very smooth 8lbs, polished & contoured the trigger, new springs, hand jeweled internals and front and rear of cylinder, paint front sight fluorescent orange and a few more things. This trigger is amazing and I absolutely love it. It is way better than when I first bought it and I love shooting it. Who could imagine loving to shoot a J frame! My carry ammo is buffalo bore 185 gr soft cast LSWHP, critical defense or some left over nyclads(all non+P).

 

[69HEMI-R/T]

Welcome to the forum and it's about time you started enjoying that 642 !
I have heard numerous people saying good things about Mr. Jacobson's work. sounds like another satisfied customer !

 

[Penquin]

Sounds like it has been transformed into a great carry piece. How about some pictures for visual appreciation!!!

 

[Richard M]

Here are some pics. Most of the work is internal, but you can see the jeweled front cylinder and polished/contoured trigger.

 

[Richard M]

Front painted sight:

 

[Richard M]

Rear jeweled cylinder: . Sorry for the separate attachments, I was getting errors posting them all together.

 

[Richard M]

Here you go:

 

[Fchewy]

Very Nice 642!

 

[Aerocross]

A fine weapon. Two questions for you about it:

1.) How much did the work on it end up costing you?
2.) How has the finish on it held up through your 3-4 years of active carry and the remaining years in storage?

 

[haywood]

Pocket J-Frame, I'm never without it.

 

[FlaRon]

Welcome to the forum Richard M. About 15 years ago Teddy Jacobson did a complete carry job on my 649 and it made a big difference in the double action trigger stroke. When my wife got her CCW the 649 became her carry gun. I picked up a 642 no dash a few years back and it makes a great pocket carry as you well know.

 

[Richard M]

FlaRon, I like your bullet choice. Too bad they are impossible to find anymore. I only have 30 rounds left of 125gr nyclads.

 

[Richard M]

Aero cross, here is my work order: complete action job, clean and lube, new hammer spring, Wolff trigger return spring, contour and polish trigger, recut crown 45 deg and polish bore, new stainlesshex grip screw, jeweled internals such as hammer, hand and rebound slide, jeweled front and rear of cylinder, paint front sight and modified sear, refit. Total cost was $235.00 plus $75.00 for FedEx return shipping. Teddy worked on 2 of my guns at the same time. He had them for around 6 weeks and that included him not starting the work until my down payment checked cleared and for my balance check to clear before shipping it back. Very good and very fast gun smithing work. Teddy Jacobson, Actions by "T". 281-565-6977. WEB: actionsbyt.com

 

[Richard M]

The stainless finish held up very well. I would always wipe the gun down with a silicone or my oiled stained cleaning rag when I took it out my pocket when I got home. Only the grip screw had rusted, which was why I had Teddy replace it with a stainless one.

 

[FlaRon]

FlaRon, I like your bullet choice. Too bad they are impossible to find anymore. I only have 30 rounds left of 125gr nyclads.

That's five more than I have left.