My first IL 642!

[Doc Mark]

Greetings, Friends,

Well, yesterday, my new S&W M642-2 arrived from Bud's Guns, at my FFL, and I went down to be finger-printed and get the background check paperwork started! As I've mentioned before, I do own a non-lock 642, but due to CA law, it has to live in another state, with my Mom, who bought it for me thinking it would be a wonderful surprise gift, which it was!! She was bummed when I couldn't bring it home with me, and so was I!

I've also mentioned, in another thread, that having an IL 642 doesn't bother me, and I'm just happy to get one that can live here in our own home, so I can use it far more regularly! It joins my old M60, and even older flat-latch 3" 36, both of which are very nice shooters and a joy to own and use.

But, as much as having an IL doesn't bother me, I am going to order Bullseye Smith's "plug", just because, and may well use it depending on how the pistol shoots for me. Mine was born, I believe, in April of 2011, and it was test-fired on 6-13-2011. the SN is "CRM3xxx, and the code number at the bottom of the box label is "1164". I am ignorant of such things, but Photoman44 sent me some info that, if I understand it correctly, should indicate the dates I've listed. In any case, the pistol is in outstanding knick, and the trigger pull is also very good, and in fact, a bit better than my non-IL 642, which wasn't too shabby at all.

I get to pick it up in ten days, and look forward to cleaning it up, lubing it, then shooting it. Wish I had my non-IL 642 to compare to it, but I can do that early next year. I'll post photos when I get the pistol home, just for grins. Thanks to Photoman44, and others, who have sent great info to help answer some of my questions about DOB, and such. Also, many thanks for Bullseye Smith for his outstanding work on "the plug", for those that wish to have them. I'll definitely purchase one, "just to be safe", and will do so today.

Thanks for reading about my new J-frame airweight! Talk to you later, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

[purple95]

Doc,

Congratulations on your new 642!

I would hazard a guess that it is not necessary for me to extol the virtues of this gun to someone who owns an older M60, a 3" 36, and another 642. As you are well aware, these guns approach perfection in their assigned missions.

Best wishes and use your new gun in good health.

dan

 

[Doc Mark]

Hi, Dan,

Many thanks for your kind words, Sir! Much appreciated. Yes, I think the little J-frames are perfect for their designed and intended purpose. So far, all of mine have been outstanding and reliable shooters, and I'm hoping that the new 642-2 will fall right in line with it's Brothers! I'll keep you posted as to how that looks, when I get the new baby, and can get out to the range with him. Thanks, again, for your comments, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

[photoman]

Sounds like a good day to me.

Be sure to let us know how it goes for the first trip to the range.

 

[wheelyfun66]

Congrats on your new purchase...

I am so grateful to live in a "free" state!
Seems so ridiculous to have such restrictive laws..what purpose do they actually serve?

Thanks for sharing, be sure and give us a full report after your waiting period is over!

 

[photoman]

I am so grateful to live in a "free" state!
Seems so ridiculous to have such restrictive laws..what purpose do they actually serve?

They serve the tyrant. But I digress...

 

[jessegpresley]

I do own a non-lock 642, but due to CA law, it has to live in another state, with my Mom, who bought it for me thinking it would be a wonderful surprise gift, which it was!! She was bummed when I couldn't bring it home with me, and so was I!

The no lock 642-1 is on the California approved handgun list.

Also, a non-rostered gun can be gifted if it is a intrafamiliar transfer from parents or grandparents in another state.

 

[Doc Mark]

Greetings, All,

Well leave it to California to pull more BS on honest gun buyers, and others!! I went down to pick up my new 642 today, and was told that I now have to pay a tax on all guns bought out of State, and shipped to California!! Additionally (literally!!) I also have to pay a tax on the shipping charges, AND on the fee that the local FFL charges to handle the transaction!!!!

To say that I'm very angry about this is putting it much too mildly, Folks!! This State used to be a wonderful place to live. But, with each passing new BS tax, fee, or license, that our completely out of control government shovels on us, my desire to continue living here is reduced by an equal, or not more, amount!!! We love our mountain home, and have worked very hard to be good citizens, pay our bills, and take care of those in true need of help. At the same time, our CA state gov continues to find more ways to squeeze money out of us, and to regulate things that they have no business doing!!!

I am sorry for this rant, but right now, I'm ready to chuck it all in, and move to a more common sense state, where they can actually balance their budget, and good honest citizens are welcomed, rather than abused like they are in CA!!!! To top it all off, I had to leave without my pistol, as I was "an hour early" to pick it up....... Go figure..... Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
A very pissed-off Doc Mark

 

[Bud11]

Greetings, All,

Well leave it to California to pull more BS on honest gun buyers, and others!! I went down to pick up my new 642 today, and was told that I now have to pay a tax on all guns bought out of State, and shipped to California!! Additionally (literally!!) I also have to pay a tax on the shipping charges, AND on the fee that the local FFL charges to handle the transaction!!!!

To say that I'm very angry about this is putting it much too mildly, Folks!! This State used to be a wonderful place to live. But, with each passing new BS tax, fee, or license, that our completely out of control government shovels on us, my desire to continue living here is reduced by an equal, or not more, amount!!! We love our mountain home, and have worked very hard to be good citizens, pay our bills, and take care of those in true need of help. At the same time, our CA state gov continues to find more ways to squeeze money out of us, and to regulate things that they have no business doing!!!

I am sorry for this rant, but right now, I'm ready to chuck it all in, and move to a more common sense state, where they can actually balance their budget, and good honest citizens are welcomed, rather than abused like they are in CA!!!! To top it all off, I had to leave without my pistol, as I was "an hour early" to pick it up....... Go figure..... Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
A very pissed-off Doc Mark

Interesting, as I bought a gun from Bud's while living in CA about 7 months ago and didn't pay sales tax. Must be the FFL, as I used an older guy working out of his house who probably didn't care.

Anyhow, now in CO and bought a 642 on Wednesday and shot it today for the first time. It is a kick in the pants as they say, but a real neat gun. Good luck with yours. Bud

 

[jessegpresley]

Again you're blaming California, but I've bought 20 guns online and never had to pay sales tax. And that's 3 different ffls in 2 different cities. Sounds like you need to find a new ffl. I bought a no lock 642 from jetguns.com a few months ago and didn't pay sales tax.

 

[scooter123]

Sounds to me like your FFL is using the tax angle to generate a bit more "income" on this sale. Since you have the process started and have paid for it I'd wait until the gun was fully in my possession, then I would inform that FFL that I'll be making sure to detail every single one of those additional tax charges on my state income taxes along with copies of the reciepts to the state. Don't know if doing so would trigger an audit of that dealer but it's likely that your reporting these charges will have him sweating a bit. I've recently seen a few post recently on some GB sellers and FFL transfer agents doing this and IMO it's a scam to gain a bit extra on a transaction. Since you've already paid for your gun informing your transfer agent of the law will only lead to his holding your gun hostage, so do your commenting as you leave his shop. Then don't ever use that dealer again.

BTW, in most states you are legally required to SELF REPORT and pay sales taxes on out of state "mail order" purchases. However, that ONLY applies to the purchase price and any additional charges such as shipping are excluded. You might want to take a look at California's law on this just so you are properly informed on this process in the future.

 

[photoman]

If your FFL is collecting "taxes" illegally, I would think the ATF would like to know about it. Might be worth doing some research before picking up the gun. I'm sure he would appreciate the opportunity to correct his "accidental" mistake before you inform the ATF.

 

[Doc Mark]

Morning, All,

My FFL showed me a letter he had just received from the State of CA, explaining that this law, whilst it had been on the books for a while, was now going to be enforced, and it specifically stated that all fees, including shipping, insurance, etc., would be subject to the "use" tax, and in fact, he was asked to collect this tax retroactively for all guns sold in 2011!! He told me he would be DAMNED if he would contact every single one of his transfer customers and ask for that onerous tax money!! BUT, he said either I had to pay it, or HE had to pay it, and he would not release my gun to me until I had paid the extra $30, which is the total of the new tax! So, I ponied up the coin, swallowing bile the entire time, and told him that I would very probably not be buying any more firearms in the near future. He told me that ALL of his customers are pissed off, but that it is not him who is demanding and asking for this, but the State of CA, and that this very well could put him out of business, eventually. He's a very small shop, and I was just glad to give him to business to save a few bucks by purchasing my guns from Bud's Guns. Looks like that tax will have to be taken into account when considering such purchases in the future. If we could sell our home tomorrow, we'd be out of here and moving to Texas, Arizona, Utah, Alaska, or some other State with far more common sense than CA has possessed for the last two decades!! But, out here, the housing market is flat as road-kill, and at least for now, we've got to stay put.

On the bright side, my new 642 has a much better trigger than my first one, which, by the way, I thought was pretty darned good when I got it! The new 642-2 is smoother, more crisp, and stages very easily for each shot!! As it will only get better from here, I'm am exceedingly pleased with my new gun. despite the bad taste of excess Governmental intrusion that this transaction has given me! Photos and, hopefully, a range report, soon! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

 

[photoman]

That's a sorry deal Doc! Unfortunately, the state governments are broke and looking for every dime they can squeeze out of us. Ugh!