New 642 without the lock

[Big Fred]

A local shop just got in a new 642 without the lock, I wouldn't want a new one with the lock. I can get it for $365 + Tax & NICS. It seems like a really nice revolver and a lot lighter to carry than my old 36.

Does anyone have one and what do you think of it? What exactly is the frame finish? Is it something that will wear off over time?

Thanks for your time.

 

[Dragon88]

Fred, the current production 642 no locks are excellent guns. That price is about $15 too high for my area, but very acceptable. Mine has functioned 100% and I carry it every day. Some have reported that the frame finish can wear or flake off, but I've had mine for a year or so, and it looks just as good as the day I brought it home.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I think it's an excellent gun. I have a no-lock 642 that I've owned about 7 months now. It's been my primary carry gun for the last few months. Very accurate and reliable. I plan on getting another one sometime in the near future.

I am having issues with the finish, though. It's a clear coat over aluminum (i.e., not anodized, to the best of my knowledge). My gun has significant finish loss on the backstrap and a few other places. However, I've fired about 700 rounds through the gun, have carried it in some very hot and humid weather, and I also do a lot of dry-fire practice drills (probably averaging about 1-1.5 hours/week) with a lot of drawing from the holster. I bought the gun as a tool so I'm not too worried about the finish. I'll probably have it re-done at some point down the road.

Then again, there are people who have had their 642s for quite some time with little to no finish issues.

If I had the money and saw that gun at one of my local gun shops for that price, I'd probably go ahead and get it.

 

[nossew]

My No-Lock 442 has been great. The price is reasonable. Why worry about saving a few bucks when it's calling to you?

 

[bassoneer]

The 642's are good guns...carries great in a pocket. I have installed Crimson Trace grips and had a gunsmith do an action job. I say get it...not fun to shoot because of the recoil, but very fun to carry because of the light weight. You will have it with you all the time. B

 

[Line Rider]

I'd buy it. In my area worn out pre-lock J frames are going for $350.

 

[arp32]

Bought a 642-1 about two weeks ago as a carry piece (my full size 1911 is too much for the summer in Arizona...) and I love it. I've only taken it out once, put about 100 rounds of WWB and Hornady Critical Defense +P through it and they both felt fine. Actually I couldn't tell much difference in recoil from the Winchester target rounds and the +P. I guess I'll gain discernment with experience.

it's a bit jumpy compared to a 42oz 1911, but not painful if you hold firmly (buddy tried it with a loose grip and got bit in the thumb with the cylinder release button). At 7 yards I did as well and sometimes better than I do with my DAO K-frame. It's a million times easier to keep on target compared with the little plastic pocket semiautomatics and their short grip circumference / long heavy triggers. I actually found it a little easier to grip a bit lower (I.e., leave just a bit of the heelstrap visible above the web of my hand). I think it gave me a bit more leverage to smoothly pull the trigger.

Too early to comment on the finish. I've been using a Blackhawk pocket holster and a cheap synthetic IWB and both are very discrete. After the third or fourth day I began to forget it was there.

I'm with the previous poster, I don't really care how the finish holds up. I didn't buy it to be an "investment" or wall hanger.

 

[jimmyjoe]

Fred, go get it. I have had no issues with the finish. Just a little wear from carry on the high ends.

[/IMG]

 

[InTheWoods]

Put some good paste wax on the finish occassionally (especially on hard use areas like the sharp edges and backstrap) and use mild cleaners (like CLP) to clean your gun. By doing so, you finish will stay looking good for a very long time.

 

[shooter686]

I recently purchased a 642-1 no lock. Great gun. Its so light you can forget you have it with you. It talks to you when you shoot it! As for the finish - its a coating and not anodizing. Time will tell how it holds up. One thing is certain - coating or not, you can carry and handle it all day long without fear of corrosion like you would worry about with a blued gun.

I do not regret the purchase and would recommend it to anyone provided they understand the signifigance of its 14 oz weight when it comes time to shoot it.

Here's a few pics of mine.

Shooter686

 

[JayBird686]

Some have reported that the frame finish can wear or flake off...

Bought mine in February, and the coating on barrel has started to come off. Doesn't bother me one bit. The gun is for carrying. It doesnt get babied, nor do I believe it should. Its extremely beautiful in the reliability department, thats what counts!

When its not on me, its in a security box in my car. During the summer months in New Mexico, car temps can be over 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Gives it character!

The one thing I wish is that it was cut for moon clips. I know they make the pro, so maybe in the future I will buy one of those as well. Need a 638 and 642 to complete the trio as well!

 

[InTheWoods]

Bought mine in February, and the coating on barrel has started to come off. Doesn't bother me one bit. The gun is for carrying.

I thought the clear-coating is only on the frame, the alloy part. My barrel and cylinder are stainless and not clear-coated. Noting to come off there. Any photos?

 

[JayBird686]

I thought the clear-coating is only on the frame, the alloy part. My barrel and cylinder are stainless and not clear-coated. Noting to come off there. Any photos?

I have the 642, i will post when I get home from work today.

 

[Decker]

Additionally, comments made by people who've damaged the finish on their 642's are more from those who did so by using too caustic of a cleaner on it (Hoppes #9 is a no-no) than by people who actually wear the finish off.

I've got both an IL 642 that my wife uses as a purse gun, and I later bought a no-lock 642 that I use for occasional carry.
Neither one has yet shown any wear issues, but if they ever do, I think I'd give some thought to having them sent off for anodizing, and better yet, perhaps just the frame done in a light charcoal finish to create an interesting two-tone look.

Either way, losing the finish eventually doesn't affect the use of the pistol one bit. While I am like a lot of people who like to keep my pistols looking "brand new" if possible, I also appreciate a well worn but 100% trustworthy piece that shows some "history" as a working piece.
So either way, I'm good.

 

[Big Fred]

Thanks so much for the replys. Sounds like a good little revolver, I thought it would be but just needed a little push from you guys that have one.

I usually carry either a Kel-Tec P3AT or a PF9, but I've always been a revolver kind of guy. Must be an age thing? Anyway I've always had more confidance in a revolver even though both K-T's have never jammed, not once. But with a revolver if it doesn't go bang the first time just pull the trigger again!!

Next chance I get I'll stop in at the shop and pick it up. I don't mind a worn look on a working firearm and that is what it will be. I just wanted to see if anyone had any problems with the finish really wearing or flaking off badly.

Thanks again.

 

[Maximumbob54]

This is about a 637 and not a 642 but the finish is the same. It used to bug me that the finish had these "snail trails" and spots in it:

I don't have a picture of the back of the grip frame but it looked terrible from all the chipped clear coat. I decided to just strip the remaining finish and was going to Duracoat it. That would be when I found this:

They fixed it but it left me with such a bad feeling that it now just sets in the safe.

I keep trying to tell myself it was just a fluke and I really would like to buy a no lock 642 or even better a no lock 442. Buying these is the only way to prove to them that the no lock version will sell better, or at least that is my theory. I just still have very mixed feelings about it because I can't get beyond the thought that the barrel was set in too much and cracked the frame at the factory and yet it just got covered up. Maybe, maybe not. I also don't like that it gets lead build up so bad in the barrel that I don't feel safe with lead SWC's which is my preferred bullet.

 

[HAGEN]

M642

Excellent Carry Guns
Several Years with the S&W Airweights

 

[JayBird686]

Hahaha so I was gonna post my revolver but realized I have a 442. Thats why I should post at 5 AM!

 

[ContinentalOp]

I got a little bored this afternoon and thought I'd try taking a picture of the wear on my 642. This shows the wear on the backstrap and under the cylinder release latch. I tried getting picks of the other wear areas but I couldn't get them to turn out as good as this picture, which isn't that good to begin with.

FYI, the only cleaning product I use is Break Free CLP, and the wear areas only get wiped down by a rag with a drop or two on it, followed by a dry rag wipe-down, every week or two at most.

 

[photoman]

My number one 642 shows some wear on the high spots but not too bad. You could always have it refinished by Robar or someone like that if it was a bother.