New 642

[kraigwy]

I pocket carry my 642. I practice a lot with 4.5 grns of Unique and a cast 150 gr SWC.

I carry Winchester 158 gr LSWCs, (non +P). It shoots the same as my reloads. It's accurate and reliable.

It will penitrate all you need to penitrate yet its mild to shoot and I shoot a lot, about 200 rounds a week.

I do 90% of my carry shooting one handed, (switching between strong and weak hand). The only two handed shooting I do is practicing on hostage targets.

There is no reason to limit your range with a little snub nose revolver, if you want to increase your range PRACTICE.

I practice on small targets at close range, and example is shooting shotgun hulls down toward my feet. Comes in handy because we have a lot of rattlers around here.

I also need to extend my range a bit, had to wack a coyote I spotted stealing chickens as I stepped out of my shop.

Learn to shoot the revolver, never know when you might have to shoot something, snakes, coyotes or even a horse I had to put down.

Fundamentals are fundamentals wheather its a 642 snubby or a target pistol.

I also have a CT laser sight on my 642 for low light and dry fire practice.

Nothing beats a laser sight for dryfiring. Never underestimate the value of dry firing any gun, let alone the little J Frames.

I also have one of those little J Frame blue training guns that I use for practicing drawing from just about any position you can find your self in, from the couch watching TV, to setting in the truck or horse back.

 

[TNFrank]

I agree with TnFrank, 129 gr Hydrashok +p for carry and then I practice with either umc 130 gr or my reloads of 125 gr over 4.0-4.4 titegroup. The little gun is surprisingly accurate.

I agree with your agreement with me. I can't wait to get out and try some of my 158gr SWC Tumble Lube bullets over 4.3grs of Unique. Hopefully they'll have less recoil velociety then the factory Remington 158gr LRN stuff I shot and I'll be able to keep em' in the 3" circle on my target at 7 yards, especially after installing a Wolff Spring Kit(8# hammer, 13# rebound spring) to lighten up the trigger pull.
Main thing is to start out with softer shooting ammo and work yourself into the hotter +P stuff.

 

[riverrat38]

My M442 shoots high, about 10 inches at 25 yds, with the heavy, slow ammo. I like target wadcutters or plated 158 gr SWC with non plus P velocity, but the revolver came sighted in for 125 gr plus P ammo.
It would be nice if S&W put higher front sights on fixed sight guns, and let the user file them down for the ammo of choice. The guns are capable of good accuracy if the sights allowed it.

rat

 

[therealsuperdave]

spend some money and get several different brands of high quality self defense ammo to try at the range. The ones that shoot best in your gun could be different from mine. Try the standard pressure loads first and then try a few of the +P loads. I found the best choices, price and lowest shipping for several boxes of personal defense ammo at Bud's Gun shop online. Among others mentioned, try a few rounds of each of these, then decide which you like best: Federal Premium Hydra Shok 110 gr. JHP, Hornady Critical Defense 110 gr., Winchester Silvertip 110 gr. JHP, CorBon DPX 110 gr. Set up one target for each at the distance you are comfortable, say 10-20 feet. Fire five rounds of one brand at the first target, reload with another brand, and move to the next target, and so on until you've tested all the brands. Carefully SQUEEZE the trigger without moving the point of aim, do not hesitate during the trigger pull--concentrate on a smooth follow thru, take your time. Aim at the center of the target or bull's-eye on every shot, regardless of where the bullet actually hits. At the end of the session, after shooting a sample of all the brands, compare the targets and decide which brand shot best in your gun. That should be your choice for self-defense ammo. In future practice sessions, shoot any available affordable brand (in my area that would be a box of 50 Federal 158gr. LRN in the standard pressure) but don't forget to practice a few rounds of the more expensive self-defense ammo that was chosen during your earlier range session tests.

 

[oldlongbeard]

All you folks shooting bullets lighter than 130 grains.... is the danger of bullet "set back" not a concern these days? Just trying to learn, as I use my 642 also. The crimson trace grips are VERY comfortable. I use the 158 Gr. Buffalo bore short barrel, low flash std velocity stuff. Should be downright deadly on Zombies. (Love that Walking Dead show on AMCTV!)
Regards, Greg in Michigan