Performance vs. Ladysmith vs. regular

[Rick_A]

The "Wyatt Specials" do seem to have consistently smooth triggers...even over the PC guns, it seems.

Another nice touch is the contoured trigger.

20130910_153410 by Slick_Rick77, on Flickr

I've considered copying it on my 442, but it's really not worth the trouble.

I don't need moon clips, and some careful selection can net a standard production gun with a trigger pull as smooth as a PC gun. I did go with a no-lock model as that was one less "Plug" I had to buy.

Many guys seem to detest the "Ladysmith" designation, but I personally wouldn't mind getting a pretty lady in my pants. They are a step above in the finish department.

 

[Hapworth]

...it was a marketing push back in the early-mid 1990s.

Do you mean 1890s? (Well, about 1902, actually ).

I agree, though, that the Lady Smiths of the 1990s I've handled seem to have an overall slightly greater degree of care put into their fit and finish.

 

[Dave500S&W]

Being an owner of many Performance Center S&W revolvers and several non performance center guns I can frankly say a PC gun is worth the additional charge. Its just not a trigger or "action" job, but you get trigger stops, fitted cylinder to barrel, most precise timing etc.

 

[Freedomfirst]

The S&W 642 .357 Magnum is my concealed carry snub. A .357 round is a bit much, but I'm Ok with 38's (Hornady Critical Defense) and Winchester 38+P's JHP Gold Dot Short Barrel with inexpensive 38's for practice. I would not adjust the trigger pull downward for legal reasons to avoid "accidental or unintentional discharge" accusations if you have to use it for self defense.

 

[kaaskop49]

The S&W 642 .357 Magnum is my concealed carry snub. A .357 round is a bit much, but I'm Ok with 38's (Hornady Critical Defense) and Winchester 38+P's JHP Gold Dot Short Barrel with inexpensive 38's for practice. I would not adjust the trigger pull downward for legal reasons to avoid "accidental or unintentional discharge" accusations if you have to use it for self defense.

The 642 is .38 Spl only. Do you perhaps mean the 340 model? That one is chambered for .357.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[exdetsgt]

Is the 442 the same as the 642? If the only difference between the two is their color, then yes, 38 spl only.

 

[kaaskop49]

Both are .38. The 642 has a stainless cylinder and bbl, the 442's are blued. I think it's still called blued, more of a matte finish. But not stainless. Good talking again, Sarge. Stay safe.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[exdetsgt]

Thanks, kaaskop49, I, too have always called it blued, but it's more black than dark blue, and it is a matte finish, something like the slide on a Glock.

 

[Helderberg]

I had a 442, a 638, and this Talo PC 642 at the same time. I have since sold the 442. The 442 has a black finish and the cylinder is carbon steel awhile the 642 cylinder is stainless. I can tell you for a fact that, at least for these three guns, the PC 642 has a much improved trigger and action. I have removed the wood grips and gone with a pair of UM S&W stock grips. For my money the PC gun is worth every penny.
Just my two cents, be safe, Frank.

 

[harrycyclops]

harrycyclops

I normally don't chime in on these types of discussions but here I am anyway. I have the std 637 airweight (with CTC laser grips) and it's the sweetest 16 ozs of steel and aluminum you could ever ask for. I do question all the hoohah about trigger pull and bounce discussed over pocket handguns used for self defense (when the adrenalin is pumping, you won't notice what the trigger pull is like). That said, the trigger pull on my 637 (stiff as it is) has proven extremely smooth in DA and damn near a "hair trigger" in SA. The only thing I own that's better is my Python. Are you buying this gun to use ...or to brag about.

 

[S&W SS Revolvers]

My wife bought a 637 PC 12/26/14 and we semi-retired her 65LS in the safe. We hope to take it out this weekend. The Gunsmoke is designed for a local gun shop in Wheatridge,CO (thats what they said anyway).She did not like the grips or bobbed hammer nor did she like the Wyatt at another shop in Arvada,CO. She purchased the 637 at the Arvada shop instead. It was only about $30 bucks or so more.

I am mighty proud of her taste in firearms BTW. Neither of us care for autos but that's just personal taste. If the trigger gap was a little shorter she'd of had a Governor (there will be one in the family one day).

Be careful on cleaning because my understanding is that the 637 has a scandium frame. A book said they'll never look new when they've been used...

 

[Win]

I have an early 1990's LS...model 60 stainless I purchased from a lady at work. My favorite carry gun even though it says Ladysmith on the side. I don't care, it shoots straight and with a big rubber Delta grip it fits my hand. My only advice, after shooting my son's aluminum J-frame, is to get an all steel gun. A bit heavier, but sooooo much easier to shoot.

 

[Helderberg]

I normally don't chime in on these types of discussions but here I am anyway. I have the std 637 airweight (with CTC laser grips) and it's the sweetest 16 ozs of steel and aluminum you could ever ask for. I do question all the hoohah about trigger pull and bounce discussed over pocket handguns used for self defense (when the adrenalin is pumping, you won't notice what the trigger pull is like). That said, the trigger pull on my 637 (stiff as it is) has proven extremely smooth in DA and damn near a "hair trigger" in SA. The only thing I own that's better is my Python. Are you buying this gun to use ...or to brag about.

I was not trying to BRAG about anything. I feel the smoother action on the PC gun makes it possible, if I do my job, to be a very accurate gun. Nothing more.
Frank.

 

[FSTJACK]

I have found the performance models are smoother.
I have several regular and several performance models to draw information from.

 

[David Lee Valdina]

Moon clips & extraction etc.

I just bought a Pro-Series .357 and will use .38 Special and the moon clips as the shorter .38 Special cases and the moon clips makes extracting and dumping all 5 cases very easy. I have trouble at the range under no pressure in getting all 5 cases to clear the cylinder without the moon clips. So I am sold on them. I need to find out if S&W will take the other J-Frame revolvers from me and cut the cylinder to accept the moon clips. Happy to pay for it.

 

[harrycyclops]

Dear Helderberg,
Now you know why I never chime in, sorry, I didn't mean to offend. I guess I have a hard time, at my age, understanding the truly finer nuances of the guns I purchase and that the infinite importance of every minor detail seems also to escape me. Mea culpa. Of the twenty some guns I own, I wouldn't part with a one...each one was bought because it was the most perfect gun I could get for the money. I guess I got lucky by just talking to other shooters at the range, shooting their handguns and listening to their advice. I'm too dumb to be able to understand what all is being discussed here.

 

[exdetsgt]

Harry, I'm with you, at least on the dumb part. Back in the dark ages when I was an LEO my duty gun was just another tool on my belt, along with a flashlight, handcuffs, billy club, etc. My duty gun was a Model 10 with a 6" barrel. I learned how to use it and use it well to the extent that I made the department's pistol team.

But, aside from learning how to clean it, I had no clue what was inside of it and, quite frankly, I didn't really care. I was a young kid and more interested in girls than guns.

But that was in the last century. Now, with but rudimentary mechanical skills, and with not much else to do, I've become curious about how these things work. Recently in a volunteer law enforcement assist company assigned to the local Police Department I had to take both Glock and various 1911 pistols apart. I learned. I'm going to buy an old Smith&Wesson and take it completely apart. And, hopefully, learn it.

 

[S&W SS Revolvers]

We went to the range with the 637PC last weekend and shot 150 rounds through it of which 100 were .38spl and 50 were .38spl+P. The .38's were much more pleasant for sure. The 65LS we semi retired is cerytainly my preference. I want one more 65/65LS...I can say the 637PC is smooth. I wish S&W would come back with the 65LS and other variations. My 2 cents...

My wife bought a 637 PC 12/26/14 and we semi-retired her 65LS in the safe. We hope to take it out this weekend. The Gunsmoke is designed for a local gun shop in Wheatridge,CO (thats what they said anyway).She did not like the grips or bobbed hammer nor did she like the Wyatt at another shop in Arvada,CO. She purchased the 637 at the Arvada shop instead. It was only about $30 bucks or so more.

I am mighty proud of her taste in firearms BTW. Neither of us care for autos but that's just personal taste. If the trigger gap was a little shorter she'd of had a Governor (there will be one in the family one day).

Be careful on cleaning because my understanding is that the 637 has a scandium frame. A book said they'll never look new when they've been used...

 

[mg357]

I have shot the performance center 642 it is a nice revolver but its a beast to shoot with

.38 special + p ammo