Pros and Cons to carrying a 642/442?
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mod57
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The little guns are definitely light weight. They carry easy. I am not a fan of pocket carry. Never really felt secure with it, but that's just me. The guns can be a bit of a handful with the +p ammo and the DAO takes some practice to use effectively. Capacity is low and reloads are slower. Having said that I just love the little guns.
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Pros:
Lighter than a Shield
Easier to pocket carry
Can be fired from inside a pocket or up against a target
"Slighty" safer trigger system
Cons:
Harder to shoot well
Lower capacity
Not that much lighter than the auto
Lighter than a Shield
Easier to pocket carry
Can be fired from inside a pocket or up against a target
"Slighty" safer trigger system
Cons:
Harder to shoot well
Lower capacity
Not that much lighter than the auto
shil
Member
I like my Model 38 in a Mika pocket holster. The ammunition I use is the Federal 125 grain Nyclad hollow point, the so-called "Chief's Special" loading. If you like skinny pants, though, pocket carry may not work for you.
jglsprings
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Here is a great video
P&S ModCast 197 - Snubbies! - YouTube
that's talks about everything snubby
Well worth the time…get past the wandering chat at the beginning as everyone joins…
P&S ModCast 197 - Snubbies! - YouTube
that's talks about everything snubby
Well worth the time…get past the wandering chat at the beginning as everyone joins…
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Rpg
Member
The light weight J frames are the best pocket pistols around IMHO.
They are also the most difficult handguns to learn to shoot well.
Stay away from +p and boutique ammo. You'll do much better with 148 gr wadcutter target ammo. These guns are sighted for 158 gr lead, round nose standard velocity ammo.
They are also the most difficult handguns to learn to shoot well.
Stay away from +p and boutique ammo. You'll do much better with 148 gr wadcutter target ammo. These guns are sighted for 158 gr lead, round nose standard velocity ammo.
First, always use a holster for pocket carry. You gun is in a consistent position. Less lint in the action. Most important - keeps your booger hook off the bang switch while drawing.
Second, I can't imagine an everyday carry rotation without one. Really hot outside? Baggy shorts and drop it in a pocket (just don't try running anywhere). Need to leave it in your vehicle for some reason? Taking a gun out of your pocket and stashing it between the seats or in your briefcase (yes, I'm that old) is more discrete.
Third, practice, practice, practice. Get some snap caps and dry fire that thing 100s of times so you get used to the trigger. Shoot light loads at first - an airweight is hard to control. Try +P but don't get upset if it's too much for you. Any gun is better than no gun. And keep practicing - take it on every range trip and fire 5 or 10 shots.
Fourth, there almost aren't any sights on a 642. An M&P 340 is more $$$ but the sights are much more useable, especially in low light.
Fifth, both 642 (#103810) and M&P 340 (#103072) are made today in no-lock variants. IMHO these are the guns where the lock really could be a potential problem because they are so light weight.
Second, I can't imagine an everyday carry rotation without one. Really hot outside? Baggy shorts and drop it in a pocket (just don't try running anywhere). Need to leave it in your vehicle for some reason? Taking a gun out of your pocket and stashing it between the seats or in your briefcase (yes, I'm that old) is more discrete.
Third, practice, practice, practice. Get some snap caps and dry fire that thing 100s of times so you get used to the trigger. Shoot light loads at first - an airweight is hard to control. Try +P but don't get upset if it's too much for you. Any gun is better than no gun. And keep practicing - take it on every range trip and fire 5 or 10 shots.
Fourth, there almost aren't any sights on a 642. An M&P 340 is more $$$ but the sights are much more useable, especially in low light.
Fifth, both 642 (#103810) and M&P 340 (#103072) are made today in no-lock variants. IMHO these are the guns where the lock really could be a potential problem because they are so light weight.
texmex
Member
Pro, reliability. Plus you are likely to have it with you. None of those expensive and fragile magazines to buy. Less likely to just "spray and pray". Not sensitive to bullet shape. Con, you really need two. You have two pockets, you need two guns. Fastest reload, have another gun.
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mod57
Member
Oh my where are my manners! Welcome to the forum!
Indeed, welcome to the Forum. My two "go to" CCW handguns are a Model 642-2 (with the lock, which I never use) and a Performance Center M&P 9...choice just depends upon how I feel that day or what type of occasion. With the 642 I bring along a Tuff Strip with 5 extra rounds of .38 Spl. JHPs. With the M&P 9 I bring along a spare mag. I always pocket carry in some type of holster- either a small Uncle Mike's fabric holster, a Sticky holster, or a Malabar Leather bullhide pocket holster. I also sometimes use an appendix carry holster for the M&P. In either case, should the worst happen, I intend to try use my handgun only as a "fire extinguisher"- just to get away from the situation. I don't expect or intend to be in an extended gun battle. And as TheTinMan says...practice, practice, practice. A couple of well aimed shots are perhaps all you would ever need to survive a violent encounter.
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hyena
Member
My advice....if you're hoping to pocket carry, wear the pants you prefer to your gun store, and put a 642 in the pocket to see how it fits. Make sure you sit down. My everyday jeans are Carhartt regular fit, tapered leg. I use Mika holsters. The 642 fits in those pockets, but I feel it prints too much, and it doesn't work so well when sitting down. I have taken to wearing Duluth Trading ballroom jeans when I'm on my Harley, and they have enormous pockets. Wide, deep, very heavy fabric. The 642 in the Mika drops right in, and is very comfortable even seated on the bike. I just don't like the baggier look, even though at 67 nobody cares what kind of jeans I wear.
I have one pair of cargo shorts, and of course, the 642 disappears in the pockets. No cargo pants, nor do I ever plan to buy any. Especially not "tactical" pants. I still prefer denim shorts. Screw the people who say they're for old boomers.
Having said all that, lately I've been carrying my Bodyguard 380 pretty much all the time. I go back and forth between it and the 642. The BG fits so much better in my Carhartt pockets.
One comment about ammo choice. My 642 hits high with 158gr bullets. Both my mild reloads and +P hollow points. Mine hits to point of aim with the Gold Dot 130gr +P, so that's what I carry.
I have one pair of cargo shorts, and of course, the 642 disappears in the pockets. No cargo pants, nor do I ever plan to buy any. Especially not "tactical" pants. I still prefer denim shorts. Screw the people who say they're for old boomers.
Having said all that, lately I've been carrying my Bodyguard 380 pretty much all the time. I go back and forth between it and the 642. The BG fits so much better in my Carhartt pockets.
One comment about ammo choice. My 642 hits high with 158gr bullets. Both my mild reloads and +P hollow points. Mine hits to point of aim with the Gold Dot 130gr +P, so that's what I carry.
max503
Member
If you read, "The Secrets of Double Action Shooting" by Bob Nichols you might come to believe that a person can become very proficient shooting a revolver double action. But don't believe me. Read the book. It ain't that hard to do.
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My choice for everyday carry is a 642. It has the ugly hole, but I removed the internals behind it. I picked the 642 over a hole-less 442 because it's common and if I ever lose it to an evidence locker, it's no great problem. With Barami Hip Grips, a shirt tail covers it and it virtually disappears. No problem sitting down at all.
John
John
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My choice for everyday carry is a 642. It has the ugly hole, but I removed the internals behind it. I picked the 642 over a hole-less 442 because it's common and if I ever lose it to an evidence locker, it's no great problem. With Barami Hip Grips, a shirt tail covers it and it virtually disappears. No problem sitting down at all.
John
That's an awesome holster!!
So I guess the big question for you and the others here. Are they really THAT bad to shoot?
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Depends on your definition of "bad". 
They do recoil more than a heavier gun and the short sight radius combined with that make them challenging. To shoot one really well at distance and speed takes practice.
They do recoil more than a heavier gun and the short sight radius combined with that make them challenging. To shoot one really well at distance and speed takes practice.
Welcome to the campfire!
Totally true.
Also true. Jeans, cargo pants, long or short, those little guns drop in that front hip pocket easily, and basically stay put if you use a proper holster.
Okay, in that event I am uncertain why one would not toss the gun into the trunk of the car but, then again, I hate leaving a gun in the car anywhere. But popping it into a briefcase works, as long as you're not taking that briefcase into a facility with metal detectors. I've carried J frames in briefcases and shoulder bags many times and for various reasons. The buildings with metal detectors in this neck of the woods are few and far between.
Con:
Recoil is a beast, I don't care what anyone says. In a self defense situation maybe you won't notice but practicing with a lightweight J frame will wear you out. An all steel J frame is much better and the additional weight whilst carrying is not noticeable - and I've done both and dumped the lightweight 642 for a full weight 649.
Everything you need, nothing you don't, and five rounds should be sufficient.
Totally true.
Also true. Jeans, cargo pants, long or short, those little guns drop in that front hip pocket easily, and basically stay put if you use a proper holster.
Okay, in that event I am uncertain why one would not toss the gun into the trunk of the car but, then again, I hate leaving a gun in the car anywhere. But popping it into a briefcase works, as long as you're not taking that briefcase into a facility with metal detectors. I've carried J frames in briefcases and shoulder bags many times and for various reasons. The buildings with metal detectors in this neck of the woods are few and far between.
Con:
Recoil is a beast, I don't care what anyone says. In a self defense situation maybe you won't notice but practicing with a lightweight J frame will wear you out. An all steel J frame is much better and the additional weight whilst carrying is not noticeable - and I've done both and dumped the lightweight 642 for a full weight 649.
Everything you need, nothing you don't, and five rounds should be sufficient.
Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment, but I really enjoy shooting my 642. +P can be a little harsh, but it's not surprising from a light gun. It's not at all like shooting, say, a 380 ACP with a slide soaking up recoil, but that's part of the fun. When you send 158 grains of +P downrange you feel like something real just happened! I'm more accurate and fast with 125 grain, so that's what I carry, but I love my little 642 and have it on me all day, every day.
One thing I like so much about the revolver is you can get accurate, good practice dry fire. You don't need live ammo to get better at holding the sights through the DA trigger press. And yes, it is possible to shoot a little 642 fast and accurately.
One thing I like so much about the revolver is you can get accurate, good practice dry fire. You don't need live ammo to get better at holding the sights through the DA trigger press. And yes, it is possible to shoot a little 642 fast and accurately.
I forgot to mention in my last post, most of the time I'm carrying my 642 it's in a DeSantis nemesis pocket holster. I just make sure pants I buy have a deep enough pocket. If I'm driving for a long time I'll put it OWB in a leather pancake holster because the pocket holster is nearly impossible to draw from belted into a car seat. It's easy to forget it's even there in the DeSantis pocket holster.
My first EDC was my 640-1 .357 Magnum. I thought it was kind of heavy too.
When my brother retired from LE back in 2014 he gave my his BUG,
a 642-1 Airweight .38 Special +P. It replaced the 640-1 for my EDC.
A couple of years ago I bought this M&P Shield 45 for my new EDC.
It didn't take long and I was back to carrying my 642-1,
the Shield was just a little too heavy for me and a little
too bulky for an EDC.
Depending on how I dress I still occasionally carry my 640-1.
Everyone is a little different. I actually enjoy shooting my 640-1 with full
.357 Magnum loads. You might say I get a kick out of shooting it.
1sailor
Member
The most important thing for any carry piece is that it is easy to carry. While I have other options available, I carry my J frame (M&P340) because it is so easy to carry that it is always with me. Five rounds of .357 magnum on me is a LOT more valuable than 18 rounds sitting at home in a drawer. I don't pocket carry because I can barely get my hands into my jeans pockets let alone a pistol of any type. But if pocket carry works for you then that's great. If you are attacked you will not have much time to think about it. I've always felt that revolvers can be quite handy when you don't have much time to think (or adjust your grip etc.).
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