S&W 642 IWB

[CavalierLeif]

Hi all,

New to the forum - happy to be here.

Though my first handgun was a Glock 19, about a year ago I bought a S&W 686+ as my debut into the revolver scene. The 686 serves as my "woodland gun" which I carry in a Galco OWB holster in case of a chance meeting with a bad guy on four legs. I loved the aesthetics and function of the 686 so much, as well as the Smith & Wesson reputation, that I recently added a S&W 642-2 as an alternative to the Glock as a daily carry piece.

When others ask me about the 642, a recurring comment I find myself making is that sometimes "you forget it's there." It's a very comfortable gun to carry, and with practice, I've become more proficient as an accurate shooter past 10 yards. It's truly a gun that reflects the skill of the shooter.

I carry the 642 in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. I ordered a Mika round-cut pocket holster, which will be here in the next few weeks. I've heard great things about Mika, both the holster and the man, and I look forward to comparing it to the Nemesis.

However, the pocket holster prints noticeably in certain pants, such as dress slacks. I'm a fairly muscular guy, so I don't have much extra room to hide things in my pockets without a cover garment. I'm aware of the fragility some report with regards to the clear coat on the aluminum and have avoided carrying it IWB thus in order to save it from direct contact with my sweat. I'm also very careful to only use Break Free or Ballistol to avoid the possibility of eating away the finish with other cleaners.

I'm wondering - do any of you carry the 642 (or 442) IWB, and have you experienced much wear on the finish?

Cheers,
Leif

 

[Bulldog87]

Carried a 37 (blued) airweight for 6 years IWB and/or on ankle. Never had a problem. I just recently added a 442 and haven't seen any issues!

All I ever do is periodically wipe it off. Problem solved. If you sweat a bunch on it on any given day, give it more attention.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[haywood]

I carry a 442 in a cheep Uncle Mike's pocket Holster in my pocket at all times. It's finish is still near perfect. I spent the last Two Months in Florida and just wipe it down every few days. The same with my second 442 and 36 that I alternate AIWB. The waist band Gun is in a leather Holster.

 

[blues7]

I own a 642-1 purchased a few months ago for carry as an alternative to one of my Glocks depending on setting, clothing or need requirements.

I usually carry in the pocket or AIWB, (appendix inside the waistband), and thus far have seen no wear from the kydex holsters.

That said, I'm not concerned about the wear. This firearm is not a collector's item and its job is to protect me or mine in a dire situation.

Keep it clean, practice with it and let it wear the marks it gains from usage with pride.

 

[ldryder]

I pocket carry a 442 or a M&P 340 in a Mika Pocket Holster. After you use the Mika for a few days, it becomes pretty stealthy. However, I usually carry in 5.11 pants or comfortable jeans so I might not say the same for dress slacks.

When I carry either of those two AIWB, I use a Blackhawk Leather IWB Size 06 with a clip. I used to carry a Ruger SP101 2.25" in that same holster and it is very comfortable. It is NOT a tuckable holster so it's not appropriate for tucking in a dress shirt but it is very good under sweaters and such.

 

[dusty3030]

The 442 and other black ones the finish seems to hold up better. The 642 / 637 etc silver ones generally will loose much of the clear coat / paint / whatever Smith puts on them on the high points and edges. Won't affect function, but just resolve yourself if you carry it regularly the finish is going to wear.

 

[alexrex20]

My 342 gets tucked into my waistband or slipped into a pocket. No holster. I don't understand why people worry so much about printing with pocket carry. Why is anyone looking so closely at the bulge in your pocket? And how can they tell the difference between a gun and a wallet or phone or bible or anything else known to be kept in pockets?

Nobody is looking at your pockets, and even if they did, they wouldn't know what they're looking at.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

 

[dwhite]

I really like the Aholster Pocket Backbone for my 642. The way it's cut makes it EXTREMELY thin. It still prints a little in slacks but much better than other options I've tried.

The cut of the holster does expose the cylinder to wear from keys, coins, etc in your pocket. But I choose not to carry anything else in that pocket anyway.

 

[blues7]

I really like the Aholster Pocket Backbone for my 642. The way it's cut makes it EXTREMELY thin. It still prints a little in slacks but much better than other options I've tried.

The cut of the holster does expose the cylinder to wear from keys, coins, etc in your pocket. But I choose not to carry anything else in that pocket anyway.

I have the aholster "pocket holster" which covers the cylinder. Very nice holster though I did round off the sharp point of the upper "horn".

I use a kydex holster from Dark Star Gear for AIWB.

Otherwise a Mika or Uncle Mike's round out the players.

 

[gnystrom]

Lots of holster options and leather or Kydex will eventually put wear marks on your revolver. Hopefully you will encourage that wear by unloading your gun and after checking it twice, commit yourself to a couple of dozen practice draws each and every day. Unless you are into collecting guns to keep in the safe, show me a well worn revolver and I will probably show you someone that knows how to use it.

 

[jnichols2]

My 342 gets tucked into my waistband or slipped into a pocket. No holster. I don't understand why people worry so much about printing with pocket carry. Why is anyone looking so closely at the bulge in your pocket? And how can they tell the difference between a gun and a wallet or phone or bible or anything else known to be kept in pockets?

Nobody is looking at your pockets, and even if they did, they wouldn't know what they're looking at.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

In some places, they ARE looking at your pockets. That's how they know which one your wallet is in.

 

[silversnake]

My 342 gets tucked into my waistband or slipped into a pocket. No holster. I don't understand why people worry so much about printing with pocket carry. Why is anyone looking so closely at the bulge in your pocket? And how can they tell the difference between a gun and a wallet or phone or bible or anything else known to be kept in pockets?

Nobody is looking at your pockets, and even if they did, they wouldn't know what they're looking at.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

Perhaps in your clothing it's not detectable. I've found however that a snubby without a holster is one of the easiest gun shapes to recognize in a pocket, especially with dress pants. The holster also keeps the gun oriented in the same direction and prevents the muzzle from wearing a hole in your pocket (which I guarantee will happen if you carry without a holster long enough).

 

[alexrex20]

Guaranteed huh? I have been carrying daily for over a decade and have yet to wear out a pocket. LOL... They certainly don't wear any faster than my pants and an iwb holster.

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[Bill In Texas]

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

I carry two J frames almost everyday. One,(640), in my pocket in a Mika round cut, the other,(637 with a bobbed hammer spur), off body. I rarely carry a j frame in a holster, but when I do it's in a Simply Rugged Pancake. Here in Texas, where open carry is the law, I don't have to worry about printing.

IWB is not very comfortable to me so I don't carry that way much. I think you may find that the Mika breaks up the outline well enough that no one will notice.

 

[MCorps0311]

I haven't had any problems carrying my 442-2 in my pocket or IWB with the finish on it.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I've been carrying a 642-1 IWB for probably 6 years now. The finish issue seems to be hit-or-miss. Whatever gun you carry, the finish is going to wear carried in a holster, especially if you practice regularly. My first 642-1 looked horrible after a few months, but it didn't affect the gun's function or my ability to shoot it, so I ignored it. I just kept cleaning/lubing my gun regularly. My second, and current, 642-1 has been holding up much better in terms of finish, but I still get wear.

My advice is to not worry about it so much. Take care of your gun. Clean and lube it properly. The finish is going to wear, whether it's the clear coat issue or just holster wear. But it's not going to negatively affect the gun's functioning or your ability to shoot it.

 

[gnystrom]

First off I congratulate you on your decision to holster when you pocket carry. There are volumes written about pocket carry but none have ever shown me slipping a unholstered gun into a pocket is a prudent thing to do.

The Mike holster will work and is a good choice. Down the like you may find a custom leather model with "ears" will provide a bit more concealment while wearing lightweight wool dress pants. Here is a quick compassion between the Mika and a PCS. The PCS will bulge a bit with the gun inserted but not to a great extent. In any event you will, as we all have, and wind up with a box of different models.

 

[tx40d]

I alternate between a 642 and a 442 and a lcr for pocket carry. Typically I use a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster for jeans and shorts and a uncle mike's pocket holster for dress pants. For me pocket carry is the most comfortable way to carry. I have tried several well made iwb holsters and adjusting pant sizes but it is still very uncomfortable to me YMMV.

Also, I haven't noticed any problem with the finish on the 642; I just give it a quick cleaning if I've been working outside and sweat a lot. Seems to be holding up pretty well so far.

tx40d

 

[Irelander]

I have been carrying my 642-1 in a Blade-Tech Klipt holster AIWB. It works pretty well for a cheap production holster. I would not second guess the recommendation for the Dark Star Gear holster.

I ordered a Pocket Concealment Systems Blackbird holster and should have it in a week. I'm excited to try it.