S & W 642 no lock-- should I buy?

[rogo123]

Found one on sale. Would be under $400 out the door. Barrel looks like it's on straight, indexing ok, timing, cylinder end shake all appear ok.
Some scraping on front of frame where barrel rubbed during assembly. Apparently not cleaned after proof firing.
I would shoot it a lot before carrying.

What do you think?
Thanks

 

[TucsonMTB]

The 642-1 (no lock) is currently in production. So, this is not a rare revolver.

I have one and really like it.

For a new gun, that would be a very good price around here. In fact, I have never seen one lower.

Edited to add: This is a new gun, right? And the usual scrape where the barrel contacted the frame during assembly is the only scrape, right?

 

[rogo123]

Are there two kinds of Airweights? Those with cracks and those that will crack?

 

[Mister X]

The 642 is a great choice, but it would depend on how scraped up the frame is. If it's bad at all, I would pass. I see NIB no lock 642's for sale online for well under $400 & free shipping all the time. All you would have to pay is FFL transfer(usually $20-$25).

 

[sunnyd]

Not a great price. Can be bought online for less. I bought one recently LNIB for considerably less. It took me a couple of weeks to find it. Absolutely a great firearm.

 

[TucsonMTB]

Are there two kinds of Airweights? Those with cracks and those that will crack?

Hardly!

I have at least a couple thousand rounds of +P 38 special through my 642-1 with no signs of cracking and no loosening of the cylinder fit.

These frames are strong enough for lots of shooting.

I practice with what I carry.

 

[Rick_A]

Buy it, put a couple hundred rounds through it, enjoy it.

Most problems folks have seem to happen within the first couple hundred rounds. After that it should be good to go.

 

[Fire Dog]

The 642 is a great carry gun. Really a great shooter. If you are using it to carry you will expect nicks scratches holster wear. it's not a safe queen.LOL

 

[rogo123]

The abrasions on the front of the frame have me scared. Is the barrel too tight? Will it crack soon? If it does I will not be defenseless.
Fall back on my old 36 or 3914....or my collection of other 9mm autos...
Colt lawman .357?

 

[Fox4506]

I have one and I like it. Like others have said $400 isn't that special of a price. Buds usually has them for under $400.

I have a set of Delta grips on mine and it really makes a difference for me. It allows me to get a full grip on the gun. I know there have been a couple of threads about these grips and some like them and some don't. Something to consider though.

DELTA GRIP? - HANDGUN GRIPS - Products

Fox

 

[TucsonMTB]

The abrasions on the front of the frame have me scared. Is the barrel too tight? Will it crack soon? If it does I will not be defenseless.
Fall back on my old 36 or 3914....or my collection of other 9mm autos...
Colt lawman .357?

No worries! If you are not confident or happy with the gun then pass. There will be others . . .

At that price for a new revolver, someone else will be happy you left if for them. Consider it your good deed for the day.

 

[ridgewalker]

Just decide whether you would prefer silver or black.

Don't know where you got the idea that they are going to break. There is a fellow who is documenting his rounds through his 642 and he is over 6000 rounds last I heard. Somebody will be along to give you the link to the website.
Even if it did break, S&W has a lifetime warrantee.

 

[TucsonMTB]

Just decide whether you would prefer silver or black.

Don't know where you got the idea that they are going to break. There is a fellow who is documenting his rounds through his 642 and he is over 6000 rounds last I heard. Somebody will be along to give you the link to the website.
Even if it did break, S&W has a lifetime warrantee.

Those are gorgeous grips, sir!

Please, tell us more about them.

 

[Florida J Frame]

Not a great price. Shoot Straight puts them on special a couple times a year well under $400.

 

[jrs70]

Are there two kinds of Airweights? Those with cracks and those that will crack?

That is why I only buy new Airweights. When it cracks I'll send it back for a new one. I have had my 642-1 5 years. Carry it every day and shoot it every other month. So far so good.

 

[S&W Rover]

The 642 is a great carry gun, as is the 442. You can beat the price mentioned, but not by much (and I presume you won't be paying sales tax or FFL fees). Bud's is selling 642 no-locks for $385.00 - free shipping, but FFL fee at point of sale.

You can shoot "target" ammo all day long in them, and +P if you want to. I have a couple of boxes of Buffalo Bore +P ammo, both lead and JHP -- they offer a lot of nice options -- and I shift the ammo around to whatever I happen to be carrying. I am a believer in small revolvers for Self Defense -- easy to put into use, reliable, accurate within meaningful ranges, plus easy to carry all day long.

Barrel cracking? Unlikely! If it happens, you send it back to S&W -- and they fix or replace it for free. Unless you were using re-loads, in which case you chalk it up to experiential learning.

 

[rogo123]

You people are talking me into buying this gun. I calculate my final sales price with discount coupon, taxes paid at $385 and of course no transfer fee and I get to look it over before buying.

 

[oldnotdead]

I bought one a couple of months ago for a bump over 400. I have not regretted the price or the purchase. It has been on me 90% of the time since. Couple hundred rounds,no problems.

 

[Edknn123]

I would be inclined to make sure you buy new as the Smith lifetime warranty is for the original owner.

 

[avery53]

I just bought a new 442-1 last week, so far I really like it. My OTD price was about $380.