Smith & Wesson 642 recoil

[ccm143]

Hi,
I am searching for a good pocket pistol and seem to keep coming back to the Smith & Wesson model 642. I have never shot a snub nose pistol so I am looking for input from some of you who have owned or shot a pistol like this. Let me say I am not new to handguns. Have owned many over the past 40 years. I have a S & W 357 so I am accustomed to recoil. What concerns me is that I have a brother who is even bigger into guns than me and he has a S & W airweight. He says the gun is not fun to shoot and when he does shoot it the cylinder release always cuts his hand because of the recoil. He lives in Idaho and I live in Louisiana so the changes of shooting his gun are not good.

I would appreciate input from those of you who have shot this gun.

Thanks in advance for taking time to reply.

 

[snub56]

Hello'
I have a model 642 and it took me a while to be able to shoot it well. I had the same problem with the cylinder release latch cutting the inside of my thumb. I found that a slightly lower grip and holding the strong hand thumb well out of the way helped a lot. The 642 is a challenge but I shoot +P now with no problem.

Good Luck

 

[diamonback68]

Airweight 642s will kick. I chose the 640 all stainless in .38Spl. Works great for me and follow-on shots are no problem.

 

[OKFC05]

I've carried a 442 for years, and the recoil depends on the ammo.
A 158gr +P is just no fun.
The Speer 135gr +P Short Barrel is not bad.
148gr WC handload is a great plinking round.

 

[MSgt G]

My wife carries and shoots a 642 with no problems. When I pocket-carry it's with a M&P 340 with .357 rounds - again, no problems or concerns. The only way you'll know for sure what's best for you is to try them out. Maybe you can find a range nearby that rents several models you're considering. Good luck!

 

[Old cop]

These light guns will kick but the answer is practice. You have a choice in SD ammo, +P or standard pressure. +P will knock you around more.

I've carried and shot lightweight S&Ws for years and continue to carry a 442 since retiring from active LEO duties 14 yrs. ago. I also practice with my carry gun monthly and while not fun, I am confident with it.

IMHO you cannot beat the J Frame for daily carry. It packs enough punch and is small/light enough that it will not be left either at home or in the car.

 

[scooter123]

Since you've been shooting handguns for over 40 years it's probably safe to assume that you may have accumulated some wrist injuries over the years. I know I have and just one experience with a rented 442 was enough to convince me that it wasn't a suitable choice for me. Just 24 rounds of standard 130 gr. 38 spl. was enough to turn me into a southpaw for a week. For me the main issue is that the grip was just too small, so I couldn't get a good firm grip on it to mitigate the recoil by adding the mass of my hand and arm to the gun. As a result it tweaked my wrist pretty well and it took a week before I could use it without pain. My carry choice is a 40 caliber Sig P239 which does have some pop to it, however the grip is large enough to allow me a good firm hold and I don't suffer any lasting effects unless I get stupid and run more that 150 rounds downrange in one session.

Personally, I would strongly urge you to try renting one before purchase. Not all snubbies are created equal, the 642 features an aluminum frame and it only weighs about 15 ounces. Change the model number by 2 digits and you have the stainless steel framed 640 that weighs in at about 23 ounces. That 8 ounces just might mean the difference in recoil between injury and just a bit of a sting.

 

[Jason68]

I have a 442 that I traded in my 637 on, and I love to carry it. Somehow at the range I always favor a heavier 4 inch 38 or a 22. I guess the airweight is a great pocket gun, I think you should get one, plus have a heavier model - to shoot both at the range. There's your solution: you need a 642 and a model 10. Problem solved.

 

[caryg]

442 with different grips

I have a 442 and carry it with the Uncle mikes grips it came with. I also bought a set of Pachmayr decelerators to shoot at the range, good combination. I reload light loads to shoot for practice but always follow up with a few potent ones just for the feel of it. I tried the Hogue bantam grips but not my style. I still like the original Uncle mikes better.

 

[P&R Fan]

First of all, welcome to the forum.
Now,about your question,the 642 is a great pocket revolver. I have had one for several years. I have had a carry permit for over 25 years and just started using pocket carry recently.The gun I use is a 340PD carried in my non-dominant side pocket loaded with full power .357 Magnum 125 Grn loads. I don't have a problem with that shooting one handed with my weak hand. Would I want to do that a lot? Not a chance. But I practice enough every range session to stay proficient. I use other guns for enjoyment. A pocket gun is usually "carried often, shot seldom". If you use a good stance a 642 with stout +P loads will get you through the night. It will have a brisk recoil, but nothing severe. I highly recommend you try it, then let us know what you think.

 

[okc-zee]

My wife shoots her 642 w/ Speer Gold Dot 135gr. +p for short barrel...great load with very minimal kick...I opted for the 640 myself...lotsa practice...

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I've "upgraded" from an old 36 to a 640-1 and find it more of a challenge than I had thought. I do like the extra weight and, because of it, recoil is not an issue. I use light reloads for practice and +P for carry. I also upgraded the grips but that's a matter of preference. Try both if you can. I personally like the simplicity of a snubnose but then it's all I've ever carried. And if ammo is a concern, there are several alternatives to +P that will serve very well w/o excessive recoil.

 

[Indiana George]

Welcome ccm143!

You've been given quite a bit of good advice that has come from years of experience.

My choice is a 442 with
grips I'm comfortable with and
ammunition I'm proficient with.

That combination takes a bit of trial and error along with practice.

Good luck, be safe and enjoy.

 

[photoman]

Start with lighter ammo (110gr standard pressure or 148gr wadcutter) and larger rubber three finger grips.

 

[586nickel]

Hello'
I have a model 642 and it took me a while to be able to shoot it well. I had the same problem with the cylinder release latch cutting the inside of my thumb. I found that a slightly lower grip and holding the strong hand thumb well out of the way helped a lot. The 642 is a challenge but I shoot +P now with no problem.

Good Luck

Bingo - I agree w/ snub56 regarding a lower grip. What I was going to say was I get the feeling the grip (which is standard, I haven't "upgraded" the grip) is in more in my fingers than my hand. I was getting my hand way up high on the grip and after taking a bit of a beating thought I need to try something different. Moved it down "in to my fingers" and voila! I have owned my 642 for about 3 months and love carrying and shooting it. I don't shoot +p though, just standard. I use Hornady Critical Defense when I carry. I put 50 rounds through it each trip to the range.

I chose a 642 after doing a lot of research like you are doing. I like it b/c it is hammerless (less to snag on) and simple. Just pull it out, pull the trigger and bam. If you like an exposed hammer but also like the hammerless look, check out the 638 -- it has a shrouded hammer. I didn't go that route b/c I read some stuff about it getting clogged with lint.

 

[f2]

I use a different grip with my j-frames than other semi-autos.

PRO TIPS with JERRY MICULEK, shootingusa.com/

Sixth panel down for the j-frame grip. It works.

 

[wnr700]

I'm on the side of your brother... anything in +P is not fun and does not encourage needed practice.

I have bought a K frame snub just for the range.

Another lesser J frame concern... The ejection rod is not long enough to effectively eject spent bullets.

My 649 is much more reasonable to shoot. The extra few ounces make little difference in carry... but help some at the range.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I own one of the first 642s. I believe it came with Uncle Mikes, and they were probably OK, but I didn't like the sticky feel, and I wanted smaller grips for concealment. I tried regular S&W Magnas from a 36, with a Tyler, which I use with most Magna grips. Using non-+P ammo, the rear of the trigger guard rapped my middle-finger knuckle fairly hard. I removed the Tyler and everything worked fine, even with standard-pressure ammo with 158 gr bullets. At about the same time, I knew of a police chief who is a very good shooter who used the same rig WITH a Tyler, and liked it, so you can see that results can vary considerably with hand shape.

The Airweights can kick a little, but with the right grips, they can definitely be manageable. Airlites, however, may be another story.

 

[papajohn428]

I think a lot of the recoil impulse can be mitigated with proper grips that are big enough to spread the recoil over a larger area. I have smallish hands, but bought a 642 with the Crimson Trace grip, I found out later they make three different sizes and mine is the biggest they offer. Hot handloads and +P factory ammo is brisk but not punishing, and the gun still carries well in a Nemesis pocket holster.

If I'd known I had a choice of sizes when I bought the gun I'd have opted for something smaller, but it turned out that I got the easiest one to shoot.

 

[shootinbil]

I have a model 642 and it took me a while to be able to shoot it well. I had the same problem with the cylinder release latch cutting the my thumb. I carry in my front pocket of my jeans.