The Definitive Model 40/42 Thread

[rburg]

Saxon,
I wonder how many others only carry 5 rounds in their carriers that were built for 6.

I'm much worse than that. A few years ago my 1970s vintage speed strip broke inhalf (almost). So being old and cheap, I didn't want to throw the longer half away. So it still held 3 of them very well. To soothe my hoarders guilt, I tossed out the short part that would only hold 2 rounds. And I've carried the shorty with 3 in it off and on. Its proven more than adequate.

I'm figuring if the first 5 don't do the trick, I need to be hightailing it out of where ever anyway. Its why I dumped my 870 years ago and moved to a double. I discovered if I didn't hit the critter with the first shot, the 2nd was almost always a waste, and the subsequent shots were just out of frustration. I've since considered that maybe my shooting skills improved from my teen years, and moving up to a 12 from a 20 helped. Regardless, I feel well armed with 5 shots in a J frame. I don't need 15 in a bottom feeder, nor do I feel I'll ever need a second and third mag for one. As far as I can tell, we're not at war around where I live. When I hear its been declared, I won't be toting just a J anyhow.

 

[bettis1]

I understand your logic, Dick. But I'm a lot closer to a war zone down here than you are If anyone ever comes up with a belt fed J frame, I've got a market for them.

Bob

 

[Art Doc]

I have heard the argument for loading 6 in the strip with a J Frame. I don't do anything without a reason.

This is why I load only 5 in my J Frame strips:

1. I routinely pack a 6 shot 357 or the 5 shot 38. I have loaded strips for both in the drawer. With 5 in the 38 units I can instantly ID which to grab on my way out the door.

2. I have fat fingers and the extra room afforded by the empty space helps me in manipulating them during the reloading process.

3. I am conscious of the weight of the extra gear I am packing. Two loaded rounds of ammo (I usually carry a pair of strips) isn't much, but I like to shed every ounce I can. When packing the J Frame that means I am going light weight on gun because I am also going LW on dress so I don't want to carry more than necessary.

The truth is that I doubt reloading would be an issue. Statistics show that 99% of the time criminals are fleeing after one shot fired by a citizen. The average person is highly unlikely to get into a firefight requiring a reload under pressure.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Saxon,

If everyone will forgive an off topic question, I found your first picture of that one that your rescued to be interesting. I see that you, like many of us, carry a speed strip with reloads. For a while I also only carried 5 rounds in it simply because of the easy logic that only 5 would fit in the revolver. Then it occurred to me that adding another round would not, in any way, hinder me in reloading the first 5, but would give me an additional round, if needed, at no extra effort. Acknowledging that the likelihood that any of us non-sworn individuals will ever need the eleventh round is astronomical, I wonder how many others only carry 5 rounds in their carriers that were built for 6.

Bob

Let me respond to this with a few questions:

1. Is 6 rounds more than 5?

2. Is it better to need the 6th round and not have it than to have it and not need it?

3. Do six rounds constitute more additional bulk and weight so it would make any difference over 5?

4. Will having a 6th round in a speed strip hinder the reloading of the revolver in any way?

5. What is the capacity of the speed strip?

6. Will the Gods of reloading not smile on you if you carry 6 instead of 5? Or will they?

7. What to give the 11th bad guy for his trouble?

8. What's a brain for?

And finally:

9. What would Jeff Cooper do?

Now, back to our regularly scheduled program.

John

 

[Art Doc]

1. Is 6 rounds more than 5? NOT GREAT AT MATH BUT I BELIEVE THE ANSWER IS YES.

2. Is it better to need the 6th round and not have it than to have it and not need it? NO. BUT THE QUESTION IS WOULD ONE EVER ACTUALLY NEED A 6TH ROUND? THE VAST MAJORITY OF CIVILIAN GUNFIGHTS ARE OVER AFTER 1 - 3 SHOTS.

3. Do six rounds constitute more additional bulk and weight so it would make any difference over 5? IMO, YES. I WANT TO JETTISON AS MUCH WEIGHT AS I CAN IN MY POCKETS.

4. Will having a 6th round in a speed strip hinder the reloading of the revolver in any way? IME, YES. WITH MY FAT FINGERS I CAN WORK IT EASIER IF I HAVE MORE GRIPPING SPACE.

5. What is the capacity of the speed strip? 6

6. Will the Gods of reloading not smile on you if you carry 6 instead of 5? Or will they? I DON'T BELIEVE IN FALSE GODS

7. What to give the 11th bad guy for his trouble? HIGHLY UNLIKELY AN ARMED CITIZEN WILL EVER FIND HIMSELF IN SUCH A SITUATION. THE AVERAGE PERSON FACING 11+ ARMED ATTACKERS PROBABLY NEEDS MORE HELP THAN CAN BE PROVIDED BY 1 OR 2 ROUNDS OF 38 SPECIAL AMMO. I CAN JUST IMAGINE FIRING 5 ROUNDS, RELOADING, FIRING ANOTHER FIVE, AND THEN TRYING TO RELOAD AGAIN WITH A SINGLE CARTRIDGE BEING ALL I HAD AVAILABLE. BETTER OFF TRYING TO UNDONKEY THE AREA.

8. What's a brain for? IS THIS SERIOUS QUESTION?

And finally:

9. What would Jeff Cooper do? HE WOULD HAVE A 1911 COLT LOADED WITH 225 GRAIN SWC LEAD BULLETS OVER 7 GRAINS OF UNIQUE.

 

[photoman]

Saxon,

If everyone will forgive an off topic question, I found your first picture of that one that your rescued to be interesting. I see that you, like many of us, carry a speed strip with reloads. For a while I also only carried 5 rounds in it simply because of the easy logic that only 5 would fit in the revolver. Then it occurred to me that adding another round would not, in any way, hinder me in reloading the first 5, but would give me an additional round, if needed, at no extra effort. Acknowledging that the likelihood that any of us non-sworn individuals will ever need the eleventh round is astronomical, I wonder how many others only carry 5 rounds in their carriers that were built for 6.

Bob

I find that the sixth round does "hinder" my ability to manipulate the speed strip. That is to say, I can handle a reload better with more rubber to hold on to. Therefore, I carry five rounds in the speed strip, in a Galco 2x2x2 belt holster.

 

[photoman]

1. Is 6 rounds more than 5? Depends on if'n you're using that "new math" or not.

2. Is it better to need the 6th round and not have it than to have it and not need it? It's better to not need ANY rounds.

3. Do six rounds constitute more additional bulk and weight so it would make any difference over 5? A 20% increase is significant.

4. Will having a 6th round in a speed strip hinder the reloading of the revolver in any way? Yes. It's easier to handle a six round speed strip loaded with five rounds.

5. What is the capacity of the speed strip? Depends on which one you buy.

6. Will the Gods of reloading not smile on you if you carry 6 instead of 5? Or will they? I would have to go to hell and ask them but that's not in my travel plans.

7. What to give the 11th bad guy for his trouble? A penny for his thoughts.

8. What's a brain for? If a brain was for anything practical, we wouldn't be in the mess we're in!

And finally:

9. What would Jeff Cooper do? He'd probably tell us not to worry so much.

 

[31Kilo]

Keeping it goin..........

 

[elkhunt]

I posted this elsewhere and have gotten no feed back... I will give it a try here.

I came across a Model 42 today and could use a little sage advice. I am new and a novice, and frankly this was the first one I have seen since I was a kid not paying any attention (so I have no frame of reference). The SN places it in 1973 (as per the definitive thread). When I first picked it up I thought it had been refinished, the alloy frame is a very deep, dark, glossy black and has very little wear. The steel cylinder is a more typical blue, thinner and less of a polished look. Over all there is little wear, almost none, which led me to wonder about the finish on the alloy. The logo can be "felt" and does not appear to be worn by refinishing, the grips have lost some varnish in a few small spots. They are the low horn, smooth type. It has no box and the price is $499. Is what I have described accurate for an issued, non re-finished M42? Your thoughts on the price? Thanks in advance.

 

[photoman]

I posted this elsewhere and have gotten no feed back... I will give it a try here.

I came across a Model 42 today and could use a little sage advice. I am new and a novice, and frankly this was the first one I have seen since I was a kid not paying any attention (so I have no frame of reference). The SN places it in 1973 (as per the definitive thread). When I first picked it up I thought it had been refinished, the alloy frame is a very deep, dark, glossy black and has very little wear. The steel cylinder is a more typical blue, thinner and less of a polished look. Over all there is little wear, almost none, which led me to wonder about the finish on the alloy. The logo can be "felt" and does not appear to be worn by refinishing, the grips have lost some varnish in a few small spots. They are the low horn, smooth type. It has no box and the price is $499. Is what I have described accurate for an issued, non re-finished M42? Your thoughts on the price? Thanks in advance.

Sounds like some of the Model 042's I've seen. I'm not sure what kind of finish that is on the alloy part of the gun. Most of the Model 12's I've seen have the same type of finish.

 

[Mike I]

Yahoo, my new 42

I got it. Traded Glock 19 and got $50 to boot. Bluing is perfect except for wear on a couple of the cylinder lands where the gun must have laid for many years. Tall horn grip number matche, 5 screw, serial 12,2xx. Cleaned it up, trigger feels great. Will take some pictures and post.
Also got a box of ammo and a tooled leather holster with thumb break.

Mike I

 

[Engine49guy]

 

[Malysh]

A Mod 40 lettered from 1961, sold to the original Charles Daly company, N.Y.
Note the 4 screw frame discontinued starting in 1957. The frame is stamped Mod 40.

I recently sold this gun to pay some high veterinarian bills for my dog Gunny (see avatar). The shine on the right side profile picture is not wear, it's poor photography.

I did hold on to my low 4 digit Centennial Airweight (lock screw) and my Mod 640. Something had to go, so it was this one.

 

[Planer's Edge]

I recently acquired what I believe is a "vintage" model 40. It looks exactly like the pictures above.

How do I go about dating and valueing this handgun for insurance purposes?

I appears to be serial number #3199. This number is stamped into the gun in a couple of different locations...at the bottom of the butt of the grip...under side of the barrel when the cylinder is opened.

But, under the cylinder pivot is a different number stamped into the frame. This number is #3796 with a "W" above it and 1 "5" below it.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

John

 

[SDH]

I'm a little late to the party but like the guns as much as anyone. This is #171 and was shipped later that you might think, July 17, 1953 to Union Hardware Co., Los Angeles, CA. The 2", blue, smoooth walnut high horn grips are just as they came out of the factory.

Hangin' with some relatives...

Safety .32 Bicycle

 

[PALADIN85020]

Decisions, decisions... What shall I pack today???

John

 

[Mike I]

Grips ?

I got it. Traded Glock 19 and got $50 to boot. Bluing is perfect except for wear on a couple of the cylinder lands where the gun must have laid for many years. Tall horn grip number matche, 5 screw, serial 12,2xx. Cleaned it up, trigger feels great. Will take some pictures and post.
Also got a box of ammo and a tooled leather holster with thumb break.

Mike I

I need help finding a boot type grip for my new, old M42. The high horn grip are perfect, but I want a boot type grip to enjoy shooting more. Any ideas where I would find some to fit. Will try to post some pics. Thanks.

Mike I

 

[dontgetbit]

I'm glad I found this thread and hope I can get some ideas on how to return my grandfathers Model 42 to a respectable condition.

This gun was his daily carry and was in a house fire about 3 years ago. The damage was all water related and there was quite a bit of wear on the finish from his daily use. I would love to refinish the gun to original if possible.

Serial # L71XX

I did fire the gun yesterday and it functions fine. The safety is very tight but having never fired it, this may be normal.

 

[S&W Rover]

Model 42 on the Web

FWIW, Bud's Guns has some "new" Model 42's on their web page for sale as of 4 June 2012. I asked where they came from, and was told "from a large distributor who sold his stocks." Price is $535.

Search term to find them on the Bud's page is "150502"

I am not connected with Bud's Guns in any way -- giving them a "plug" here because the happen to have this special Centennial in stock when no one else does (it is discontinued by S&W). My guess is the ones Bud's is selling were made in 2008-2009 or so. I don't know how many they have in inventory -- it could be only one more. I bought one last night. SOLD OUT BY 7 JUNE 2012.

 

[revolvergeek]

I just lucked into this old fellow and put him on layaway. It is a Pre-40, has a 4 digit serial number and is the oldest Centennial that I have ever personally encountered.