Thinking about a model 40 or a 642

[ryland]

So I've been thinking a lot about buying a model 40 lemon squeezer. My reasons are I think it would be perfect to keep in my night stand loaded and not have to worry (well too much) about my three year old shooting herself if she happened to get to it. It has extra weight and is hammerless so I can teach my wife to use it easily. I can also keep it in my car and take it out camping and enjoy the smaller size to pack and again the additional safty of having the backstrap safty. Any downfalls to this gun or holes in my logic?

The only reason why I have been thinking about the 642 is I saw one at my local gun shop for what I think is a good price $380 as I recall. Is that a good price? I can still teach my wife to use it and do all the other things I talked about but there is no additional security unless I get a lock box or something for the nightstand. Also it is lighter which will make it a little more difficult to shoot for my wife.

I'd love to hear your opinions guys!

 

[P&R Fan]

That's a good deal on the M642. They're very good guns as, I'm sure is the M40, although I don't own one.
If it's a home defense gun I'd recommend something a bit bigger. A K or L-Frame would be a better choice in my opinion. Especially for your Wife if she's not as skilled in gun handling. The J-Frames make great carry guns, but a home defense gun doesn't need to be that small.

 

[H Richard]

One of the easy open safes are better protection for your daughter, as in just 3 years she will be 6 and curious. The grip safety could be manipulated by a 6 yr old with effort.

 

[jjay]

Just picked a unfired M 40 couple months ago. I also own the 442, blue version of the 642. If you want to carry then go with the airweight. I picked up the 40 steel frame as more of a shooter because its heavier. The grip saftey takes some adjustment and a T grip added makes this a fine shooter. As mention by P&R Fan a larger frame would be a better choice especially with a longer 4" barrel if you're not Conceal Carrying. Good luck in your choice. I would also suggest you and your wife taking a self defense shooting class.

 

[ADP3]

No matter which handgun you purchase please consider a drawer-size gun safe. Many run under $100 and have keyless entry for quick access. I used one for years while my daughter and son were growing up and it gave me a lot of peace of mind knowing that they could not access that nightstand gun. The other guns stayed in the safe or locked glove box. My kids are grown now and have more guns than me. They follow the same safe storage procedures that I did. It is a good legacy to pass on.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[adwjc]

Ryland, stop and think a minute - if the grip safety was such a great safety feature, why was it dropped from production?

It was determined to be a useless affectation. I have a 42 (from 1974) which is a nice revolver except for one thing, every time I shoot it I bruise or cut the web of my hand on that safety lever.

Go with a modern 642 or 442, don't be lulled into a false sense of safety relying on that lever, you need to exercise caution and insure that no child can access that gun. Use a safe or lock if it is unattended.

BTW, a new one also gets you the lifetime warranty.

 

[Waywatcher]

This thread is old, but I'll add my thoughts:

As a parent, I consider every gun I own to be loaded, even if I know it isn't. I also consider all of my guns to have a hair trigger--even though it might be a 12lb double action. Accordingly, I lock up all my guns at home. CCW is always on my person unless it is in the safe. I use this to have quick access to my home defense gun:

Stay safe,

 

[colt_saa]

My feelings about the 40 is similar to sdwjc. Truth is the grip safety worked so poorly that many folks would drill a hole and pin it. This practice became so common that S&W began to pre-drill the holes.

I own one model 40 and only because it is pretty.

If you must have a steel centennial, buy a 640.

I like the Centennial design for pocket and purse. Truthfully I can not understand why anyone would want one for a house gun. Concealment is a non-issue.

A K-frame or larger will have less felt recoil and usually holds more rounds, up to 8 shots of 357 Magnum.

Your fooling yourself if you think a grip safety will keep a curious child from firing the revolver. Yes today at age 3 there may not be enough strength or coordination to do it, but what about age 6 or 9 or 12?

All you are doing is delaying the decision between teaching your child safety or locking it up or both