Thoughts on the model 642

[f2]

i've got a few j-frames and now that i think about it, my no-lock 642-1 purchased 8.8.8 is my favorite. also have a pre-lock no-dash 342 titanium cylinder airlite that was refinished in pd black by s&w and though it's in contention, the 642 edges it out by a hair (no shrouded bbl). i use hoppe's #9 on the cylinder and no problems with the frame finish.

both wear these grips:

Hogue Bantam Grips with Top Finger Groove S&W J-Frame Round Butt Rubber Black, midwayusa.com/, $18.99

absorbs +p speer gold dot 135 gr kick all day.

 

[Dale53]

My daily carry is a 642 with the larger (#305) Crimson Trace Grips. It rides nicely in my right front pocket.

My carry load is the FBI (158 gr hollow point lead) +P load. I practice with wadcutters but finish up with the heavier loads in a practice session:

If you believe in using reloads for self defense, then these are about as good as it gets:

158 gr pentagonal hollow points cast of 1/20 lead/tin and pushed by a +P load of powder.

Dale53

 

[opr1945]

I got one for my wife and it has been great.

Middle one.

I tried to trade my wife for one, but couldn't find anybody willing to take her in trade. So I still have her. You are a lucky guy!

 

[DanWales]

I've had one for about 3 years now. Great little defense pistol that is easy to carry. For sure it is not a range gun you take to shoot a couple boxes when you go. Recoil is a little stout.

It was designed to shoot very short ranges and it does that very well. I have several hundred rounds down range not a single problem. It carries very nice in a Cross Breed Super Tuck holster carries in my vehicles real nice and comfortable.

I have seen a good shot clean a shooting star with it in competition of course he was a very good shot, but the little pistol does surprise you after you have some time with it.

I definitely do not feel under gunned at all with it when I carry.

Dan

 

[Grog]

Those are pretty

If you believe in using reloads for self defense, then these are about as good as it gets:

158 gr pentagonal hollow points cast of 1/20 lead/tin and pushed by a +P load of powder.

Dale53

 

[pippala]

I purchased a 642-2 S/N CNS02xx from the internet (mid 2014) for total cost of $436. The trigger was heavy of course but I dismissed that. Under duress, with adrenalin pumping, it won't matter for close up shoot from the hip, gut shots. Consider replacing at a minimum the rebound slide spring. This is the trigger return spring and that is all it must do: return the trigger to a forward position for a second shot. The spring of most concern is the main (hammer) spring which determines the force of the hammer on the firing pin. If you reduce it, you must reduce the firing pin spring also, and for good measure replace the firing pin with a longer one to ensure a good primer strike. I replaced all components with the Apex J frame Duty/ Carry Spring kit ($26) Link:https://store.apextactical.com/WebDirect/Products/Details/192058
There is an good UTUBE video link on their website. I also purchased a rebound slide removal tool from http://gunsmithertools.com/smithmaster-trigger-spring . You may only use it once (sell it if you like later on ebay) but it makes installing the trigger rebound slide very easy. The trigger rebound slide encloses the trigger return spring. I have not verified performance, ie, 100% primer set-offs. Just be organized and keep everything separated. Crimson Trace has redesigned a new green laser grip for the round butt J-Frame: MOD: LG 350G. It looks extremely well designed but be prepared to wait for availability. Regarding S&W quality. When I removed the side plate, I found the hammer had worn deep grooves in the side plate from numerous dry fires. The top of the hammer moves back in a groove cut into the top of the frame. The machining was poor and left a bump in the groove near the firing pin. Testing it, I found this caused a perceptible bump in the trigger pull. I smoothed these defects out with a dremmel tool (use a felt tip and polishing compound). Advise everybody to get one marked as from the S&W Performance Center. I'm assuming these guys are top gunsmiths and would turn back poor machining, because it has their Department name on it.

 

[pippala]

I like the Hornady Critical Defense Lite 90 grain poly tip hollow point. Energy equals mass times velocity squared. In other words, mass or bullet weight has a less an impact on energy than velocity (which is squared). A good example is the 55 gn .233. Low mass but high velocity. Low bullet weight reduces recoil for follow-up shots. The point is to hit first. And for that you need laser grips: The Crimson Trace LG 350G (green) grips appear (in photos) to be extremely well designed. Using a Lasersight 38 spl (laser boresight) I found the cylinder/ barrel alignment varies at 30 feet from chamber to chamber. This is a quality/machining issue. It may swage the bullet on one side or the other as it enters the forcing cone, and not affect anything at short distances. but zero the laser in to point of aim using a target.

 

[pippala]

This is the red laser which is great for night but washes out in sunlight. I have one. It is a good design ergonomically: the front activation button is well placed in a finger groove and the longer grip length is perfect for control. The new LG 350G grips are better (green laser) in design by looking at the photos, but be prepared to wait or availability. And it's not usually a good idea to get first production anything.

 

[papajohn428]

I don't get too wrapped up in energy figures, velocity being squared skews the numbers too much in favor of light/fast rounds, which may not achieve the penetration needed to get into the plumbing. I'm more likely to go with a heavier bullet that actually expands a bit over some wunderkind bullet that creates a shallow wound and just makes the bad guy madder. Proven loads like the 158-grain SWC/HP have a great track record, and my own testing bears out those results.

I spent four years and around $4000 of my own money testing loads in numerous calibers in wetpack and water jugs, and to me, the faster/lighter loads often leave a lot to be desired. You might be up against a 98-pound crackhead, but it also might be a drunken 350-pound Samoan Wrestler who goes by the name Tiny. I'd rather have too much penetration than not enough. My 642 is stoked with 158-grain FBI loads because I TRUST them far more than the Boutique bullets at $1 a shot.

 

[Goldstar225]

The 642 (and 442) is perhaps the most recommended and carried .38 snubby in modern times. Mine has served as my back up gun for the last 12-13 years and as a sometimes off duty weapon during the same period. It is not for the person who is unwilling to practice. The light weight, heavy trigger and short sight radius make it more challenging to shoot well. In practiced hands however it's capable of far greater accuracy and effective range than most are willing to admit.