I just bought a 642 this past weekend. I went with the intention of getting a small carry gun as I already have several automatics. It's a great gun that you can carry without a problem. It won't hurt keeping automatic mags loaded over time, but the bottom line is carry what you're comfortable with.

These snubbies require quite a bit of practice to get any good with. I've shot this 642 a lot and I'm finally to the point where I can keep 5 rapid fire shots in a 5 - 6" circle from 10 feet. But I'll say this, too: the more I shoot this little revolver, the more I like it.

i shot a friends the other day. SO smooth. I wasn't very accurate with it though. I think after alot of practice i'll be better. I couldnt figure out the proper hand positioning for a revolver. it's odd. Also i think if i got one it would have the rubber grlips, he had the wood. it looked nice though.

Originally Posted by skoro

These snubbies require quite a bit of practice to get any good with. I've shot this 642 a lot and I'm finally to the point where I can keep 5 rapid fire shots in a 5 - 6" circle from 10 feet. But I'll say this, too: the more I shoot this little revolver, the more I like it.

I have 3 S&W snubbies, soon to be joined by 4th! I ordered a S&W317 to practice with at home. I am setting up Champion bullet trap with 3" thick plywood backing around it in garage. I will be practicing with CCI CBs (for limited penetration, aware they will still be loud.) I get to Indoor Range Club twice a month and fire the .38s. I ordered grips for the 317 that match the other snubbies. That should give me a pretty good feel for practice. Gun is only 10 ounces and has a 10-12 pound trigger pull. I figure that if I can learn to handle that, I should have a field day with the 642! If you are realistic about SD range and accuracy requirements, I think a good .38 snubbie is hard to beat. I don't fire .357s in my guns. Again, be practical about what you can handle. I am not into self inflicted pain.

Very interesting....I currently own 3 guns...An XD45 service...an XD9 service and Ruger GP100 357....

The 357 is definitely a home/car/range gun...The XD45 was my very first handgun fired/owned...I usually carry it with me in the car, but have never carried it ON me...The XD9 I bought for possible CCW and I want to get into some comp shooting...The 9 and 45 seem bulky and harder to CCW with my normal clothes in warm weather...I have been seriously looking at the 38 special airlite snubby smiths...On first thought of how the gun looks, I prefer the hammer version, but for conceal and smooth draw it makes sense for the shrouded hammer...A friend of mine is an Indiana State Trooper and carries the 642 as a backup in an ankle holster..he said he LOVES the gun...Recoil is reasonable he said...

I am seriously considering a 642 in a pocket holster and/or ankle holster..

Willy

I would really consider getting larger grips for the 642. Since it is a car gun then concealment is not an issue. Full sized hogue rubber grips will improve your gun handling quite a bit. If you plan on carrying the gun in a pocket holster then you should stay with the smaller boot grips.

I have a 642 and I recently put the full sized hogue rubber grips on it and my next range session was much better in every sense of the word. Also one of my regular carry guns is a model 60- I put full sized hogue wood grips on it and have never looked back. Concealment is not really more difficult with the larger grips, the weapon is easier to draw and easier to shoot.

I shot my 1917 Luger for the first time today, but not with the ammo that was loaded in it. It is FN 9 MM with a 1951 headstamp and it may have been in the magazine that long. Replaced it with WWB and the pistol and magazine functioned perfectly. Didn't shoot it much because didn't want to damage the wooden bottomed magazine, but I'm convinced that keeping a mag loaded for extended periods of time does no damage.

Went to a local store and actually looked at a model 638 and it had the laser grips on it...They want 650.00 for it (new)...It is a black version...I like the look of it and the feel of the gun...I like the laser grips because in low light or even in a quick situation where you cannot get it up high enough for a good sight line, once the laser hits the spot you need, you can pull the trigger and be on target...I also like the fact that the 638 has the shrouded hammer and yet you can still cock it to shoot SA if you want to...I realize that in almost all situations you woud shoot it in DA, but the SA is still an option and the shrouded hammer makes it a quick snag free draw...

Willy

Sounds like that 638 has your name on it. When are you going to pick it up?

I'm not sure...I dont have all the cash at the moment to get it...Might put it on layaway just to lock it in....may have all the cash in a few weeks...

What do you guys recommend for a holster?...I can't decide...IWB, ankle or a pocket holster...I still want to get myself conditioned to carry the 9mm too...I need to get a good conceal holster for that..The blackhawk serpa is a decent holster and will work good for competition, but it does not tuck it up tight to conceal great under a Tshirt


Willy

BUMP....

Opinions on holsters and how to carry the little smith...

Willy

Originally Posted by wjh2657

I use 642 in Mika pocket holster for hot weather and 60 in a Bianchi IWB for cooler weather. I shoot 38Spl (Normal Pressure) in both. Accuracy at 15-25 yards is not my concern. Anything over 7-10 yards is going down as a mutual gunfight, not Self-defense in civil court. I spent thirty years on active duty in the USMC and have no illusions or ego trip hangups about proving myself top gun to anyone. The BG is going to have to a very imminent threat and close before I clear leather. 5-5-5 prevails, 5 shots, fast and close! Instead of bullseyes at 25 yards , snubbies are for paper plates at 15 feet! Nothing wrong with that, it is how the real nightmare is most likely going to come down! Tricked out 1911's with speed holsters and IPSC tactics aren't worth a hoot when you are being rushed for a carjacking in East Nashville! The little guys will save your bacon and get you home.

Have since added S&W 640 for cold weather pocket carry and a Taurus 85 UltraLight DAO with bobbed hammer for alternate summer duty gun. Retired S&W 60 to house gun. I'm getting older and need simpler systems, the little DAO snubbies are perfect for me.

There really is no easy answer to this one. A Pocket holsters for a lightweight j-frame works best if you normally wear pleated pants or a jacket with good pockets. I found that when I wear standard jeans the pocket holster was uncomfortable and seemed too obvious. Pocket carry for an airweight j-frame is extremely popular.

Ankle holsters can be great but getting the right fit can be hard. Any little wiggle when you walk will eventually drive you nuts. Also you have to practice your draw quite a bit.

A good strong side leather belt holster can be very easy way to carry your j-frame, although many will point out, correctly, that you can carry a larger highter capacity weapon in this manner just as easily.

Same thing with the a good IWB holster. It is an easy way to conceal your j-frame but you can conceal a larger weapon almost as easily so why limit yourself to a j-frame?

I started with a good leather belt holster. When funds permitted I bought a pocket holster and then an IWB holster. I have used all of them, depending upon the circumstances and my clothing. I have found that I am still the most comfortable carrying my j-frame on a strong side belt holster. The great thing about a j-frame is that you can carry it in so many different ways, provided that you have the right gear.

OK...Thanks...I got a while before I actually get the gun and then I will probably decide then...

Willy

Some auto pistol mag springs will go bad if left loaded for a long time. It depends on the gun and mag. My 229 has this problem. However my glock dose not. Just leave them loaded -1 round. The springs will then last nearly forever! Alas I did just pick up a little 638 Smith j frame. Best pocket rocket made! Love the noise and anger that a +p gold dot round makes leaving that short barrel! I like the shrouded hammer as well. It just seems to balance in my hand better than a dao smith. Plus I can draw it from my pocket with no snagging. Even when wearing sweatpants! All hail the snubbie!




R

Originally Posted by RAINS

Some auto pistol mag springs will go bad if left loaded for a long time.

Springs wear out from the act of compression and decompression, not compression alone.

-Jeff-

Picked it up last night and put 50 rounds through it...I put a pic of the gun on my gallery but can't put another pic (target) today....

anyway..I didnt do too bad with it...I shot it at about 25 ft. I got the laser grips, but shot better with the plain old sites..It is a handful to shoot. I am sure at real world SD distance I can put all 5 rounds in COM

Willy

http://www.handgunforum.net/gallery/...t&limit=recent

Nice looking revolvers. Was it hard to sight in the laser sights?

Actually the gun shop I bought it from told me that since these were installed from Smith that usually they are right on the money...I tried a few rounds with the lasers and was way off...I figured I would shoot with the regular sights and get used to it and then see if I turn the light on if it is where I am aiming with the iron sights...With that very short sight radius, the slightest amount off at the gun translates to way off with the beam..I dunno...

Willy

The 642 should serve you well.

i have a mod. 36, just got it at a show last weekend. My oueston is will it be ok to have it loaded with +p's for defense purpose only. Its not rated for that but i was told it wont hurt anything, only shoot the hot rds. if you have to ie. protection.

Originally Posted by james 47

i have a mod. 36, just got it at a show last weekend. My oueston is will it be ok to have it loaded with +p's for defense purpose only. Its not rated for that but i was told it wont hurt anything, only shoot the hot rds. if you have to ie. protection.

I think you already have a good answer to your question. Practice with standard loads, carry +P's for self-defense. The Model 36 cannot tolerate a steady diet of +P's.

I have a 38+P J frame, was the first hand gun I ever purchased, I agree with the last couple of posts, it does take some practice to be able to group with it. The +P's also kick pretty good out of mine (air weight) it almost stings my hand in the web between the thumb and forefinger after I shoot multiple times. I have had no problems with it, light to carry, and I am sure I would not feel the kick of the +P's if I needed it for protection.

Originally Posted by jeb21

I would really consider getting larger grips for the 642. Since it is a car gun then concealment is not an issue. Full sized hogue rubber grips will improve your gun handling quite a bit. If you plan on carrying the gun in a pocket holster then you should stay with the smaller boot grips.

I have a 642 and I recently put the full sized hogue rubber grips on it and my next range session was much better in every sense of the word. Also one of my regular carry guns is a model 60- I put full sized hogue wood grips on it and have never looked back. Concealment is not really more difficult with the larger grips, the weapon is easier to draw and easier to shoot.

Bumping an oldie.

About grips... I really like my j-frame 642; it is the perfect pocket pistol. However, when I first got it, I thought it would be impossible to acquire aiming proficiency - very depressing after a happy life with a Browning HiPower, a very accurate Walther PP .32 auto and some 6" .22s. I was all over the place with the first 25 rounds, my hand smarted and, before a few range trips, I managed to miss a copperhead with five tries at less than 10-feet. Really depressing.

A friend sent me some j-frame grips he had sitting around - large Hogue rubber and small knurled wooden grips. Since I hated shooting with the factory rubber grips I changed to the large Hogues. Guess what? My accuracy improved, my hand felt fine after 50-rounds and the gun no longer fit in my pocket. Next up were the small wooden grips. Shots all over the place, my hand got sore and I hated them. I never bother to see how the gun fit in my pocket because I HATED those grips. So I went back to the factory grips which, after the woodie-classics, seemed pretty tame. Right then the old man was watching me shoot and he gave me two pieces of advice:

1) lose the one-handed grip (cause you're not shooting from a big frame) and extend the non-trigger index finger alongside and in front of the trigger guard; and 2) grip the gun as high up the back as possible.

Pow. Tight groups at 7 yards and no hand discomfort after 50 rounds of 158gr ammo. Very encouraged, now. After another 150-200 rounds the trigger improved (or my understanding of it did - or both) and I tried the small wood grips again. They've been on ever since. If I carry IWB it's going to be a 9mm but the 642 is THEE pocket gun.

Now, this is true. I came back from the range Saturday and had a loaded Sig P938 on my hip and an empty 642 in the carry-bag. And, lo and behold, there lay a 2-foot copperhead stretched out in the dirt road in front of the house, right where I walk my dog. I backed off 20-feet and sent it flying with one shot. OK, so I admit the snake was already run over by a car and totally dead but I still nailed it from 20-feet. OK - so I used the Sig. But had the 642 been loaded I am fairly sure I could have popped it. Next time.