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S&W Model 642. Any feedback on this hammerless 38?
self ^ | 4/9/2020 | Self

Posted on 04/09/2020 11:52:02 AM PDT by know.your.why

I'm seriously looking at this little five shot revolver and would appreciate any insight into its reputation. Thank you.

Pic at link.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Education; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: banglist; cc; selfdefense
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To: know.your.why; All

Thanks to all posters. It’s your life, why not protect it? BUMP!


21 posted on 04/09/2020 12:14:42 PM PDT by PGalt (Past Peak Civilization?)
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To: know.your.why
As with all very short barreled snub nose handguns, you should think carefully about ammo. The reason is that most ammo is designed for longer barrels. Some ammo is designed for short barreled handguns.

Your choice is either a significantly limited ammo selection to choose from or something that performs far below the manufacturer (and reviews) in terms of stopping power.

Another aspect of using regular ammo will sending a huge amount of unburned powder out the barrel and watching it burn. Some manufacturers load low flash powder, which keeps you from being blinded in dark or twilight situations.

Short barrel implies a very limited site radius so long range accuracy is not what this is designed for. That is not a problem as long as you don't take long distance shots, know what you are doing and have practices a lot/

Many manufacturers but Buffalo Bore makes some short barrel low flash ammo in a variety of calibers including .38 Special and .357 Mag. A number of major gun stores and Internet sellers carry that brand.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=146

22 posted on 04/09/2020 12:14:54 PM PDT by Robert357
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To: Magnum44

That must make it easier to get back on target. A short .357 must be hard to get back after the first shot.


23 posted on 04/09/2020 12:16:02 PM PDT by Vermont Lt
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To: Disambiguator

Yes I already looked at them

Nothing for a shoulder holster for a J frame triggerless.

also would prefer webbing.


24 posted on 04/09/2020 12:18:56 PM PDT by Chickensoup (Voter ID for 2020!! Leftists totalitarian fascists appear to be planning to eradicate conservatives)
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To: Chickensoup

Desantis has a material holster with no pants clip. The material sticks to your skin. Just carried a S&W J frame hammerless (without the dumb lock) today.

Board shorts
Appendix carry

Walked two miles in 86 degrees to pick up my car from the dealership.
It doesn’t slip
Low profile
+p .38 special hollow points

Get a high grip on it and is manageable recoil.
Perfect.

It is my go to set up for summer board shorts and t-shirt. You’d never know I have it UNLESS a strong wind in my face plasters my t-shirt snugly against my chest and abs. Even then, is low profile.

It’s not always reasonable to carry the 1911


25 posted on 04/09/2020 12:19:48 PM PDT by SheepWhisperer (My enemy saw me on my knees, head bowed and thought they had won until I rose up and said Amen!)
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To: Magnum44

I’m impressed...

And I thought 60 lbs was annoying.

5.56mm


26 posted on 04/09/2020 12:21:10 PM PDT by M Kehoe (DRAIN THE SWAMP! Finish THE WALL!)
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To: SheepWhisperer

Nice, I have a pant holster that works as well. Want an underjacket holster.

Hard to find.


27 posted on 04/09/2020 12:21:27 PM PDT by Chickensoup (Voter ID for 2020!! Leftists totalitarian fascists appear to be planning to eradicate conservatives)
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To: Magnum44
Lol! I see that☺ i was referring to the OP.
28 posted on 04/09/2020 12:23:40 PM PDT by Afterguard (Deplorable me!)
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To: Vermont Lt

They still make the Sigma, so your statement is invalid. :P


29 posted on 04/09/2020 12:24:12 PM PDT by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: M Kehoe
Those are my Monday guns. These are my Tuesday guns...


30 posted on 04/09/2020 12:25:59 PM PDT by Magnum44 (My comprehensive terrorism plan: Hunt them down and kill them.)
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To: know.your.why

My brother has owned one for ~20 years with zero complaints.


31 posted on 04/09/2020 12:26:17 PM PDT by rockrr ( Everything is different now...)
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To: Chickensoup

I’m not only an old guy, but an old school guy. I would probably look until I could find an older model without the lock. But it’s still a great gun, even with the lock.

A good holster will hold the gun in place. You may be looking for something with a strap, but unless you spend a lot of time upside down, a good leather holster and most kydex holsters will retain the gun during pretty vigorous activity. Being old school, I’d go with leather. They aren’t cheap, though.


32 posted on 04/09/2020 12:26:36 PM PDT by Cincinnatus.45-70 (What do DemocRats enjoy more than a truckload of dead babies? Unloading them with a pitchfork!)
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To: Disambiguator

Simply Rugged is a great choice!


33 posted on 04/09/2020 12:27:32 PM PDT by Cincinnatus.45-70 (What do DemocRats enjoy more than a truckload of dead babies? Unloading them with a pitchfork!)
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To: know.your.why

Though not a 642, I’ve had a number of J frames and am sure you’d be happy with it depending on what you’re using it for. You might also consider the aluminum model 638, which has a shrouded rather than internal hammer. No snag, but you can use it single action as well as double, which is my preference. My preference in the model 60 which is a 357 but has a 3 inch (5 too if you can find one used), but stainless steel so heavier. And of course it has the hammer.


34 posted on 04/09/2020 12:27:44 PM PDT by SJackson (blow in a dogÂ’s face, he gets mad at you, car ride; he sticks his head out the window)
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To: know.your.why

Having owned and fired both I much prefer the Ruger LCR. The Ruger engineers designed this gun with a new type of lockworks that that results in a much smoother, lighter double-action trigger pull than the venerable 642. Since I got the LCR the 642 has become a safe queen.


35 posted on 04/09/2020 12:32:58 PM PDT by 43north (Its hard to stop a man when he knows he's right and he keeps coming.)
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To: know.your.why

Before you plunk your money down on the Smith take a look at the Ruger LCR, which can be had in an aluminum .38 version or a stainless .357(which is heavier).

The .357 Ruger is a matte black stainless which I think is an advantage in making the gun less visible.

Both the Smith and the Ruger can be ordered with a Crimson Trace laser in the grip, green is highly recommended for better visibility outdoors.

The Ruger gets very good reviews for its trigger which is important in a shrouded hammer revolver.

You can not go wrong with either one.


36 posted on 04/09/2020 12:38:49 PM PDT by CurlyDave
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To: know.your.why

I’m a S & W collector (primarily 1982 and earlier revolvers) and have toured S & W plant twice. Don’t claim to be an expert and just have preferences like everyone else. Would strongly recommend you compare the trigger pull of the Ruger LCR vs S & W 642. You be the judge,


37 posted on 04/09/2020 12:41:14 PM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
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To: know.your.why

I have a airweight and can only say it is not a fun gun. A 380 is smaller and easier to carry. But these can be stored for years on end and still work every time.


38 posted on 04/09/2020 12:42:16 PM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie (All I know is The I read in the papers.)
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To: know.your.why

Very light on stopping power but better than nothing I suppose.


39 posted on 04/09/2020 12:42:54 PM PDT by Bullish (Covfefe Happens)
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To: Cincinnatus.45-70

every holster I have found used to hammer to fasten it in place.

Because of breastlings and hiplets I would need somethign that sits a little sideways.


40 posted on 04/09/2020 12:44:02 PM PDT by Chickensoup (Voter ID for 2020!! Leftists totalitarian fascists appear to be planning to eradicate conservatives)
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