Hammerless revolver is great purse gun. Has its limits but its simple and safe to carry.
Love mine. Fits comfy in khaki pockets...light weight and safe to carry.
later
Problem with it? Cannot find decent holsters esp under jacket holster.
All the holsters rely on the hammer to help hold it.
Laser is nice.
Good gun. My 90 year old FIL has the similar Taurus.
I carried one for many years as a patrol officer as a backup. I liked it and it is 100% reliable. However, I eventually tired of the weight on my vest under my off-hand arm and switched to a titanium Taurus Model 85 (I think) that had a ported snub-nosed barrel to help mitigate recoil. I never had an issue with either of them, but appreciated the decreased weight.
I would have no issues carrying it as a primary if I wanted a revolver.
I always advise people to try a few handguns to include revolvers/semi-autos out before they make such an important purchase/decision. It is well worth the money! What I carry is different from what other instructors that I respect carry and ultimately what “fits” you is what you need.
My current concealed carry is a Glock 43X and it is my favorite now having carried about a dozen for at least a few months if not years. However, that does not mean it would be your favorite!
Thanks to all posters. It’s your life, why not protect it? BUMP!
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.
My brother has owned one for ~20 years with zero complaints.
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.
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.
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.
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,
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.
Very light on stopping power but better than nothing I suppose.
My wife has a hammer less 38,, 5 shot.
She loves it as there is no way to screw up.
Point and pull the trigger.
She regularly practices it in our back yard.
Personally I love my .45 Kimber.
Best concealed revolver with the 442 following, the 638/438 after that.
Make sure the grips allow for clearance of ‘standard cylindrical design’ speedloaders of your choice..check youtube michael debethencourt, snubby guru.