Smith & Wesson Model 642? (.38 snubby)

[YotaAtieToo]

Gun porn for inspiration.

VZ wrap grips and some sight paint, plus the aforementioned Apex spring kit and very light action work. Revolver friends seem to be impressed with the action and I dig it.

I should try that spring kit as I do like the stupid thing for what it is.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Its worth doing. Also hitting all the moving parts lightly with a stone helps.

 

[TrikeKid]

Gun porn for inspiration.

VZ wrap grips and some sight paint, plus the aforementioned Apex spring kit and very light action work. Revolver friends seem to be impressed with the action and I dig it.

Hey man stay out of my safe!

 

[DT75FLH]

I carried a Taurus model 85 titanium 5 shot for 15 yrs. Ported barrel and shot .38 +p..

The 5 rounds of plus p weighed as much as the gun ...same trigger weight as my 2 s&w

 

[Kriptonite]

 

[Kriptonite]

Daily carry, 38 Taurus. Reliable and handles plus p ammo just fine.

 

[TrikeKid]

I should try that spring kit as I do like the stupid thing for what it is.

I just put the Apex kit in mine, it wasn't bad before but it's way better now. Well worth the money and five minutes to install.

 

[kf4zht]

I keep a 642 in the car and it's my toss on gun when I need it. They are good little guns

Get a full size revolver to practice DA trigger pulls with. Shoot some ICORE matches if you really want to test yourself. Also never believe that "revolvers can't fail/jam" I have seen them break in more ways that you can count. They are still mechanical devices.

 

[Yotota]

Also never believe that "revolvers can't fail/jam" I have seen them break in more ways that you can count. They are still mechanical devices.

Oh for sure... The upside to wheelguns is that they are less prone to user error (except for reloads), but the downside is that the rare failure is often critical and not field fixable.

 

[BDK]

I like revolvers for their ease of use and the fact that you can keep them loaded and never worry about wearing out mag springs. They make great house guns. I have several, mostly S&W's. All are pre 1995 pistols, just because I bought them before then. Never had a issue with a S&W trigger that couldn't be remedied by polishing the internals.

As a carry gun, I rarely use a revolver. Unless I'm hiking and want firepower. I then carry my 66-3 .357, or my Rossi 720 3" .44 Special. It's one of the few working revolvers I have that's not a S&W, but it's nearly identical in every way. I bought it as a hiking and backpacking pistol.

I also have two .38 Special S&W J frames, both inherited. They are fine pistols. If I was shopping for a S&W, I would be looking for a good older used one, pre 2001 and the internal trigger lock. 5 shot revolvers don't get shot a lot so most used are in very good condition.

 

[kf4zht]

Oh for sure... The upside to wheelguns is that they are less prone to user error (except for reloads), but the downside is that the rare failure is often critical and not field fixable.

Reloads and short stroking can cause issues, somewhat depending on the brand and mechanism type. In SA mode they are really hard to screw up.

The downside is when something does go wrong - like a non crimped bullet walking forward - often it gets hard to fix with a quick rack-tap-bang and needs tools

 

[Steve300xcw]

I would be looking for a good older used one, pre 2001 and the internal trigger lock

You can buy new J frames without the lock.

 

[BDK]

You can buy new J frames without the lock.

Did not know that, thanks.

 

[oldcars]

642's are awesome. The trigger isn't bad, and for it's intended purpose, I wouldn't want a light double action pull anyway. I have carried mine for 13+ years, and shot it regularly, no complaints except the finish wears off after awhile. (not really a complaint, just a fact of wearing a gun for a long time) I run Craig Spegel grips on mine. I really like that there is no hammer to snag, and one less place for lint to collect.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

You can buy new J frames without the lock.

Correct, but it’s select models, like 1-2, not an option for everything.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

I keep a 642 in the car and it's my toss on gun when I need it. They are good little guns

Get a full size revolver to practice DA trigger pulls with. Shoot some ICORE matches if you really want to test yourself. Also never believe that "revolvers can't fail/jam" I have seen them break in more ways that you can count. They are still mechanical devices.

True, however that is mostly related to the lower end models (including Taurus).

The major benefit to a revolver is being able to fire the next round in line if you have a hard primer or dud round, plus being able to fire from a jacket pocket, etc without jamming.

Also, being able to have snake shot for the first round or two is handy, with hollow points behind it. Most semi auto’s won’t eject them.

And no, I don’t edc a revolver, but it’s worth noting. I usually carry a 642 in the woods.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Correct, but it’s select models, like 1-2, not an option for everything.

Looked like mainly the hamerless versions. Wich is kinda what this thread is about

 

[kf4zht]

True, however that is mostly related to the lower end models (including Taurus)

Most failures I've seen are with s&w, including performance center.

But it's also a statistical thing. Most people don't shoot Taurus revolvers that many rounds in a lifetime.

Of course I've only seen one come from the factory with the barrel not even timed right, and that one was a PC model.

 

[Steve300xcw]

. Also never believe that "revolvers can't fail/jam" I have seen them break in more ways that you can count. They are still mechanical devices.

Have had both a super blackhawk an m69 crap out on me. So far the 642 seems solid, dont shoot it as much as the 44's though..