Modify The Current Snubbies Or Replace

Vermonter · September 3, 2012, 03:00 PM

The Delima,
My first handgun was a Charter Arms Undercover Lite in .38 spl. Being lefty my father thought that the south paw version would be a great starter revolver for me. Turns out he is correct. Years have passed and I have acquired other firearms for CCW.

The more I train the more I realize that any handgun I carry is going to have a laser grip or night sights or preferably both. This has been easy in the world of my semis such as glocks and rugers. Even the used charter revolver I bought for Mrs. Vermonter came with a set of CT laser Grips.

I am beginning the process of shopping for the accessories to outfit my two J frame revolvers with low light capeablities. On both of my models 642-1 pre lock and the above mentioned charter replacing the current front site with a night site is not an option so I am considering laser grips.

I am strongly considering trading in both revolvers on one single revolver that comes factory with laser grips and nite sites. The appropriate laser grips seem to cost around $300 a copy. That is the cost of a new Revolver with laser grips pre installed.

I have read where folks have painted or taped their front site and added a laser but still my delima remains. My current line of thinking is to hold on to the Charter as it was bought for me by dear old Dad and simply trade the 642 on one with a laser at the least.

The laserlyte seems to be a more reasonable price option however it seems bulkey for pocket carry and also may not function correctly for a lefty shooter.

Is there something here I am missing or should I be shopping for a new J frame?

Regards, Vermonter

Old_Crow · September 3, 2012, 03:45 PM

I agree strongly with keeping the gun your Father gave you. In time you will regret selling it more and more.

Edward429451 · September 3, 2012, 03:48 PM

Keep the ol' mans gun! Things have a way of working out. Start an envelope fund for the new one you want and it'll be enough before too long and then you'll have both!

Shadi Khalil · September 3, 2012, 04:49 PM

I'm confused. Which laser grips are you looking at that are $300? And which revolver sells for $300 with the laser grips installed. Sorry, one day away from work and my reading comprehension skills have greatly diminished.

carprivershooter · September 3, 2012, 06:34 PM

A few months ago I bought a used S&W 642 with CT lazer grips for $450. It looked like new with very few rounds thrrough it. The Lazer needed to be twiked for me and the trigger had not been pulled enough to smooth it out. My concern about pocket carry is lint and dust on the lazer. I carry it in a crossbreed tuckable in the waist band holster. I found it at my local gun shop.

Deaf Smith · September 4, 2012, 06:44 PM

Replace?

No make an ADDITION, even if on lay-away.

That way if ever there is a time you use the gun and the police take it as evidence, you still have ANOTHER one to replace it till you get it back (presuming it's a good shoot.)

I have many 'ADDITIONS'!

Def

couldbeanyone · September 4, 2012, 07:31 PM

Any real gunsmith worth his salt can mill off the existing front site, cut a dovetail, and install a tritium front site for you for a reasonable price. Keep the guns you have and put tritium front sites on them. Will look like this.

Vermonter · September 4, 2012, 09:05 PM

I have other guns. I dont see it as responsible to have three J frames and only carry one. What do you think a smith would charge to do a 642 tritium site job?

couldbeanyone · September 4, 2012, 09:13 PM

Don't know about where you live, but in Oklahoma, I had mine done for $50 for labor, plus $40 dollars for the sight.

Vermonter · September 5, 2012, 07:47 PM

Wow that is an awesome deal. Issue is I am not sure if there are really any decent gunsmiths where I live. Most of the shops do basic stuff then again so can I. I wouldn't take on this task though. I may research sending it off to someone.

Regards, Vermonter

tomrkba · September 5, 2012, 10:13 PM

Don't get rid of anything! Those guns are just fine and will last a long time. The S&W's are great pocket guns and you'll miss them if you sell them. Don't even think of selling the gun your father gave you.

Just save up until you can buy the new gun you want.

Vermonter · September 6, 2012, 09:49 AM

I do believe I will modify the 642 by adding a laser and possibly a smith job on the front sight if I can find someone to do it.

As far as the gun Dad gave me I am looking to paint that front sight and possibly install some laser grips on that as well.

Regards, Vermonter

September 3, 2012, 03:00 PM	#1
Vermonter Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2010 Posts: 873	Modify The Current Snubbies Or Replace The Delima, My first handgun was a Charter Arms Undercover Lite in .38 spl. Being lefty my father thought that the south paw version would be a great starter revolver for me. Turns out he is correct. Years have passed and I have acquired other firearms for CCW. The more I train the more I realize that any handgun I carry is going to have a laser grip or night sights or preferably both. This has been easy in the world of my semis such as glocks and rugers. Even the used charter revolver I bought for Mrs. Vermonter came with a set of CT laser Grips. I am beginning the process of shopping for the accessories to outfit my two J frame revolvers with low light capeablities. On both of my models 642-1 pre lock and the above mentioned charter replacing the current front site with a night site is not an option so I am considering laser grips. I am strongly considering trading in both revolvers on one single revolver that comes factory with laser grips and nite sites. The appropriate laser grips seem to cost around $300 a copy. That is the cost of a new Revolver with laser grips pre installed. I have read where folks have painted or taped their front site and added a laser but still my delima remains. My current line of thinking is to hold on to the Charter as it was bought for me by dear old Dad and simply trade the 642 on one with a laser at the least. The laserlyte seems to be a more reasonable price option however it seems bulkey for pocket carry and also may not function correctly for a lefty shooter. Is there something here I am missing or should I be shopping for a new J frame? Regards, Vermonter

September 3, 2012, 03:48 PM	#3
Edward429451 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,457	Keep the ol' mans gun! Things have a way of working out. Start an envelope fund for the new one you want and it'll be enough before too long and then you'll have both! __________________ "Always place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark" Lazarus Long "Understand that the enemy is not the enemy in his own eyes ;this may offer you an opportunity to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate, and quickly." Lazarus Long

September 3, 2012, 06:34 PM	#5
carprivershooter Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2008 Location: Michigan, Upper Pennsula Posts: 392	CT lazer A few months ago I bought a used S&W 642 with CT lazer grips for $450. It looked like new with very few rounds thrrough it. The Lazer needed to be twiked for me and the trigger had not been pulled enough to smooth it out. My concern about pocket carry is lint and dust on the lazer. I carry it in a crossbreed tuckable in the waist band holster. I found it at my local gun shop. __________________ CarpriverShOOter Finch, I don't like guns. Reese, Me either but if someone has to have guns I'd rather it be me. (Person of Interest). No trees were destroyed in the posting of the this message

September 4, 2012, 06:44 PM	#6
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 2,697	Replace? No make an ADDITION, even if on lay-away. That way if ever there is a time you use the gun and the police take it as evidence, you still have ANOTHER one to replace it till you get it back (presuming it's a good shoot.) I have many 'ADDITIONS'! Def __________________ “We can evade reality, but we cannot evade the consequences of evading reality” Ayn Rand

September 4, 2012, 09:05 PM	#8
Vermonter Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2010 Posts: 873	smith work I have other guns. I dont see it as responsible to have three J frames and only carry one. What do you think a smith would charge to do a 642 tritium site job?

September 3, 2012, 03:45 PM	#2
Old_Crow Member Join Date: September 1, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 20	I agree strongly with keeping the gun your Father gave you. In time you will regret selling it more and more.

September 3, 2012, 04:49 PM	#4
Shadi Khalil Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2006 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 4,757	I'm confused. Which laser grips are you looking at that are $300? And which revolver sells for $300 with the laser grips installed. Sorry, one day away from work and my reading comprehension skills have greatly diminished.

September 4, 2012, 07:31 PM	#7
couldbeanyone Member Join Date: March 12, 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 95	Any real gunsmith worth his salt can mill off the existing front site, cut a dovetail, and install a tritium front site for you for a reasonable price. Keep the guns you have and put tritium front sites on them. Will look like this.

September 4, 2012, 09:13 PM	#9
couldbeanyone Member Join Date: March 12, 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 95	Don't know about where you live, but in Oklahoma, I had mine done for $50 for labor, plus $40 dollars for the sight.

September 5, 2012, 07:47 PM	#10
Vermonter Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2010 Posts: 873	Great Deal Wow that is an awesome deal. Issue is I am not sure if there are really any decent gunsmiths where I live. Most of the shops do basic stuff then again so can I. I wouldn't take on this task though. I may research sending it off to someone. Regards, Vermonter

September 5, 2012, 10:13 PM	#11
tomrkba Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2011 Posts: 318	Don't get rid of anything! Those guns are just fine and will last a long time. The S&W's are great pocket guns and you'll miss them if you sell them. Don't even think of selling the gun your father gave you. Just save up until you can buy the new gun you want.

September 6, 2012, 09:49 AM	#12
Vermonter Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2010 Posts: 873	On the correct track I do believe I will modify the 642 by adding a laser and possibly a smith job on the front sight if I can find someone to do it. As far as the gun Dad gave me I am looking to paint that front sight and possibly install some laser grips on that as well. Regards, Vermonter