Goodbye little Smith! The 642 is gone. - Page 3

Emmett Brown · June 28, 2019, 06:27 PM

New member here, this looks like as good a place as any to jump in!

A 642 has been my daily carry for over 15 years, and I've shot over 5,000 rounds through it. Most have been 125gr LRN at 955fps, and I find it delightful to shoot. I think the grip helps a lot, I went through quite a few finding the right one.

There's some great viewpoints here; I've never considered the snubby hard to master, but when I think about it I've been shooting them all my life.

Carl the Floor Walker · June 28, 2019, 10:16 PM

When I started shooting small pocket guns, snubbies, and Micro 9mm, I thought some had heavy recoil snappy or what ever.
Now, I find them all to be just very easy to shoot and never have problem. I think a person builds a immunity to them. They have the same recoil, just the perception has changed dramatically.

My carry guns are all small. My favorite is the Kahr CM 9 which I love. So small, so mild. And the Pico, and the Kahr CW380.
That said, I love the 642. Love the light weight. Do not the recoil is anything but mild. I train a lot with the LCR9mm.
As Hickcock45 is fond of saying when shooting the Snubbies. "There is just something about them." Needless to say, I love shooting them.

Stargater53 · June 28, 2019, 10:50 PM

The thing is, there's nothing wrong with the Model 36/60. It fits in your pocket or in a holster and can shoot +P in a pinch. But even with a 642, if you need to shoot it in a moment of peril, that lightweight gun will do the job and you'll be none the worse for wear. The gun is +P rated and if you have it on you, recoil will be the least of your concerns.

S&W 60 .38 Special.

Years ago, I had a .357 derringer. Talk about palm-smacking! It only took two rounds, but back then they didn't give concealed weapons permits, so I had to carry it illegally. Never had to use it, fortunately, but my practice sessions were very short. And having only two shots meant I had to carry it discreetly and in a place I could draw and fire it, hitting what I had to at very close quarters.

Nowdays, I'd prefer a 642 or a Ruger SP-101 with three +Ps and two .357s. But my Model 36/60 with +Ps would be fine too. I'd love to have a S&W 60 .357, but I can't afford it.

But another favorite is a Model 317 .22LR kit gun. It holds eight shots and is super light.

S&W 317.

--

nanney1 · June 29, 2019, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack19

Snubs are not now, and have never been, the guns of choice for the amateur.

I was new to shooting when I purchased a 442. Wasn’t very accurate with it at all. Sold it for the same price I paid for it, and bought a Glock 43 which I shoot pretty well. I’ve made some good and bad swaps with pistols, and this is one I don’t regret.

shep854 · June 29, 2019, 04:56 PM

Good, hand-filling grips make a huge difference. Those tiny 'lemon-peel grips of yesteryear are pure pain to shoot with. Even a simple adapter, like a Tyler T-Grip, makes a huge difference.
Once you have something that's comfortable AND you find the right load, the little blasters can be a ton of challenging fun to shoot!

Dave Chuppa · July 15, 2019, 02:04 PM

For the past few years all I shoot and carry are my 442s. I also have a bobbed 37. The stock grips aren’t to good for my old hands so I use Pachmayr Compacts and Hogue Tamers. I really like these little guns

SPEMack618 · July 15, 2019, 03:56 PM

I lucked into a 642-1 at a pawn shop for $214.00; to include a Bianchi OWB holster that looks like something Tubbs wore.

I love the little thing for it's concealability and utter reliability.

However, shooting it in front of people is most humbling. However, with practice with some powder puff cowboy loads and a rest, it is mechanically accurate as all get out.

I can't decided if I like the new Federal HST wad cutters or the Hornady Critical Defense more in it.

I call it with my swim trunks gun because I can carry it in swim trunks and do on occasion.

22-rimfire · July 16, 2019, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanney1

I was new to shooting when I purchased a 442. Wasn’t very accurate with it at all. Sold it for the same price I paid for it, and bought a Glock 43 which I shoot pretty well. I’ve made some good and bad swaps with pistols, and this is one I don’t regret.

I have a 442. Don't particularly care to shoot it. I consider it a across the room gun and it isn't hard to hit well enough at that distance for me.

Wagonman · July 18, 2019, 03:32 PM

I just put my 642 on consignment....Bought it when I was a recruit. Great gun to carry...shooting not so much. Got tired of lying to myself about combat accuracy and adrenaline... I Carry guns I shoot often

Buckeye! · July 26, 2019, 09:24 PM

One of my favorite pocket 38spl is my Ruger LCR357 ... with the boot grip .. The little extra heft makes it possible to handle the 38spl +P ,even with the short boot grip ....Its easier to handle 357mag with the regular grip ...

June 29, 2019, 04:56 PM	#55
shep854 Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: Birmingham AL Posts: 632	Good, hand-filling grips make a huge difference. Those tiny 'lemon-peel grips of yesteryear are pure pain to shoot with. Even a simple adapter, like a Tyler T-Grip, makes a huge difference. Once you have something that's comfortable AND you find the right load, the little blasters can be a ton of challenging fun to shoot! __________________ Powder smoke- The Smell of FREEDOM! I don't shoot to kill; I shoot to live. Registration? NEVER!!

July 15, 2019, 03:56 PM	#57
SPEMack618 Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2010 Location: Central Georgia Posts: 1,863	I lucked into a 642-1 at a pawn shop for $214.00; to include a Bianchi OWB holster that looks like something Tubbs wore. I love the little thing for it's concealability and utter reliability. However, shooting it in front of people is most humbling. However, with practice with some powder puff cowboy loads and a rest, it is mechanically accurate as all get out. I can't decided if I like the new Federal HST wad cutters or the Hornady Critical Defense more in it. I call it with my swim trunks gun because I can carry it in swim trunks and do on occasion. __________________ NRA Life Member Read my blog! "The answer to any caliber debate is going to be .38 Super, 10mm, .357 Sig or .41 Magnum!"

June 28, 2019, 06:27 PM	#51
Emmett Brown Junior Member Join Date: June 28, 2019 Posts: 2	New member here, this looks like as good a place as any to jump in! A 642 has been my daily carry for over 15 years, and I've shot over 5,000 rounds through it. Most have been 125gr LRN at 955fps, and I find it delightful to shoot. I think the grip helps a lot, I went through quite a few finding the right one. There's some great viewpoints here; I've never considered the snubby hard to master, but when I think about it I've been shooting them all my life.

June 28, 2019, 10:16 PM	#52
Carl the Floor Walker member Join Date: June 3, 2017 Location: South Posts: 1,422	When I started shooting small pocket guns, snubbies, and Micro 9mm, I thought some had heavy recoil snappy or what ever. Now, I find them all to be just very easy to shoot and never have problem. I think a person builds a immunity to them. They have the same recoil, just the perception has changed dramatically. My carry guns are all small. My favorite is the Kahr CM 9 which I love. So small, so mild. And the Pico, and the Kahr CW380. That said, I love the 642. Love the light weight. Do not the recoil is anything but mild. I train a lot with the LCR9mm. As Hickcock45 is fond of saying when shooting the Snubbies. "There is just something about them." Needless to say, I love shooting them.

June 28, 2019, 10:50 PM	#53
Stargater53 Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 94	The thing is, there's nothing wrong with the Model 36/60. It fits in your pocket or in a holster and can shoot +P in a pinch. But even with a 642, if you need to shoot it in a moment of peril, that lightweight gun will do the job and you'll be none the worse for wear. The gun is +P rated and if you have it on you, recoil will be the least of your concerns. S&W 60 .38 Special. Years ago, I had a .357 derringer. Talk about palm-smacking! It only took two rounds, but back then they didn't give concealed weapons permits, so I had to carry it illegally. Never had to use it, fortunately, but my practice sessions were very short. And having only two shots meant I had to carry it discreetly and in a place I could draw and fire it, hitting what I had to at very close quarters. Nowdays, I'd prefer a 642 or a Ruger SP-101 with three +Ps and two .357s. But my Model 36/60 with +Ps would be fine too. I'd love to have a S&W 60 .357, but I can't afford it. But another favorite is a Model 317 .22LR kit gun. It holds eight shots and is super light. S&W 317. --

July 18, 2019, 03:32 PM	#59
Wagonman Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,014	I just put my 642 on consignment....Bought it when I was a recruit. Great gun to carry...shooting not so much. Got tired of lying to myself about combat accuracy and adrenaline... I Carry guns I shoot often

July 26, 2019, 09:24 PM	#60
Buckeye! Senior Member Join Date: September 1, 2008 Posts: 849	One of my favorite pocket 38spl is my Ruger LCR357 ... with the boot grip .. The little extra heft makes it possible to handle the 38spl +P ,even with the short boot grip ....Its easier to handle 357mag with the regular grip ...