Posted: 6/4/2011 12:30:09 PM EDT
| I don't own one and have been thinking of picking one up. Last weekend I went to check a few out. The Ruger just didn't feel right, the S&W airweight felt good to me. I also tried the bodyguard but don't really like how the laser is activated. What's good and what should I avoid? 38 or 357? I really need some help. |
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How do you intend to carry it? The 642 Smith is my BUG, if I carried a revolver as a primary it would be a 625. Probably more as a BUG but maybe primary for.a quick trip or around the house. I've been looking into holsters too, I like my comp-tac stuff so I would stick with them I think. |
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These small revolvers kick like hell because of their size. Is it solely for self defense or do you actually want a revolver to shoot?
I suggest Ruger's SP-101 with the 3" barrel if you want a concealable size that won't hurt when you shoot it. Otherwise buy a S&W 4" 686 for an all around carry shootin iron. |
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For a pocket gun the Smith 642 is hard to beat. G and R tactical sells them for $340. Add Crimson Trace LG-105s. I only use lasergrips on the J frame but they really shine here. CTC is having a sale til the 30th, so hurry.
I like the 105s because they are the smallest of their king and hard rubber, which is best for picket carry. Use Speers 135gr Gold Dot. Apex Tactical sells a spring kit to slick it up. Shoot it often––these are unforgiving guns. |
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For a pocket gun the Smith 642 is hard to beat. G and R tactical sells them for $340. Add Crimson Trace LG-105s. I only use lasergrips on the J frame but they really shine here. CTC is having a sale til the 30th, so hurry. I like the 105s because they are the smallest of their king and hard rubber, which is best for picket carry. Use Speers 135gr Gold Dot. Apex Tactical sells a spring kit to slick it up. Shoot it often––these are unforgiving guns. Im liking this right here and the deal on the laser is good too. I like the 442, looks like the only difference is that its black. What do you mean by unforgiving? |
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Im liking this right here and the deal on the laser is good too. I like the 442, looks like the only difference is that its black. What do you mean by unforgiving? The 442 is a good piece. I've read (not experienced) that the coating on the alloy frame wears more gracefully than that of the 642 and others. I EDC a G19 but wanted something smaller to carry when a G19 is likely to print based on activity or wardrobe. The J 422 was even smaller/lighter than a G26 and couldn't pass up a $310 NIB J frame after rebates. The J frames are unforgiving as they have no weight coupled with very long and heavy triggers. You could buy a .38 +p J frame with hammer or shrouded hammer, but I do not recommend this as the 442/642 forces you to train DA like you will fight with it. I do not find the recoil punishing. I use a very high hold on the revolver but tend to slice my strong hand thumb on the loading gate every time I run +p through it. They are snappy with heavier loads, but not nearly as much as a similarly sized .357. However, you can actually shoot them very well with practice and stacking the DA trigger. They are extremely easy to carry. I'll use a pocket holster or sometimes just drop it in a front or coat pocket. I carry a bianchi speed strip in the other. |
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Some good advice here. Selection would depend on what you intend to use it for. If you're looking for a pocket gun or lightweight BUG, the 642 is really hard to beat. If you intend to belt carry, or just want something fun to shoot, go a little larger with a steel frame. Generally a much more enjoyable experience.
If you're considering something with a stubby barrel and lightweight frame in .357, try to get your hands on one (range rental or a friend) and put some rounds through it first. You'll be surprised how much fun it isn't! I replaced my snubby stainless .357 with the 642 in .38 because the purpose was pocket carry. The stainless sagged in my pocket, even with a good holster. A hammerless DAO is ideal for this purpose. Nothing to snag during the draw, and if you should have to use it, chances are you won't be thinking about cocking the hammer for a more accurate shot. These are more of a bad breath distance kind of tool. The first time I shot my 642, I was all over the target. Cursing the new gun, I tried again with the same results. Then I tried from a rest position on my range bag. All shots were almost dead center! It was definitely me, not the gun. These guns require PRACTICE to shoot well. Not just in the beginning, but continuing practice. I probably carry this piece more than any other either by itself or as backup to my G26. I also shoot it more frequently than any of my other handguns, except for the G26. I also carry a 3" Ruger SP101 .357mag as my primary hiking & camping gun. I was very surprised how much difference there was in comfort with the change in barrel length from 2" to 3". Much more controlable for me. This is all just my personal experience, but hopefully there is something in it that helps. 
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If you really plan on shooting it alot take a look at a model 60. They are heavyier all stainless but much easier to shoot and get good hits with out to 25 yards.
The 442/642 are great pocket guns if you are use to a Glock the DA triggers I have seen on the smith J frames will not take to much to get use to. |
| I ordered a 442 and it will be here Wednesday. What's the best choices on ammo? From what I read it looks like Speer gold dots are best, I use gold dots in my Glock and like them a lot. I'm looking for holster ideas too, no pocket carry, not a fan of leather. Looking for more of a kydex IWB. |
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If you can find a decent used S&W 65 3" I'd go for it. Its my ideal carry gun. Just enough barrel to help with sight radius and velocity, and in .357 which you rock heavier loads without too much issue, or can download to .38+P or .38 and you have 6 shots. I've added some 64's over the years in 3" and 2" as I tend to shoot .38+P more than .357 so the 64 makes a bit more sense for me.
I originally started with a 3" 60, but J frame triggers are a good bit different than the K/L/N's and I figured out that I'd take the extra weight and size of the K over the J frame for the better trigger, extra round and increased accuracy (I shoot K's better than J's). |
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Some excellent advice in this thread.
There's a reason that the 642/442 are the sales leaders in S&W's line. Also the only commonly avaliable new S&W's w/o the lock. Bear in mind, how a gun feels in the gunshop and how it feels when you're trying to hit a target can be vastly different things. 
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