Smith&Wesson 642 Range Report

[USA1]

Hello.

I had my first chance to take my new snubby to the range today.
I shot 100 rounds of Monarch .38 Special FMJ
and 20 rounds of Winchester Supreme Elite .38 Special +P JHP

The first order of business was to test for accuracy.
After becoming familiar with the sights I was able to hit the bullseye
at 7 yards with no problem...The gun is very accurate.

The rest of the time I really didn't rely too much on the the sights.
I mostly practiced bringing the gun up quickly and making the shot.

The gun weighs in at only 15 ounces (empty) so the recoil is very
pronounced yet manageable.

The DAO trigger on this gun is very smooth and not as heavy as you
might think.

Close examination of the spent cartridges showed a deep and centered
dent on the primers.

Overall I am extremely pleased with the performance and will happily
put this gun into the daily carry rotation. I feel that 120 rounds in a
revolver, especially a Smith, is enough to make sure the gun is 100%
functional and reliable.

Than you for your time.

[The Annoyed Man]

They are really neat little pistols, aren't they? I like mine very much.

You ain't a kiddin' about that recoil though. I've never fired 100 straight rounds through mine at a session because the trigger guard beats on my trigger finger knuckle pretty hard, and 100 rounds would just be no fun for me.

That said, have you noticed how you can stack up the trigger to just before it breaks and hold it there, and then just the slightest pull will fire it? There's a definite point where the pull weight drops to almost nothing just before it breaks. That's how I manage to shoot mine with relative accuracy. But I think of it as strictly a "belly gun" in combat terms — as in "up close and personal" use.

[USA1]

That said, have you noticed how you can stack up the trigger to just before it breaks and hold it there, and then just the slightest pull will fire it?

Yes I have noticed that.
Once you become familiar with the feel, it's almost like taking a single action shot.

I'll bet the range officers thought I was a newbie because at first I was taking so long to take the shot.
But what I was doing was getting a feel for trigger and trying to really zero in on the target.

After that it was business as usual. I was even tapped on the shoulder for shooting too rapidly...one more reason
I don't like outdoor ranges.

[AEA]

I'm happy for you and glad it was a good range report. I knew you would like it.

Now, I'll tell you what I did..........
I got a super deal on a set of Crimson Trace Laser Grips for mine (thanks Carlson1) and I use the 642 mostly as a pillow gun now. I like the idea that if someone comes into my bedroom and I wake up groggy, I don't have to worry about sights or if I am going to hit correctly. The laser will do the work in that regard for me.

I still carry it sometimes as a BUG, but I have a Colt Det. Spec II (6 shot, all stainless) that I normally carry now as the BUG or truck gun.

[cougartex]

Very good gun, congratulations. Safe shooting.

[carlson1]

I got a super deal on a set of Crimson Trace Laser Grips for mine (thanks Carlson1)

No problem my friend!



USA good report. I shoot my 340PD about every other time I go to the range. I was use .357 as that is what I carry in it. I can not get, but about 20 rounds of full .357 through it and then I use a box of .38 for about 50rds. I am like Alan I use a set of Crimson Trace on mine. Not only does the CT give you extra sight since the J frames do not have much of one, but they take up a lot of the recoil. Again good review.

[joe817]

Great report USA1! And what a sweeeetttt gun!

[USA1]

I like the idea of the Laser Grips.

Now that I know how much I love this gun, I'm going to make that my next addition.

[The Annoyed Man]

I like the idea of the Laser Grips.

Now that I know how much I love this gun, I'm going to make that my next addition.

My wife's 642 has the CT grips on it, from the factory. She likes that feature OK, but I couldn't really get used to it — but maybe it's because I don't like to beat my knuckle up enough to want to try!

But as my eyes get older and it gets harder for me to pick up the sights, maybe I'll try using them on one of my guns until I can get used to the idea of it.

[fm2]

Thanks for the report. What kind of accuracy are you getting @ 7yds?

You may try some other grips like the Hogue monogrip or Uncle Mikes to make the range sessions more tolerable.

[USA1]

What kind of accuracy are you getting @ 7yds?

You may try some other grips like the Hogue monogrip or Uncle Mikes to make the range sessions more tolerable.

I would say 3 or 4 inch groups which for me is acceptable for a 2 inch barrel
especially with the wind blowing me around.

I'm thinking I'll hold out for the CT Laser grip.
There's one model that has a little extra cushion
on the backstrap to help with recoil.

[casingpoint]

A three finger Hogue Monogrip will improve J frame handling, with a corresponding decrease in concealabilty, especially in blue jeans pocket carry. The Hogue Bantam grip gives a slight improvement in handling over the factory boot grip. The Hogue grip that comes on the 12 oz. Airlite 360 J frame, below, may be a different bird altogether from either the Bantam or the boot grip. I may be looking at one of these guns this afternoon and will check the grip out more closely. The Pachmayr grip did not impress me, and has to be shaved with a knife to allow room for a speedloader. It does give you a lot to hold onto, however.

Here, the stock 642 grip:

[The Annoyed Man]

The 642CT which comes with the CT grips (which is what my wife has) seems to strike a balance between the larger Hogue grip and the tiny OEM grip, and it does provide more padding over the backstrap:

[USA1]

The 642CT which comes with the CT grips (which is what my wife has) seems to strike a balance between the larger Hogue grip and the tiny OEM grip, and it does provide more padding over the backstrap:

That's exactly the one I've been looking at.
I have a Crimson Trace catalog that shows three different styles and this one seems to be the best fit for me.

[rdcrags]

The Hogue grip that comes on the 12 oz. Airlite 360 J frame

.

My 12 oz Airlite kills the web between thumb and forefinger. I have seen others post the same comment. At the range, I fire it 10 times max because it is painful. Then I fire my other pistol and revolver for practice. But I prefer carrying the 12 oz baby for obvious reasons. Don't want to use a fatter grip for concealment reason.

TX CHL 1997
CO CHP 2005