Questions re: SW 642

[35percent]

Absolutely have the sights on my 442 so it has CT gris on it but I still train with the stock sights occasionally, it's not my primary carry gun though.

[sgtjosh]

I recently acquired a like new Smith & Wesson 642 on a trade and would like some advice on acessories, upgrades, etc.

A little background
First, I'll admit that I'm not a revolver guy. I have lots of semis that I shoot quite a bit, but I can see that I need to spend lots of quality time with this gun before I feel comfortable carrying it.

I've been looking at small revolvers for pocket carry for a while and have shot other J-frames (442s) and the Ruger LCR in side-by-side comparisons. Like many others, I like the the LCRs trigger a lot better as well as those equipped with upgraded sights. I passed in getting the Ruger since it was recently released and I wanted to see how it fared over the next couple of years.

The 642 I've just acquired is the base model with factory (non Crimson Trace) grips and sights. I put 125 rounds through it yesterday and can confirm that it works, but isn't perfect by any means.

I'd like to setup the gun now and work with it for a while rather than continually messing with it.

Issues

• Trigger is typical J-frame. I don't mind it that much and probably wouldn't care had I not shot the LCR, but was wondering if the Apex upgrade is worth it, reliable, etc?
  
• The sights. I can resolve these a bit better on the 642 vs. the all black 442, but they're still challenging to work with indoors. I was planning on getting laser grips anyway, but am unsure which CT grips to get. As per the intended use- pocket carry if that matters.
  
• Holsters. Have no idea what to look at. Again, this will be for pocket carry only.
  
• Ammo. What should I be practicing with? These guns are snappy and I'd like to practice with rounds that are similar to defensive loads, but would like to shoot less expensive ammo a large proportion of the time for practice if possibe.
  
• Training. How many rounds per range outing do you all recommend? To be honest I was getting a little tired of the revolver after 125 rounds yesterday using Remington 130 gr UMC. Switching to a 9mm semi afterward was like shooting rimfire.
  

Anthing else?

Thanks!

I have not had a J-frame in 15 years, so this is all based upon my fond recollection of them.

J-frame triggers can be smoothed up. Simply polishing the surface of the rebound slide and the surface it contacts will do wonders. Don't try this if you are not qualified to crack the side plate. In my limited experience, it takes special tools to do it right.

I have no experience with laser grips, but can see the utility on a J-frame. The iron sights are what they are. Learn to use them as well as you can.

There are good pocket holsters available. A little Google-fu should turn up what is best these days.

Practice ammo....shoot what you can afford the most of.

Practice sessions...keep them short and frequent.

A tip to manage the recoil. Grip the gun really high on the backstrap. it will put the bore more in line with your forearm. This will allow you to lock your wrist forward. For me, this also puts the sights in pretty good alignment.

[RDak]

Interesting info on this Apex upgrade.

I always used Wolff reduced power mainsprings and rebound springs.

Will check those out.

[rjacobs]

In my limited experience, it takes special tools to do it right.

I guess I was un-aware that a small flat blade screwdriver and a paper clip were considered special tools. 3 flat blade screws for the side plate, paper clip for the main spring, flat blade screwdriver to work the rebound slide out. using a small flat blade screwdriver took me all of 5 seconds to remove the rebound slide and 5 seconds to put it back in. That and a little 600 grit sand paper/jewelers rouge on a dremel polishing tip had my rebound slide polished up nicely in about 5 minutes. I guess brownells does sell a $20 special tool to remove the rebound slide, but if I had bought it(and waited the week to get it) I would have been pissed off.

[sgtjosh]

That is the tool I refer to. It really does make the process easier...YMMV

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk

[jp0319]

I recently acquired a like new Smith & Wesson 642 on a trade and would like some advice on acessories, upgrades, etc.

A little background
First, I'll admit that I'm not a revolver guy. I have lots of semis that I shoot quite a bit, but I can see that I need to spend lots of quality time with this gun before I feel comfortable carrying it.

I've been looking at small revolvers for pocket carry for a while and have shot other J-frames (442s) and the Ruger LCR in side-by-side comparisons. Like many others, I like the the LCRs trigger a lot better as well as those equipped with upgraded sights. I passed in getting the Ruger since it was recently released and I wanted to see how it fared over the next couple of years.

The 642 I've just acquired is the base model with factory (non Crimson Trace) grips and sights. I put 125 rounds through it yesterday and can confirm that it works, but isn't perfect by any means.

I'd like to setup the gun now and work with it for a while rather than continually messing with it.

Issues

• Trigger is typical J-frame. I don't mind it that much and probably wouldn't care had I not shot the LCR, but was wondering if the Apex upgrade is worth it, reliable, etc?
  
• The sights. I can resolve these a bit better on the 642 vs. the all black 442, but they're still challenging to work with indoors. I was planning on getting laser grips anyway, but am unsure which CT grips to get. As per the intended use- pocket carry if that matters.
  
• Holsters. Have no idea what to look at. Again, this will be for pocket carry only.
  
• Ammo. What should I be practicing with? These guns are snappy and I'd like to practice with rounds that are similar to defensive loads, but would like to shoot less expensive ammo a large proportion of the time for practice if possibe.
  
• Training. How many rounds per range outing do you all recommend? To be honest I was getting a little tired of the revolver after 125 rounds yesterday using Remington 130 gr UMC. Switching to a 9mm semi afterward was like shooting rimfire.
  

Anthing else?

Thanks!

Trigger: Yes everything I have read leads me to believe the Apex J-Frame kit is worth it. I plan on putting one in my 340

Sights: Crimson Trace LG-105 for Pocket Carry under $200

Holster: Kramer Handgun Leather Pocket Holster $99

Ammo: Try something like this 158gr LSWC ammo

Training: Dont over do it at the range. Get some snap caps (2 sets) one in the pistol and one in a speed loader. Practice your draw from the pocket (you can do this at home) sight picture and trigger squeeze, re-load. This non shooting training will pay big dividends. Then when you go to the range (if they allow) replicate your dry training with live ammo so that you get the recoil aspect but don't shoot too much the last thing you want is to engrain a flinch from excessive recoil punishment on your hand.

JP

[Hizzie]

I prefer SL Variant speedloader. Simply the fastest and most secure I have tried. Keep Bianchi Speed Strips or Tuff Products Quick Strips on hand as well, they are a great supplement.

Dummy rounds are neccessary. Lots of practice is required to be profecient at reloading. I prefer to reload like a pistol and keep the gun in my shooting hand. I use the spank-the-baby technique of slapping the ejector rod to assure all the empties clear.

If you are not married to the LaserGrips check out a set of Craig Spegel Centennial Boot Grips. They allow a higher grip on the gun (cuz they extend to the top of the frame) and spread out recoil across a wider section of the web of your hand. http://novaksights.com/products/grip...spegelswJ.html I actually shoot faster and more accurtately with my snub below than with my Moms LaserGrip equiped 642.


Strongly recommend The Snubby Revolver by Ed Lovette. Great source of info on HOW to run a snubby. It is a lost art. Michael J. de Bethencourt of http://snubtraining.com/ has good info on his website too.

As for the trigger 1st try dry firing the ever living shit out of it. It will smooth the inner working a bit and strengthen your trigger fingers.

Ammo my choice has been Federal 38 Special +P 158gr LSWCHP, part # 38G.

Holsters are Renegade 500 ankle holster, Uncle Mikes cheapo pocket (best I've tried) and Bell Charter Oak "chicago rocker-crossdraw" in the appendix position.










Best of luck.

[David Thomas]

Strongly recommend The Snubby Revolver by Ed Lovette.

A sceond that. Good book, even if you dont own a snubby.