New 642 and first trip to the range

[davidtx]

I went back to the gun show today and a new S&W 642 followed me home. I had to drive right past Red's South to get home, so I just had to stop and check it out. The only revolver I've ever shot was my brother's Taurus titanium 357 with the long barrel and then only with 38's.

Here's a target shot at 3 yards with 38 special ammo. Two handed, modified weaver.


This was the second half of a 50 round box. I then shot another 25 rounds of +P and decided to call it quits for the day. Shot 5 sets, starting at center, then upper right and clockwise.

I picked up a cheap pocket holster and a cheap single clip IWB holster at the gun show ($16 for both). I'm using the pocket holster right now and like it a lot.

[edited to clarify groups]

[A-R]

I'm using the pocket holster right now and like it a lot.

Did you get one of those Ace Case pocket holsters, black synthetic material with a greyish fabric inside? I've been thinking about ordering one of those from cheaperthandirt.com the next time I'm ordering something else from them anyway (don't want to pay shipping just for a pocket holster).

[davidtx]

I'm using the pocket holster right now and like it a lot.

Did you get one of those Ace Case pocket holsters, black synthetic material with a greyish fabric inside? I've been thinking about ordering one of those from cheaperthandirt.com the next time I'm ordering something else from them anyway (don't want to pay shipping just for a pocket holster).

Yep - that's the one. I bought the other holster after chatting with one of our forum members in front of the S&W's. He likes the little IWB holster worn in front because he rides a motorcycle a lot. The holster's were so cheap, I decided to get one of each.

[jeeperbryan]

Nice, I have the exact same gun. First time I shot it, it was 36 degrees outside so it beat me up.

You gonna remove/disable the internal lock on it?

[davidtx]

Nice, I have the exact same gun. First time I shot it, it was 36 degrees outside so it beat me up.

You gonna remove/disable the internal lock on it?

What internal lock?

[PUCKER]

David,

Maybe you don't have the internal lock on yours, here's how to tell if you do - here's a picture of the internal lock (the keyhole with the "L" above the barrel release) and a caption to go with the photo (from Wikipedia, so take it at that):

"Partial Lock Failure - The hammer rebounded from the recoil of a magnum load and the internal lock pin impinged enough to freeze it in place."

[davidtx]

I have the lock. This video shows how to remove it, I may work up enough nerve to try it.
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=RVPYgohVCNM[/youtube]

How many S&W owners here have disabled the lock?

edited to use youtube tags

[PUCKER]

Good question David...I REALLY, I mean REALLY want a 642 (I like the 640 as well) but I *refuse* to buy an internal-lock model. I guess I need to find a New In Box older one, or go used. Would love to buy a new one (with no lock)...almost did last year but a gal looking at it already had her hands on it, she asked my opinion on it and I told her honestly that if she didn't buy it I would...she bought it...I'm just too honest like that...LOL...oh well!

[Mastodon]

I have a new 442, the blued steel version of 642. Shot 100 rounds through it. While certainly no range gun, I am very pleased with it; and myself with it. This is now, quite confidently, my pocket carry option. 5 .38 special Speer Gold Dots and another 5 on a speed strip isn't bad for those times you just need to drop a pistol in a pocket and run somewhere. I love how this gun carries in the pocket.

I do have an internal lock version (ILS). I certainly don't use it.
I think they had had a couple, not numerous, issues with the .357/.38sp model Airweights firing hot .357 loads and the ILS system engaging. I don't think these few instances ever happened with .38 sp Airweight models.

I know what the ILS represents, and I'm not a fan of any of that. However, I am quite happy with my 442-2. I love having the .38 sp cartridge as a pocket gun option. It's perfect for its purpose. Very close encounters of the worst kind. If I am going take the trash out, walk the dog, take a bit of a jog, throw on a pair of old shorts on a 100-degree TX summer day....., I'm happy with this option.

100 rounds of Remington 130. gr MC down the range was fun, and I quickly got the hang of such a small, lightweight j-frame. It certainly can tire you out (it is no gun range marathon winner). But, very, very confident in it to go bang each and every time with close range accuracy.

Anyhow, here I am, a shooting-life-long SA guy, with his first revolver to own being a snubby S&W 38 sp.+p.
Enjoy your 642

[Fangs]

I also have a 642 Airweight, and am very happy with it. It's surprising how well it fits in my big hands for being such a small gun, and it's incredibly easy to pocket carry (I use an Uncle Mike's holster). Jogging is also much easier than with a PX4. Also my first revolver, and it's great.

I didn't even know about the internal lock deal until I read this post. Reading up on some other forums about it really quick doesn't make it sound like too serious of a problem though.

[PUCKER]

On the lock, for me it's a deal-breaker, but that's just me, I'm in no way preaching about it...it would always be in the back of my mind.

I personally have not shot a S&W lock-type revolver. If I were to win (or get as a gift, etc.) a locked-model I'd probably sell it, if I kept it then I'd purposely defeat the locking mechanism - I'll tell you though, from a cosmetic point of view, the lock "uglies" the gun in my opinion. I think there's at least one other pistol manufacturer that has a locking device on the gun, specifically on the hammer, from what I recall. I look at it this way - you buy a revolver for the simplicity of it, the reliability of it as well...then the internal lock gets put into the mix, it's just one more thing to go wrong that I'd rather not have, sure, the odds are very high that it will malfunction, but I'd rather not have it in the first place, especially if I'm paying for it. Please don't take this as me bashing your purchase, I'm not. If you're OK with it, then that's what matters.

[jeeperbryan]

When I first got mine, I couldn't believe how lightweight and concealable it was. I always had the impression that revolvers were bulky and hard to carry. Not the case with the 642/442.

I didn't put much thought into the internal lock until I started reading more and more about it. Also, playing with it and seeing the design it's easy to see how it could accidentally engage.

[Mastodon]

On the lock, for me it's a deal-breaker, but that's just me, I'm in no way preaching about it...it would always be in the back of my mind.

I understand.

For me; size, cal., weight to a point, pocket ability, durability and the S&W company reputation all had me heading in the direction of the 642/442 model.

Now, if at the gunshop they had one 442 with lock and one without, I would have taken w/o. But it wasn't the biggest deal to me, particularly because the one they had was the most recent year of manufacture AND it was not a 357/38 cal. model. So I am incapable of firing the hottest .357 cartridge though it, of course.

I researched and asked and read folks that have 642/442 snubs with the ILS with thousands of rounds +p or not and have ofcourse had zero issues. The valid arguement was its just one more mechanism.

An unnecessary one, indeed.

Nevertheless I am far more against the politics behind pushing S&W to put ILS on their revolvers. I look forward to when they no longer do so.

This thread has the potential to get long
They have on other forums.

I say keep the ILS unlocked and through away the key. Should you come to a point you REALLY wanted no lock, have someone take it out. It's being done, as there are even videos on it, as posted above.

Otherwise enjoy your Smith. I love it. I am very pleased with mine; albeit a -2 model with that stupid ILS.

Be safe.

[jeeperbryan]

I say keep the ILS unlocked and through away the key.

Don't throw away the key because you won't be able to unlock it when it seizes up on you :)

The thing that bothered me the most is that S&W is now producing revolvers without the lock. You can get a brand new snubbie with no lock from S&W. It's either a marketing gimmick (haven't seen any marketing though) or it's admission. Either way, the stupid IL keeps me up night. JK, I sleep fine.

[PUCKER]

I've heard that S&W is doing this, but then I had a conversation last May with a guy from the S&W factory and he said they are *not* doing this. He was exhibiting at the same tradeshow that I was, his purpose was to get contract manufacturing, had nothing to do with guns...so, he may not be that knowledgeable when it comes to these matters.

However, I've yet to see a new non-locking 642, with the exception of ONE..and that was a year ago, could've been a new in box leftover and it got snatched up right in front of me. Do you have anything in writing from S&W (website, brochure, etc) that would confirm this?

I say keep the ILS unlocked and through away the key.

Don't throw away the key because you won't be able to unlock it when it seizes up on you :)

The thing that bothered me the most is that S&W is now producing revolvers without the lock. You can get a brand new snubbie with no lock from S&W. It's either a marketing gimmick (haven't seen any marketing though) or it's admission. Either way, the stupid IL keeps me up night. JK, I sleep fine.