Custom S&W Model 642 finished!

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Once you open a can of worms...

I thought a pair of American Holly grips would be nice, so I made some. Then I thought a trigger job, nothing extreme, would be of benefit. Maybe 'melt' that pesky cylinder release that's eating my thumb. Cut some clearance into the front of the trigger guard on the right. You can see where this is going. Those sights aren't awful, but surely they could be better? Maybe something with a fiber optic? Something like a fiber-optic version of an XSSights 'big-dot? Made and installed that then modified the sight trough at the rear of the frame. OK, that's good but it shoots low... made and installed a rear sight. Of course the finish was getting pretty battered. How about a nice GunKote in Magpul Stealth Gray? Oh, that's nice. Huh. I think I'm done.

The trigger is not excessively light at 8 lbs., but it's glass-smooth. The sights are very quick to acquire and work a treat. Very happy with how this has come out.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Love the grips, Mike!

 

[Jonesy814]

That’s really cool. Nice work

 

[Tallball]

That's amazing. You started with a terrific carry piece and made it even better.

 

[chicharrones]

That front sight for a short range defense gun is about perfect for my eyes.

 

[357 Terms]

My deteriorating eyesight would appreciate those sights!
Nice work.

 

[chicharrones]

@Michael Tinker Pearce, where'd you get such a big chunk of fiber optic?

(glitchy forum software won't let me edit correctly.)

 

[PapaG]

You are a wizard. Love seeing what comes next.

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

@Michael Tinker Pearce, where'd you get such a big chunk of fiber optic?

(glitchy forum software won't let me edit correctly.)

A few years ago I found a shotgun sight on the clearance table at Pinto's and it had a green and red fiber optic. It looked like it might be useful someday and it was cheap, so... There was no packaging so I have no idea who made it.

 

[Riomouse911]

Well done!

I will admit that the FO sight that came on my new Colt Cobra was the first one I had encountered on a small frame or short barrel revolver, and the one on my GP-100 3” .44 was the second. IMHO the FO front sight works so well that I can’t believe they aren’t on more close quarters guns like your 642 right out of the box.

Those Holly grips look perfectly matched to the color, and a smooth 8 lb DA pull is perfect on a J frame. I will say that you put together a darn nice ccw revolver there, sir.

Stay safe.

 

[ThomasT]

I like what you did. Especially the sights. I wanted to do something like that with my SP-101 and even called one custom gun place but wouldn't do the work. I wanted a Novak type rear sight and a big dot front from XS Sights. My gun already shoots a little low so adding a big dot front would just make it worse. I am not sure I want to try and hand file a dovetail in the frame. If my dad still had his machine shop I would mount it on the mill and have a slot in just a couple of minutes. But thats all gone now.

One question, how hard was it to do the Gun-Kote finish? I have never seen that used before. I guess its a home doable finish?

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I like what you did. Especially the sights. I wanted to do something like that with my SP-101 and even called one custom gun place but wouldn't do the work. I wanted a Novak type rear sight and a big dot front from XS Sights. My gun already shoots a little low so adding a big dot front would just make it worse. I am not sure I want to try and hand file a dovetail in the frame. If my dad still had his machine shop I would mount it on the mill and have a slot in just a couple of minutes. But thats all gone now.

One question, how hard was it to do the Gun-Kote finish? I have never seen that used before. I guess its a home doable finish?

Yes it is. I use a $14 airbrush I got on Amazon. It's much like applying CeraKote; clean and degrease the piece (sandlasting is recommended but I never do) and spray it on. Let it dry for an hour or two, then cure in the oven per the directions.

 

[Reinz]

I love it.
I like the way you think!

 

[entropy]

Great looking improvements on that 642, Tinker!

A few years ago I found a shotgun sight on the clearance table at Pinto's and it had a green and red fiber optic. It looked like it might be useful someday and it was cheap, so... There was no packaging so I have no idea who made it.

It was most likely a Tru-Glo Spark II. I've used them on HD makeovers of 870's and 500's (and a few other brands of shotguns) many times over the years. That big light pipe really shows up in even the lowest light!

 

[Spats McGee]

Very nice work!

 

[bannockburn]

Tinker

Kudos on the customization of your Model 642!

All of the mods look great, especially that front sight, and made a decent snubby even better!

Love the grips too!

 

[Pat Riot]

One question, how hard was it to do the Gun-Kote finish? I have never seen that used before. I guess its a home doable finish?

Take it from me, get your wife’s permission if you plan to use the kitchen oven. Trust me on this.

I did a Cal-Gard Gun Kote job on a pistol nearly 40 years ago and baked it in the oven. To this day she will give me this look if baking anything guy related in an oven comes up and she hears it. 40 Years!

 

[Pat Riot]

Mr. Pearce, you do really nice work.
I like the FO front sight. I considered having a smith do something similar with my S&W 442.
Those grips really make the gun. Beauty!

 

[halfmoonclip]

Take it from me, get your wife’s permission if you plan to use the kitchen oven. Trust me on this.

I did a Cal-Gard Gun Kote job on a pistol nearly 40 years ago and baked it in the oven. To this day she will give me this look if baking anything guy related in an oven comes up and she hears it. 40 Years!

A buddy ran an alloy wheel through the diswasher; he was sleeping on the couch for weeks.....

More props to the OP; really good sights make snubs into accurate guns. Smith's forged with the barrel ones are a real nuisance to replace, and you made a really tidy, sturdy job of it. Correcting for the higher front is well done too.
Got a Pro series 640 just for the factory white dots/night sights.
Moon

 

[JERRY]

Except for the lock that's very nice!

 

[ThomasT]

Yes it is. I use a $14 airbrush I got on Amazon. It's much like applying CeraKote; clean and degrease the piece (sandlasting is recommended but I never do) and spray it on. Let it dry for an hour or two, then cure in the oven per the directions.

Thanks. I looked on the GunKote website and I couldn't find the directions anywhere. Would a small toaster oven do the curing properly? I thought about buying a new toaster oven and using our old one to coat some of the bullets I cast. I have never done that and thought it might be fun to try. IIRC Harbor Freight sells an inexpensive air brush.

Nice looking gun. You are an inspiration to us all.

 

[J-Bar]

I don't know where you live so I'm bowing to all points of the compass in awe of your knowledge and expertise. You realize many of us are jealous?

 

[Hangingrock]

I have a M640 marked on the frame cylinder widow TESTED FOR +P+ (Serial Number Frist Three Letters) CEN.