Ordered a S&W 642 today

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ghh3rd

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I ordered a Smith and Wesson 642 today. I really don't have any extra cash for one, so I ordered it on Lay Away. EBay is a great way to convert good 'junkque' into money for guns! I should be able to pick it up within a few weeks.

The store was out of them for a while and just got some. The associate assured me that since they are new stock it will not be an "internal lock" model, but I don't believe that he ever really checked it for sure. I won't be happy if it is. Does what he said sound true?

I started looking at this as an option for my wife, but she seems to have settled on the Ruger LCP, so I will use this mostly for pocket carry when I can't IWB carry my Glock 27. Has anyone got a suggestion for a good pocket holster for a S&W 642 that would allow quickest access?

Thanks,

Randy
 
Lots of info on this... there's a "holster" thread stickied at the top of the general handguns forum. Try there.

Lots of people like the one from Mika. I'm having him make one for me as we speak.
 
FYI,

I, like many thousands of others, carry a 642-2 with the IL. Mine has many rounds through it - never a problem. Sure, I wish it wasn't there - but it's inclusion hasn't stopped me from buying a new S&W revolver. The majority of my S&W revolvers have the IL - and total many tens of thousands of rounds downrange with absolutely no IL problems. To say no to the IL-equipped variants would remove some wonderful new offerings from my collection and consideration - and that is unacceptable to me. YMMV.

Stainz
 
Yes - found out that the one I would be getting does in fact have a lock, so have cancelled. I was told that the 442 is the same only in black (blued?), and costs about the same as the stainless/aluminum finish. I just started a post asking about whether that finish would stand up to sweat, etc.

I really want the 642 no lock.

Randy
 
Even though I do own a no lock 442 I completely agree with Stainz above. The internal lock is a non issue awaiting some enterprising machinist with an EDM machine to program a small plug in stainless, black, and blue that would cover the hole.

I have three great pistols that have the lock. One of them, a fine blued 3 1/2" Model 27-8 8shot .357, is unique enough that I'd be very sorry not to have it, one is an engraved "Women of the NRA" model of 442 that I gave my wife and which is her primary carry gun, and the other is a beautiful 5" .44 mag revolver that accompanies me when I'm doing any work on my tractor on the veritable jungle which is part of my 15 acres called home.

Smith and Wesson is coming with some very innovative and exciting products these days, which have an internal lock mechanism. I'd rather it wasn't there but I'd hate losing the opportunity to own some of the guns that have it.
 
Go on gunbroker. There was a guy selling new 642s w/o the lock. I was going to get one until I handled a 340 MP w/CT laser grips. Which i bought.
 
I've tried all kinds of guns for concealed carry and the 642 always seems to end up in my front pocket in a desantis pocket holster. By far the most comfortable.
 
ghh3rd,
If you really want a M642 without a lock have your dealer order one for you. They are available from RSR Group but only dealers can order from them. If you can't find a dealer willing to order for you buy one from either Top Gun or Buds Gunshop online and have it shipped to any FFL. Both stores are out of stock right now on the M642 without the lock but still have the no-lock M442 in stock. Just keep an eye on both until they are back in stock and order one of the M642's for yourself.
 
Get the 642, not 442

I would definately spend the extra few bucks on the stainless 642, in fact I did and I carry it daily. Yes, I believe sweat, in combination of bluing wearing off in spots will cause it to rust if you aren't diligent during hot summer months to keep it oiled. With the stainless, you pretty much forget it!

Look up Robert Mika Holsters and order one. I ordered a square cut and round cut but have been using just the round cut in a Wrangler blue jeans front pocket.

You WON'T be disappointed in the 642, lock or no lock.
Mine has the lock, and like others stated, I don't even know it's there. I keep the little key on my key ring, just in case, however I had to actually try it one day just to see if it really works. It works, now I always keep it unlocked.
 
I have a LEO friend who carries a 442 as an ankle BUG. Well, he claims it to be a 442 - it looks like a dirty 642, so little finish is left. He won't do without it for the two weeks or less it would take to refinish it. BTW, they have been refinishing the clearcoat on the 642 and the black on the 442 gratis for a while now. Recent production seems to have a better finish, but still be careful what you clean the cylinder face with - certainly nothing over nylon bristles.

Anyone can shoot a 340 loaded with hot .357M CorBons once. It's that second plus shot that makes it apparent you have good eyesight, as you found where it landed, and are a glutton for punishment. I've shot lots of hand cannon; .500 Magnum, .480 Ruger Alaskan, .475 Linebaugh FA, MR .45-70 BFR, and my .454 SRH. They didn't hold a candle to that 340 loaded hot - big thump and nothing to hold on to - ouch! A heavier stock 642 with +P 158gr LHPSWCs isn't much fun - but that 3 oz less 340 with them would be just nasty! Neat package, however.

Stainz
 
No lock 642's are still readily available. The no lock 442 is also an excellent revolver.

If you are going to carry a revolver, get one without a lock. No sense tempting Murphy with useless additional parts in your revolver.

I'm an avid S&W revolver fan and collector. I've not seen a S&W revolver made since 2001 that tempts me to purchase it.

Ugly spaceguns with two piece barrels, MIM parts, and internal locks. No thanks! Give me nice pre lock model 66's, and model 19's. YMMV.
 
I like the Wild Bill's pocket holster. I checked a bunch of pocket holsters b4 I picked this one up. Everyone that has tried it has liked it. A number of my friends recommended the holster.

google wild bill holsters
 
How much are dealers getting for 642's these days (not including the $30 off Smith is rebating)?
Click to expand...
I paid $419 +tax for my M642 when they were first released. I've seen them for $399 in a local shop a few months back.
 
The IL on the 442/642/637/38 are non-issues from a reliability perspective

There are a handful of Smith guns in which the IL can be a problem. They are the ultra lightweight magnums particularly the 329. The J-frame .38s are not affected, so you can safely buy one with or without and get a reliable product in my experience. But it is your money. They are the best little .38s on the planet for pocket carry. Congrats.

Shooter429
 
There are a handful of Smith guns in which the IL can be a problem. They are the ultra lightweight magnums particularly the 329. The J-frame .38s are not affected, so you can safely buy one with or without and get a reliable product in my experience. But it is your money. They are the best little .38s on the planet for pocket carry. Congrats.

Shooter429
Click to expand...
shooter429,
Why take a chance when the non-lock model is available, besides, they just look better without the hole in the side plate. Also, that may or may not be true right now but what about when the revolver gets older and things start to loosen up a bit? Will the lock still be a "none issue"? Again, why take the chance when the non-lock model is available...
 
When I purchased my 642,

the lock was on it, there was no option to not have the lock.

Now that I have it, it is no big deal. Should the lock result in a problem down the road, I'm sure S&W will take care of me as long as I live. If they don't, I've read different places exactly how to REMOVE the lock (which I am totally capable of doing myself, but would rather have "the Smith" do it).
 
I am in process of looking for a small black rubber plug for the little lock hole on the 642. I still have the lock, but if I can find the correct size plug I will remove the lock. But in all honesty I think the lock issue has been blown out of proportion. Sure some of the lighter weight high load models did suffer from the problem as far as I know the 642 isn't one of them. But what the hell, if I can find that pesky plug I will remove the lock.
 
Model #'s for the different versions

the lock was on it, there was no option to not have the lock.
Click to expand...


S&W model # for the no lock 642 is 103810

S&W model # for the lock version 642 is 163810

I got a no lock version back in Nov. At the time my local shop had to order and his dealer was currently out of stock on the lock version but had inventory of the no lock. :) Go figure since I thought it would have been the other way around.

David
 
I just picked up a pair of the no-lock 642s, one for me and one for my wife. Negotiated sale price was $420 each (plus tax) before the $30 rebate, and I waited about a week for my local gun shop to get them in. Another dealer here in MA is selling them for $399, with an advertised (but unspecified) discount for paying cash (I'm guessing maybe $375 or so), but I wanted to support my local shop and save a bit of gas and time in the process.

I don't have a serious problem with the IL, but neither do I have any use for it, so I took advantage of the opportunity to get what I wanted without it. They are very sweet guns, by the way.
 
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