S&w 642 or 642LS?

[Kevinch]

I'm buying my 24 year old daughter her first handgun. It will be a wheelgun; something small that can be carried (if she so wishes) and for HD in her apartment.

I'm looking forward to this! It's going to be a surprise. She's plinked with me a few times but wants to learn how to handle a handgun. It will give us some time together. She'll be taking the NRA class - heck, I might just enroll too & go through it with her.

I've narrowed the selection down to a few different revolvers, all of them DAO. The S&W 642LS (Lady Smith) is under consideration. I haven't crunched the street prices yet (other than what I've read here at THR), but I notice the MSRP is $188 more than the 642. Other than the grips and laser engraving, is there any difference between these 2 guns that justifies the difference in price?

 

[Mulliga]

Short answer: no.

And a 642 isn't the greatest firearm for a beginner IMHO.

 

[Kevinch]

And a 642 isn't the greatest firearm for a beginner IMHO.

Why so?

 

[Rob1035]

very small in size, double action only, small sight radius, etc. I think a wheelgun is a great choice for a beginner, but I'd go for something a little bigger. Maybe a model 36 or 10 would be better, and most likely cheaper (used)

 

[Mulliga]

Heavy DA trigger pull, short sight radius, relatively nasty recoil. I'd much rather start beginners off with a GLOCK or 1911 than a .38 airweight snub. Perhaps a decent condition $200 used K frame to start, then graduate to the 642.

EDIT: Rob1035 read my mind.

 

[Jim PHL]

The lighter weight increases felt recoil, this is compunded by the small grips that are sold on the 642. Also, the short barrel and "fixed" sites are not conducive to easy accuracy, and being able to make hits is what is really going to "turn her on" to shooting even more.

I'd make this suggestion for you. Buy a used Model 15 or 67 with a 4" barrel and adjustable sites. (The 67 is also currently available new and shown on S+W web site) Don't let the "adjustable" bother you, once they are set you don't ever have to 'fiddle' with them. (And if you buy used they'll probably be set already.) These sites are just much easier to see and use than the fixed sites on some guns. These models are heavier and more hand filling than the steel "J-frames" without being too big or too heavy for a young woman (or even a teen) and these models are still tons of fun for Dads, too. You can 'share' this new/used gun with the promise of her own new carry gun if she continues with her interest.

If you are set on a small, hammerless snubnose, at least consider the 640, which is an all stainless steel version of the 642. The additional weight makes a big difference in shooting. If you are set on a new model, the 640 is currently available as a .357, (the older original version was .38 only). Another consideration in a new production gun would be the model 60 in a 5" barrel with adjustable sites. The sites are easier to see and use, especially with the longer barrel, and the additional weight and barrel length will also make shooting .38's fun and shooting .357's more manageable. Great for the range for a small handed shooter and for a house, car, woods/trail gun as well. Obviously not the best choice for concealed carry. The 60 is also available new with a 3" barrel and the same sites. This may be a good choice as well as it combines the steel frame and better sites with a barrel length that is better suited to concealed carry.

Take advantage of your mutual interest to spend some quality time with her and teach her well.

Good Luck!

 

[Kevinch]

I appreciate all the feedback - thank you.

Maybe I need to reconsider. My daughter - actually, my step-daughter but we truely have a father / daughter relationship - still lives with my wife & I. Due to the fact that my job will have us moving to a different state and that she is getting to "that age", she'll be getting an apartment within the next 9-12 months.

During that period is when we'll spend time shooting, but concentrate more on HD & PD scenarios than simply plinking at pop cans. I own, & she has shot, lighter-recoil handguns (a .22LR Single-Six & MKIII, a .38/.357 686, etc.)

I want to get her a gun for use in HD, but I'm also going to encourage her to obtain a CCW permit. I don't believe she would carry on her person 100% of the time, but I can see her having it in the car. More importantly, she rides a motorcycle and I'll encourage her to place this gun in her purse along side the cell phone before she puts it into the saddlebag.

Mulliga, I respect your opinion but I think a revolver is a better option here than a semi-auto. As much as I would like to see her dilligantly practice & become proficient in clearing stove pipes, failures-to-feed, failures-to-eject, etc., I don't believe that will be the case. The revolver manual-of-arms is less complicated (except, of course, for reloads). If going with a steel frame, I'd want SS.

Maybe the 642 isn't as good a choice as I first thought. Would a 3" M60 or M64 be a better choice? Or even the M60 or M60LS with the shorter 2.13" barrell? (I do think that a .38+P is enough gun, & would probably advise her to use that as a defense load regardless.) I think a 4" tube will be getting too big for her to CCW. Also, I notice Taurus sells their M85 & M60 in SS with a 3" tube. While I think a Ruger will be too "chunky", would these S&Ws or Taurus revolvers be a better choice?

Thanks again....

 

[Rob1035]

If you are willing to go used, I think a 3" M10 from www.jgsales.com (~$200) is a great, low cost option. Its big enough to be comfortable shooting, yet it is indeed 'ccw-able'.

FWIW- I carry a 642, and absolutely love it; however, I would not want to have it as a first firearm.

 

[Mulliga]

Maybe the 642 isn't as good a choice as I first thought. Would a 3" M60 or M64 be a better choice? Or even the M60 or M60LS with the shorter 2.13" barrell? (I do think that a .38+P is enough gun, & would probably advise her to use that as a defense load regardless.) I think a 4" tube will be getting too big for her to CCW.

I think the only reason to buy a 642 over a steel J-frame is for pocket carry. In a purse or in a car, the extra weight of the steel models doesn't make much difference. Any of the revolvers you mentioned will work.

Congrats and happy shooting.

 

[JNewell]

Or a Ruger SP101. Compact enough for anything but pocket carry but IIRC it's a couple of ounces heavier still than a Model 60 - I think they shoot just a little easier. They're almost indestructible and used ones can often be found at attractive prices.