SW642: I Have Been Assimilated

[roo_ster]

Just got an unfired (by previous owner) NIB SW642.

I bought a Taurus Total Ti 651 .357mag a couple years back, but I could not find any fitted* holsters to fit it. I was stuck with Uncle Mikes #4 pocket holsters and Uncle Mikes ankle rigs.

Thing was, I wanted to tote it in a quality belt holster or shoulder holster once in a while, but that was not an option with the T651.

I am losing some power, going from .357mag 180gr Winchester Nosler Partition HP to .38spl+P 158gr Remington LSWCHP FBI loads.

I have shot it at the range. It shoots to POA with FBI loads. The FBI loads are a little frisky, but nothing compared with the T651 with any .357mag, which is at the limit of my recoil tolerance.

I will gin up a .38spl 158gr LSWC reload for it with Trail Boss for practice.

It has The Lock. If The Lock gives me any guff during practice, I will disassemble the revolver, remove the guts of The Lock, and live with the hole in the frame. I own three other S&W revos (2 N, 1 L), all of which have gob-smackingly good triggers. I doubt a J-frame trigger will be as good as them, but I might take it to a Smith smith to see what he can do without compromising reliability of ignition.



* Yes, the slop-master Uncle Mikes & other nylon rigs would fit, but they are not the quality I want in a belt or shoulder holster.

 

[txgolfer45]

I almost bought one today too. But, I resisted. I carry my Kahr PM9 instead. My next buy may be a Ruger SP101 though.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

jfruser,
Don't do anything with the trigger until you squeeze the trigger at least 500 to 1000 times. It really does smooth out a lot with use. Get a set of snap caps to speed the process along a bit. I really didn't realize how much the trigger smoothed out until I tried a new J frame and then shot my 2 1/2 year old M638. They trigger was much smoother and easier to pull than the new one.

 

[HuntAndFish]

Welcome to the collective 7,890,987 of 9,765,987.

 

[Phydeaux642]

Resistance is futile.

_________________

"Phydeaux, bad dog....no biscuit!"

 

[roo_ster]

AACD:

I know the guy who bought it new-from-the-dealer. First thing I did was set him up with snap caps, as a gift from me.

He dutifully dry-fired it while watching TV for a couple thousand times.

It is much smoother than when it was new, but still is in no danger of matching my old S&Ws for smoothness.

I'll have to see if I like it as-is or if it will need work. Still not sure. It sure is not atrocious, but I like a smooth trigger on my revolvers.

On a more positive note, even though it is only 2 oz lighter than my Taurus 651, I can notice the difference in my pocket when packing it.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Friction is the reason the 642's action is stiffer than a gun with an exposed hammer (all things being equal). Dry fire away.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Remember jfruser, this is a SD revolver, you don't want the trigger too light. If it were a target gun it would be one thing but it's for SD. I would play with the springs because this one MUST go bang when you pull the trigger if you know what I mean!! If you have a good Smith that can polish the internal parts, that would probably be a good idea. Just remember, not too much can be done with MIM parts without rendering them useless.

 

[fiVe]

Welcome to the club, jfruser. Your assimilation will be IN-complete until you join The 642 Club.

 

[Stainz]

A good equivalent to the Remi's is the +P 158gr LSWC load that Georgia Arms produces from recycled chrome-plated +P brass - their #G38E - and it is actually LSWCHP! They are <1/3 the cost of the Remington R38S12 rounds we carry as SD. Nice folks there, too.

I suggest the Robert Mikas' pocket holster - a bargain and most effective at blending in the 642's lines, while remaining put when the revolver is drawn. Save the shoulder/belt leather for larger & more massive revolvers... JMHO.

Stainz

 

[shooter429]

Very nice choice

Congrats on what is one of the finest pocket guns in the world.

Shooter429

 

[JERRY]

if you ever get your hands on a non locked s&w J frame, youre ruined for any of the locked ones....