The 642 club

[loplop]

Thanks, guys, I appreciate the kind words. I do need to tighten those 7+ yard groups up. One thing that has helped me shoot this little guy: with my semiautos, I tend to use the pad of my trigger finger on the trigger. With 1911's (sweet triggers) I got better control with that method. I had problems with this method shooting the snubby; my finger is a little weak, and I would open up the groups by moving the light little snub during the trigger pull.

I emptied the gun (EMPTY! CHECK AGAIN!) and did some dryfire practice at home. I noticed I was able to keep the sights much steadier if I put my first joint on the trigger for the squeeze.

My groups have gotten better since.

To tell you the truth, I haven't practiced with the snub as much as I'd like. I recently switched from all 1911's to few 1911's, and SIG Sauer's for my semiautos. I also switched from .45 (obviously) to a 9mm carry gun (SIG P239). I have been spending a LOT of quality time with the P239, and I've finally started to settle into that pistol. The snubby is getting more of a workout now, and I hope to increase my proficiency to that of the SIG.

 

[g5reality]

Thank you

I just ordered the CTC 405 lasergrips for my 642 from Discovery Optics for $229 = Free shipping.

thank you again for saving me money.

I think this and other club threads are extremely helpfull to all.

Thanks again FiVe. I will be sending at least $5 for your wonderfully deserved new gun. Can we have it engraved, if we get enough money, something that says "Founder 642 Club @ THR"

G5

 

[blgoode]

wearing this now...........SHE IS A GOOD COMPANION

 

[1BLINDREF]

loplop
A set of crimson trace grips will help you with your trigger control. Trying to hold the dot steady on target while pulling the trigger is great practice. You can really notice how much you flinch. I started with big targets around the room and slowly moved down in size. It's amazing how good you can get with some practice while smoothing out that new trigger.
(BTW - I also carry a P239, but in .40 - it's also an awesome little gun )

 

[GregAllCalibers]

I also just ordered the CTC 405 lasergrips for my 642 from Discovery Optics for $229 = Free shipping

 

[AStone]

I see a new club on the horizon: The CTC-405 Club.

1Blind, good arguments for the grips. Maybe I'll have to save my pennies...

 

[sloman]

?

can we get a GROUP discount anyway for the 405's? hint hint

 

[loplop]

1BLINDREF: I noticed that when I was dryfiring at home, which lead me to my different trigger finger placement. It's not flinching, it's just that my weak-azz finger was shaking the little 1 7/8" barrel all over! I swear, I spent far too much time with sweet 1911 triggers... :banghead:

Re: P239... I didn't immediately take to my P239, probably in part because it was my first pistol in 9mm. I've settled into it now, though, and although I'm not as good with it out to 10-15 yards as my 45's, I can put all 9 rounds through one ragged hole at 15 feet shooting as quickly as I can reacquire the sight. I can keep all the rounds on the general point of aim on a silouette at 25 feet as fast as I shoot them. I can do failure-to-stop drills and hit the head shot every time. So while I'm not surgical with it out to long distances (my groups open up quite a bit at 25-45 feet!) I'm comfortable enough it's now my main carry gun, and I've actually learned to quite like it. It's a keeper. I was actually hoping to find one in 357SIG, but I can't argue with 9mm ammo cost.

Now I need to work on that little snubby, I'm a little slower and less consistent with it.

 

[340PD]

New LG 405 grips on my 340PD

I just returned from the range after installing my new LG405 grips. Originally they were for my wife's Mod. 60 3". I tried them on my 340PD and thought they were not thick enough. I shot 100 rounds of 38sp 140gr. HP over 5 gr. of Unique. After getting then adjusted I was very impressed at how well they grouped at 50'. There is no question that I shoot better with these on the gun. My aging eyes are no longer a factor, nor is the position the pistol is in when I need to fire it. These grips will stay with me. They are not the perfect shape for me, but the concealment capabilities of these are well worth the tradeoff. I have ordered a set of LG305's for my wife's mod 60. I think the slightly longer grip will be easier for her to deal with the recoil. If not, they will find a home on some other J-Frame. What a great excuse to buy another gun.

 

[rickomatic]

I just emailed NightVision Sales, where I got my LG-405's and asked them if they'd be interested in offering a volume group buy discount. I'll see what they say.
How many might be interested if they come through?

 

[peewee]

Hello all

Can I join?

I've had my 642-2 since last May. I had some light primer strikes but S&W service fixed it over night. Since then no problems at all.

I like reading all the post and tips here. It helped me decide on the 642. I have no regrets.

Carry it in an uncle mikes #3 pocket holster.

 

[fiVe]

Can I join?

Absolutely! And we are honored that you made your very first THR post here in the 642 Club. Welcome aboard!!

Regards,
fiVe

 

[g5reality]

Welcome,

peewee

 

[jad0110]

*** EDIT: After checkin', it does not appear that there are any problems with Paypal, we are just getting off to a slow start with $Five for fiVe, which I expected going in. Just make sure that if you choose to give $$$ for fiVe's "gift gun", use the correct email address as seen below (with underscores, not dashes). ***

I just checked, only two payments have come through Paypal???

When Paypal receives a payment, I get notified at [email protected]

If I get a payment notification, I always confirm it, so if you have sent a gift and not gotten a confirmation from me (from [email protected]), then Paypal did NOT receive your payment.

Make absolutely certain that the email address is correct, using underscores (not dashes!). If you haven't received a confirmation email from me, PM me or post here. Again, check that email address.

Gotta go to work, so you may not hear from me for a while...

 

[1BLINDREF]

loplop

Keep practicing finger squeez and control - you'll get it. It took me a few dry fire sessions to get it down - trigger finger got stronger as well. It sounds crazy but you can really feel your finger get stronger.

I know this is the 642 Club - but:
RE: P239, I have the .357sig barell for mine as well as the .40S&W. ( I got the P239 .40S&W two-tone with nite sites, a .357sig barell, 3 mags, new in the package Hogue finger grove grips - [awesome], box and papers for $595 The range I shoot at was selling it on consignmet - looks like it had very few rounds through it, maybe 500 or so. The guy at the counter told me they just put it in the display case about 1/2 hour before I got there!) I shot a box (50) of .357sig through it. It was pretty . The recoil felt very different then the .40S&W. It seemed to push the gun more back into my hand instead of flipping the muzzle If you get a chance - give one a try.

 

[loplop]

I know what you mean about the trigger finger. I've increased my accurate shot count to 35 in one session, I started at only 15 accurate shots before my finger started wavering. It does happen quickly.

Re: 357SIG. I have a P239 in 357SIG on my "list" although I believe the slide is a bit wider than my 9mm, and it would require a new holster :banghead: (Do you happen to have a micrometer? I'd love a slide measurement. If so, PM me). Your description of 357SIG really intrigues me even more, as I'm a 45ACP guy at heart and "snappy" doesn't sit well with me. I had to train fairly hard on the P239 to get proficient at shooting a 9. Sounds like 357SIG might be right up my alley.

The P239 has really, really grown on me. I really like carrying it, shooting it, and cleaning it (so easy). It's very comfy and concealable in my Milt Sparks VM2. A great pistol.

Speaking of VM2, and back on topic... I have been considering a belt holster for my J-frame. Why? I dunno. I like belt carry, I guess, and I'm eyeing a 357 mag j-frame (steel, no AirLight for me!!). I just ordered a Milt Sparks PMK (OWB holster) for my S&W Model 22 (4" tube, N-Frame) and am considering one for my snubby. Does anyone here carry a snub concealed in a IWB or OWB?

 

[1BLINDREF]

I have a pre-lock M640. After shooting it, I can't imagine what an air weight in .357 must be like . I like my 640 - lots of flames when shooting full power .357s
I don't have a micrometer but I know holster mfgs list a different holster # for the .357sigs. The thickness of the slide has to be bigger to accommodate the thicker .40 round.

 

[RTFM]

loplop I agree with 1BLINDREF.
I have a SIG P229 with a .40 S&W and a .357SIG barrel.

The .40 is a violent round, exhibiting all the "worst" recoil traits of other rounds. It pushes straight back with a heavy "snap" - it also produces muzzle rise.
While I do not notice this, others that have shot my P229 in .40 also notice a torque with the muzzle rotating in an upward left arc (say from 12 O'clock to about 10:30)

While the P229 with the .357SIG barrel is only a push straight back, and again (to me at least) the acceleration and received recoil is less than the .40

As a side note, I have three friends that are United States Sky Marshalls, three years ago the Marshall service changed from SIG P229's in .40 S&W to P229's in 357SIG.
Fot the vary same reason were talking about here.. Less precieved recoil, faster follow up with less rise.

RTFM

 

[TEL]

Cleaning Solution Alternatives

I've noticed that some people use synthetic motor oil in lieu of "gun oil" for lubrication of their guns moving parts. I was just wondering if there are other generic (and therefore less expensive) gun cleaning alternatives that would be just as effective and would not damage the firearm. For example, a generic cleaner for the bore and other metal surfaces, a generic protectant. I'm currently using BreakFree CLP, but a 4 oz. bottle was over 6 bucks and I seem to be going through it pretty quickly.

 

[1BLINDREF]

There are some other things out there that people use to clean their guns, like Brake Cleaner and Carb Cleaner.
IMHO, I don't think using cheaper alternatives to clean or lubricate my "babys"/ investments / self defence tools / etc. is a good idea.
If I were cleaning maybe say a jennings or a raven , I might think differently

 

[308win]

Mika IWB

I asked Bob Mika to modify his IWB design for me and I think it is going to work. I had him reposition the clip so the holster rides about an inch higher with about a 20-25 degree forward cant. I don't have much of a waist line (actually no butt) so I buy my pants fairly snug at the waist and don't have a lot of room in the waist.

 

[jad0110]

Does anyone here carry a snub concealed in a IWB or OWB?

When I wear pants that have tiny pockets, I carry my 642 IWB with a cheapo Uncle Mike's clip on size 36 (cost me around $11). After clipping it on, I always secure it with a saftey pin (in case the clip breaks ).

The .40 is a violent round, exhibiting all the "worst" recoil traits of other rounds. It pushes straight back with a heavy "snap" - it also produces muzzle rise.

Agree! To my hand anyway, it feels like the 40 combines the quick flip/snap of the 9mm and slow, heavy push of the 45. I never could warm up to it, so in autos I prefer 9 and 45.

I've noticed that some people use synthetic motor oil in lieu of "gun oil" for lubrication of their guns moving parts. I was just wondering if there are other generic (and therefore less expensive) gun cleaning alternatives that would be just as effective and would not damage the firearm.

I stick to gun specific cleaning agents such as Hoppes #9, Breakfree CLP, and Gunk Out for the internal lockwork (not good for painted finishes like the 642/442). I've heard Gun Scrubber is safe for that.

As for lubricant, once I use my supply of gun oil I'll probably start using Automatic Trans Fluid. I already started using the ATF on the internal lockwork. The following quote comes from this informative webpage by Grant Cunningham:

Frankly, in terms of mechanical performance most oils "work"; some are better than others, but everything will make parts move for a while. What really gets most oils is lack of corrosion resistance - in a gun, corrosion is a bad thing! There have been lots of claims, but those people who have actually taken the time to run experiments to test corrosion on steel have found that the products with the greatest hype are often the worst at corrosion resistance. Not surprisingly, plain mineral oils, such as Rem Oil, score at the very bottom of the list.

Ironically, the product that scores at or very near the top of just about everyone's testing is also the most available, and the cheapest. It also has good migration, a good boundary lubrication package, is the right weight (thickness) for general firearms use, doesn't oxidize over long periods of storage, and is compatible with a wide range of metals and plastics. In addition, it is recommended by at least one real degreed firearms engineer! Just what is this miracle elixir??

Dexron-type Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). That's right, plain ol' ATF. The kind you get at every gas station, auto parts store, and even most convenience stores. Synthetic or regular, either will work just fine.

As Mr. Cunningham points out, about the only drawback to ATF is the pungent odor.

 

[AStone]

Hmm. Very interesting, 308.

What's the material on the inside, next to skin?

Please keep us posted about how it feels after a day of wear.
_________

I'm actually reconsidering a pocket holster again, now that spring is coming and I won't always want to use the OWB holster.

After some experimentation, I'm finding that it may indeed conceal in my (Carhartt) pocket even with the larger Hogue monogrips. I'm going to look at some pocket holsters.

And, I'm going to try some of the ligher gr Corbon's and Federals. If they feel better recoil wise, I may even put the smaller stock grips back on for summer (I woudn't mind sacrificing a bit of mass for summer weight clothing ... even the BG's are not going to be wearing coats then.

I'm still hoping to hear opinions from some of you <hint, hint >
about the trade-off between mass and velocity,
say between 135 gr and 110 gr. rnds.

I'm slowly seeking pages on the web that address that
(even though it's not at the top of my research list currently).

Nem

 

[308win]

NEMATOCYST-870

The believe Bob makes his products out of upholstery grade Naugahyde. I have worn it all day several times and it is comfortable.

 

[JoeG52]

Here's a link to homemade cleaners & lubricants...
http://www.frfrogspad.com/homemade.htm