The 642 club

[loplop]

You don't know how excited I was... I was planning a trip to WalMart on the way home to fill a shopping cart with 38 spl.

 

[DAdams]

Dawg-
Sorry for the bottom feeder shots. I will remove them if the group finds them overtly offensive and inappropriate for the 642 Club Forum. It was my first handgun ever so it holds a special place...in my truck. Iv'e never carried it, too heavy at 24oz. It is what guided me to the ultimate carrys the PM9 and 642 although I would still like a j frame .357.

Loplop-
I will try some of the WWB in the 9 and see how they do. Perhaps and hopefully the squibs were confined to .380s. Nice of you to share the 36.

Holydoc-
Thanks for the excellent laser report. I would have to go back and look but you have the 405s right? Did you observe much cushioning effect/felt recoil reliev on the CTs vs the standard grips?

Ammuntion Price Check, Florida Gulf Coast Wal Mart.
I paid $25 and some change for 100 Remington UMC 125gr JHP .38+P yesterday at Wally.

 

[KillshotRB]

1st post..

My near future set-up will include a 642, and CT LG 405's, and will post a pic of the combo to grant me access.. Great info. here everyone - I've enjoyed all the specifics and look forward to yet another forum to visit with some frequency - when time allows of course.

 

[fiVe]

KillshotRB: When you're ready--we're ready. And we always like pics!

 

[1BLINDREF]

DAdams-

Don't sweat the bottom feeder pictures.
We'll forgive you for your momentary lapse of reason

 

[RTFM]

w00t another brother (?) !

The more we have the stronger we become.

Welcome to the "club"

fiVe we may need to knock down that wall earlier than expected, so we can build that room adition for all the new members here.

Oh - and how is the e-ink supply holding up..... we sure are using a lot now a days with these 2000+ posts!


Welcome KillshotRB

 

[fiVe]

Five,

As far as the fine shooting, it is amazing the difference laser grips make for pure accuracy. I am tickled pink with the grouping and placement of the shots from this revolver. I know the criticism of having a laser on your pistol is that the Bad Guy can locate you. But in reality when that laser goes off and pinpoints the Bad Guy, I think he will have wished that he had not located me.

The second thing I have found is that the difference in placement of the shots at 10 feet, 15 feet and 23 feet is negligible for this weapon with the laser grips. There is no need at these distances to worry about making sure the laser is parallel with the barrel or any other worries. Personally I would recommend zero'ng in that laser at 7 yards and feeling confident that you now have a great mechanism for placing shots to aid you with stopping power.

Now I am not worried about giving up my large 9mm for this 38special. With the ability to produce surgical accuracy with the laser, this gun will more than compensate for the lack of continuous shots.

BTW... Robert Mika stated my holster will be in the mail in 10 days. Now I need to look at speed loaders, and I will be all set.

Holydoc,
I enjoyed this entire post (my favorite part is highlighted in red). Mark my words, you will not be disappointed with your Mika pocket holster. (Mine is still my favorite.)


Tactical question about the CT Laser grips.
The 305 & 405 models have a master switch that deactivates the laser even if the instinctive front button is pressed. It appears (and I might be wrong) that the 105 model does not have a master switch, so I guess the laser will always be on. Finally my question: Is there a tactical benefit/advantage to ever deactivating the laser? If you've trained with it, wouldn't you always want to use it?
Thanks for your input. This CT laser grip discussion is good stuff!!

R/fiVe

 

[DAdams]

Crimson Trace 405

Well between Holydoc's report and the IRS refund I think I am going to cowboy up and get a set of CT 405s.

This article helped too:

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/CT_grips.htm



The best price I found so far is Discovery Optics
229.99 free shipping.

Night Vision Sales
232.95 free shipping

Both have them in stock. I am going to give my LGS a shot at the business too on a match basis. $230 OTD

Anyone encountered a better price? With shipping and in stock?

 

[Holydoc]

DAadams,

Nice link. I cannot argue with anything stated in that paper.

As far as my comparison between the laser grips and the standard grips, I cannot say. I purchased this gun equiped with the laser grips. Never had a chance to try it any other way. AND do not want to.

Five,

The fact that you can turn the laser off allows you to practice shooting the gun with or without the laser without having to modify your grip. I am a believer in ensuring that you are comfortable with the iron sights as well as with the laser. You never know when that laser may stop working.

I have also found it nice that I can turn the laser off while cleaning the gun. Seems every time I am rotating the gun to wipe a dingy spot, I would accidently hit the laser button driving my cats crazy with the little round, red plaything.

 

[mattw]

Having a master switch is definetly a tactical advantage for the laser. Imagine you need to get a shot off without revealing your position before the shot is heard. Maybe there are two or three bad guys, one facing away from you and one facing you. You are hidden in the shadows or otherwise concealed. You would not want the laser shining on the bad guy's back while you line up your shot. The other BG was looking past him (in your direction), that would tip off the bad guy when he sees a shiney red beam coming from some shadows or behind a bush.

That might not happen in your normal self defense situation where you've got to draw and fire on a rushing bad guy, but it could happen.

 

[loplop]

If you've got 3 BG's, haven't been located, and you have a snub...

Beat feet.

Personally I feel for a civvie non-leo, "revealing your position" is not something you need to worry about.

Anywho, tactical considerations aside, the laser is gaining favor. I have not yet tried one.

 

[1BLINDREF]

Maybe there are two or three bad guys, one facing away from you and one facing you. You are hidden in the shadows or otherwise concealed. You would not want the laser shining on the bad guy's back while you line up your shot. The other BG was looking past him (in your direction), that would tip off the bad guy when he sees a shiney red beam coming from some shadows or behind a bush

Somebodys watching too much TV

 

[jad0110]

Live long and prosper, 642 Club!!!

fiVe,

Congrats on the success of The 642 Club! I hope it continues to live and thrive! It has certainly been one hyperactive thread of late.

I too may spring for some CTs, one day. I've got a lot of other priorities right now though, the first of which is building a reloading bench and getting my equipment.

The 305s seemed a bit long, so it will be either the 405s or 105s.

Are there any big drawbacks to the 105s? They certainly appear to be the most compact, which would be advantageous for pocket carry.

 

[rickomatic]

Finally got a chance to try the "baby" out with the new Crimson Trace LG-405 grips. I fired 50 rounds at the range the other day, and the grips handled them just fine. No +P yet, but I'm sure these will tame them just fine. They did tend to absorb a lot more recoil than the stock grips.
I did have a little trouble getting it dialed in though. Probably due more to user error than anything else. I was adjusting them the wrong way at first...LOL.
One thing for sure though, with the laser dot, you sure see how much the point of aim jumps around.
All in all...I'm pleased.

 

[iggyAZ]

Just got my CCW Permit

I've had my 642 for about 4 months and decided to get my CCW Permit her in Arizona. Boy it sure doesn't take much here. Just a 8 hr course and the range to prove you can shot straight and know the safety rules and laws. Oh yah $65 for 5 years.
I'm still getting used to the pistol at the range. I have never shot a hammerless and still getting the feel for the trigger pull and keeping the wrist solid.
Anyway I'm now legal to carry concealed.
I just bought two boxes of ammo
Federal Premium Personal Defense .38 Spl. 110 Gr. HSJHP
Any of you guys use them?

Iggy

 

[Holydoc]

Wait! Did Jad call me hyperactive?!!

Five,

So Smith&Wesson sent you a cap? Cool. Could you post a picture? I have never even seen an S&W representative speak up in these threads, so it is something that they went as far as presenting you a gift for starting a thread.

Jad,

I think it was mentioned earlier that the 105 does not have a master shut-off switch. This will cause you problems if you want to practice with iron sights only since you will have to modify your grip to keep the laser from going off while utilizing them. Does CT still sell the 105?

1BlindRef,

I have to agree with the TV comment.

 

[Dgreno]

WOW!!!

I am amazed!! I just spent about 4 hours reading all o the 2000+ posts on the 642. I had no idea it had such a big fan club. I was on the fence about the 442 as opposed to the Taurus 85 ultralite. I must say, after reading all of these posts, my purchase will definately be the 442 with some CT laser grips soon to follow. I am just waiting on my tax return and then I will "apply" for membership to the club. Thank you all for helping me make my decision on what will be a great gun!! I will be sure to post pics and let everyone know when it is added to the family!
Dave
P.S. I hate to have things that are "stock". any pointers on how to make the _42 better?
Thanks again!!

 

[Holydoc]

Dgreno,

I would get the gun, hit the range, and get use to it a bit first before you try to improve it.

First purchases of course is a cleaning kit, some nice range ammo, some protection ammo, and a good holster (according to your carrying needs and concealment needs).

After that you may want to consider a new trigger spring to loosen the DA pull. I carry mine in my pocket so I do not wish to loosen the DA pull that much. Some of my valuables are a bit too close to detonation point.

Otherwise the 442 is a very nice looking gun and does not really require too much refinement. It is after all a snubby!

 

[fiVe]

Per Holydoc's request

So Smith&Wesson sent you a cap? Cool. Could you post a picture?

This is the cap (black w/ gold stitching) Smith & Wesson sent back in November...

 

[jfernett119]

Joined the club...

Just picked up a 442 on gunbroker. Thanks for all the info. Hleped me make a decision for summer carry. Can't wait to get it.

 

[AStone]

Federal Premium Personal Defense .38 Spl. 110 Gr. HSJHP
Any of you guys use them?

We would, but most of us can't get the box open.

(see p. 73)

 

[jad0110]

Wait! Did Jad call me hyperactive?!!

Nah, just this thread - we are all just along for the ride!

Thanks for the info on the 105s, you've helped me narrow my choices down to just the 405s. Too bad, as the 105s looked to be best for maintaining the concealability of the original boot grips. The 405s don't look much bigger than those boot grips though.

Quote:
Federal Premium Personal Defense .38 Spl. 110 Gr. HSJHP
Any of you guys use them?

We would, but most of us can't get the box open.

I used to have some 130 grain HiShoks. Trust me, after a while of trying to get the friggen box open you feel like using your 642 as a box opener !

I suppose the fireworks from doing that would be kinda unpleasant though!

 

[1BLINDREF]

Got my free range bag today

Thanks to someone who posted a link a bunch of pages ago (I can't find it right now but it's back there somewhere), I got my free S&W range bag yesterday I wish I could remember who posted it - just ANOTHER senior moment :banghead: , but whoever you are THANKS!!. I originally thought that I would sell it on eBay - I have enough range bags, but it's the perfect size for going to the range with just 1 or 2 guns by myself.

iggy-

I've had my 642 for about 4 months and decided to get my CCW Permit her in Arizona. Boy it sure doesn't take much here. Just a 8 hr course and the range to prove you can shot straight and know the safety rules and laws. Oh yah $65 for 5 years.

It's even easier in PA. All you do is fill out the paperwork, have your local PD sign it, and bingo - you get to CCW. No range or class time, no info booklets on where and when you can carry or shoot - just fill out the papers and write a check (can't remember how much $) It's easier to get than a drivers license. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I worry about the people that get their CCW and don't have the first clue of which end of the gun the bullet comes out of, or take the time to educate themselves. Too many bad things can come of this. All it takes is one stupid incident to happen because of someones ignorance, and the antis and the news media will be all over it.

 

[loplop]

Range Bag: I sent in my coupon for that last week, hopefully mine comes as quickly! I saw a local shop is giving them away with a $400 S&W purchase this week. S&W must have made a bunch to give away. I'm actually quite excited to get mine; I use an old laptop bag right now, and it works quite well, but it's a little oddly shaped for ammo storage (unless I pack it full, it shifts).

Welcome new members, I'm happy to see more 442's popping up. I'm quite partial to "blue" guns. The early pages were full of 642's and I was left wondering if the 442 was as good of a choice. Not being terribly familiar with S&W's new lineup, I didn't know they were the same save the finish.

I am reading the book "The Snubby Revolver" right now.


A snub fan at my local range recommended it, and I have enjoyed reading it. It's a little haphazardly arranged, and I would like some of the "articles" fleshed out a bit more, but I have learned a few things. It pointed me to a local defense-training group (TDI Ohio), I think I'll attend a class there this summer. The author likes LaserGrips. The author also discusses using MagSafe ammo in a snub, to the point that he recommends it above all else.

I have never bought into the MagSafe philosophy, but I wonder: is anyone carrying this in their x42?

 

[1BLINDREF]

loplop

Without getting into too much detail, why does he recomend Magsafe. Is it because of the high velocity.
One of the employees at my range carrys it in his always CCW snubbie and swears by it.
Would you recommend that book?