Why i carry a 642

north country gal · 09-01-2015, 08:47 PM

It's all TGRs fault. He just had to post a pic of his 642, so I had no choice but to add a 642 to the collection, this one being the Ladysmith, though I think the only thing that makes it a Ladysmith is the label and the wood grips.

The idea of a pocket gun with no exposed hammer, whatsoever, does make sense, though, to completely eliminate any chance of snagging. That was my excise, anyway, for adding yet another J frame to the collection. Dang, I love these little guns.

Trigger pull is a bit heavier than my other J frames in DA mode, but not at all a problem for shooting and I suppose it's a good idea to have a bit heavier pull in a self defense gun. Didn't hurt accuracy, though. First day, right out of the box (2" bullseye). Yup, right there with our other J frame 38s. Whatever the reason, I do get along with these little S&W J frame guns. The little Smiths really are like potato chips. Can't have just one.

The wood grips ARE pretty and not at all bad when shooting the hot +P loads. All in all, I feel very comfortable carrying these little guns, given the way the shoot. Hard to beat a pocket gun that is a joy to carry AND a joy to shoot.

Terry_P · 09-02-2015, 05:27 AM

Those grips really dress them up. Mine has the stock rubber and is carried most everywhere. I shot mine with 140 gr JHP +P handloads and it was right one at 10 yards so I figured why look for another load.

moakes58 · 09-02-2015, 05:44 AM

My son has a 642 in his collection & carried it off-duty for years, though not in a pocket, strictly IWB.

I have been trying to pry it away from him for years

I do not have a revolver in my collection, but would like to add one.
The ones I like are way more $ than I can bring myself to spend on a firearm.

tx gun runner · 09-02-2015, 06:17 AM

I love all "J" frames but that 642 Lady Smith is sweet . ENJOY

daytime dave · 09-02-2015, 02:34 PM

ncg, that's a nice model of lady smith. If I recall correctly, some, if not all the ladysmith models were a bit more rounded off than others. I think that just makes them better.

I remember not getting a ladysmith, just because of the name. In hind sight, I wish I had. I think it was a three inch .357 K frame. Oh well, live and learn.

Here's my 638.

That's with the grips it came with. Here it is with the grips I carry it with.

north country gal · 09-02-2015, 04:34 PM

Love those grips, Dave. What are they?

Terry_P · 09-03-2015, 06:07 AM

Looks like old J Frame stock wooden grips and a Tyler T grip.

daytime dave · 09-03-2015, 07:27 AM

You are correct Terry. They are the current J frame grip from Smith and Wesson. They are called Dymondwood, I think. I didn't like the factory rubber grips for concealed carry. I ordered the wooden grips from Smith and Wesson and the Tyler T grip from Tyler.

Factory wood and a Tyler T grip is my favorite way to carry almost any Smith and Wesson revolver.

RetiredSeabee · 09-03-2015, 12:46 PM

Aaargh! I thought I was perfectly happy with my Taurus model 85.
And now you all have me craving a J frame smith.
And then dave posts that pic with the T grip..... just pushed me over the edge.
Now I don't want one I apparently need one.

daytime dave · 09-03-2015, 01:45 PM

Glad I could help.

Terry_P · 09-03-2015, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetiredSeabee

Aaargh! I thought I was perfectly happy with my Taurus model 85.
And now you all have me craving a J frame smith.
And then dave posts that pic with the T grip..... just pushed me over the edge.
Now I don't want one I apparently need one.

What no J Frame?

Here this will help:

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/m640.htm

Machinist · 09-06-2015, 01:25 AM

Carried this 638 daily for ten years or more. It wears the wooden grips now but I carried it with the early plastic Lasergrips. The grips were actually better than any others I had for concealment and control. I used a FIST ISW holster and wore it out. I replaced it with the same thing. When I broke my right shoulder I just switched the holster to the left side and wore it butt forward. It worked so well with the left hand I continued wearing it that way after I healed. I did not go back to right side carry until I switched to the Kahr CW40. I have purchased some left handed revolver holsters as they work well. I shoot handguns as well or better with my left hand.

With the Lasergrips.

north country gal · 09-10-2015, 04:44 PM

Lots of J frame fans on our forum. Good going, folks.

One more. Traded off the last Marlin, today, and brought this one, home. It's the Model 60LS. Although I do have the big scandium N frame 327 in 357 mag and a 7 shot 686 snubbie, they're just a bit big for easy concealment. The idea was to have 357 mag capability, but stay with a J frame gun for those times when I might encounter a bear. Well, okay, that was the excuse, anyway.

The Model 60 is an all steel gun, about the same size and weight as a Ruger SP 101, but the Smith comes out of the box with a MUCH nicer trigger. Will let you know how it shoots, soon.

sdb321 · 06-03-2017, 10:07 AM

I carry one close to a 642. Mine is a 640 Pro. It has had a action job performed on it. It has a 10 lb. trigger pull and is slick as "snot on a brass doorknob".

Machinist · 06-05-2017, 11:04 PM

sdb321, Looks very businesslike. I have used those grips in the past and they worked well, giving a good grip but hiding well as they were narrow. My normal non-laser grips are Hogue checkered wooden grips but they do not work for me on the J frame. I had trouble finding good grips for a J frame with square butt and these were the best I found.

09-01-2015, 08:47 PM	#21
north country gal Senior Member Joined: Jan 2013 From: northern wisconsin Posts: 6,001	It's all TGRs fault. He just had to post a pic of his 642, so I had no choice but to add a 642 to the collection, this one being the Ladysmith, though I think the only thing that makes it a Ladysmith is the label and the wood grips. The idea of a pocket gun with no exposed hammer, whatsoever, does make sense, though, to completely eliminate any chance of snagging. That was my excise, anyway, for adding yet another J frame to the collection. Dang, I love these little guns. Trigger pull is a bit heavier than my other J frames in DA mode, but not at all a problem for shooting and I suppose it's a good idea to have a bit heavier pull in a self defense gun. Didn't hurt accuracy, though. First day, right out of the box (2" bullseye). Yup, right there with our other J frame 38s. Whatever the reason, I do get along with these little S&W J frame guns. The little Smiths really are like potato chips. Can't have just one. The wood grips ARE pretty and not at all bad when shooting the hot +P loads. All in all, I feel very comfortable carrying these little guns, given the way the shoot. Hard to beat a pocket gun that is a joy to carry AND a joy to shoot. Last edited by north country gal; 09-01-2015 at 08:51 PM.

09-02-2015, 05:27 AM	#22
Terry_P Super Moderator Joined: Apr 2008 From: Where it's warm Posts: 10,623	Those grips really dress them up. Mine has the stock rubber and is carried most everywhere. I shot mine with 140 gr JHP +P handloads and it was right one at 10 yards so I figured why look for another load. Last edited by Terry_P; 09-02-2015 at 05:30 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Gunner Forum Discussions
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Why I carry a gun	tx gun runner	Gun Talk	7	08-05-2013 07:52 AM
Gun carry	tx gun runner	Gun Gear	9	12-28-2012 06:50 AM
new carry gun	Snuffy	CCW	29	11-30-2009 09:26 PM
My new carry gun	tx gun runner	Semi Auto Pistols	3	03-08-2009 08:18 PM

Why i carry a 642

642 as only carry gun

642 for ccw

642 forum

642 pocket carry

642 pocket carry simply rugged

642 s&w forum

damm that s&w 642 pc is nice

i am a older guy so i carry a s&w 642 pc

love my j frame 642 for carry

s&w j frame forum

will 642 grips fit on the wyatt deep cover

will my s&w 642 pc make a good truck gun

09-02-2015, 05:44 AM	#23
moakes58 Senior Member Joined: Jan 2014 From: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 4,728	My son has a 642 in his collection & carried it off-duty for years, though not in a pocket, strictly IWB. I have been trying to pry it away from him for years I do not have a revolver in my collection, but would like to add one. The ones I like are way more $ than I can bring myself to spend on a firearm.

09-02-2015, 06:17 AM	#24
tx gun runner Senior Member Joined: Jun 2008 From: Ft Hood , Tx area Posts: 11,626	I love all "J" frames but that 642 Lady Smith is sweet . ENJOY

09-02-2015, 02:34 PM	#25
daytime dave Senior Member Joined: Mar 2015 From: Upstate NY Posts: 462	ncg, that's a nice model of lady smith. If I recall correctly, some, if not all the ladysmith models were a bit more rounded off than others. I think that just makes them better. I remember not getting a ladysmith, just because of the name. In hind sight, I wish I had. I think it was a three inch .357 K frame. Oh well, live and learn. Here's my 638. That's with the grips it came with. Here it is with the grips I carry it with.

09-02-2015, 04:34 PM	#26
north country gal Senior Member Joined: Jan 2013 From: northern wisconsin Posts: 6,001	Love those grips, Dave. What are they?

09-03-2015, 06:07 AM	#27
Terry_P Super Moderator Joined: Apr 2008 From: Where it's warm Posts: 10,623	Looks like old J Frame stock wooden grips and a Tyler T grip.

09-03-2015, 07:27 AM	#28
daytime dave Senior Member Joined: Mar 2015 From: Upstate NY Posts: 462	You are correct Terry. They are the current J frame grip from Smith and Wesson. They are called Dymondwood, I think. I didn't like the factory rubber grips for concealed carry. I ordered the wooden grips from Smith and Wesson and the Tyler T grip from Tyler. Factory wood and a Tyler T grip is my favorite way to carry almost any Smith and Wesson revolver.

09-03-2015, 12:46 PM	#29
RetiredSeabee Super Moderator Joined: Dec 2012 From: Harrisburg, North Carolina Posts: 4,280	Aaargh! I thought I was perfectly happy with my Taurus model 85. And now you all have me craving a J frame smith. And then dave posts that pic with the T grip..... just pushed me over the edge. Now I don't want one I apparently need one.

09-03-2015, 01:45 PM	#30
daytime dave Senior Member Joined: Mar 2015 From: Upstate NY Posts: 462	Glad I could help.

09-06-2015, 01:25 AM	#32
Machinist Senior Member Joined: Feb 2009 From: McKinney, TX Posts: 8,994	Carried this 638 daily for ten years or more. It wears the wooden grips now but I carried it with the early plastic Lasergrips. The grips were actually better than any others I had for concealment and control. I used a FIST ISW holster and wore it out. I replaced it with the same thing. When I broke my right shoulder I just switched the holster to the left side and wore it butt forward. It worked so well with the left hand I continued wearing it that way after I healed. I did not go back to right side carry until I switched to the Kahr CW40. I have purchased some left handed revolver holsters as they work well. I shoot handguns as well or better with my left hand. With the Lasergrips.

09-10-2015, 04:44 PM	#33
north country gal Senior Member Joined: Jan 2013 From: northern wisconsin Posts: 6,001	Lots of J frame fans on our forum. Good going, folks. One more. Traded off the last Marlin, today, and brought this one, home. It's the Model 60LS. Although I do have the big scandium N frame 327 in 357 mag and a 7 shot 686 snubbie, they're just a bit big for easy concealment. The idea was to have 357 mag capability, but stay with a J frame gun for those times when I might encounter a bear. Well, okay, that was the excuse, anyway. The Model 60 is an all steel gun, about the same size and weight as a Ruger SP 101, but the Smith comes out of the box with a MUCH nicer trigger. Will let you know how it shoots, soon.

06-05-2017, 11:04 PM	#35
Machinist Senior Member Joined: Feb 2009 From: McKinney, TX Posts: 8,994	sdb321, Looks very businesslike. I have used those grips in the past and they worked well, giving a good grip but hiding well as they were narrow. My normal non-laser grips are Hogue checkered wooden grips but they do not work for me on the J frame. I had trouble finding good grips for a J frame with square butt and these were the best I found.