S&W 642 or similar, hammer or hammerless? .38+P?

[mjp28]

I've been looking for a couple of small .38s one for me and the wife, maybe both the same for convienence, etc. Hammer or hammerless?

I've shot for ~50 years, wife a total rookie not crazy about guns but she's coming around. I'd like to control the kick for her, how about the .38 loads? Can (would) you use a regular .38 in a .38 special or .38+P?

Can a novice 5' 0" small woman handle this OK (just an opinion)?

Smith & Wesson Model: 642....I like these, new about $385, good deal?
Caliber: .38+P......what loads can you use in this gun?
Capacity: 5 Rounds
Barrel Length: 1 7/8"
Front Sight: Integral Front
Rear Sight: Fixed
Grip: Rubber Grips
Frame: Small - Centennial Style
Finish: Matte
Overall Length: 6 3/8"
Material: Alloy/Stainless Steel Weight Empty: 15 oz.
COMP #03371300 REG. $600.00 SALE $385.00

[mjp28]

I like a hammar but a future CCW gun might be as good or better hammerless?

I've always liked .38s, have a bigger one I got from a cop's dad years back, too big for my CCW likes.

[mjp28]

Oh any suggestions for another similar piece or different mfgr, appoox. price etc. Thanks.....

[Alpo]

638. That hump conceals a hammer. It has the benefits of a hammer - you can cock it - and the benefits of hammerless - it don't snag on your pocket. Best of both worlds.



But, as to whether a novice 5'0" woman handle a 642? This young man is 10, maybe 11. Comes up to about my breastbone. Notice, in the second pic, he is using his bird finger to pull the trigger. He did not have the grip strength to do it with his index finger. BUT - he got it done and shot pretty good.

[mjp28]

Thanks for the pics. I wonder what the trigger pull is in lbs if you know.

I've got to get her to try holding one of these! How does the price sound for the 642? S&W has a lot of similar number Airlights and other small frame guns.

I originally was thinking .22LR or .22MAG but have several and have ruled out getting another.

I'm thinking .38, .380 or 9mm now. I also have boxes of .38 ammo now.

[Alpo]

No idea of the poundage. The young lady in the grey t-shirt, in the last picture. That's my daughter. She has one. I bought it used, for 330, in December of '99 and gave it to her for Christmas. 385 is a SMOKIN' good deal.

[JTofGPD]

Just bought the 642 for my wife... Kicks like a lightweight, but shoots nice with a smooth trigger. Definitely worth the $$$.

[twobit]

try the trigger on a Ruger LCR. I prefer them over the S&W.

[aa1911]

The LCR's are nice, I'm thinking of that being my new backup just due to weight.

But I'd recommend the 642 for certain and if for under $400 I would jump on it. Ruger is up to par and in some cases surpasses S&W for overall quality but I've only gotten hands on one LCR and it hasn't been around that long.

I stick to the sp101 if my backup can be exposed, otherwise the 642 is a winner.

so to make a semi-long story short, I vote buy the 642! and start with light reloads if you can before you throw +P down the pipe. but you already knew that...

[B27]

All of my small frame .38s but one are hammerless.

The one top left is now my mom's bedside gun.
She is 82 years old, has arthritis and has no trouble with the trigger pull.

[mjp28]

Nice collection, my only snubby revolver is a .22LR now I like the .38...plus I've always liked S&W or maybe Ruger.

Or any other suggestions to check out, thanks.

[mjp28]

Originally Posted by B27

All of my small frame .38s but one are hammerless.

The one top left is now my mom's bedside gun.
She is 82 years old, has arthritis and has no trouble with the trigger pull.

Oh if she's 82 my wife should handle that!