S&W 642 38 SNUBNOSE REVOLVER - The Firearms Forum

Rockyja · 07-12-2012, 09:58 AM

About 3 weeks ago, I purchased a Smith and Wesson Model 642 Centennial Airweight Revolver. I've never fired a 38 round before and would like any of you that have, give me any advise as to what should I use just for some light target shooting without braking the bank..

Any advise would be helpful.

This is my gun, the photos are not mine.

Gun Geezer · 07-12-2012, 10:06 AM

My EDC is a S&W 342, titanium, .38+P revolver that looks identical to yours. Being a revolver it will eat anything you feed it. I usually go to the farm store and pick up whatever .38 ammo they have on sale, ie, Wolf which is made in Russia or buy re-loads at the range. I used to re-load wad cutters for target practice but I don't shoot enough any more for all the work it involves.

Alpo · 07-12-2012, 10:36 AM

The cheapest used to be 38 Wadcutters. USED to be. I haven't bought 38 ammo in so long I really don't have a clue any more.

Wadcutters will certainly be the easiest on your hand. The gun is light, and the powerful stuff gets your attention.

If you're gonna carry it, get a holster and don't put anything but the gun in that pocket. That way it does end up looking like mine.

Wow. I used to buy this for 8 dollars a box, just to get the brass to reload.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/290...lead-wadcutter

ozo · 07-12-2012, 12:09 PM

I would start with wadcutter rounds....
and if you get any others, stick to the 125gr at first.
[as opposed to the 158gr]
That gun is light and the grips are small, hold her snug.

aa1911 · 07-12-2012, 12:38 PM

I would try to stick with the 125gn's also.

This is my wife's concealed carry gun (in .357), put hogue grips on it and she shoots great. Very good backup weapon also, no hammer to snag, you got five shots without any safety, no jam.

Good choice

wv hillbilly · 07-12-2012, 12:43 PM

the cheapest walfart sells

JUNKKING · 07-12-2012, 01:50 PM

Like Alpo said the cheapest isnt cheap anymore. Walmart normally has the best price on them around 31 dollars for a box of 100. Look at some stores like dicks and dunhams gander mountain sometimes they sell boxes of 500 at decent prices.

Dirtypacman · 07-12-2012, 02:16 PM

Even going back years I was reloading my .38 due to cost. And I did a fair amount of shooting as the 642 was my carry piece. I hate to be that guy but start reloading and shoot More for the same price as you are now.

Other then that I suggest finding manufactured reloads to keep your cost down.

mjp28 · 07-12-2012, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozo

I would start with wadcutter rounds....
and if you get any others, stick to the 125gr at first.
[as opposed to the 158gr]
That gun is light and the grips are small, hold her snug.

That's pretty much what I used in my .38, especially when I first got it many years ago.

I do like the S&W 642 for carry, might buy one for me and the wife.

aa1911 · 07-12-2012, 05:24 PM

cast your own bullets and you will really save big!

bought a 1000 pack of rainier bullets in .40, they're up to $140 now plus tax, ouch.

if you cast, I would recommend a Lee 6 cavity mold to speed things up a bit, I've got momstly double cavities for pistol and it's not too bad but 6 on a pour is pretty nice.

skullfr · 07-12-2012, 05:27 PM

buy bulk online to get the best deals.J&G Sales is a good one.

jedwil · 07-12-2012, 06:43 PM

I carry and like the 638. I stick with WC's for practice and it's loaded with Critical Defense for carry. Just bought some Guard Dogs I want to try.

Rockyja · 07-13-2012, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedwil

I carry and like the 638. I stick with WC's for practice and it's loaded with Critical Defense for carry. Just bought some Guard Dogs I want to try.

Be sure to let us know how you like those Guard Dogs.

howlnmad · 07-13-2012, 08:35 AM

That's a fine piece. I picked up the hammered version for my wife and she loves it. Or maybe it's just the laser grips

. Anyway, she shoots 125 grn XTP's.

Rockyja · 07-13-2012, 08:59 AM

I like the fact that my 642 is about 1 3/16 wide right at the at the cylinder. If I’m not mistaken, that about an 1/8" difference from the 1911. Everywhere else on the 642, it is thinner and smaller than most autos, and it disappear into my pocket because of its natural, rounded shapes.

The rounded, organic shapes makes it very comfortable to carry and very easy to conceal because it blends into the natural curves of the body better than other guns.

Now all I have to do is stop talking about and get out there and fire this puppy. LOL

07-12-2012, 09:58 AM	#1
Rockyja Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Living in Burnsville, MN, a Transplant from Los Angeles Posts: 155	S&W 642 38 SNUBNOSE REVOLVER About 3 weeks ago, I purchased a Smith and Wesson Model 642 Centennial Airweight Revolver. I've never fired a 38 round before and would like any of you that have, give me any advise as to what should I use just for some light target shooting without braking the bank.. Any advise would be helpful. This is my gun, the photos are not mine. Attached Images --> Last edited by Rockyja; 07-12-2012 at 10:00 AM..

07-12-2012, 10:06 AM	#2
Gun Geezer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,710	Re: S&W 642 38 SNUBNOSE REVOLVER My EDC is a S&W 342, titanium, .38+P revolver that looks identical to yours. Being a revolver it will eat anything you feed it. I usually go to the farm store and pick up whatever .38 ammo they have on sale, ie, Wolf which is made in Russia or buy re-loads at the range. I used to re-load wad cutters for target practice but I don't shoot enough any more for all the work it involves. __________________ If voting could change anything for the better, It'd already be illegal.

07-12-2012, 10:36 AM	#3
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: S&W 642 38 SNUBNOSE REVOLVER The cheapest used to be 38 Wadcutters. USED to be. I haven't bought 38 ammo in so long I really don't have a clue any more. Wadcutters will certainly be the easiest on your hand. The gun is light, and the powerful stuff gets your attention. If you're gonna carry it, get a holster and don't put anything but the gun in that pocket. That way it does end up looking like mine. Wow. I used to buy this for 8 dollars a box, just to get the brass to reload. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/290...lead-wadcutter __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

07-12-2012, 12:09 PM	#4
ozo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 2,770	Re: S&W 642 38 SNUBNOSE REVOLVER I would start with wadcutter rounds.... and if you get any others, stick to the 125gr at first. [as opposed to the 158gr] That gun is light and the grips are small, hold her snug. __________________ http://www.nranews.com/#/nranews, "ozo. you're off your rocker sir." -johnlives4christ http://www.prisonplanet.com/ -America,Bless GOD-

07-12-2012, 12:38 PM	#5
aa1911 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 3,115	Re: S&W 642 38 SNUBNOSE REVOLVER I would try to stick with the 125gn's also. This is my wife's concealed carry gun (in .357), put hogue grips on it and she shoots great. Very good backup weapon also, no hammer to snag, you got five shots without any safety, no jam. Good choice __________________ "Loud noises don't end gunfights.... well placed shots do."

07-12-2012, 12:43 PM	#6
wv hillbilly Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: mountains of wv. Posts: 2,017	Re: S&W 642 38 SNUBNOSE REVOLVER the cheapest walfart sells

07-12-2012, 01:50 PM	#7
JUNKKING Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Just East of Pittsburgh PA Contributor Posts: 1,783	Re: S&W 642 38 SNUBNOSE REVOLVER Like Alpo said the cheapest isnt cheap anymore. Walmart normally has the best price on them around 31 dollars for a box of 100. Look at some stores like dicks and dunhams gander mountain sometimes they sell boxes of 500 at decent prices. __________________ Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and again!

07-12-2012, 02:16 PM	#8
Dirtypacman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Merrimac Valley, MA Posts: 908	Re: S&W 642 38 SNUBNOSE REVOLVER Even going back years I was reloading my .38 due to cost. And I did a fair amount of shooting as the 642 was my carry piece. I hate to be that guy but start reloading and shoot More for the same price as you are now. Other then that I suggest finding manufactured reloads to keep your cost down. __________________ Member HHRG and HSC, NRA Life Member, GOAL Member LTC-A

07-12-2012, 05:24 PM	#10
aa1911 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 3,115	Re: S&W 642 38 SNUBNOSE REVOLVER cast your own bullets and you will really save big! bought a 1000 pack of rainier bullets in .40, they're up to $140 now plus tax, ouch. if you cast, I would recommend a Lee 6 cavity mold to speed things up a bit, I've got momstly double cavities for pistol and it's not too bad but 6 on a pour is pretty nice. __________________ "Loud noises don't end gunfights.... well placed shots do."

07-12-2012, 05:27 PM	#11
skullfr Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Beaumont,Texas Posts: 902	Re: S&W 642 38 SNUBNOSE REVOLVER buy bulk online to get the best deals.J&G Sales is a good one.

07-12-2012, 06:43 PM	#12
jedwil Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Hill Country Contributor Posts: 1,922	Re: S&W 642 38 SNUBNOSE REVOLVER I carry and like the 638. I stick with WC's for practice and it's loaded with Critical Defense for carry. Just bought some Guard Dogs I want to try. __________________ "Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom." -- John F. Kennedy

07-13-2012, 08:35 AM	#14
howlnmad Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Harriman, Tn Contributor Posts: 2,571	Re: S&W 642 38 SNUBNOSE REVOLVER That's a fine piece. I picked up the hammered version for my wife and she loves it. Or maybe it's just the laser grips . Anyway, she shoots 125 grn XTP's. __________________

07-13-2012, 08:59 AM	#15
Rockyja Former Guest Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Living in Burnsville, MN, a Transplant from Los Angeles Posts: 155	Re: S&W 642 38 SNUBNOSE REVOLVER I like the fact that my 642 is about 1 3/16 wide right at the at the cylinder. If I’m not mistaken, that about an 1/8" difference from the 1911. Everywhere else on the 642, it is thinner and smaller than most autos, and it disappear into my pocket because of its natural, rounded shapes. The rounded, organic shapes makes it very comfortable to carry and very easy to conceal because it blends into the natural curves of the body better than other guns. Now all I have to do is stop talking about and get out there and fire this puppy. LOL