I like the "see what you can handle comfortably/safely" statement. My own issue is I had a stroke in 2017 and I have a real issue racking a semi-auto... Other than the M&P EZ 380, I can really do it consistently. Walking with a cane and a bad limp has made me a target on more than one occasion. They have worked out to where I didn't have to shoot, but it was clear I was the target. I carried a 38 years ago and now I'm carrying one again, I have come full circle and don't have any issue with a revolver as a carry. My original wasn't even a J-series and I had no issues with that. A revolver is dead simple compared to a semi-auto. I like my 642.
Yes, sir, revolver is as plain and simple as it can get in the gun world and pretty much 99% chance of no failure to fire or function. Unless bad ammo of course which is why I never cheap out when it comes to my ammo unless it’s range/target only ammo
I carry a model 437 in my front pocket. I don't use a holster of any kind I just don't put anything else in that pocket with the gun. My grandfather carried that way for decades without any trouble so I figured it would be good for me and it has been. These little pocket guns are great for concealment and comfortability. They're very reliable and the 38 special packs a heck of a punch especially with +p ammo.
I've personally carried, a j-frame (642, and 638, specifically) much more, than any other firearm. If I've carried the others, for months/years...I've carried the j-frames, for decades!
Me too. Started carrying a J Frame in my 1968 rookie year and continue into retirement w/a no-lock 340PD. More than enough EDC for this handicapped senior citizen.
638-3 rules. Hammer shroud is the only way to fly. It is pleasing to have the ability to manually cock /drop the hammer. I can feel trigger pull better.
I bought my wife a 642 for our 36th anniversary, to replace the model 37 I bought her on our first anniversary. I now carry the 37 in a DeSantis pocket holster. DeSantis makes awesome stuff!
LCR owner here. Snubbies are great conceal guns! +P will sting a little bit but it's manageable. I have seen the videos where the shooter's hand is bleeding. That's from shooting box after box of ammo. The hands get sweaty, the revolver is slipping and jumping around. My kids have shot my LCR. They'll tell you it barks but doesn't hurt to shoot. It's psychological! Your eyes see this cute little gun and don't expect a big bang, kick and fire ball like you get from +P ammo.
These Smith and Wesson snubbies are great. My wife owns the snubby bodyguard with laser. I'm more of a Ruger LCR guy because I love the trigger and the thicker grip (my hands are on the large side) but it's just a matter of preference. Both revolvers are on the lighter side so felt recoil is a thing but neither of us have ever taken damage to our hands from a day at the range. To tell the truth though, even if our hands had gotten a little scraped up, it's better to have a slightly hurt hand from a defense encounter than our own personal chalk outlines.
I bought the airweight with a crimson trace laser grip for concealed carry. At 50 feet it groups around a 5" radius. At less than 20 feet the laser is extremely accurate, under a 3" diameter. I have a Springfield Armory 911 380 for pocket carry, which failed to eject the case. It happened only once but I lost faith in it. When it comes to my life and surviving close combat, I'll take the revolver every day. I don't feel like I need more than 5 rounds to take someone down during self-defense. I pray that never happens, but the world is a crazy place.
On my 642 I painted the ramp sight orange and the rear notch white, using Testors paint markers. Makes it so much easier picking up the sight picture for my old, trifocal-equipped eyeballs. 😄
Cannot Beat a Smith & Wesson I have owned and carried a few Older Chiefs Specials as a Back up, in a Ankle Holster. Both in 38 spl..Now I carry a Charter Arms Lightweight 38 5 shot, in a Sticky Holster and love it... Nice Video ...
What a great presentation of this weapon. Well thought out with information that is useful. I own the SW 442(no lock) black, a Ruger LCP Max 380, Glock 43X and a Sig P365 NRA Edition(I like the color). All weapons are in my rotation, even the 442. I think it's a great gun. Revolvers definitely have a place, even in today's market. Plus, it's the easiest gun to clean after a fun day at the range.
Thanks for the positive feedback! I agree with you completely with regards to revolvers. I still think they are a great option, and still my go-to selection. Thanks for watching.
I would say that it was one of the best presentations i viewed about the 642 and small revolvers.. I was thinking of buying one for my first carry .I have a little 25 that I have been carrying but don’t feel safe enough with it . Thank you
@@mrrogerdatone There were 2 models of this gun. One had what they called a hillary hole. You put a tiny key in the side of gun to lock or unlock the trigger.
Bought it today! It’s so small and light it almost feels like a toy. Can’t wait to get it to the range and play with it. This is gonna be my nightstand gun! Might put a side laser on it. Maybe
My First S&W J-Frame was a black S&W 442 38spl. I carried for so many years as my EDC. It was tough as nails and been through hell and back and like my first handgun a 94’ Glock 17 I still have too! Two best of most reliable guns I ‘ve owned since I started collecting. My wife liked mine so much I got her the S&W 642 CT as her EDC. I have purchased a Kimber K6s 357 magnum snub nose I recently got that has become my favorite of all time and now my EDC! I have a special place in my heart for the hammerless “NO Safety” type handguns. This K6s is beautifully built and the double action trigger is “VERY” nice!#Kimber#K6s#357mag/38spl.#S&W#38spl.#AirWeight#HornadyCriticalDefense+P38spl.#JFrame❤
Great presentation, my EDC in a Uncle Mike pocket holster with 2 speed strips in my other pocket. So comfortable to carry it's always with me and I like the safety aspect of carrying an internal hammer double action revolver.
I carry the all-black 442 version, painted the ramp with fluorescent orange, and added a Houge 3-finger grip. And it helps since I've got neuropathy in my hands.
I finally got some Craig Spegel “high horn” boot grips for my 642. These come up to the top of the frame and help cushion the web as well as getting a higher hold for more control. These grips are simply great. They’re not cheap and wait times can be long but we’ll worth it. Thanks for another great video sir.
I love snubbies. You can make a few improvements to the S&W J frame guns. 1st the trigger. A spring kit and some Flitz can make a good S&W J frame a really smooth and nice revolver. 2nd laser grips. In the dim light the laser is much easier to use than the standard sites.
I just got one.maybe like 6 months ago.it is super easy to carry,for shure.i can hit constantly at 7 yds . definitely need to practice to be confident with it .I do appreciate the safety issue.i trust it in my pocket or on my hip more than I do my lcp or Glock 43.i know they r safe but I just feel more safe with my 642. That's for the review . I agree with your assessment.
I couldn’t hsrdly hit crap with mine when I first got it, bought it brand new in 2015 (cost me 499$ plus tax kills me to know how freaking cheap. They are now out there )until after a couple hundred rounds then I started getting accurate dead on up to even around 35 yards
My S&W snubby has a XS dot and is very very easy to aim and it’s surprisingly accurate. I always have it on me and sometimes it’s my back up. If a person is on the fence about a Jframe or scared thinking it will hurt I can tell you that you can do it and it’s not as bad as you think . I have 357 mag in mine and 38 is very easy.
The S&W642 ProSeries (moon-clip reloading variant, no Hillary hole...) is actually my current EDC pocket backup. I just love the added functionality it brings to the table and think it's the best pocket backup pistol I've ever owned and carried. I painted the front sight ramp with my wife's bright red nail polish... and that's all I've done to it. Great tool just out of the box. Even the trigger is more than adequate for the intended purpose! I carry it in a Kramer pocket holster in my goofy side front pant pocket, or in hand holster-less in my goofy side jacket/coat pocket, if appropriate to the situation. I like the heavy for caliber regular pressure 158gr semi-wadcutter soft lead hollow points (when I can find them...), or even the old 158gr soft lead round nose that has been getting the job done all over the world since at least the mid XXth century. Nothing fancy but they tend to print right where I point it when I do my part, all the way out to 25m, which for me is way out there with a DAO J-frame... Great review!
One point I'm beginning to appreciate more about the centennial form factor of J-Frames is the lack of ingress points for dirt. The 638 has a shrouded hammer, but dirt and lint can still get in there. I have an M&P 340 and 43C. The latter is a trainer for the former. Both are "no lock". The only places dirt can get in are via the trigger, bolt (the part that locks into the notches on the cylinder), and window (the slot the hand engages the pawl through to rotate the cylinder).
This is one of the main reasons I use a 642 for dedicated pocket carry. Very few points for lint and dust to get in that could cause the revolver to malfunction.
Great video and information. Many thanks for the evaluation of this weapon. Had bought a Character Arms Undercover Lite in 38Spl in December. Immediately after 5 rounds it started misfiring. Often 4 out of five... Went back to the factory for repair. Got it back and in under 15 rounds it started misfiring again! And it was not ammo related. The weapon was crap! I sold it as fast as I could. Yesterday, I traded a tricked out S&W SD9VE for a new in the box S&W 642. Best move I've made in quite a while. Excellent revolver. The striker fire plastic pistol was not a serious weapon for me. I bought it to fancy up for a future trade. It served that need. However, this 642 is supurb! It's going nowhere but on my hip or in my pocket. 100% S&W quality.
That must have been frustrating. I try and test every gun available but I only TRUST a select few. The 642 I trust with my life almost every day. God bless and thanks for watching.
@@TheConcealedCarryChannel Well sir, it was my first and last Charter Arms weapon. Should have stuck with S&W like I have for the last 62 years.... One thing I'll say about the 642, I couldn't hit a bull elephant in the rump if he was standing right in front of me! A "snappy" recoil and long trigger pull is going to take time to get used to. Right now I'm shooting basketball size groups at 5 meters! It's sure not like anything I've had before.
Well, as fate would have it I simply couldn't see the front sight on the 2". I traded the 642 and a well used 1st issue Shield for a 4" S&W Mod10-14. And with the additional 2", the front sight was quite visible. And the X and 10 ring were destroyed in 18 rounds at 10m. With the last of the Tupperware pistols gone, last week I bought a 3" Taurus 856UL 38Spl with the Amriglow tritium front sight. The 3" Taurus is within my vision limits after last year's cataract surgery in both eyes. It pocket carries well. Is unbelievably accurate, and easy to use. I'm a happy camper now.😊
My girlfriend loves her 442 but it is pretty snappy for her. She can shoot it well, but not for long. I wish Smith would come in a 327 so, she could use 32 H&R magnums in it. She doesn’t like the Ruger. Thanks for the video.
I have a 638 airweight that I ankle carry or pocket carry at work, while my preference would be my p2000sk thats not always an option and J frames are my favorite alternative.
Just bought a 642 for my wife and then went straight to the range. My wife acclimated to it right away. At 7 yards she was putting all 5 in the scoring ring. at 15 yards she put 9 out of 10 on paper. The only issue we both experienced was getting a pinch from the trigger if you put your finger too far around it. A conscious placement of just the finger pad corrected the issue. I'm thinking that a slightly larger grip would be in order.
I own a 646 and I agree with your review and you hit on all the major points. I do think she is a bit snappy and is not a good gun for people with weak hands. It is a great gun but yes “only” 5 rounds is a huge drawback for many.
I bought the 642 myself and use it as my EDC. Not the most fun gun to shoot at the range but that's not really it's purpose for me. When I do take with me to the range - I shoot maybe 15 or so rounds and then go to something that is more fun - Glock 17 or a Ruger Mark IV 22lr. For me it's sole purpose is that last resort - cannot avoid it - confrontation that you hope never happens. It is so light and small you can almost forget you have it on you.
I have mod- 36 and a Colt detective. I've been thinking about this newer model because I'm afraid of wearing the finish off the old classics. And the smaller revolver suits me as a viable carry. 80% of the time I'm carrying a revolver only anyway. Hell I've carried a S&W lemon squeezer.38s&w 5 shot as a backup for years.
Just bought one for my wife ...... only change was Hogue "pink" grip (of course !!!!! LOL) ....great video and thank you for your knowledge and hard work to make this happen !!!! :-)
I am 5'10", USMC, As a Deputy Sheriff in a HOT HOT climate,body armor, my S&W Airlight 5shot hammerless .38+p. Is so light, EMERGENCY backup, or even off-duty. Like your wallet,badge & I.D. even in shorts & a t-shirt..my buddy.
I carry a S&W 37. I think the j frame is perfect . Never had a cut hand from shooting....I don't think the recoil is as bad as some make it out to be....best $ I've spent on a firearm.
I really like my Model 37, I carry it daily. It was built in the early 60's but looks new. The trigger is butter smooth. I just like old, well-made things. But it is snappy with the Buffalo Bore full power, non-plus P loads.
Thanks for this video. Really well done. I just purchased this firearm I have been carrying a Smith & Wesson MP40 Shield. But it's a little heavy. So I want to try to replace it with this firearm as my primary concealed carry.
I daily carry a 642 and with some Hogue grips and an Apex spring kit she's a keeper. But with these snubbies you need to train regularly at the range in order to be proficient. I figure 5 rounds of +P 125g hollow point with another 5 rounds in a speed loader should be enough to handle most situations.
I just purchased a 442 pro model.it is my first revolver.plan on getting some hogue or vz grips for it.i plan on pocket or ankle carrying it as a back up 🤠
My s&w revolver broke after 26 shots. I had it 2 days, they have had it back over a month. I had to take it to a gunsmith to remove the live rounds. He said it was a problem with the clinton lock.
I used instrument needle orange paint on my airweight sight ramp. Turned out good, also to any other owners out there of these , i actually ordered a duty kit for the trigger which i think took it from 15lb pull to 13lb if i recall. Way more comfortable and accuracy went up
@@ysk2083 actually it is a concealed hammer. A shrouded hammer just has a shroud around the hammer but you can still see and use the hammer. The concealed hammer models are double action only, all shrouded hammer models are da/sa.
Great review. I'm still torn between the 642 and the Ruger LCR. I just wish the S&W had a pinned on front sight that could be replaced with an aftermarket one if needed.
I’ve always been reluctant to change factory springs in a J Frame for fear of light primer strikes. My 340PD serves as a get-off-me gun, contact plus distances.
It’s like carrying a pocket knife. You forget it’s there until you need it or recall its whereabouts when inventorying your personal items you have with you, like keys or wallet.
I get the rational about shooting at 3-7 yards (21 feet as you put it) but I think given the proliferation of pistol caliber carbines and tactical rifles it seems advisable to do some training at longer distances. That’s why I have a model 38 with a shrouded trigger that can be cocked if needed. Like you said their are other options if you are at longer distances, but this past year when a crazed man with a rifle was running rampant in an Indiana mall, he had to be taken down by a concealed carrier shooting 8 out of 10 at 40 yards. Did he have other options, yes he could have ran away and let more people die, but confronting the threat required him to make some long distance shots, it seems advisable to be proficient at making a long shot. Prepare for the worst hope for the best, if you can make the shot at 40 yards you can most likely make it at 7, but the opposite is not always true
You make a great point. I love snubbies, but mine is a 7 shot, and it is for home defense only. In my opinion, one should carry a 15 round pistol. Heck, people say they don't trust pistols because they fail 0.1%. But they trust low capacity/low range, when there is video after video showing cops shooting suspects 10 times or more. And it's way more common than 0.1pc of occurrences. And no, there will be no time for your speed loaders. But that's a great review and certainly a gun worth having.
I have this gun in the hammer version I carry it in a shoulder holster it's invisible to other people and I barely know I'm wearing it if you're looking for something compact but has the stopping power you hope you'll never need this is a nice little Top Gun it might get you out of a pinch I put 50 rounds through it at the range couple days ago my hand doesn't hurt you just got to get a good grip used two hands
Back in the 1980s when I was doing night watchman work, I carried a J-Frame in one of those clip on leather IWB holsters (Bianchi brand) and the whole package (gun and holster) popped out as I sat down in a folding chair and fell to the floor just as the janitors were turning the corner in my direction. Whoops. Never again. Only holsters with very secure attachment to the belt for me since then.
My Airweight has been carried tucked behind the belt. As a result the side toward by body has discolored at places leaving a mottled appearance. Apparently the alloy frame has reacted to perspiration. Otherwise a great gun. But the stainless model 60 would be my choice.
Bought mine brand new from an online retailer in December of 2022. Figured I'd get some dry fire reps in with it before going to the range, and the trigger and cylinder kept locking up. Pulled the side plate and found the hammer rusted up and all the internals dry as a bone. Cleaned up the hammer, installed a Wilson Combat J-Frame spring kit, and lubed everything. Trigger is super smooth now. Love the pistol, but was a little disappointed with the rust issue...
I carry this model. It’s a carry gun. Nothing more. It is not fun to shoot…. it serves its purpose perfectly. It is also my first handgun purchase so I’m very fond of it for both of those reasons. I fire it at the range a few times a year to make sure I’m proficient. It pretty much goes everywhere I go.
1 not everyone prioritizes comfort. I prioritize what I think is the best tool. I use small guns for crossing the street to the gas station or backup, and bigger guns for day in day out carry 2 that holster looks new to me. I got the same one and it’s almost black from wear. The clip still works fine. Not knocking you just saying
i just bought 638...i like it alot, except when i dont hold on well enough when i fire it...the cylinder release busted open the top of my thumb because of the kick with +p rounds
I do take peoples considerations into concern when they say a jframe hurts when they shoot. And when they usually ask why I carry a jframe, I tell them I handload my own ammo. Custom tailored the recoil enough where I still get FBI satisfied penetration on a 158 gr flat face semi wad cutter
I would replace the rubber grip it's just too small if you shoot 38 + p the gun will fall out of your hand best bet is to replace it with a larger rubber grip
Orange enamel paint/“model paint” will fix up the front sight perfectly. I put it on all of my “no contrast” front sights and it lasts for years/decades…never had to touch one up.
I have owned both the 642 and then the 442. I much prefer the 442 because, unlike the 642, the 442 has great sights. I owned three and the all nprinted on @25 yards! Why three? Two were carried in pocket holsters. (The New York Reload) and I practiced with the third one since, like the 642, the 442 has an aluminum frame.
Mine is sans hillary hole. Sucks and ruins the aesthetics. But this little gun just works! Also, I have a pocket holster that works awesome for stow and go carry. '
I hear that so often, it's literally not even noticeable while your shooting it and is mostly a non factor. The fact so many men feel the need to mention and harp on the " Hilary hole " is so pathetic imo lol.
I've been considering getting a .38 special for target shooting but am curious about the amount of recoil. I've fired a 9mm before and was able to tolerate it. How does the 38 compare to the 9mm in terms of recoil?
It depends on the size of the revolver and ammo. I have a 38 special snub nose revolver and a full size 357/38 revolver. The recoil from the larger framed revolver with 38 special is negligible, very light but in my snubby I can definitely feel the difference especially with the +p ammo.
Depends on the ammo. My S&W Model 37 Airweight in .38 Spl is softer shooting than my Kahr PM9 9mm, with standard ammo. But when using Buffalo Bore full power .38 Spl ammo (non-plus P) the revolver kicks harder than the Kahr. In full sized guns the recoil is similiar.
I don't like the modern cylinder latch.. it dictates hand placement too much. A 50s flat latch or some other sort of radius'd ergo latch would be better, otherwise these are perfection. I have a model 37 and I think I'll buy a 340PD and do some mods on it, maybe an RMR even
This is the first review of yours that I have seen. I like your style of presenting the information. I am bored by videos where the reviewer wastes a lot of my time by standing in front of the camera shooting at targets that are off the screen. I think that it would be informative if you showed the groups on your targets so we could get an idea of the gun's precision.
Thanks for watching! The main reason I do not include range footage in my videos is because the performance is tied directly to the operator. Me watching somebody else shoot a firearm will not help my shooting, and I suspect most people agree. I am still considering it.
You mean you aren't just riveted by them shooting plates (especially off camera) for the 1st 5-10 mins of the video? I don't know why tubers do this. Are they just enamored with themselves? Nobody cares how fast someone can clear a plate rack unless they are watching a competition. It's like the "watch me throw darts in my living room channel" Who cares?
How a pistol looks is only a matter of personal taste. The tenet is that form follows function. Sealing off that inner mechanism that could jam if there is extraneous material in the works has a lot going for it. That said, I do own a Taurus 85 from which I bobbed the hammer myself.
great video! Two observations. I found the grips just Too slick, almost slippery, like trying to hold onto a greased pig. Maybe just me I would prefer the old Magna style stock. Please, please stop the safety Nazi mantra of the trigger has to be covered. Some gun sure, big thumbs up. If you're walking around with a SD GLOCK M&P that is literally halfcocked and no safety but what's on the trigger, yup cover that trigger. A single action revolver where you have to haul that big old hammer back, or a DA with a long8,10,12 lbs. trigger pull, even a cocked and locked SA auto, give it a break.
