new owner

[642mom]

I'm a new owner of an S&W 642 airweight. Has anyone used one? How do you like it? Does is get easier to use with practice? I got it for self-defense not fun.

[TexasT]

Hello 642mom, welcome to the site! I do not have a S&W revolver but I have shot one and they are very nice. If I could afford one I'd have one. It should get easier to use with practice. I think revolvers are easier to shoot than semi-autos.

[ArkansasHunter]

642 I can't help you with your question but I can say Thank You for joining .....

So WELCOME to GUN and GAME feller and I hope we see you around often.
...A.H

[Windwalker]

Welcome to G&G. Yes, the more you practice the easier handling the weapon will become. We have a great bunch of folks here so in you have questions, ask away.

[TXplt]

Welcome to the site Yes.

Have 642, 340 PD and new model 40. You have a fine revolver--smith makes great guns. The trigger for me in this model seems better than the scandiums. The airweight's lighter weight does make shooting a bit more of a challenge, but the gun is great to carry.

Snubbies are difficult to shoot well. They're not inherently inaccurate, but the short sight radius means that a little change isn't really noticed as it is in a longer barrelled revolver. This tiny change at range is quite a bit. Also, being light the trigger squeeze needs to be managed so as to not magnify the error. The good thing about snubbies is they're very convenient to carry, so people do (first rule of gunfighting: have a gun), and the smith revolvers are extremely reliable.

I'd advocate a fair bit of dry fire practice (make sure you clear the gun first by opening the cylinder and verifying it's unloaded--get into the habit of doing this), and then extensive practice with target (i.e. mild) loads. Concentrate on focusing on the front sight, keeping it centered in the notch, and squeezing (not jerking or pulling) the trigger--stay focused on the front sight through the squeeze, keep it on target throughout, and have the center of the target resting on the top of the front sight. (aim to center of mass of the target--it'll be blurry if you're focusing on the front sight as you should be but that's OK). Use a farily tight two handed grasp. Try to not have the gun move too much as you squeeze the trigger--see how little you can have the gun move as you press the trigger through. Some good instruction from a person proficient with firearms helps all of us--it's tough to see our own mistakes and good and bad habits; having someone else who knows what they're doing observe us can be really helpful just like any other sport.

Start at maybe 5 yards, and then range out as you become more proficient. Practice occasionally with your carry ammo (+P if you're using) to verify point of aim. Most gunfights happen at ranges inside of 7 yards; you might want to practice at 5, 10, and 15 yards or so initially on a silohette type of target.

Safety is the most important factor--always assume the gun is loaded, don't point it at anything you don't want shot, and always assume when the trigger is depressed the gun will go bang. If you are carrying the revolver, always carry in a holster which covers the trigger guard to prevent a foreign object from getting snagged in the trigger.

It's all about practice, which for me is a great deal of fun. No one is a great shot when they start; it takes time. A firearm is an extremely valuable tool to be used in self defense.

Welcome again and enjoy !

[GlockMeister]

642mom, hello and welcome to G&G and congratulations on your new 642 Airweight.

[MrsS]

Welcome to the site! I don't have that particuliar revolver, but I do have one from Taurus and I find my revolver easier to shoot than my semi-auto--practice away and it will get easier. Hope to see you around the forum.

[daddyo]

I have a 642 that I originally got for my wife. Long story, but she's now carrying a Keltec P32.

Dry-firing will definitely help the trigger pull, especially if you can get just a drop or two into it. We also got a Pachmayr Decelerator grip, which helped out a lot on the pain of recoil but also made it too big for pocket carry. On the subject of recoil...start with the lowest power ammo you can find for use at the range. In an SD situation you won't even notice stout recoil, but it can sure ruin your day when practicing. The first ammo we fired was some Independence brand FMJ that turned out to be loaded to near magnum velocity. It actually made my hand sting.

[642mom]

Thanks to all of you for your help, especially TXplt. I will do what you have suggested. Do you do your dry firing at the range? Someone at my CCW training class also suggested dry firing with empty shell casings. Does it matter?

[TRUE GRIT]

For saftey reasons I would stay away from empty shell casings, there is a chance that a mixup with live ammo could be made. I would get a pack of 38 cal snap-caps,
these are dummy cartriges that are made of red plastic and are easy to tell at a glance what they are. They also have a spring loaded primer that prevents damaging the firing pin from large amounts of dry firing practice. I would still recomend treating
them like live ammo and always having a safe backstop when doing any kind of dry fire practice at home.

[TexasT]

You can dry fire at home as much as you want to. You don't need empty shell casings to do so. Dry firing is simply pulling the trigger on your gun while there is no ammunition loaded. Perhaps the person suggested an empty shell casing to protect your firing pin? I'm not sure you really need it though. You can buy a snap cap if you want.

[642mom]

Thanks for your help! I'm very new at all of this and you have been helpful.

[TXplt]

You can get snap caps (the red plastic dummy cartridges) if you so desire; however, dry firing a modern firearm with empty chambers will not damage it. I agree not to use once fired brass--the chance of a mix up is too great and the primer already has a firing pin strike in it, negating any potential benefit. I do most of my dry fire practice at home, but you can on the range as well. It's good to do in between sets of firing live ammunition to critique if you're flinching or not.

Enjoy and the best of luck !

[Guns&Dobes]

Welcome 642mom, glad to have you aboard! I don't have the 642 nor have I ever shot it, but I had a 640 and I traded it. I like the semi's better but a lot of people like a revolver. If I ever get another one I will get the lightweight, I think I would like it much better than the heavy 640.

[642mom]

Thanks for the inpute G&D. Nice to meet you! I saw the pics of you on the mototcycle, looks like fun!

[AKHunter]

Alot of sound advice already given so I will just add; Welcome !

[LefthandShooter]

I have a 642. See under Smith & Wesson in the Manufacturers section for several thread and a photo of a target I shot.
I really like mine once got used to the long trigger pull!

[Mike Franklin]

Find a reloader and get some light target loads. Also store bought .38 spl Cowboy Loads aren't bad. You'll never likely get in a situation where you'll need to fire more than one cylinder of full power loads. Shoot a lot of the light loads at close range, they'll hit about the same place as a hotter load at the same range. Let's face it a few inches within the same area is plenty good enough. If you want a gun to shoot at people 25 yards or more away you need more of a duty type gun.

[cheryld]

I am new here and just spotted ths thread. I am in a wheelchair and also have the 642. I carry it in a gun purse. The trigger has smoothed out fter much shooting and dry firing. Some excellent advice has been given already. Anyone here disabled and found better ways to carry concealed?

[TexasT]

Welcome to the forum, Cheryl! Mosey on over to the introduction section and introduce yourself so everyone can say hi.