S&W 642 VS Ruger LCP

[1lowlife]

I've been raving about my S&W 642 since the day I bought it.
I've been carrying it everyday since.
BUT, I saw and help a Ruger LCP today.
I'm seriously thinking about trading (or selling) the 642 and getting the LCP.
I bought the 642 for summer concealment.
I can carry it in a pocket holster in my back pocket, IF I'm wearing a shirt to cover it up.
The LCP can be carried in a back pocket and be completely hidden.
The LCP would be much easier to conceal, front or back pocket.
I love this little revolver, but compared to the size of the LCP is looks large and wide (the cylinder).

I would like any comments from yall concerning any aspect of one pistol, or caliber, being better than the other.
Keep in mind my main reason for wanting either pocket pistol is the concealable aspect of it.
I usually carry my XD9sc, but with summer coming I want a pocket pistol.
I'd really like to hear from anyone that already has a Ruger LCP.
I'm really itching to go get one.
Thanks for your comments........................

[doglb]

I had the 442, and being left handed-I had problems with reloading.
The LCP is nice, shot 50+ rounds without a problem.
Its thinner then the 642/442-but its personal preference.
S&W revolvers have always been reilable-
I think the .38 is a better round.
tough choice...

[XDConvert9mm]

I just got an S&W 638, chosen over the LCP yesterday. The dealer had just gotten 10 LCPs in and 2 were not committed.

I got the snubby because it will always go bang, SW has had about 100 years to figure out the platform, and I find it easy to pocket conceal in cargo shorts or IWB. This is also my first wheel gun and I wanted to get one that would last a long, long time.

The final issue for me was some of the comments at the Ruger forums. They might have a bug or two to work out with V.2, whenever that comes out. I will get one eventually, just not for me now.

[RobFMJ]

I'd stick with the .38+P S&W... I dont think the size difference justifies downgrading to the .380.

Plus, its a helluva lot less likely to jam, it doesnt have a 'shelf life' as ridiculous as the Kel-tec/LCP design, and you dont see people stuffing their .38's with FMJ's to get enough penetration.

[1lowlife]

Yall please keep the comments coming.
I'm sure I'm not the only one considering this.
But since I've calmed down and got over myself and my gun obsession,
I think I need to chill out and make the LCP my next gun purchase.
I love this 642.
It is my first wheel gun so it does have some sentimental value to me.
Besides that I'd get screwed if I traded it in.
Between the pistol and CT grips, I've invested over $650 in the gun.
They would probably do an even trade with me losing over $200 in the process.
They are asking $399 for the LCP because they have it in stock and no one else in Dallas has them.
Everyone else has waiting lists.
I just need to chill, save my pennies, wait for the LCP to become more available (and get the bugs worked out), be able to pay the $300 everyone else is asking for it, and get one later.
I do love this little revolver and I would probably kick myself in the ass if I got rid of it....
But that LCP looks like it is much better made than the Keltec.
I considered the Keltec when I bought the S&W 642.
They may look a lot alike on the outside.
Although the Keltec has a cheap looking appearance to me.
The Ruger looks better made on the outside.
And I think the Ruger is better made on the inside...........

[Eyebedam]

Well I have both. First off I do love my J-Frame & will not get rid of it. I have the 442. I bought my LCP About 2 months ago. After I was able to take it to the range & put some rounds through her & relized how well made of a little .380 it is I havent carried my J-Frame since. The Lcp is easier to conceal because of its slim design & is 10 times the gun the Kel Tec is. Ruger got this gun right. There will always be someone with a issue with a particular gun but Id probably say half of the complaints on most guns arent even true. More than likely the person complaining doesnt even have what they are complaining about & is just drinking the haterade because they wished they had 1.

[Chapie+]

Way back when I had an AMT .380 Auto Back Up. The AMT jammed and jammed and jammed again. I was carrying it as a back up gun and soon realized it wasn't reliable. I ended up trading it in for a Colt Cobra Agent .38. I believe the LCP is better made than the AMT was. However, I am a fan of guns that go bang when you need them to. The LCP most likely will go bang, but the 642 definetly will go bang. The price you are seeing for the LCP is ridiculously high - don't get it now - wait. Then get it and keep the 642 and carry the LCP as a back up to the 642. As a round the .38 special is superior to the .380. In addition, you can load snake shot in your .38 - that is a concern as summer comes.

Chapie+

[longtalltechsan]

While everything I have read suggests the LCP is leaps and bounds better than the Keltec, it is still a small auto loader susceptible to jamming more often than a revolver. I had a Keltec and sold it to buy a 642. I was concerned at first about the concealability of the 642, but quickly realized my concerns were unfounded. The 642 is now my always go to gun as I carry it everywhere. And pretty much everything I have read is that the .38 +p is far superior to the .380 as a self defense round. I used to really dislike revolvers and never thought I would own one, especially after liking the concealability of the Keltec so much, but since getting the snubby, I love it and I have 100% absolute confidence in its ability to go bang every single time I pull the trigger.

Again, I realize that the LCP is most likely much better than the Keltec ever dreamed of being, but it is still much more capable of jamming than the revolver.

[Bisley]

I, too, use a S&W Model 642CT as my pocket gun, and I have been eyeballing the LCP, too. I will probably buy one, when the availability is greater and the price comes down, but I will never part with the snubbie.

I used the laser grips to dry-fire train myself, and I am completely confident with the snubby out to 15 yards, with or without the laser sight. I love the way the trigger breaks - almost like shooting a single-action - and the over-mould CT grip fits my large hands nicely.

On the other hand, the LCP nearly disappears in my grip, and will take a lot of expensive practice to master, at any range beyond point blank. It is a nifty little pistol, but definitely a 'mouse gun,' whereas the .38 +P with Gold Dot Short Barrel, is still a pretty serious weapon that fits nicely in my front pocket.

[Conceyted]

I got the S&W M&P340 which is pretty much identical to that 642 you have but shoots .357mag. Like many above states, the .380 is a horrible self defense round compared to the .38 +p or even the standard .38. The velocity you get from a .38 special is much greater than the .380 and as we were taught in CCL class, anything lower than a 9mm makes a horrible self defense weapon as shot placement becomes ultra critical. Stick with your revolver, man. When you pull the trigger it will go boom.