S&W Aluminum alloy frame vs. Stainless Steel Frame - Page 2 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

1-4-ALL · 07-19-2008, 02:29 PM

My wife owns a 642 and I must say that being hammerless is great when I do a quick run somewhere I put that in my back pocket and go instead of my XD service which I must unholster while driving for comfort reasons. 642 is a great reliable weapon.

**1lowlife** · 07-19-2008, 02:53 PM

I researched the **** out this topic several months ago.
I rented both the Ruger SP101 and the S&W 442 (black 642) before I made my choice.

Hands down the S&W 642..

The 642 is 10 oz. lighter than the Ruger SP101.
I also feel the trigger is better in the 642, just my experience.
I found no need to carry 357mag in a snubbie revolver.
I feel that 38sp +P is plenty a round for a J-frame.

BUT............ if you really want a concealable pocket pistol,
I'd recommend the Ruger LCP..
+ 2 rounds over the 642.
Easier reloads with an extra mag.
5.60 oz. lighter than the 642.
Smaller and MUCH thinner..........
I have both the LCP and the 642, but the LCP is my summer carry gun..

Which ever one you decide on, I'd recommend Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel ammo..
Speer Ammo - Short Barrel

Chapie+ · 07-19-2008, 03:21 PM

ncaabbfan,

Welcome to XDTalk!

Good questions. Here are a few thoughts.

With all respect to the fans of little autos out there - I wouldn't trust my life to a little auto that might or might not feed, fire, or eject.

The SP101 is clearly the toughest of the bunch you are considering. If I were carrying a snub gun for duty, the SP101 would get serious consideration. But it is heavy and the trigger stinks.

The 640 is a well built and smooth gun, but a little heavy for pocket carry - in my opinion. It would be a great duty snub, not that I would carry a snub for duty...

I have had my Colt Cobra Agent Aluminum Alloy frame .38 for several years. It was made back in the 70s. The paint job is terrible, but the gun has worked for many, many years with and without +P ammo. So I wouldn't worry about how well an aluminum frame .38 will hold up.

I fired 5 .357 mags through a S&W 340. The recoil was incredible! It would take me a week to get back on target. One of the guys carries one has a back up and he showed it off at qualifications. No one could get it back on target fast at all. It is too light and the recoil is too much!

I carry a S&W 642 everyday! On or off duty. It is surprisingly accurate! Don't pay a lot for yours. I've seen them for as low at $299 - on sale to as high as $500. I paid just under $400 ordered in new for mine.

If I had it to do over again I would have bought the S&W 642 Power Port model for its improved sights and port. It's more expensive, but it looks really nice - don't the new guns always look really, really nice?

Here is the pic:

Chapie+

ScottyPotty · 07-19-2008, 10:23 PM

Another vote for the 642. I love the little guy - Im sorry to say that I have dropped my 642 - 4 different times, Once on gravel, Twice on pavement and one more time on a 7' drop onto hardwood floors - all of the drops were with a full cylinder. The frame has some battle scars and a few little dings from the gravel - but it has been 100% and a great light carry piece.

Oh yeah - once the trigger breaks in it is a very smooth pull.

the LCD (little copied pistol) and the keltec are both nice little guns too. I would like to pick one up someday - but there is alot of stories about reliability issues with these guys too.

07-19-2008, 02:53 PM	#12
1lowlife XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The Great Lone Star State Posts: 2,369	I researched the ** out this topic several months ago. I rented both the Ruger SP101 and the S&W 442 (black 642) before I made my choice. Hands down the S&W 642.. The 642 is 10 oz. lighter than the Ruger SP101. I also feel the trigger is better in the 642, just my experience. I found no need to carry 357mag in a snubbie revolver. I feel that 38sp +P is plenty a round for a J-frame. BUT............ if you really want a concealable pocket pistol, I'd recommend the Ruger LCP.. + 2 rounds over the 642. Easier reloads with an extra mag. 5.60 oz. lighter than the 642. Smaller and MUCH thinner.......... I have both the LCP and the 642, but the LCP is my summer carry gun.. Which ever one you decide on, I'd recommend Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel ammo.. Speer Ammo - Short Barrel __________________ Learn it. Know it. Live it.**

07-19-2008, 10:23 PM	#14
ScottyPotty XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Akron Area Ohio Posts: 669	Another vote for the 642. I love the little guy - Im sorry to say that I have dropped my 642 - 4 different times, Once on gravel, Twice on pavement and one more time on a 7' drop onto hardwood floors - all of the drops were with a full cylinder. The frame has some battle scars and a few little dings from the gravel - but it has been 100% and a great light carry piece. Oh yeah - once the trigger breaks in it is a very smooth pull. the LCD (little copied pistol) and the keltec are both nice little guns too. I would like to pick one up someday - but there is alot of stories about reliability issues with these guys too. __________________ My XD's XD9 Tactical XD40 Sub Compact XD40 Service You know, this crap happens with in-breeding. You can only hope the unfortunate, screwed up love child would take themselves out of the gene pool when they discover electrical outlets and butter knives or start huffing paint when they're 7 or 8 but every once in a while a truly magnificent specimen makes it to adulthood to display for the world just how freaking stupid they really are. Last edited by ScottyPotty : 07-19-2008 at 10:28 PM.

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07-19-2008, 02:29 PM	#11
1-4-ALL XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 28	My wife owns a 642 and I must say that being hammerless is great when I do a quick run somewhere I put that in my back pocket and go instead of my XD service which I must unholster while driving for comfort reasons. 642 is a great reliable weapon.

07-19-2008, 03:21 PM	#13
Chapie+ XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 870	ncaabbfan, Welcome to XDTalk! Good questions. Here are a few thoughts. With all respect to the fans of little autos out there - I wouldn't trust my life to a little auto that might or might not feed, fire, or eject. The SP101 is clearly the toughest of the bunch you are considering. If I were carrying a snub gun for duty, the SP101 would get serious consideration. But it is heavy and the trigger stinks. The 640 is a well built and smooth gun, but a little heavy for pocket carry - in my opinion. It would be a great duty snub, not that I would carry a snub for duty... I have had my Colt Cobra Agent Aluminum Alloy frame .38 for several years. It was made back in the 70s. The paint job is terrible, but the gun has worked for many, many years with and without +P ammo. So I wouldn't worry about how well an aluminum frame .38 will hold up. I fired 5 .357 mags through a S&W 340. The recoil was incredible! It would take me a week to get back on target. One of the guys carries one has a back up and he showed it off at qualifications. No one could get it back on target fast at all. It is too light and the recoil is too much! I carry a S&W 642 everyday! On or off duty. It is surprisingly accurate! Don't pay a lot for yours. I've seen them for as low at $299 - on sale to as high as $500. I paid just under $400 ordered in new for mine. If I had it to do over again I would have bought the S&W 642 Power Port model for its improved sights and port. It's more expensive, but it looks really nice - don't the new guns always look really, really nice? Here is the pic: Chapie+