A relative is leaning towards this for a purse gun. Any thoughts or experiences on this particular gun?
Smith & Wesson //163810 Model 642 Centennial Airweight 1-7/8" ZM Dept
Smith & Wesson //163810 Model 642 Centennial Airweight 1-7/8" ZM Dept
S&W 642 Airweight?
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Great gun for carrying. I hated shooting it though. I don't have huge hands, but the way that I'd grip mine the cylinder release latch would cut my thumb on recoil after firing several rounds at the range. Again just my experience with my grip. But the gun itself never had a functional issue and the one I owned had a really smooth trigger pull right from the factory. I carried almost daily for a year and a half. Finally sold it though because I hated getting my thumb busted up at the range.
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The trigger is long and heavy.
I bought one for my wife and she didn't like it.
I ended up selling it..
A purse isn't a very good place to keep a handgun..
Have your friend check out this website.
A lot of info for women interested in handguns and CCW.
Cornered Cat
I bought one for my wife and she didn't like it.
I ended up selling it..
A purse isn't a very good place to keep a handgun..
Have your friend check out this website.
A lot of info for women interested in handguns and CCW.
Cornered Cat
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89 Posts
The long and heavy trigger is why I sold my 442, same gun as the 642 except in black. I could not get very accurate because of it. I don't use these for concealed carry, so I now have a 637 with exposed hammer I can fire in single action and love it. I imagine you could have some action work done to improve the trigger on the DAO Smiths.
The Ruger LCR is supposed to have a much better trigger in DAO, but I have not fired one. Feels great in the hand though. A lot of folks on the S&W forum prefer it over the Airweight Smiths.
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Yes, but a purse is typically what is stolen from women. Lets say a thief runs by and grabs the purse from you. Now you have lost a purse and given a crook a gun.
Point well taken. Perhaps the gentleman should have his wife carry a claymore mine in her purse. From what I've seen, most women would have ample room for one given the size of the bags they're carrying.
My wife has a black model; it's too small for my hands although it shoots pretty well at 10 yards. Short barrel and quite a hefty recoil. Trigger is long and heavy. had a local gunsmith put a lighter trigger pull in but did not notice any difference. IMO would be better with lighter trigger but as a "no safety wheelgun" it works well for the purpose for which it is designed - nice and light and concealable. My wife has a Bullard Bodyguard holster which s very nice and comfortable.
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343 Posts
SW 442 is my pocket carry gun. I have the small Crimson Trace grips on it. Friend has the larger grips which make it easier to grip but with some loss of concealability. Had a local smith change out the factory springs for some Wolff reduced power springs which was a big improvement for me.
The gun requires at least monthly trips to the range to maintain my skills with it. It is probably the gun where I notice my skills deteriorate the quickest if I don't fire it very often. This is not surprising--short barrel, small grip, and long DAO trigger--but something to consider; you should plan on plenty of range time. YMMV.
The gun requires at least monthly trips to the range to maintain my skills with it. It is probably the gun where I notice my skills deteriorate the quickest if I don't fire it very often. This is not surprising--short barrel, small grip, and long DAO trigger--but something to consider; you should plan on plenty of range time. YMMV.
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642 are good guns but I much prefer the 638 or "Bodyguard" style SW revolver (original bodyguard not the new polymer abomination)
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I had one with the CT grips also. The trigger was bad enough that after 2 years fighting it I gave it up and sold it. The trigger on the LCR IS nicer, although you get the shorter grip also.
on the 642-
Good for reliability, hard to shoot well or regularly w/o gloves. I loved carrying it but came to the conclusion that if I couldn't shoot the darn thing well enough at 7 yards with no pressure at the range, I probibly wouldn't be able to use it well enough to be useful if something went bad.
I am currently adjusting my options for carry.
on the 642-
Good for reliability, hard to shoot well or regularly w/o gloves. I loved carrying it but came to the conclusion that if I couldn't shoot the darn thing well enough at 7 yards with no pressure at the range, I probibly wouldn't be able to use it well enough to be useful if something went bad.
I am currently adjusting my options for carry.
For the most part I have to say people that are posting here are on point. This gun does have a long, a little more stiff trigger pull. If at all possible I would test it out at a local range that rents guns. This a very common pistol and any good rent range will have it. That being said, I bought a 642 for my mom a few years ago and its a purse gun for her. Any women thats not a 'paris hilton' will have no problem shooting all 5 on paper with no problem. The pull isn't much more then a ruger lc9 or lcp and the recoil is nothing when using non +p ammo.
If you can't rent, buy it, if she doesn't like it sell it on armslist they are a hot item and will sell in days on there. As for keeping a gun in a purse theres no reason why you should not.
If you can't rent, buy it, if she doesn't like it sell it on armslist they are a hot item and will sell in days on there. As for keeping a gun in a purse theres no reason why you should not.
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I have used the 442 as my daily carry for a while. I ended up getting the Crimson Trace grips for it because I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with it from inside the barn!
Very reliable, plenty of take down power in the .38 SPC +P HP round. I hate shooting it though, super stiff trigger and kills your hand after about 20 rounds.
Very reliable, plenty of take down power in the .38 SPC +P HP round. I hate shooting it though, super stiff trigger and kills your hand after about 20 rounds.
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love my 642 - the trigger is fine, once it breaks in it is a very smooth double action.
From what I understand the wolf spring kit improves the reset more so than anything else.
It is a defensive handgun not a range gun making tiny little groups. I typically shoot about 10-20 rounds and I stick it back in my pocket. Take it for what it is - small, light, powerful, reliable and a classic!
From what I understand the wolf spring kit improves the reset more so than anything else.
It is a defensive handgun not a range gun making tiny little groups. I typically shoot about 10-20 rounds and I stick it back in my pocket. Take it for what it is - small, light, powerful, reliable and a classic!
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