S&W 640 or 642

Gun Nut · October 25th, 2009, 11:50 PM

I have been thinking of buying i pocket gun for some time now,I know i want J frame Smith just Don't know witch one yet .I like the 642 and I like the 640 even better but I have never carried a pocket gun . has anybody out there carried one of these guns ?

joppaj · October 26th, 2009, 09:38 AM

I have never fired either of these weapons. I do have the comparable Ruger Sp-101. The only real advantage in my opinion of the S&W is a better factory trigger. Swap the Ruger factory springs for a Wolff sping kit and the difference is largely a wash. The Ruger is considerably less expensive and will handle hotter loads as well.

Sorry, not really much help probably, but just something to think about.

alucard0822 · October 26th, 2009, 10:43 AM

I have a 442, basically the blued version of the 642, it is a handful with full power +p loads, and takes a LOT of practice to get decent with. The trigger is smooth, but really heavy out of the box. It is very light and easy to carry, but a little big for most pockets when worn in a pocket holster as reccomended. It works well in a belt or ankle holster, or in winter, a large coat pocket. The 640 is much easier to shoot, the steel frame cuts recoil down a lot, and the extra 1/2" of sight radius helps, the grips are also much more comfortable, but where the 442 is about the biggest gun you can hide in a large pocket, the 640 is a little bigger and heavier, and would probably need to go on the belt. Trigger is about the same as the 442/642, but it adds the 357mag chambering, so you can use more powerful ammo if desired, it is also the direct competition to the SP-101, that is a little chunkier, but built on similar dimentions.

I saw one of the new Ruger LCRs the ther day at Hake's, brand new for $399, and got to play around with it a little, and by far, I would take it over a Smith J-frame anyday. I am a long time S&W fan, and didn't really expect this revolver to be as nice as it was. It is about 2 oz lighter, and has about the same dimentions as my 442, but the grip is far better, it covers the backstrap, and fits just right, and should help a lot with +p ammo. It also makes a very high hold comfortable and easy, the trigger is a thing of beuty, and surprisingly much smoother and lighter than any new J-frame has out of the box. It changes the geometry using a cam mechanism, where the initial takeup is about a relatively light 7lbs, it then "stacks" or increases gradually up to about 10lbs right when the trigger releases, compared to the S&W that starts and finishes at about 12lbs. WHere the S&W trigger feels like it is getting lighter twards the end of the pull, it isn't, it is a trick where as your finger gets better leverage on the trigger, it just feels lighter, in the case of the LCR, you can feel a very light increase in pressure, if any at all, even though the trigger pull gains about 3-4# during the pull. It makes the pull easy to pull through for fast shooting, and also easy to stage, or pull to right before the release point, then hold, and break the trigger for an almost single action feel during the break. And to top it off, it is a couple hundred cheaper than a somewhat cmparable Smith

I would definitely check one out before I bought the Smith.

Gun Nut · October 26th, 2009, 07:43 PM

Thanks guys for the info.think i will go with the 640 ,if for some reason i don't like it, well that be a good reason to buy anouther gun.

joppaj · October 26th, 2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gun Nut

,if for some reason i don't like it, well that be a good reason to buy anouther gun.

Yup, you belong here...

Found a good price on it yet?

Gun Nut · October 27th, 2009, 07:28 PM

No have not really look around yet to see who has the best deal yet . From looking on gun broker the 642 are going for 400 to 500 the 640 .500 to 600 . i like to find a used 640 that is in good shap for of corse a great price.

Polecat · November 8th, 2009, 09:41 PM

I have a 640 in 357 mag. I really like the "no hammer" so it doesn't snag on my clothes.

October 25th, 2009, 11:50 PM	#1
Gun Nut Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 22	S&W 640 or 642 I have been thinking of buying i pocket gun for some time now,I know i want J frame Smith just Don't know witch one yet .I like the 642 and I like the 640 even better but I have never carried a pocket gun . has anybody out there carried one of these guns ?

October 26th, 2009, 09:38 AM	#2
joppaj wheelgunner Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Joppatown Posts: 10,154	I have never fired either of these weapons. I do have the comparable Ruger Sp-101. The only real advantage in my opinion of the S&W is a better factory trigger. Swap the Ruger factory springs for a Wolff sping kit and the difference is largely a wash. The Ruger is considerably less expensive and will handle hotter loads as well. Sorry, not really much help probably, but just something to think about. __________________ Disclaimer- I am a police officer. This does not make me an armed lawyer. I am not authorized to make any official statement on behalf of my department or any other organization. All statements made are my own opinions and beliefs based upon my own morals, training and experience. Everyone cool with that? "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are as bold as a lion." —Proverbs 28:1

October 26th, 2009, 10:43 AM	#3
alucard0822 For great Justice Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: PA Posts: 7,368 Images: 11	I have a 442, basically the blued version of the 642, it is a handful with full power +p loads, and takes a LOT of practice to get decent with. The trigger is smooth, but really heavy out of the box. It is very light and easy to carry, but a little big for most pockets when worn in a pocket holster as reccomended. It works well in a belt or ankle holster, or in winter, a large coat pocket. The 640 is much easier to shoot, the steel frame cuts recoil down a lot, and the extra 1/2" of sight radius helps, the grips are also much more comfortable, but where the 442 is about the biggest gun you can hide in a large pocket, the 640 is a little bigger and heavier, and would probably need to go on the belt. Trigger is about the same as the 442/642, but it adds the 357mag chambering, so you can use more powerful ammo if desired, it is also the direct competition to the SP-101, that is a little chunkier, but built on similar dimentions. I saw one of the new Ruger LCRs the ther day at Hake's, brand new for $399, and got to play around with it a little, and by far, I would take it over a Smith J-frame anyday. I am a long time S&W fan, and didn't really expect this revolver to be as nice as it was. It is about 2 oz lighter, and has about the same dimentions as my 442, but the grip is far better, it covers the backstrap, and fits just right, and should help a lot with +p ammo. It also makes a very high hold comfortable and easy, the trigger is a thing of beuty, and surprisingly much smoother and lighter than any new J-frame has out of the box. It changes the geometry using a cam mechanism, where the initial takeup is about a relatively light 7lbs, it then "stacks" or increases gradually up to about 10lbs right when the trigger releases, compared to the S&W that starts and finishes at about 12lbs. WHere the S&W trigger feels like it is getting lighter twards the end of the pull, it isn't, it is a trick where as your finger gets better leverage on the trigger, it just feels lighter, in the case of the LCR, you can feel a very light increase in pressure, if any at all, even though the trigger pull gains about 3-4# during the pull. It makes the pull easy to pull through for fast shooting, and also easy to stage, or pull to right before the release point, then hold, and break the trigger for an almost single action feel during the break. And to top it off, it is a couple hundred cheaper than a somewhat cmparable Smith I would definitely check one out before I bought the Smith. __________________ "Unfortunately, freedom allows sh*theads to get away with stuff. You always know the mark of a coward. A coward hides behind freedom. A brave person stands in front of freedom and defends it for others." -Henry Rollins

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October 26th, 2009, 07:43 PM	#4
Gun Nut Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 22	Thanks guys for the info.think i will go with the 640 ,if for some reason i don't like it, well that be a good reason to buy anouther gun.

October 27th, 2009, 07:28 PM	#6
Gun Nut Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 22	No have not really look around yet to see who has the best deal yet . From looking on gun broker the 642 are going for 400 to 500 the 640 .500 to 600 . i like to find a used 640 that is in good shap for of corse a great price.

November 8th, 2009, 09:41 PM	#7
Polecat Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 1,117 Images: 3	I have a 640 in 357 mag. I really like the "no hammer" so it doesn't snag on my clothes.

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