642 vs. 342 (S&W)

[Mark IV Series 80]

Originally posted by BigG:

The Ti/Sc Smith snubs are well worth the extra money.

The real point I don't think anybody has made is no matter who you are, I have never seen anybody shoot a snub regularly. If they shoot a box or two a year they are in the top 5%.

Hello BigG,

I shoot my M638 every other time I go to the range.....No, I don't shoot several boxes of ammo in one session...... I do shoot some standard-pressure ammo and a few of my carry 158 grain, +P, SWCHP's so that I remain competent with this combination.

My view is:........ If you don't practice with your gun, you shouldn't be carrying it.

If you are one of the hard core snub shooters, buy a steel clone of your model and fire away.

If you practice with a steel snubby, in place of your light-weight carry snubby, you will not experience the recoil or the time and effort required to bring the gun back on target. I think this could be dangerous.

IIRC, four California Highway Patrol Officers lost their lives, due in part, because they trained with .38 Special ammo, while they were issued .357 Magnum ammo, and they were not accustomed to the increased recoil of the .357.

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/newhall.html

 

[AC]

I practice with mine

and am beginning to think maybe even a M642 is too light at 16 ounces. Typically I'll shoot about 50 rds. of 160 gr handloads. These are loaded light, about 600 fps from the 2" barrel. The 642 causes a mild amount of hand pain. Even going up just three ounces to a steel frame Chief's Special makes it markedly easier to hit with and more comfortable to shoot.

Every gun is a compromise but I wouldn't buy one of the 11 oz. .38s if IT was $150 cheaper.

 

[don't shoot it's me]

MKIV..I qual 3 times a year with the 442 and it gets a good checking out each time....and per your advice, I will do more frequent cylinder checks for binding..all it takes is a slight bit of pressure on the trigger, then a good spin...I'll do these at the range when I can but if I get the hankering at home, I'll double up on my yellow pages...

As for practicing with these little buggers...most cops practice more with their service weapon and very little with the snubs since anything they come across with the duty gun they will have to deal with no matter what the range...with these belly guns, we know the odds are we will be up close when using them (as a back up during a gun grab or an off duty mugging)...and if we are at need your sights range against serious armament, then we will probably be retreating....

And Ken, I think someone needs new batteries in their calculator.....15-11.8=3.2

 

[pocketman]

I also shoot my pocket 442 regularly.

I try to shoot at least 2x per month, and put at least 50rds through my carry guns eact time. (accually I've only been shooting my carry pieces the last year or so.)

That being said, I've had a 342ti* and both flavors of 642/442 currently the 442 is my choice, I shoot it much, much better than the 342ti* I had.

For me the slight weight savings was not worth the loss in shootability.

 

[juliet charley]

I shoot my 38 regularly--about 75 rounds yesterday. It's one of my favourite fun guns (not to mention all the practice helps). In the past, I've carried the standard pressure 125-grain Nyclad and practiced mostly with the 130-grain FMJ (Q-loads)--they feel pretty close even though the 130-grain stuff is really anemic. As the supply of Nyclads dry up, I'm migrating to carrying and shooting 184-grain wadcutters--they are outstandingly accurate in my particular revolver.

 

[M1911]

I have a 642. I typically shoot it with 158gr +P and I find it to be distinctly not fun. I've put 50 rounds through it at once, but it hurt. No way would I pay $150 more for the privilege of more pain. Regarding weight, the 642 is a whole bunch lighter than my Kahr MK9, which I also use for pocket carry from time to time.

M1911

 

[treeprof]

HAD a 342PD; HAVE pair of 642's. Much more pleasant to shoot in practice. Plus, I like 158 gr LSCWHP +P's (I'm not fond of light jacketed bullets at snubbie velocities), and can't shoot those from a 342.