"Field Tested and Reviewed Gear"
Smith & Wesson 642 .38 Special +P with Crimson Tace Laser Grip
Smith & Wesson 642 Airweight .39 Special +P
• Model: 642
• Caliber: .38 S&W Special +P
• Capacity: 5 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 1.875" / 4.7 cm
• Front Sight: Integral
• Rear Sight: Fixed
• Grip: Synthetic
• Action: Double Action Only
• Frame Size: Small - Internal Hammer
• Finish: Matte Silver
• Overall Length: 6.31" / 16.0 cm
• Material: Aluminum Alloy Frame
Stainless Steel Cylinder
• Weight Empty: 15 oz / 425.3 g
I picked up the S&W 642 for one reason, I needed a gun for my office and I like revolvers for jobs like that. I’ve already owned a few S&W revolvers and have always been a fan of wheel guns, although it seems many people are not fans. Maybe it’s because of the limited capacity but here in California you only get 10 rounds anyway. There are a few opinions on this, but I have mostly read that the average gun fight involves about 3-5 shots fired. So you aren’t reloading anyway and my wheel gun holds enough rounds for me to finish the job.
On this wheel gun I installed the Crimson Trace grip. The stock grip that comes on the 642 is a little small for me and the Crimson Trace grip is a little bit longer and you get the added benefit of a laser. In total this gun was about a $650 investment.
The best part of this gun is that it was a Private Party Transfer. This enabled me to buy two handguns within a 30 day period. Gotta love that. I picked up some ammo and headed to the range the day after I picked up the gun.
The gun is a double action only, no hammer so the trigger pull is long but very smooth. As far as accurate? At 15 yards I was hitting in the 7, 8, 9 and 10 ring. One or two shots from the 100 rounds I fired today were a bit off target, mostly when I was practicing “point and shoot”. All in all it’s a great little gun for back-up or concealed carry. It’s very light weight and since there is no hammer there nothing to get caught up on.
One of the best parts is the Crimson Trace laser. After 100 rounds it did not lose its zero and was just as bright on shot one and it was on shot 100.
I’ll keep practicing with this one and let you know later how the laser holds up.
Have fun shooting!
As always, questions or comments, email us at info@roughgearreview.com
• Model: 642
• Caliber: .38 S&W Special +P
• Capacity: 5 Rounds
• Barrel Length: 1.875" / 4.7 cm
• Front Sight: Integral
• Rear Sight: Fixed
• Grip: Synthetic
• Action: Double Action Only
• Frame Size: Small - Internal Hammer
• Finish: Matte Silver
• Overall Length: 6.31" / 16.0 cm
• Material: Aluminum Alloy Frame
Stainless Steel Cylinder
• Weight Empty: 15 oz / 425.3 g
I picked up the S&W 642 for one reason, I needed a gun for my office and I like revolvers for jobs like that. I’ve already owned a few S&W revolvers and have always been a fan of wheel guns, although it seems many people are not fans. Maybe it’s because of the limited capacity but here in California you only get 10 rounds anyway. There are a few opinions on this, but I have mostly read that the average gun fight involves about 3-5 shots fired. So you aren’t reloading anyway and my wheel gun holds enough rounds for me to finish the job.
On this wheel gun I installed the Crimson Trace grip. The stock grip that comes on the 642 is a little small for me and the Crimson Trace grip is a little bit longer and you get the added benefit of a laser. In total this gun was about a $650 investment.
The best part of this gun is that it was a Private Party Transfer. This enabled me to buy two handguns within a 30 day period. Gotta love that. I picked up some ammo and headed to the range the day after I picked up the gun.
The gun is a double action only, no hammer so the trigger pull is long but very smooth. As far as accurate? At 15 yards I was hitting in the 7, 8, 9 and 10 ring. One or two shots from the 100 rounds I fired today were a bit off target, mostly when I was practicing “point and shoot”. All in all it’s a great little gun for back-up or concealed carry. It’s very light weight and since there is no hammer there nothing to get caught up on.
One of the best parts is the Crimson Trace laser. After 100 rounds it did not lose its zero and was just as bright on shot one and it was on shot 100.
I’ll keep practicing with this one and let you know later how the laser holds up.
Have fun shooting!
As always, questions or comments, email us at info@roughgearreview.com
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