S&W 642 Revolver

WELCOME TO THE NO BS ZONE.
I have been getting a lot of calls and emails about the current generation of S&W "J" frame hammerless revolvers. If you are looking for a small reliable 5 shot revolver that can be your personal companion almost anywhere, S&W still makes all kinds of these hammerless revolvers. My carry hammerless model of choice is the 642, which has an aluminum alloy frame. The cylinder and the barrel are made of stainless steel.

There are so many other models that S&W offers that are far more expensive because they use that magic name "TITANIUM" or what ever else the marketing geniuses at Ben Franklin advertising agency can use to interest you. (my opinion only). Lets break it down from the beginning. The original hammerless cenntenial revolver that I remember was the all stainless steel version known as the 640 which was chambered for the 38 special caliber. This was an excellent revolver.

Its much easier for me to get a better trigger pull if I am working with a steel frame. When I work with a light weight frame regardless of the alloy composition I must do things differently in order to protect the integrity of the frame. The current models of "J" frame revolvers now have a "LAWYERS" keyed lock that makes no sense to me, but there is no way to get around it. I would never remove it and I tell people to just live with it. There are no customers I ever had that told me that they used this lock on their "J" frame.

Some "J" frame variants use a front sight that is a fluorescent fiber optic rod, and some have a protectant plastic shield around it. I have found that in my application of a street gun, this is a bad idea, I have seen this shield crack and the cleaning agents break down the plastic rod, you do not need this kind of front sight, in my opinion it is too fragile. Having a current model 642, which includes all the other similar models, your internals consist of MIM (Metal Injection Molded) parts. These parts if made correctly are very hard and they work. DO I LIKE THEM IN A "J" FRAME REVOLVER ? NO
Is there anything I can do about it ? NO

I do not like the new Sear, and about 50% of the ones I have worked on are ground crooked at the factory. I stock these new inexpensive Sears and I replace them if the original is crooked. The new type very tiny sear spring is often deformed if you are not careful working with it or it may have been done at the factory. If it was up to me I would like to have seen S&W retain all the old style parts and original design, but its usually marketing and you and I have but one choice, Do we want to buy the new models or not. They are still a good revolver.

Most people do not understand anything under the removeable plate, as long as the revolvers look good and work well they can be happy. I can still get a good trigger pull on one of these newer type "J" frame hammerless revolvers of about 8.75 lbs. The American gun owner generally does not understand how the industry has changed. It is obvious to me that S&W still makes a decent product but some one like me has been exposed to the "BEFORE" and now I am exposed to the "AFTER" . They will both get you to where you want to go, they just do the job a little differently (like riding in a Ford vs. a Lincoln) .

Of course I do not like the direction of many of the manufacturers, but I have not been privileged to their problems of trying to compete and stay in business in this very different world we now live in. Many (not all) of the old world craftsmen of this world are gone now, some are in nursing homes, some are in cemetaries. How many people are really concerned about internal parts and internal workmanship like I am ? Sure there are some but I think the new generation of gun owner is just thrilled as long as it goes bang every time.

I will still do my job of refining anything these gun manufacturers come out with, I am always looking for better methods and supplies from other industries. I refuse to do as others do and settle on the old technology that is still being used in the gunsmith trade.
YOU HAVE JUST READ WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE THE TRUTH FROM MY NO BS ZONE OF REALITY.


AUTHORS PERSONAL NOTATION:
This commentary as well as all my prevoius commentaries are my personal opinion only and my personal viewpoint only. If you can't deal with it then just leave and do not come back. I am trying to help all those people that want to hear my side of reality as I give up a great deal of my time to inform you and I do not get any money to do this, its called honest dedication.


Teddy Jacobson / Pistolsmith
www.actionsbyt.com
281 277 4008
tjacobson@houston.rr.com
www.actionsbyt.blogspot.com/