New toy- police surplus S&W 642
- bullsi1911
- Posts: 1226
- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:46 pm
- Location: Austin By God Texas
New toy- police surplus S&W 642
Posting at stoplights while driving. Post more info later.
Had a chance to pick this beater up for under $330. No dea what department had it before me, but it was not well cared for. BUT- it shoots great. The group is the 3rd cyl through it at 7 yards
Had a chance to pick this beater up for under $330. No dea what department had it before me, but it was not well cared for. BUT- it shoots great. The group is the 3rd cyl through it at 7 yards
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
- bullsi1911
- Posts: 1226
- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:46 pm
- Location: Austin By God Texas
Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
Ok, more time to post now.
More pics:
Picked the gun up, and was able to run to the range and run about 50 rounds of mixed bag reloads and factory loads. Took a bit to get used to the trigger, but it is nicely worn in and capable of good accuracy if I pay attention to how the trigger stages… but this is not a long range gun.
It seems to have possibly never been cleaned, and not fired much… the barrel was full of pocket lint, and as you can see from the pics, it looks like it rode in a pocket with keys, loose change, maybe a couple of drill bits and end mills… but it does not seem to affect the operation and accuracy.
Since this is going to be a coat pocket gun, I’m happy with it. Plus… hey, new gun!
More pics:
Picked the gun up, and was able to run to the range and run about 50 rounds of mixed bag reloads and factory loads. Took a bit to get used to the trigger, but it is nicely worn in and capable of good accuracy if I pay attention to how the trigger stages… but this is not a long range gun.
It seems to have possibly never been cleaned, and not fired much… the barrel was full of pocket lint, and as you can see from the pics, it looks like it rode in a pocket with keys, loose change, maybe a couple of drill bits and end mills… but it does not seem to affect the operation and accuracy.
Since this is going to be a coat pocket gun, I’m happy with it. Plus… hey, new gun!
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
Looks good, a little abused but what’s to be expected for a police gun…. My 642 would keyhole some bullets at 10-15. I found what it likes. The worst was a hollow based wad cutter loaded backwards, loaded properly it is an amazing load.
- shotgunshooter3
- Posts: 657
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Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
Great score! I have a 442 no-lock I impulse bought that I ended up being quite fond of. I think a range report was posted on the old bygone forum.
"Speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
That’s kinda nice! Always liked those.
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
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Wambli Ska
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Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
That’s a darn fine score at that price point 


Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
That was my primary carry until recently, mine looks the same after riding in my front pocket most of the time and on my hip in the woods, stuck a Crimson Trace laser grip on it, still have to stay on the front sight, but easier getting back on the fullsize targets when moving, easier to see after shooting in low light.
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn away from their ways and live. Eze 33:11
- Varmintmist
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Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
I have no real use for a 38 revolver, but I want one
good score
Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
Nice score! I like it.
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Wambli Ska
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Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
On an associated topic S&W has semi-quietly stopped their ignition key program!!! It only took them, what, 30 years?
I might actually have to start looking at their “Classic” series again.
I might actually have to start looking at their “Classic” series again.
- bullsi1911
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- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:46 pm
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Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
I’ve seen that the new “classics” have no Hillary hole… but have 2 price barrels. I guess you can’t have everythingWambli Ska wrote: ↑Tue Oct 21, 2025 2:46 pm On an associated topic S&W has semi-quietly stopped their ignition key program!!! It only took them, what, 30 years?
I might actually have to start looking at their “Classic” series again.
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
- bullsi1911
- Posts: 1226
- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:46 pm
- Location: Austin By God Texas
Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
Thank you! It’s my first true J-frame, and I’m starting to understand the love for them
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
- bullsi1911
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- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:46 pm
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Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
Thanks!Varmintmist wrote: ↑Tue Oct 21, 2025 12:29 pm I have no real use for a 38 revolver, but I want onegood score
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
- bullsi1911
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Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
Right now it’s just my desk fidget toy, but I can see this being a pocket gun for futzing around the houseChiro1989 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 21, 2025 3:45 am That was my primary carry until recently, mine looks the same after riding in my front pocket most of the time and on my hip in the woods, stuck a Crimson Trace laser grip on it, still have to stay on the front sight, but easier getting back on the fullsize targets when moving, easier to see after shooting in low light.
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
- bullsi1911
- Posts: 1226
- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:46 pm
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Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
Thanks!
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
- bullsi1911
- Posts: 1226
- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:46 pm
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Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
I do remember that. It is a neat little gunshotgunshooter3 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 20, 2025 5:56 pm Great score! I have a 442 no-lock I impulse bought that I ended up being quite fond of. I think a range report was posted on the old bygone forum.
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
- bullsi1911
- Posts: 1226
- Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2023 1:46 pm
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Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
I plan on getting a few rounds tested on gel in the next few weeks. Tumbling isn’t bad… inside the target
To make something simple is a thousand times more difficult than to make something complex.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
AKA ‘Admin’
Re: New toy- police surplus S&W 642
Ride that ragged edge!!!bullsi1911 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 21, 2025 11:11 pmI plan on getting a few rounds tested on gel in the next few weeks. Tumbling isn’t bad… inside the target![]()