~ S&W 642 or Glock 26 ? ~ Help!

[Barney Fife]

I'm on the verge of getting my CCL and still haven't figured out what to carry.
I qualified with a G27 and liked it a lot but didn't enjoy the recoil and thought it was too heavy and thick for everyday carry.

So after lots of homework, I settled on the S&W .38SP 642 - light, powerful enough, but limited.

Well now I'm finding that many folks say it kicks harder than the G .40! :(

I want somthing I can practice with and get some fast and accurate placement with when needed.

The 26 is more accurate and higher capacity - but more bulky, expensive, and less easy to carry.

The 642 is 5 oz lighter and will go bang dependably but is underpowered by caliber and capacity and has a long trigger pull.

I can carry the 26 on my hip with "the vest" but it doesn't ride in the pocket well. However, I don't really want to carry it chambered and then you have the whole racking of the slide issue and potential failures to contend with.

Very confused here and not a firearms expert.

If someone has shot the G.27 and .38+P - please compare them.
Or how is the 642 and 26 in comparison?

I ruled out the Kahr PM9 - as I was told and have seen them break.

Advice please!

This is maddening.

Bullet in my pocket for now...

[juliet charley]

Well now I'm finding that many folks say it kicks harder than the G .40!
It does not "kick" harder than the Glock 27--but depending on the ammo you select, it can be a little hard shooting.
I want somthing I can practice with and get some fast and accurate placement with when needed.
Try some of these (and practice with reloaded wadcutters). They are fast and accurate, and they'll get the job done:

http://www.safestop.net/38special.jpg

Here's a thread with lots of good information in it:

Considerations for Back-up Pistols (http://www.tacticalforums.com/cgi-bin/tacticalubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000132#000008)

[Tommy Vercetti]

I have a Glock 26 and a Smith & Wesson model 642...the Smith is lighter and perceived recoil seems heavier..but I like the Smith for carry all the time but I rarely practice with it but I shoot the Glock all the time

[magsnubby]

Sounds like you're not really comfortable with carrying a round in the chamber. In that case you would be better off with the 642. Have you tried to ccw the 642? The 642 carries easy in a pocket but with a good IWB the Glock concels a little better.

I personally can't tell much diffrence in the recoil between my 27 loaded with Silver Tips and my 642 with +p's. I love 'em both. But then i'm not particularly recoil shy.

Have you considered a 9mm? With a good +p they can make an exellent defense gun. Less recoil than a small frame snubby, higher capicity and an all around fun caliber.

Mind if i ask why you don't want to carry with one in the chamber?

[steveno]

do you have to requalify if you change guns or to add guns to the ccw?

[Shamus]

Have you considered a 9mm? With a good +p they can make an exellent defense gun. Less recoil than a small frame snubby, higher capicity and an all around fun caliber.

Ahhhh... Can you say Glock 26 :D Carry mine in a fobus roto holster at 10:00 crossdraw. I don't have to move it while driving just tuck my shirt behind the grip. At least until Ohio changes their "carry visable while driving" law.

[Barney Fife]

"Have you considered a 9mm? With a good +p they can make an exellent defense gun. Less recoil than a small frame snubby, higher capicity and an all around fun caliber."


9mm? ~ Yes, I was thinking about the Glock 26 in a paddle holster.
However, I can't see packing that all the time in hot Oklahoma weather.
I'm getting the piece primarily for camping defense as I do a LOT of camping and walking. I have a 22M NAA Black Widow.
I was thinking that - and some good pepper spray would be enough in most other situations here in Mayberry...?


"Mind if i ask why you don't want to carry with one in the chamber?"

The Glock has no safety- other than the trigger. Even though this would be holstered, I would be concerned about it working out, getting hung up and discharging. Am I wrong? Are there 2 schools of thought on a chambered round?
:confused:

[Barney Fife]

"do you have to requalify if you change guns or to add guns to the ccw?"

No, since qualifying with a SA I can carry anything .45 and under - including derringers.

I don't know about the quantity though.

I'm only 2 weeks into the waiting period now and saving my pennies.

The Glock 26 is looking good but I would really like to know more about the 642 as I can't rent one here.

Is it controllable? Can you hit with it? How about muzzle flip?

Thanks!

[Barney Fife]

I live in Oklahoma and it gets HOT down here (102 today) - so I won't be doing the concealed clothing much in the summer. But I am getting this piece primarily for home, camping, hiking, canoeing, etc. in the spring and fall.
I was "thinking" that
(A.) good pepper spray and
(B.) my "in your face" NAA .22M Black Widow in a front pocket holster would be enough for my other social "about town" engagements in this low crime area.

Your advice, opinions, and experience are appreciated.

[juliet charley]

I know what you're going through Barney. I lived in Wichita Falls for seven years--hot, miserable and hot!

My solution was S&W 442 (blued version of the 642) in a Kramer pocket holster. It is controllable, and yes, you can hit with it. FWIW, I aced the Texas CHL course with it. It takes a little more practice to master and a little more practice to maintain proficiency, but there's no better weapon for that area.

You're right about the Glock 26 just being a little too big (and a little too awkward--bad geometry) for the conditions you describe. I know--I tried! I do not think it is a good to carry a Glock concealed with a round in the chamber. I have done it (with a NY1 trigger spring), but never really felt comfortable with it. Too great of chance a getting something (other than your finger) in the trigger guard while holstering and reholstering--particularly if you are doing a lot of running in and out of places that do not allow concealed carry on the premises. It is a distinctly uncomfortable feeling tryin to holster a Glock behind your while sitting in your car trying to inconspicuous. It's a whole lot easier to slide 642 (holster and all) in and out of your pocket!

[Tommy Vercetti]

I find the S&W easier to carry

[PonySoprano]

I recently went from shooting a S&W model 60 (.357) to a Glock 26. I love revolvers for their "no-brainer simplicity" but you can't beat the G26 for ease of carry and light weight! I'm more or less a novice marksman (my technical knowledge outweighs any practical or real-world firearms experience) so don't quote me, but I would go for a used G26. I'll keep my Smith @ home for those "what-if?" scenarios and will carry the 26 with Speer Gold-dots when I get my CCW permit. I feel more confident with it.

[dairycreek]

I want somthing I can practice with and get some fast and accurate placement with when needed.

Let me make some points that you might consider. I too own a 642 and a G26 so I have some experience on which to base my remarks. You are definitely correct in wanting a CCW weapon with which you can (should) practice. Both the Smith and the Glock shoot relatively inexpensive ammunition so overall cost ought not to be a big problem. However, it you plan on shooting/practicing with 38 special +P ammo that IS more expensive and the benefits accrued are IMHO highly questionable. Just because the ammo package says +P does not necessarily mean that you get higher velocity, better bullet expansion, or better ammunition performance in the 642.

The 26 is more accurate and higher capacity - but more bulky, expensive, and less easy to carry.

Can't argue with some of your conclusions here. The 26 may/may not be MORE accurate but it is sure plenty accurate for the purpose. Obviously it has higher capacity than the 642 so no question here. It is somewhat bulky and expensive but as far as being less easy to carry I take mild exception.

The most important parts of effective concealed carry are the holster and the belt selection. If you carry a Glock with one in the chamber then you need a holster that covers the trigger. Once that is done then the Glock "Safe Action" claim is completely justified. Personally, I favor the idea of being able to carry "10 + 1".

Let me offer you another alternative. That is the CZ RAMI. Still carries 10 + 1 but is somewhat less expensive and has IMHO a better safey system. CZ makes a great gun which is reliable, accurate, and well made. I vastly prefer it for shooting and concealed carry over both the Smith and the Glock. Good shooting;)


http://www.czusa.com/product.img/48.jpg

[magsnubby]

The 642 is a handy little gun for ccw, it carries easy in a pocket. I usally shoot something like 148 gr wc's or 158 gr swc's for plinking or target shooting. With the light loads it's really a fun little gun to shoot and ammo is fairly cheap.

With +p's and the factory boot grips the recoil can get a little stiff. I would compare it to the Glock 27. But then,as i said, i,m not really that recoil sensative. Replace the grips with a pair of Hogue (www.hogue.com) and it tames it quit a bit. I usually shoot the light stuff then finish up a box of +p's. Start out with 3 or 4 cylinders of +p's per session then work you way up over a few sessions and you should be able to shoot it fairly well.