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Sidearms & Scatterguns s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

JJRawr

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 29, 2011
107
1
40
El Paso, TX
I just picked up a S&W 642. Bought it from a friend for a whopping $100 and it looks brand spanking new.

Problem is, I've never owned a revolver before and the trigger squeeze is ABSOLUTELY horrible. especially coming from a 1911.

I have trouble concealing my commander style 1911 and was wondering if getting an ultra compact would be the fix.

I can't group for crap with the 642. I plan on taking it out a few more times, but i just feel a lot more comfortable with the 1911 format and the .45 acp.

I've read ultra compact 1911 have reliability issues. that's the main reason I haven't gotten it yet. any feedback?
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

Officers can take more tuning but are reliable guns. Attention to the extractor and magazines has solved any issue I have had with one so far. Have you considered bobtailing the commander? I find a bobtailed commander, especially the lightweight alloy frames, conceal and carry just as well as my officer frames.
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

The difference between a good da trigger pull on a revolver and a bad one is tons of dry firing.

Becareful about "spring jobs", you don't want lite hammer hits on a carry pistol/revolver.

I carry a 642, I shoot a min. of 200 rounds a week through it, plus lots of dryfiring.

You might try some CT laser sights, they are great for dryfiring,learning to use the da trigger without screwing up your sight picture.
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

I have 1911s and a 642. kraigWY has it absolutely right on the 642. It's not difficult to master, you just gotta invest some trigger time.
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

Keep the 642, get some trigger time on it.

It's designed to save your life, not win a pistol match!

But with some 129 gr Fed Hydrashocks it's a GREAT carry piece.

I have one and carry it.

I just got a Ruger LCP so for summer lightweight clothing tha'ts the new carry but the 642 is the preferred.


Keep your targets at 10-15 feet, that's the range you would use this weapon (I assume)....

They do shoot straight for a short barreled revolver...
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

I have both the Springfield EMP 9mm and the 642. They're just not in the same class. The EMP 9mm, even aluminum, weighs almost twice what the 642 weighs. I carry them both, but the 642 is the gun I'll never be without. And compared to my 19/2011s, I can't hit shit with it...but I can get good enough accuracy to save my life, and that's what matters.
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

I carry a 442 (Black version of 642) every day. I am lucky with the trigger on mine, it is smooth as glass and not too heavy. I carry the Hydroshoks and am very accurate with it, for me it has become a point and shoot gun without using sights. The secret is a very high grip on the gun. The only drawback that I can see to the gun is a 5 shot capacity.
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

5 shot group at 50 feet not long after I got my 642....

5ShotGroup.jpg
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

I have a kimber ultra carry. The manual states that it needs 500 rounds to break in, but I've never had a jam or stovepipe. It shoots blazer 230 all day long into the same ragged hole.

As for concealment my friend and I compared it to his Kahr P40 it was surprisingly almost the same size. The only thing keeping it larger was the safety. I highly recommend getting a cross breed holster. I own both the cross breed and comp-tac minotaur but prefer the cross breed (only slightly more). I'm 5'7 145 lbs so its hard for me to conceal, but these holsters work like a charm and are very comfortable.

My only gripe about the gun is field stripping it. The tool that comes with the gun is worthless and getting the slide to line up while trying to put the slide stop back on is a pain in the dick. Consider getting the NDZ performance field strip tool. It makes it a whole lot easier.

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Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

Learn how to conceal your commander, and how to shoot your revolver. It's not hard to conceal a 1911 so long as you don't have to tuck your shirt it, it's just finding the right holster for your body type and carry location.

Short 1911's are junk. Stay away from them. (This is where everyone talks about how their "ultra's" run, mean-while physics and every reputable 1911 smith on the planet recommend against them).

You have two guns with a reliability advantage over any 3" 1911...stay with them.
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jim D</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
You have two guns with a reliability advantage over any 3" 1911...stay with them. </div></div>

Who makes a 3" 1911 besides the EMP?
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

I don't know about the other Small 1911s, But years ago, I had one of those little Datonics. I don't even know if they make them any more.

That sucker worked. It was accurate considering the the short sight radius. Extremely reliable, I was shooting for the Guard at the time and had access to tons of that hot Hardball ammo the Miltiary was buying from Israel at the time. It also fucntioned well with the SWC 185 WW mid range match ammo we were getting.

Where I screwed up was about the time I retired and moved from Anchorage to Wyoming. I had this idiot live in that was suppose to follow me to Wyoming. She wanted me to leave her with a pistol when I left. Well that relationship went south and I lost custody of my Datonics. But it was a great pistol, even though it was a short 1911.

As far a carrying small guns, I got into the habit of Pocket Carry while on the Anchorage Police Dept. It would get nippy in the winter and we are issued parkas. Even though they were designed for cops, with a side zipper and all, it was still difficult to get to your service revolver with anything resembling speed. I started carrying a enclosed hammer Smith in my pocket. If I was concerned, and the sitation warranted I had my hand in my pocket, on the gun and could fire the revolver from the pocket if necessary, Cant do that with a semi.

Anyway I wish I still had my little datonics.
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

I have a Kimber Tactical Pro II (Alloy) i have no issue with concealment when I do not have to tuck my shirt in. The two triggers will never be able to be compared. I also have a Ruger LCR which I also carry on a regular basis. The difference in physical trigger press is not the issue, its the type of press you apply that makes the difference. 1911 triggers have very little slack, so you take out slack, press, trap and reset. Revolver triggers have no slack and no reset. get used to pressing smoothly from start to break on every shot. ITS ALL ABOUT DRY PRACTICE. 15 mins a day keeps the mash away!
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

642, perhaps the best pistol one can buy and carry every damn day. 1911 are great..in all respects including SIZE! Detonics, Semmerlings, Hiesmans, Pourells, been there done that. Some were great. In the end 642. Wife, all the daughters, 642.
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II


I carried a 3" Springfield Micro 1911 while I lived in FL, 5 years IWB and thousands of rounds of 230g factory ammo. Never a problem with concealing the gun or reliability during weekly range sessions.
I bought a Kimber SC Pro about seven months ago, and this is by far my favorite 1911 of all time. I have carried full sized 1911s, and the 3" , but the 4" is the best of both worlds for me.
I like the way the Commander/pro size 1911s handle much better, and they are still easy to conceal in a quality holster. I wear a Milt Sparks Versa max II, best I have tried in 20 years of CC.
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JJ Rawr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I can't group for crap with the 642. I plan on taking it out a few more times, but i just feel a lot more comfortable with the 1911 format and the .45 acp.
</div></div>
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

Just my opinion but I would give it time in order to get used to shooting revolver. Set realistic goals for yourself. How far would you want to use it to defend yourself(realisticly). As long as your in the black I would say consider yourself defended. Luckly in a personal protection senerio, there are no points, only hits and misses. Like I said just my opinion.
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also remember one thing, whether it matters or not.

Automatics eject<span style="text-decoration: line-through"> casings</span> <span style="color: #3333FF">evidence</span>, revolvers do not
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</div></div>

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I love my Springfield Micro. A recoil spring replacement set from Wolff made it 100% (beyond the usual fluff and buff). Shoots scary accurate, and after I upgraded the recoils springs it will feed even held upside down limply in my weak hand...

If I ever get the chance I want to get my hands on a SW "Compact", perfect size and features.

I will pass on anything from Kimber with a "II" on the side.

Just can't warm up to revo's, but haven't dedicated the time or ammo though either....
 
Re: s&w 642 vs Kimber ultra carry II

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArcticLight</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also remember one thing, whether it matters or not.

Automatics eject<span style="text-decoration: line-through"> casings</span> <span style="color: #3333FF">evidence</span>, revolvers do not
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I will pass on anything from Kimber with a "II" on the side.

Just can't warm up to revo's, but haven't dedicated the time or ammo though either.... </div></div>


Wise words - I have a Kimber Custom II and am thinking of selling it and getting a Springfield..girlfriend is really sold on her Kimber though...and it is one heck of an accurate pistol....just hope nothing breaks when I really need it.


Good correction on my original post!
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