Gun question...

[NewValker]

Got my eye on a S&W model 642, 5 round, .38 special +P, 1.87” barrel, matte finish, rubber grips.
Gun was bought new in 06, has had 5 shots thru it. Absolutely pristine. Owner paid a little over $600 when new. Academy Sports has them now for $429.
Opinions on a fair offer?

Thanks, Craig

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I have a 642 Performance Center with wood grips, but otherwise similar. I think I paid about $450 about 8 years ago. https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/performance-center-model-642-enhanced-action

The cop-out answer is that it's worth whatever you feel it is. If I were in the market to buy one, I'd probably offer $250 to $275, and go up a bit from there if needed. Looking on Gunbroker, the range of used starts at about $225 and goes up to over $400. Also, if it comes with any holsters or anything, that can sweeten the pot a little.

[Jess from VA]

Is this a question on the gun or the price?

I found prices for some as low as $360 new.   (not in MA)

Five shots is as good as new.  

I like airweight J frames, but the sights are not great and a laser grip is a good idea (even though there are better grips as far as fitting your hand).  It's not much fun as a range gun but it carries easily.

Both mine have hammers (so use pocket holsters), but I particularly like the shrouded hammer 638 over the fully shrouded 642.  It gives you the option of thumbing back the hammer and having a much better trigger for a more accurate shot (if time allows), but still fully snagproof.   

638 Crimson Trace

[NewValker]

Thanks guys, Jess it was a price question. I like the gun, want it, but seller kinda thinks it’s worth more because of its condition. She’s reasonable and we haven’t discussed money yet. She bought it for CCW when she runs and wants something else because of the trigger pull. BTW its hammerless. Comes with  inside belt nylon holster.

Thanks again, Craig

[Bighead]

Worth as stated is what someone is willing to pay. That said used is used, show her what used ones are selling for on gun broker and other sites. If she still insists on more move on. There are many out there to be had.

[Pete]

In the condition you describe (as new) it is worth current wholesale assuming it has the original box and items that came with it.  $451.00.

Note, if you bought it new you would have to add dealer profit , taxes and any transfer fee. So $451 is not a bad price.

With that said a dealer would not offer $451, when he could get real new one for the same price. A dealer offer would be in the $400 range and that is what I see them selling for.

A few minutes and a spring "adjustment" can resolve the hard trigger pull.

[Gavin_Sons]

It is used and not a collector item. I would give no more than $275.you canbuy new ones at $360 probably cheaper if you find a sale. If you buy online there will be tax and a FFL transfer fee. So lets ay you are up to $450 on a brand new revolver. Do you really want a used one not much cheaper than that? I will not buy any gun used unless i get it for half of what new costs. They are like cars, once you put that first round through them they are forever used.

[f6john]

I am gun illiterate so this is my only offering on the subject,

[MarkT]

Like Jess I prefer a shrouded hammer in a J frame.  Won't snag and you can shoot single or double action.  Mine is a model 649 which is .357mag, all stainless.  Cost more than that however. I added Crimson Trace green laser grips, brighter than red and usable in sunlight.  Total new cost is close to $1k.

[Jess from VA]

Mark, you've shown that pic many times.  I get the wheel guns and utility knife, but what kind of weapon are the glasses?  (or is it a disguise?)   

[Pappy!]

That's for when Mark goes for the "Clark Kent" look.......

[MarkT]

Yep.  Or everyday items added for scale.  Don't feel like shooting another pic when I already have one on my web host showing the 649 (and 60).

[Chrisj CMA]

I have a 642. I even got the self deploying extending grip.


However I just don’t feel it’s enough. To hard to be real accurate and only .38+P  so I usually carry this everyday



.357 with high performance personal protection hollow points.

The snubby is better than nothing but I feel better with my old faithful

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

On another note, anybody else with a J-frame have an ankle holster they'd recommend? I carry mine at times, just to carry a revolver. I feel better with my P239, or even my Shield as my primary carry weapon (both have lasers, and I'm still trying to be able to focus on the front sight with glasses), depending upon clothing, time of year, etc.  I'd like to find a decent way to carry the 642 on my left leg, in a good ankle holster that isn't too uncomfortable to get used to and that stays in place well.

Thankfully, I live in a good area. I do travel to some questionable ones at times. Not that it makes any difference here or there. Prepared is prepared, wherever you are.

[Bighead]

You wanting to carry on your ankle for a backup to a primary carry?  If not I have to ask why an ankle carry?

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Backup carry. Primary carry is always strong-side hip for me. I've tried appendix carry, but it doesn't seem to work well for me. So, yes, the ankle holster with the snubbie would be a backup weapon. I train for stuff I hope I'll never need. It took me a bit to shoot half decent with my non-dominant hand, just in case my right hand gets shot or otherwise damaged. Some probably think I'm nuts, and they're probably more correct than not.

[Jess from VA]

I have an older Desantis die hard ankle rig for Jframe.

I never wear it because my stride makes it a trip hazard (but I'm not giving it away).

It's a good tight rig.

Righty's want it on the inside left ankle.

I don't wear tight pants anymore, but it's just never been a sat place to carry for me.

[bassman]

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/blog/crossbreed-ankle-holster-now-ready-revolvers/

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Thanks. I may pick one of those up. I wear workboots almost exclusively, so I'm curious as to whether I'll fit it over the boot "shaft" or above it; more like a calf holster than an ankle holster.

[Jess from VA]

Hey Oil Burner, I got my Desantis ankle holster as part of a package deal (used, but in good shape).  I never actually tried it out before now.  I went to Desantis' website and see they make different models for hammer and hammerless J frames.  I can find no model number on the holster, but the keeper snap will not close over my hammer J frame (too tight), so it must be for a hammerless J frame, like your 642.

It is for a righty, on the inside left ankle/leg.  It closes with Velcro (and must be worn tight to stay put). It may be able to go up a bit above the ankle, but it's not going to fit over a full calf muscle.  And it would really print badly up there anyway.  

So, you can have it for postage, if you want it.  Fire me a PM with an address, and when you get it, you can read the postage on the package and fire it back.

I'm pretty sure it's this one.  https://www.desantisholster.com/die-hard-ankle-rig/



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZt_DNXA7hA

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

Thank you Jess. PM incoming.

[Jess from VA]

Welcome. PM back at you.

[DGS65]

The cheapest buy now price I can find for a new one is $430
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/850999361

There is no way I would pay more the $350 for a like new used one even with a holster the you may not like.

[NewValker]

Made a deal, $300. In original box, all paperwork, holster, and original box of +P minus 5 rounds.
Heading to the range this weekend!   
Thanks all for responding,
Craig

[Bighead]

Fair deal Nd good on you. Have fun.

[Jess from VA]

Excellent Craig.   

Of all Smith revolvers, the J frames are known to have the least favorable triggers.  I've never had a hammerless J frame.  But I have many Smith revolvers, and most will stage double action very well.

What I mean by this is that you practice (dry fire only at home) giving the trigger a short quick stroke to bring the hammer to nearly (but not actual) full rooster, and turning the cylinder to actual full lock (you can feel it and hear it), but short of actual firing.  Using double action (or double action only like your revolver), this is the closest thing you can get to thumbing a hammer back for pure single action shooting, but only using the trigger.  Once the revolver is staged, then you only have a light pull left to release the sear and drop the hammer, and while doing this you are again using all your skill to put the sights on target with a rock steady hold.  This can only be practiced with ammo at the range (or other shooting place), never at home.  Now in a real world situation, you can't pull the trigger (at all) without justification, but staging a double action revolver, pointed out on target, especially a 2" snubbie, can give you much better accuracy, with practice.  And lots of practice make the trigger better, and staging easier.

Maybe you already knew about this, and if so my apologies.