When it comes to revolvers, it seems there are two types of gun owners—guys who think all revolvers must be magnums, and guys who think all revolvers are somehow involved in cowboy action shooting. In reality, there are a lot of variations of revolvers, and you’re doing yourself a major disservice if you don’t try them out. The Smith and Wesson 642 Airweight is a great example of a pistol that’s maintained a certain degree of popularity despite being a snub-nosed model that gets a bit jumpy during live fire. So, are snubbies worth it? Here’s what we think.
What’s a Smith and Wesson 642 Airweight?
The Smith and Wesson 642 Airweight is a snub-nosed revolver designed to be extremely lightweight, portable, and concealable. Its barrel isn’t even two inches in length, and its frame is made from a super-light alloy. The S&W Airweight is chambered in 38 Special +P, so it’s capable of handling more than the standard 38 Special loads, and the barrel itself is stainless steel.
This gun is built on a J-frame and has a synthetic, rubberized grip and an enclosed hammer. The hammer design on this revolver makes it snag-free and streamlines the gun overall, broadening its use for concealed carry. It has a five-round capacity, so if you intend to carry it for defensive purposes, consider utilizing a speedloader as an additional part of your carry gear. Other features include a curved, flat-face trigger and textured cylinder release.
How does the Smith and Wesson 642 Airweight shoot?
At the range, this pistol performs as expected for a closer-range weapon. The gun is Double Action Only (DAO) which is a feature that makes it a bit more concealed-carry friendly because it takes more pressure to pull the trigger fully rearward. Unlike some DAO triggers, the S&W Airweight trigger isn’t gritty and there is no appreciable or unnecessary stacking ahead of the break. It offers a relatively smooth trigger pull and a short reset.
Because the barrel of this gun is less than 2 inches in length, it does produce rather significant felt recoil and muzzle rise. Loaded with 38 Special, that recoil is not extraordinary, but it is certainly noticeable. It’s impossible to avoid that effect with a 1.875 barrel and an aluminum alloy frame. All in all, considering the design of the revolver, it fires as expected and is not excessively snappy.
As for accuracy, the S&W Airweight is fairly accurate at close ranges. It performs its best under ten yards, but under five yards is where it produces tight groups. Rapid fire broadens those groups quite a lot, but with some practice, group sizes improve.
This is not a precise pistol, but it wasn’t made to be one. Snubbies are designed to be highly concealable and the expectation tends to be that they will be drawn at close range. The barrel length is not a real hindrance for close-quarters defensive use. Of course, if you have the ability to carry a larger gun, that’s never a bad idea.
Is the S&W Airweight good for self-defense?
The revolver is chambered in 38 Special and has a +P rating, meaning overpressure loads can be used. 38 Special is a satisfactory defensive cartridge, and as with any caliber, it comes down to shot placement. Using +P rounds will gain the shooter an edge, but with the shorter barrel length, the +P won’t create the same boost it would in a gun with a longer barrel. All in all, there is nothing wrong with using a 38 Special as your carry gun.
Capacity is where issues with using the S&W Airweight for daily carry tend to arise. The gun has a five-round cylinder, and unlike a semi-auto, nothing can be done to extend or otherwise increase capacity. A speedloader, stored in the corresponding pouch on your belt, is a smart idea if you intend to carry a revolver for self-defense.
The bottom line is a bit cliché, but true—it’s better to have some gun than no gun at all. The Smith and Wesson 642 Airweight is a more capable pistol than many, but it doesn’t check all the defensive boxes for many gun owners. Before deciding to carry a snubby revolver with limited capacity, spend time practicing to be sure you can make shots count—even while under the jittery influence of an adrenaline dump—and learn to use speedloaders.
Is there more than one S&W Airweight?
While there’s one standard Smith and Wesson 642 Airweight model, the gun can be purchased with various features. Smith and Wesson offers it with synthetic black, wood, or pink grips, and it can be ordered with or without a laser to facilitate aiming. Capacity, caliber, frame size, and material remain the same. Variations are limited to aesthetics.
Should you get a Smith & Wesson 642 Airweight?
As with any and all guns, the Smith and Wesson Airweight comes down to personal preference. Some people love snubbies while others hate them. Some people refuse to carry anything but 9mm while others are open to different calibers.
Before selecting this gun for carrying, spend time shooting it. Be aware it is going to be a much snappier little gun than longer-barreled models and that five rounds is even more limiting when seconds count and every shot matters (and it’s harder to get shots on target due to it being a snubby).
If you’re willing to put the time and effort into mastering snubbies, this is a worthwhile model to consider. It also makes a good BUG (backup gun) and serves as a good option in non-permissive environments when your gun has to be deeply concealed.
Do you have a snub-nosed revolver? Would you carry it for self-defense use? Tell us your experience in the comments below.
Smith & Wesson 642 Airweight Specifications
- Caliber: 38 Special +P
- Capacity: 5 rounds
- Grip Color: Black
- Safety: Internal lock
- Overall Length: 6.3 inches
- Front Sight: Integral
- Rear Sight: Fixed
- Action: Double Action Only (DAO)
- Grip: Synthetic
- Cylinder Material: Stainless steel
- Barrel Material: Stainless steel
- Frame Material: Aluminum alloy
- Frame Finish: Matte silver
- Barrel Length: 1.875 inches (4.8 cm)
- Weight: 14.4 ounces, empty
