Smith & Wesson's America 250 Model 642: No Lock, Same Trusted J-Frame

For the country's 250th year Smith & Wesson built an America 250 line, and GAT Daily's reviewer went straight for his favorite J-frame in it: a Model 642 with patriotic grips and, better still, no internal lock.

Key points

• The line: the America 250 series also includes a Model 1854 lever gun and a Model 66. The author notes all three appear to be 50-state legal.
• The 642: .38 Special, 5 rounds, 1.875-inch barrel, 14.4 oz, aluminum frame, double-action-only enclosed hammer, titanium-color finish, blue synthetic Enhanced Boot grip, integral sights, no optic cut. Listed compliant for CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, NJ, NY, RI, VT, WA and DC.
• No lock: the reviewer calls the action lock a sin against good design and applauds Smith for leaving it off.
• Range: more than 150 rounds of five-shot Bill drills and transitions on steel. Nothing walked or came loose, and the double-action trigger was clean with no false walls.

Quick take

GAT Daily calls this review confirmation rather than evaluation. The 642 formula is decades old and proven; the anniversary edition is the same trusted carry revolver in patriotic attire, and the blue grip costs it nothing in function.

Read the full story at GAT Daily.