S&W 442 Air Weight advice

[barratt1]

Thinking about picking one up for pocket carry. Any direction on what to look for?

Thanks

[LEO918]

I'd look for one without the lock. I'm starting to see a few used ones lately, which is usually a good way to save some money.

[310Pilot]

I purchased a used pre-lock 442 that has supplanted my trusty Model 60 for pocket carry. It had a professional action job done by Nelson Ford in Phoenix, with a standard mainspring, but wonderfully smooth! I have shot it quite a bit, and absolutely love it. I recommend three things regarding the 442: 1) have a good action job done by a well-known smith, it will pay dividends; 2) get a good pocket holster - I use a Galco leather pocket holster, and, 3) don't forget it is in your pocket, the darned things are so light they just don't even seem to be there!

[Lenny_D]

I've had a no lock, they are still available, for about two years now and have put approx 2K rounds through it. I carry it either in a pocket holster or in a pancake. I've not had anything done to it and am very happy with the trigger and lock up. I can't recommend it more highly. It is very accurate for its size and just feels right in my hand. I did change the grips to Hogue Bantams to allow for easier use of a speed loader. In my opinion the key to a light weight snubby is practice, practice and practice.

[barratt1]

Thanks for the heads up

[snubbyfan]

442's can be a tricky little gun to shoot accurately. Get a trigger job done and practice your trigger control. You might have to change the grip to fit your hand properly. I have Pachmayr compact grips on mine which I've clearanced for speedloaders. Get a good quality, non-gimmicky pocket holster and practice your pocket draw. I keep 2 loaded 5 shot speed strips in my off side pocket. When you carry it make sure to load with quality self defense rounds. And practice alot, until drawing and firing accurately is second nature.

[wrangler5]

I got a no-lock 442 a year or so ago. I chose it over the stainless 642 for its less conspicuous color and easier-for-my-eyes to see black sights. But I carry it daily in an IWB holster and found that its carbon steel yoke will trap moisture in the seam with the frame and will start to rust in a few days if I don't wipe it down daily with a silicone cloth. (I haven't had rust problems on the cylinder, but I'd guess that's because its outer surfaces aren't closed up like the yoke-frame seam, and the underside of the extractor star as well as its shaft are pretty oily.)

If I had it to do over I'd pick the 642 for its lower-maintenance stainless steel yoke, and paint the front sight ramp surface and the rear sight notch black for easier sighting. I've done black paint on the front and rear sights of other stainless guns and it works very well, although I now mostly use bright orange nail polish on the front sight.

That said, the 442/642 is a wonderfully light carry package. Not much fun to shoot a lot of rounds through at one time unless you put on some big cushy grips (Pachmayr Decelerators are the cushiest I've found - you can shoot all day with those on, although you may not hit exactly the same spot as when you're using smaller carry grips) but for something to drop in a pocket or purse I think the package is hard to beat.

And for practice, it's hard to beat the training advantages of a Crimson Trace laser grip. Get some snap caps and pop various targets of opportunity around your family room while (not) watching television commercials. You may be amazed at first how far the gun jerks off target when the hammer drops. This is where the laser will pay for itself - you can work on tightening up your trigger squeeze and grip and get instant feedback on how things are going at virtually no cost in travel time or ammunition. (My grip came with free batteries - 1 set a year - for life, so I don't even have that cost.) Their model 405 is very thin with a slightly cushioned backstrap and conceals as well as the standard boot grip, but I don't find it comfortable to shoot more than 5-10 rounds of +P at a time during a practice session. If I were doing it over I'd look hard at the model 305, which is wider and longer, but looks like it would be a lot more comfortable to shoot with. Might not fit a pocket as well, though.

[RGMoore]

I went with the 642CT. I've only had it about a year so don't know about the durability of the finish but so far so good. It sits in a Desantis Nemesis pocket holster daily and has so far been accurate and reliable. I like the CT grip because I can constantly practice my draw and point without burning up ammo. BTW I am out in the country, your neighbors may take exception to practice drawing. LOL.