I posted a forum around December regarding the use of .38 Super in this revolver using the moon clips.I was told in the forum not to shoot the super too much pressure. Well after 5 months I got a response via email from S&W.I was told that if it was made recently that its just fine. Why else would you use moon clips as they are not that easy to load fast? Up2ztop

My 442 Pro is one of my CCW pieces and I carry it with the moonclip loaded with 158NyClad rounds. And for a reload I carry a speedloader with the same rounds. I like the full ejection of empties on the first try and that gives me extra time to deal with the speedloader if I need it. Do have Crimson Trace rubber grips on it to help with the recoil and usually carry it in a Mika pocket holster.

I for one am not understanding your insane desire to fire an extremely higher pressure caliber in a weapon not chambered for it. The SAAMI working pressure for 38 SUPER IS 35,700 cup. The SAAMI working pressure for 38 SPEC+P is 22,400 cup.The moon clips are made for the 38Spec. round The statement that you said S&W told you that 38 SUPER was fine for this weapon is BULLCRAP. And by the way the bullet diameter of 38 SUPER is .355" and 38 Special is .357"

From Smith and Wesson's website:

WARNING: NEVER USE AMMUNITION NOT SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED FOR USE IN YOUR FIREARM. FAILURE TO USE THE CORRECT TYPE OR CALIBER
OF AMMUNITION MAY CAUSE THE FIREARM TO JAM, OR FAIL TO FIRE, OR MAY GENERATE EXCESSIVE PRESSURE WHICH CAN DAMAGE OR EVEN RUPTURE YOUR FIREARM, CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH TO THE SHOOTER OR BYSTANDERS.

Anyone hear of Darwin? .... Nuff said

What, specifically, are the CT grips that you mentioned adding to your 442? I'm assuming they're one of the designs with the laser built in... or does CT now make some special kind of recoil absorbing grip that I am not aware of?? I recently added the Hogue grip to my mom's 442 at her request and it feels like a TOTALLY different gun... like a much larger frame revolver. Haven't had a chance to fire it yet with the Hogues on there though.

CT makes some hard plastic grips and some rubber ones. The rubber ones help with recoil a bit.

__________________
low speed, high drag

Strongly suspect that the reply from S&W was a misunderstanding, and that they were affirming the use of .38 Special +P, not .38 Super. S&W wouldn't knowingly advise using a round in one of their revolvers for which the revolver was not designed.

When you say moon clips aren't easy to load fast, do you mean inserting a loaded moon clip into the cylinder, or connecting rounds to the moon clip?

If the former, it's faster than any other method of revolver empty and reload; check your technique. If the latter, attaching rounds to the moon clip is, yes, time-consuming and difficult if done by hand; suggest you buy a BMT Mooner or Moon Clip Tool.

Thank you, that's what I thought but in the email I was very clear on .38 Super not a .38 Special. I do not plan to try it.I am pretty new on this and enjoy learning from you experts on Forum.I wish I could email the response from S&W it only took 6 months to get a reply. up2ztop

Good advice all around on not using .38 Super. BTW, I almost ordered some the other day from one of the ammo companies; they had the listings intermingled on their web side. Easy for the eye to see "super" and "special" as the same thing when scanning fast.

The .442 Pro is a neat revolver, and even better with moon clips. Match the right clip with the right ammo, test it for fit, and your speed and certainty in reloading will go way up. I have loaded a moon clip with snap caps just to practice reloading, to drive up the speed and reliability.

__________________
S&W Rover