I've added a 'wheel gun' to the collection having done only 1911's and polymer semi's for a good while now. Bought it mostly so my wife would have something easy to shoot if she had to do it but also will use it myself for EDC. So, I've got a few questions:

1 - Will the gun go off (potentially) if dropped? I don't know the technology of the newer revolvers and did a quick search yesterday but didn't really turn up a sufficient, mind easing answer. I know there was a day that you did not carry a certain revolver with a round at ***me base' (ie, where the hammer rested). What about this gun?




2 - When I do carry, I would like to put it in my pocket. What 'pocket holsters' are my choices for this gun?

3 - I realized upon getting home that I did not think about a 'speed loader' or carrying 'extra ammo'. Seems more difficult with a revolver than a pistol with a magazine. What are my options for carrying extra rounds and getting them in the gun quickly if needed?

4 - Lastly, what's your preference for ammo? Range? Personal Defense? (This gun will shoot +P)

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks

1: No

2: Galco and DeSantis make nice pocket holsters. Others will have other suggestions, and they'll be just as good. Most of us have a big box of lightly used holsters, because we're on the never ending quest to find the perfect holster for every application, in every material.

3. HKS and Safariland both make nice speed loaders, but they're a little bulky for summer carry. Lots of people carry a speed strip in their pocket, which holds 6 rounds in a flat row. A little slower to reload, especially under stress, but still a reload. Some of us don't carry a reload at all, and have made firing a pistol only a part of an overall self defense scheme.

4. You will get many suggestions, and they'll all be good. Ammo is like holsters. Plenty of choices, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Like holsters, most of us have boxes and boxes of range and SD ammo with 10-15 rounds fired out of them . . .

Range: Anything that goes bang that you can shoot a lot of, both financially and physically.

Self Defense: As many options as holsters. Lots of people like the Hornady Critical Defense. Others load their own. Any new manufacture hollowpoint ammunition from a reputable company will make your attacker decide he has something else to do at the moment, which after all is our goal in self defense.

Enjoy the 442. A great carry pistol for a great price.

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Muss Muggins nailed it.

1. The revolver will not fire if dropped, it has a floating firing pin.

2. As far as pocket holsters go, I'd start with a DeSantis Nemesis (#: N38BJ02Z0,) they can be had for around $20.

3. I prefer Bianchi 580 Speed Strips (Bianchi #: 20054) "for carry," since they carry "flat." But, I have/do use the HKS 36 as well.

4. For your practice ammo, start with standard pressure. Especially, if this is your first outing with a S&W J-Frame. They do take a good amount of practice to become proficient with. So, be patient with yourself.

SD/HD ammo comes down to your personal preference.

Lastly, enjoy your new 442.

This thread is of special interest to me also. I just purchased my first J frame and it's also a 442. Thanks for the thread !!!

Here's a drill I use at the range for my J frame: Use a standard paper plate at three, five & seven yards. Empty the revolver into the target as fast as possible and reload using your speed strip or loader and repeat. Slow down as distance increases. The goal is to keep all rounds on the plate, not to have a "tight" group. This is a perishable skill so repeat monthly if at all possible. Good luck.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

great info gents...

1. Answered already.

2. Mika pocket holsters are great and for sometime I had used a 10 dollar Uncle Mikes/now Blackhawk nylon pocket holster that I have picked up most recently at Walmart.

3. I mainly use speed strips but do have and have used speed loaders. If you use a speed loader keep in mind that you need to check the grip clearance to make sure you can effectively load the speed loader into the cylinder with the grip. Each is different and you can probably find some information on here with guidance for that.

HD ammo: My main choice is Speer Gold Dot short barrel 135 grain. But I do carry some Hornady Critical Defense in one of my speed strips and the above in the other.

Range Ammo: As stated what you can manage and get into cheaply, as long as it is quality stuff.

Have fun and enjoy the 442.

^^^^ What everyone before me has already said. May I add, re pocket holsters, that I prefer the Uncle Mike's/(now) Blackhawk pocket rig available at WM for about $10. I have always bought size #3 for the J-snub, but the latest production seems to be cut a bit more tightly, for lack of a better term, so I would go with size #4.

As to practice ammo, I find I can get a better price buying by the case from my LGS. As stated above, standard service lead round nose or the 130gr FMJ are good choices.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

thanks for all the advice! I've been to my private range (ie, big dirt pile in back yard) twice with the gun shooting at about 7 - 10 yards. Love the gun and very glad I made the purchase.

It's making me want my 'all my life I've wanted a .44mag revolver'....

I can't add any better info than the others have already given. This is what I carry. The speed loaders are HKS the speed strip is Bianchi. The ammo Speer gold dot 135 grain plus P hollowpoint. The pocket holster Blackhawk number four it's a little roomier than the suggested number three and stays in my pocket better. The appendix in the waistband holster is made by crooked river leather in Olmsted Falls Ohio. The grip on the waist band 442 is a Hogue Tamer, good for longer shooting sessions. The standard Uncle Mike's grip is good for the pocket. I practice with standard 130 or 125 grain 38spl. Ammo which hits about the same as my carry load. To smooth the action on your gun, learn to grip when drawing, and sighting, dry fire practice will help a lot. It will also save you from wasting ammo at Thea range. Check offten to make sure your gun is UNLOADED. You can also use snap caps or dummy rounds to practice reloads. There is only One problem with J-Frames. They are addicting. I almost forgot. I paint my front sites with white appliance touch up paint and a little green nail polish at the tip helps me see and align my sights quicker.

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Two Handguns every day

Bought it mostly so my wife would have something easy to shoot if she had to

Nice gun and good advice given. I would only add that I have never found the Airweight J frame easy too shoot especially with +P.

Just takes a little more practice and training in my opinion.Enjoy your new revolver.

Revolvers are easy to teach to a novice how to load, fire, and unload/reload - however, short barreled revolvers (and other "pocket pistols") are among the more difficult guns to learn to shoot well with at greater distances due to their ergonomics, sights, and recoil.

1) no. Many manufacturers have recalled but not SW
2)i carry semi autos in kydex but my J frame sits in a Desantis nemesis in the front jacket pocket for me. "Casual" look and gun in my hand for condition orange/red. Just by having my hands covered bad guys think twice. If they see your hands, then you are unarmed.
3) Strip loader for me. I carry 6-7. I always fumble and drop one during reloads
4)whatever defense rounds floats your boat. Just test them to make sure they open up. I go for lighter projectiles for this safety margin, ie Critical Defense

practice !!!! jeff cooper said just because you own a piano does not make you a pianist. A 1911 and a 442 have a different manual of arms