I'm thinking about a new J frame, and the 442 looks pretty good. What are your experiences with them? The one I looked at lacked the Hilary Hole, so that's a plus already.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

I had one of the first ones that came out 20+ years ago. Great revolver. No issues ever and I ran that thing hard. Takes a bunch of practice to get good with it however.

Carry one on my ankle every day. To me it's the perfect CCW tool.
Light, small and reliable.
Sure it's not as easy to shoot as my larger revolvers but it's not hard to shoot.
When I can I carry a larger gun on my hip...but for concealment you'll find the 442 is a great weapon.

I always stayed a away from the lightweight J frames due to "perceived" increase in recoil. Walp, about four, five years ago I ran across a new 442 without the lock for a very reasonable price so I thought about time to try one out and bought it. Boy was my assumptions wrong, recoil was not all that bad and with it's "good for my eyes" sights and good trigger its a winner.

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Stay safe people!

I carry a pair of 442’s most days. I’ve dry fired the actions until smooth. I installed grips for fit and comfort. I also painted the front sights so I can pick them up quickly. I’ve shot these guns since new. I’m no professional shooter but, I think I shoot them pretty good. They are comfortable and comforting at the same time. With one in my off hand front pocket and one at about 2:PM in the waist, they accessible to both hands. I practice with 130 grain FMJ. standard factory ammo and carry Speer Gold Dot 135 grain 38+P. I carry my reloads in speed strips in my right front pocket. There are speed loaders always around also. I love shooting these guns. I always was a Snub Gun nut. I have a couple other J-Frames but, the 442 has been my carry favorite for a very long time

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Two Handguns every day

I own a few and there isn’t much to them, which is kinda the beauty of it. They take some real practice to be proficient IMO but they’re reliable little guns. I ccw one occasionally in the summer months.

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Some Might Say.

My everyday carry.
In this.


Hanging on this.


Right here.

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Keep on Chooglin'

Not a 442, but I've carried a 642-1 (the stainless steel version of the 442) as either a primary or BUG for most of the last 10 years. The airweight J-frames are great for concealed carry. Like any gun, they have their strengths and weaknesses. Just be aware of that, and plan/train accordingly.

They can be challenging for new shooters. But if you have some experience with handguns, it'll be a bit easier.

Recoil can be stiff, but if you start out with light loads, like 148gr WC, you should be all right. Aftermarket grips can help. When you get used to the lighter loads, you can try the stronger, +P loads if you want.

I'd also recommend getting a set or two of snap caps. My personal preference is A-Zoom. They come in handy for dry fire practice, which is important to developing good marksmanship skills. As you progress in your skills, you can also use them to practice reloading skills.

Personally, I think every handgun shooter should have at least one J-frame (the more, the merrier...). They're very handy for concealed carry. Even if you don't carry a gun, practicing with a J-frame can help make you a better shooter with other guns.

I have one, and it is the only lock S&W that I own. It is a very good Summer , shorts, carry gun here in Houston and is pretty much a regular item in my pocket in the hotter months although my Glock 26 is fast taking over Summer and all around duty.

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

I have had several and never had the first problem. They do have a learning curve to shoot well but that will come quickly. I Carry a J-frame every day.

I have had a huge desire to own one, but have had difficulty finding one locally. My usual gun shop won’t even take a order for one.

I suspect that after the election guns might become a little easier to come by or people might go totally crazy and things could get worse. For right now, I’m fine with my Ruger LCR 327 mag.

Quite simply, the 442/642 flat-out ROCKS. An always-gun, for sure.

I have two 442’s and one 642. All no locks. Best BUG available with Gold Dot 135 grain short bbl 38 +p. Great for close in arms length work.

I’m the odd man here. I owned one and it was great to carry, accurate and reliable. But, I’m in my 70’s and have arthritis in my hands and wrists and found it punishing to shoot. I wound up going back to my 640 no dash (38spl only) and don’t regret getting rid of the 442. The few ounces more in the 640 made a huge difference in comfort shooting. If I didn’t have arthritis I’d probably have a 442.

I like, and have, the 642. Same gun except silver instead of blue. I know
LE guys who swear by the 442 for their bug, rather than the 642, because
the 642 is shiny.
Here's my 642 in an old Chic Gaylord speed scabbard.

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In Omnia Paratus

442-1 pro here. Great gun. Lightweight. And moonclipped.

I had a pocket holster made for a 442 I carried for a few years but then I moved to an open carry state and no longer CCW.

The little shooter was fine with regular 38 special but the +P ammo was not fun. For me, the purpose of a revolver is to hurt the other guy..not yourself.

But as others have noted, for CCW purposes, having it as a back up on the ankle is not a bad idea.

Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Actually, I had a 642 that I carried for a long time but even years ago I found the recoil obnoxious, never mind now with older hands. I happily parted with it. My EDC is generally a M649. I can't tell the difference in my pocket but I sure can tell the difference at the range.

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Come and take it!!

Everyone needs at least one.

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Centennial Every Day

Rats .... I thought this was going to be a thread on the Olds 442 .... A very cool ride.

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I only take a knee for God

I carried one IWB for a year or two and found that it would start to rust on the inside of the yoke if I didn’t wipe that area down every night with a silicone cloth. The yoke and cylinder are steel, but only the yoke rusted.

I switched to a 640, then a 649, and now carry a 632 (basically a 6-shot 642 in 32 H&R magnum) and never had a hint of rust with any of ‘em, even though I never wiped ‘em down at night. Personally, if I wanted a lightweight hammerless 38 again I’d pick the 642 over a 442, just because of my experience with rust.

I have had a 442 Pro for about 6 years now and have not had any issues with it. I use it as my summer time carry due to the humid conditions in northern Illinois. As others have stated it takes some practice to become good with it. I like mine and I think you would also.

The 442 is great for carry, but if you can afford a little weight, the ole model 49 will also give you better results with more accuracy and less recoil, with stub hammer back.

Rust seemed like a constant battle in hot weather, so I switched to the 642 and relegated the 442 to training gun status.

You beat me to it. I think they came out in 65. Nice ride

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

I really like mine but my 351C sees more pocket time.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachm...1&d=1595020573

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Prefer 642 over 442 because of the stainless cyl/bll. But for some reason I wind up with a 637 most days. It’s not that I shoot SA any better. The 642 has pretty grips so I don’t want to beat them up!

I dont carry my 442 much...bought a MP 380 as its replacement. Ive shot 500+ rds of standard ammo through it with out a issue, no recoil, its just big for the summer days in NC.... perfect winter weapon with long shirt or jacket.

The 442 and 642 are my favorite EDC guns. Reliable, simple, and effective. I use Barami hip-grips with them, and carry either one in my Levi's right front pocket. With shirt tail out, they are invisible. Handy and quick, no holster required. Lightweight - you will forget they are even there (until you need them, of course).

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Condensed version of what I've posted before: I bought one. It refused to function right out of the box. It went back to S&W CS and came back functional (apparently) but cosmetically damaged. Never trusted it after that and sold it off at a big loss. Live and learn.

So I guess what you're saying is I could do a whole lot worse. I looked around today and can pick up a brand new one for a little over $400 OTD. I also found a used 642. That shop was asking $375, but I know the owner and can probably shave a few bucks off that price. I'm pretty much set for accessories, since I have 3 or 4 holsters, including a shoulder holster, several speed loaders, and a couple speed strips.

I like the idea of having a model 49. I've had a couple and wish I had never let them go. They're few and far between around here these days. There's one other shop I need to check tomorrow, but unless they have an incredible deal on something, I'll probably do the deed on either the 442 or 642 and come home happy.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

I was blessed to find a Performance Center 442 cheap. Stainless cylinder, factory trigger job, Desantis Clip. It shoots well and accurate for its intended purpose. The picture shows 5 shotsX2 to the torso, 5 to the head at 7 yds rapid fire with +p 125gn ammo.

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I carry in Florida all winter an wipe my gun with Ballistol, no rust.

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Two Handguns every day

It's a Smith Centennial. Whats not to like?

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America First

I highly recommend J frames and like the 442/642 very much. Throw on a Hogue Bantam Grip and your in business to shot classic 158 gr lead loads both standard velocity and Rem/Win/Fed +P FBI rounds.

I prefer the ones without the lock. Just wish they made the 637 and 638 models without the locks as well.

I prefer the "non magnum" 649 but my wife likes her 642. For me, J frames are always "there" in my pocket.

If I see the 38 or 49 with out the lock locally I’d definitely look into buying it.

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Two Handguns every day

I have a no lock 442 that is cut for moon clips. It's my "T shirt and shorts" carry gun.

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Live long and prosper

I decided to try carrying a J-Frame. I thought single action was very important, so I bought a 637.

I spent a short time figuring out single action just wasn't the way to go. Then I spent a longer time learning how to shoot double action. It carried pretty well in a OWB holster.

Then I decided to pocket carry it when wearing gym shorts. On the first practice draw it hung up on the hammer. I would have died trying to yank it out of my shorts.

I went out and bought a 642 to replace it. I still have the 637, and will carry it in a OWB holster. But never in pocket carry. I don't practice single action much any more.

To be honest, I haven't seen a 442 in this area. They are all stainless finish.

Got a new 442 today. Been pocket carrying a 640 Pro (love shooting it) but wanted something lighter. 442 trigger was WAY to heavy for me. Stopped at my gunsmith on the way home...went back 4 hours later and WOW. Smooth, crisp break and half the pull weight of factory. 442 half the cost of my 640 Pro and/or M&P 340 (son carrying that one) and with the trigger job think it will just as good a pocket tool as them. Loving it

I have a somewhat unusual 442.

It's a no dash model manufactured in the first couple years after introduction.

Finished in satin Nickel. Looks like a 642 -- but nicer, IMHO.

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Bought a 1st gen 442 when I graduated the academy in 1991 and it rode in a renegade ankle rig for 13 years. Became my primary off duty summer time carry in the pocket especially those triple digit days. After 28 years of more rounds then they designed it for and a couple classes I noticed a crack in the frame. S&W sent me a new 442 still W/O a lock (thank goodness they still make one) while waiting on S&W to send replacement (took 3 months) I bought a 940 mainly to take advantage of the cheap price of 9mm ammo and still have a Centennial Revolver to train with and carry while waiting. My first love is the 442 but I shoot it a lot less then the 940 but the 442 gets carried more.

My 1st pistol was a 442 . Fond mermories! I currently carry a Glock 26, because it holds 10 rounds in same size gun as the 442, half the trigger pull weight (5.5lbs) and cheaper ammo for practice.($10 vs. $19) ...BUT
If you love revolvers?, you cannot go wrong with the 442 . imo
It is a fine firearm.

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

Well, I did the deed, picked up a 642-1 no lock, straight across trade with my Glock 27. I like the 27, but like the 26 better, so I kept the 26. It gets carried a lot, but as Summer heats up, the little 642 will reside in a pants pocket filled with Gold Dots. Easy to carry in a pair of shorts or even jeans, with no special holster required, although I have a couple on standby if needed. I'll get pics up tonight.

Cleaned, lubed, and ready to go. I even discovered I still have powder, primers, and bullets for her. The old Lee Loader is gonna be busy.

Pics as promised.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

SW642 is good kit. I prefer the 638 because I can use SA fire out a ways past what you'd think a snubby can shoot.

You are going to love that little gun and be asking yourself why you didn't have one long before now. Everyone needs a J frame Smith. Or two. Or three...

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America First

Glad you found what you wanted! Found my 442-2 very slightly used many years ago and still carry it on occasion and practice with it every so often just to keep in tune with it. Dry fire will help to smooth up the action with proper lube inside. Mine came with the story of some guy bought it for his wife and she fired 2 cylinders worth and told him to get rid of it. Mine is very accurate with Speer 135+P Gold Dots. I have a cast bullet load I use for practice. I think speed strips work best for spare ammo. These shooters are more accurate than people give them credit for if you'll just take your time and work with them. Enjoy and let us know how it works out for you
Jim
Find some standard velocity loads to get used to the gun.

target wadcutters for the win. have to use them for a while until i heal up.

I think I'm going to load up some Sierra 158gr jacketed soft points, not sure which powder just yet.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

I just bought a 442-1 this summer because I got so excited that a new S&W didn't have the lock. I didn't even know that was possible! I'm not worried about rust in this dry desert country where I live and it is a great summer time pocket gun. I purchased it at a local gun shop and the two guys that work there also have one!