My new 442 airweight

I think that a good pocket holster and an IWB or OWB for when the pocket carry is not needed will do you fine. About the 158 gr SWC HP +P, it is more than proven. I investigated a whole slew of shootings with that round(many from snubs) and for my money is one of the best. Actually I prefer the same round in SWC, no HP. It works as well, very well. Again from emperical observation.
I am not deingrating the newer rounds, particularly from Hornady, or botique makers like Buffalo Bore. But to state that the 158 gr SWC +P has not been proven is simply just not justified.
I have the exact same gun-just with an added 9mm cylinder so I can switch as needed.
Ammoman.com currently has some 158 gr standard pressure SWC at a very reasonable price. I bought a bunch and they shoot POA/POI on the dot with my 442(and most of my fixed sight S&Ws). The holes they punch are quite impressive and I have been knocking down steel plates like clockwork with them.
 
In regaurds to the question of front or back pocket carry: I was told by someone not to carry in the rear pocket because someone could sneak up behind you and get your gun out before you even see them. Makes sense to me.
 
STCM(SW) said:
I tried a ankle hoster for a time, one leg always seemed heavy plus how do you get to it?
Excuse me while I tie my shoe lace....:(

IWB is what works for me now for all CC.
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I also tried ankle carry. The best technique I found was to 'take a knee' rather than stoop over. As Massad Ayoob described it, you first grab some trouser material on the carry side, then simply kneel down and draw. You pull the pant leg up slightly to clear the gun, and you keep your head up and looking around. Ankle carry can also be advantageous when seated, but overall IMO, it's more suited for 'carry' than 'drawing'.
As I posted above, pocket carry works best for me.
 
My wife carries a 442, CT. When she pocket carries, she uses a Remora. Carry ammo, Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel.
 
Good info all! Just got 2 speed strips in the mail today, now just deciding on the holster. Ankle carry will be for a back up only, and pocket when its the only gun Im carrying I think... still need to get a ankle rig and try it out.
 
Shop around for ankle rigs, there is quite a variety. Many simply wrap around your lower leg; some have a support strap that fastens just below the knee. That's what I had to go with (an Uncle Mike's nylon rig), since the holster itself tended to slip down onto my foot (apparently chicken legs don't do ankle holsters well).
If you find one that you good with, another trick is to pull that foot's sock up over the holster.
 
I prefer the Speer Gold Dot 135 +P for my 442-2. They hit right on top of the front sight where as the 158's hit to the right and high. Your gun will tell you what it likes. I've also found the 135's to be very accurate also. I also like the Uncle Mike's Pocket Holster. I reload 125 grain RNFP lead bullets for practice and the short barreled guns do take some practice as you will find out. It will reward you if you work with it. Enjoy!
Jim
 
.45mtngun, how long does the suede band on your Uncle Mike's holster last. I've had a couple, but after a while the band wears smooth, and the holster no longer 'sticks' inside the pocket, but starts coming out with the gun.
 
How do you like the 442? (I plan on buying one soon, but I can't decide between the 442 (black) or the 642 (chrome).
 
I use a galco pocket holster with my 642 and it rides in my front pocket and I really enjoy it. I also have a Shield and a BG380 and have holsters for all three for front pocket and or iwb. Go with what you feel is best for you and enjoy.
Frank.
 
I-Toon said:
How do you like the 442? (I plan on buying one soon, but I can't decide between the 442 (black) or the 642 (chrome).
Click to expand...

I put 50 rounds through it last weekend (and regretted it all day monday lol. My wrists are already shot from work and revolvers have hela recoil compared to semi autos.) and I really like it. When I bring the gun up the sites are in line automatically and I can just bring the gun up and put shots into a torso sized target quickly keeping both eyes open.
 
I have Three 442s. I paint the Front sights with Appliance White Touch up Paint then seal it with Glow in the dark Nail Polish. I use Corbon DPX +P and Speer Gold Dot 135g +P as carry loads. The pocket holster I like best is a Five year old Uncle Mikes that I use every day. I use the #4, the J-Frames slide out of the #4 better than the #3 and still works after all the years of carry. One of my 442s has the lock so, I put a drop of Thread Lock on it and it no longer works. I carry one of these as a backup to a 357 Snub.
 
Another vote for Mika's pocket holsters. I was starting to carry my 442 in one when I discovered the frame crack. The 642-1 that is replacing it will ride in either Mika pocket or IWB holster depending on the situation.
 
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