442 Pro

[Buckeye63]

I have been eyeballing one of these at a LGS ....Is it worth the extra $$$$ over a standard 442 ? I like the idea of "no lock" ...
Does it come with clips ? ( salesman at LGS says it comes with 5 but he can't find them in the box ? )
Have they have a better trigger than a regular 442 ?

 

[M29since14]

I’ve only seen one that I could handle for any length of time. Nice enough gun, I guess. I’m not sure I like clips for .38 Special cartridges but if that’s your thing I think I’d rather buy a gun made to use them from the factory than one modified by a third party. For my 442, I always carried extra ammo in speed strips. Would think that would be a lot more convenient than messing around with ammo in clips.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Just my opinion, but I don't like moon clip revolvers for self defense use. As far as I can tell, the only difference between the Pro and non-Pro is the moon clip capability. I've read some reviews that say any difference in trigger pull between Pro and non-Pro models is pretty much random chance.

If you don't like the internal lock, you can get the 442-1. The 442-2 is the model with the internal lock.

 

[Buckeye63]

Thanks for the imput .. I may go for a 442 PC ..

 

[L-2]

Performance Center(R) Pro Series(R) Model 442 Moon Clip | Smith & Wesson
SKU 178041

I'm unaware of any particularly different trigger-work being done to the subject model. Of course, specifications may be subject to change without notice.

Moon Clips. My info and sources indicate THREE moonclips may/should/will come with this gun. If a dealer wants to mistake the round capacity for the number of moonclips and give you three, that's between you and the gun store.

Is the "Pro" model worth more than a standard no-lock 442? I say it is if you appreciate moonclips; no, if you don't care for moonclips.

If you don't care about moonclips now, but later want a non-moonclip gun modified for such; then the approx. $100 difference will be eaten-up by the shipping costs alone between you and a gunsmith contracted to modify your existing non-moonclip 442. This also doesn't account for one's down-time, which is a frequently heard complaint from gunsmith-customers. Some gunsmiths won't accept work as they're too backed up. I've heard of some gunsmiths taking months, perhaps years, before a gun is accepted, received, work done, and returned to customer.

 

[Electraclyde]

I had one. There is no difference in the trigger pull from a standard model. The moon clips are very light and easy to bend, and are a royal pain.
I now have a 442pc and it is a great gun.

 

[Buckeye63]

I had one. There is no difference in the trigger pull from a standard model. The moon clips are very light and easy to bend, and are a royal pain.
I now have a 442pc and it is a great gun.

With the 442 PC .. can you tell a difference with the trigger pull , between a regular Centennial and PC version.... I hate Im asking all these questions... But I'd rather learn from people who know VS somone selling the revolver .. No LGS has a 442 PC in stock for me to check... I once owned a Deepcover and the trigger was at 10lb-10.5 and was smooth ... I never replaced any springs or such ...

 

[adwjc]

Buckeye,

you will get some strong opinions on the moon clips. I have several (a lot) of J frames, none use moon clips.

I do use them in an N frame 625 chambered in .45acp. They work OK, a bit easier and faster than speed loaders, BUT the killer is how to carry them.


If you were a LEO or uniformed security guy, or open carry guy wearing an external holster and using belt carriers, you are golden, otherwise they can be a pain in the neck.

 

[Coastie762]

I have a 442 Pro that I purchased a year or so ago. As far as trigger pull "out of the box" goes, I don't think there was much, if any difference between that and my 642-1.

The Pro does not come with the dreaded lock if that is a concern for you.

Regarding moon clips, they are not needed to shoot the gun. Unclipped .38s will load, fire and eject just fine. The advantage to the moon clip is in speed of reloading, or perhaps more accurately speed of unloading. A clip of empty cases will, for me at least, reduce the chance of getting one case jammed against the left grip or lodged under the ejector star during an attempt at speedy reloading.

When I carry my 442, the load in the cylinder is clipped, with a speed strip for a reload if needed.

The downside with clips for .38/.357 is that unlike .45 ACP, one size does not fit all. Depending on the brand of ammo you decide on, you may need a different size (thickness) moon clip. The ones provided with the gun do work with Speer, Remington and Winchester cases. I believe TK Custom makes clips in various thicknesses if needed. .38/.357 clips are also more expensive than the common .45 variety.

The Pros are great guns, I think that you would like it. As I don't know how much of a premium your LGS is charging I can't comment on whether it is "worth it"over the price of a standard model.

 

[Wishbone]

Also the pro series comes in the nicer blued plastic box rather than a cardboard box if that matters to you.

 

[diyj98]

Also the pro series comes in the nicer blued plastic box rather than a cardboard box if that matters to you.

I know it's technically a different gun, but my 642 Pro came in the standard cardboard box. So the only thing I got for having a "pro" was the ability to use moon clips. There's about $25 dealer cost between the Pro and regular guns, so I wouldn't pay any more than a $25 premium. I actually ended up paying the same price for PRO as I would have the regular model.

 

[trea]

Have a 642 pro don't use the moon clips use speed strips. But I like it better no internal lock.

 

[Old cop]

All of my J frame guns have a trigger pull that exceeds 10 pounds as measured on my trigger pull scale. The Model 37 & 60 are the oldest w/the best trigger likely due to lots of range time. I don’t like to modify a self defense weapon.

 

[haywood]

All my J-Frames have stock trigger actions. All I do is dry fire 2000 times before first time shooting. Keep them clean and lubed and just keep pulling the trigger. My 67 year old hands are not as strong as they once were but the dry firing smooths the action so nice that I can shoot 200 rounds in about a hour at the Range with my DAO 442s.

 

[Electraclyde]

With the 442 PC .. can you tell a difference with the trigger pull , between a regular Centennial and PC version.... I hate Im asking all these questions... But I'd rather learn from people who know VS somone selling the revolver .. No LGS has a 442 PC in stock for me to check... I once owned a Deepcover and the trigger was at 10lb-10.5 and was smooth ... I never replaced any springs or such ...

I don't recall the exact numbers, but the PC was/is about 3lbs lighter trigger pull, but also VERY smooth compared to standard.

 

[Bill Lear]

I have been eyeballing one of these at a LGS ....Is it worth the extra $$$$ over a standard 442 ? I like the idea of "no lock" ...
Does it come with clips ? ( salesman at LGS says it comes with 5 but he can't find them in the box ? )
Have they have a better trigger than a regular 442 ?

My 642 Pro "no-lock" came with THREE moon clips which could be found in the box. I can discern no difference in trigger pull between my 642 no-lock and my 642 with the lock. There was also very little difference in price.

The reason to opt for the 642 PRO is to get moon clip capability as this is a MUCH faster way to load and eject than speed-loaders or speed strips.

 

[WH1]

My 442PC’s trigger is lighter and smoother than my 642. It’s a great pocket gun.

 

[rich5674]

I have the 442 Pro with the polished cylinder and clip grip stock and do recommend it. The trigger is well done. Moon clips not so much. How do you carry them. Theyre round and fragile. I'd go speed strip in the pocket or 9mm semi auto (LC9s)

 

[jeeps]

Forget the moon clips ,there cheap bend easy and jam the cylinder from turning. A gimmick that could get you killed. Throw them in the garbage!!

 

[icemn]

In my opinion, the pro has a smoother trigger than the standard. I’d definitely go with the pro.