Hi, been looking around on this site for a few days now, some great info here. Today I just went ahead and registered so hi again to all. I just picked up a 442 and from what I have read they have a bit of jump. I bought a couple of boxes of Fed. 110 gr hydra-shock jhp to try and won't be able to get out to do any shooting for a few days and am curious how these may shoot. Any recomendations on some others that may be alittle cheaper to shoot? May look at a different grip also to help tame it down some if need be, any thoughts/pictures you could post or site you could direct me to? Thanks guys

Hi, welcome to the site. You made an outstanding choice with the 442. It is one of the best carry guns ever made IMHO. I carry a 642 (it's stainless brother) daily.

First, I have experimented with countless grips and these from precision gun specialties work best for me: Precision Gun Specialties (click on Hideout Grips). They allow you to get a fuller grip on the gun and do not affect concealability.

Second, as far as holsters are concerned, I've experimented a bunch, and my two favorites are the Mika Pocket Holster and the Desantis Nemesis Pocket Holster: DeSantis Nemesis Pocket Holster Ambidextrous Colt Detective Special 2", Ruger LCR 1-7/8", SP101 2", S&W J-Frame 2-1/4" Barrel Nylon Black - MidwayUSA Pocket Holster - Mika's Pocket Holsters

Finally, as for ammo... First, keep in mind that the gun is sighted in for 158 grain stuff, so other stuff may shoot to a different point of aim (you may not notice it at all). My favorite is Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135Grain +P: Speer Ammo - Short Barrel

The Gold Dot is not too hot to practice with and shoot in a 442 in my opinion. It's what I carry in my 642.

Good luck.

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Aaron Terry

Great info from aterry33 on all things. I do like the Speer short barrel ammo and it is specifically designed for these guns.

That said, I have been carrying my 442 with some of the newly reintroduced Federal Premium 125gr. Nyclad HP and I am very happy with it. Hard to find but is standard velocity and shoots great thru my 442. Mine is an older factory nickel plated model that gets carried more than any gun I own.

+1 on the Speer Gold Dot SB. That is what I carry in mine. Hard to beat Gold Dot in any gun any caliber.

Regards,

Chuck

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Tennessee Hillbilly

Another vote for the Federal Premium 125gr. Nyclad HP. I like the 135 GDHP SB also but the Nyclad is more accurate in my two .38 Specials. The 442 really likes it. Not too hard to find around here normally.

Hey there. I have lots to say about this thread. If you plan on pocket carrying your 442, then I suggest the Desantis Superfly holster. Works just as nicely as their Nemesis, but it has a velcroed flap that can be used as a sweat shield. The thumbpiece or cylinder release rusted on my 442 from being exposed to my pocket sweat. I now have a 642, and I'm preventing it from rusting the mim thumbpiece with the Superfly holster. I also use MPRO7 CLP monthly to protect it against rust. Check with S&W regarding which clp product is ok with your 442's finish. Also, my grip screw rusted on my 442, so I put a set of Hogue Bantams on my 642 which has no grip screw to rust. Finally, I carry Speer golddot hollowpoints for short barrels. It's 135 grains, and is 38+P. Excellent street results with LAPD and NYPD. Go to Speer-ammo.com on the net, and check out the gel results. 11 inch minimum penetration through most common barriers with excellent expansion.

5 grains of AA2 behind a 158 gr. Hornady bullet with a F100 primer.

In my 442 this load generates 807 fps and will go to the POA at 25 yds and believe it or not, 4" groups at the same distance.

And yes, it is the primary carry gun for me.

Train: 148grain standard pressure Wadcutters.
Carry: 158grain Buffalo Bore (+P) Lead SemiWadcutter HollowPoints.

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Made in USA - Buy American

I stoke my Model 642 with Gold Dots, but am liking the thought of using Short Barrel by Speer. I carry it in an an Uncle Mike's pocket holster-been using this combo on various J-frames for years. My top choice for grips is the Pachmayr Compac Professional rubber grips that do a good job of taming recoil, add a bit of coverage for the bottom of the butt for a better hold, and follow the grip frame closely for good concealability. Pachmayr&reg Pachmayr your primary source for quality handgun grips and recoil pads

For me and a heck of a lot of other shooters the ideal carry gun is the S&W 442 or 642. You picked a good one, Badland.

Standard jacketed hollow points may have difficulty expanding at snub velocities, hence the Speer Gold Dot +P short barrel load recommendation- my preference is the Buffalo Bore 158 LHP non-plus p since they are soft lead and ready to expand at their published speed of 800 fps, and they shoot to point of aim to boot

This.

It's what I carry in my 49. Performance on ballistic gelatin is impressive from snubbies.

I second the Pachmayr Compacs. Have had them on my 640 for years. They give a higher grip on the backstrap to help control muzzle flip, ease +P recoil (sharper in a 442 than a steel gun), don't grab on clothing, and are no more difficult to conceal in pocket carry.

I use a DeSantis Nemesis or Uncle Mike's pocket holster, depending on what fits best in that day's pants pocket. After using the Uncle Mike's for years I find I prefer the Nemesis when it fits the pocket du jour.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Your question, though, was about ammo. I'm old-fashioned--hell, I'm old--and for years have carried the FBI load, +P 158-grain LSWCHP; but I'm hearing so many good reports of the Speer short-barrel 135-grain stuff that I just may have to try some.

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Oh well, what the hell.

The 442 is a great gun and I think you'll find the Federal load will be very accurate (that has been my experience with that load). I currently use the Hornady 110 gr standard pressure FTX load in my Airweights. I find it to be very accurate and gel tests show good results at the lower velocities. Do keep in mind that this load was not designed to overcome heavy barriers.

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Centennial Every Day