Please advise... S&W Bodyguard .38 vs S&W 442 vs Taurus 856

jframefreak said:
Ha Ha, we're a wee bit biased on this forum, aren't we?
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:) But... My bias is based on experience. Taurus has always made some neat revolvers in options that Smith & Wesson never offered. Unfortunately, the quality is just not the same and there are no gunsmiths out there that will work on them to make them better.

I had three different five shot .44 Specials and a five shot .45acp. None have ever been (or ever likely will be) offered by Smith & Wesson. While the .45acp was as close to a "good" gun as any Taurus I've ever owned, it just wasn't up to Smith & Wesson double action standards so I sold it. The others didn't last long in the collection either.
 
Photoman44 said:
:) But... My bias is based on experience. Taurus has always made some neat revolvers in options that Smith & Wesson never offered. Unfortunately, the quality is just not the same and there are no gunsmiths out there that will work on them to make them better.

I had three different five shot .44 Specials and a five shot .45acp. None have ever been (or ever likely will be) offered by Smith & Wesson. While the .45acp was as close to a "good" gun as any Taurus I've ever owned, it just wasn't up to Smith & Wesson double action standards so I sold it. The others didn't last long in the collection either.
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Yep, I understand where your bias is rooted. Mine came much the same way.
 
TinyDee said:
Please, ask different Smith models but just leave any Taurus talk at a nice roadside trash dump
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Interesting perspective from a member with a tenure of all of three months... You certainly don't speak for the membership here. Most of us are interested in discussing the good and bad point of S&Ws as well as other brands. I sure am.
 
I've owned a number of Taurus revolvers and semi autos over the years. I had trouble with every one and had to send them back for the life time warranty work which they did. I've sold all of them but one 2" 44 special that is fun to shoot . I wouldn't trust it for self defense though because it too has been back for repairs. They do make guns with interesting features. Too bad about the quality.
 
I have never owned a Taurus, so I can't say. But I really like my 442, and suprisingly (to me) so does my wife. Great gun.
 
I have a SW M 640-1 Centennial which has a super trigger but is a bit heavy for concealed carry in most instances, so I purchased a M642 and am very happy with it, even though I feel the 640 trigger is better. But, it is new and may improve with age. A dealer at the last gun show said he had a 442 and his wife a 642, and the finish on the 642 held up better.
 
IMO I would never buy a Taurus just like I would not want a pacemaker that Walmart sold. The Taurus IMO is not the same level of quality as the S&W .
You picked the right gun in the 442, it is the best for your purpose.
 
With the exception of the Glock, I do not want any gun that has a lot of "plastic" in it.

I would get a "regular" Airweight Bodyguard, one with a "metal" frame, and then put a set of Crimson Trace Laser grips on it.
 
Ive had a 442, sold it to gt the 642 just because I liked the finish better! Carry the 642 in the summer in my pocket, got a 640-1 that I carry on my belt in the winter. Amazing little guns! Can't go wrong with a centennial j frame! You won't be disappointed!
 
Taurus wheelguns can be OK, I have 2 Model 82's from the 90's, a Model 80 also from the early 90's, and an older Model 83 and they all function pretty well. The only major flaw I can point out in Taurus wheelguns is the firing pin springs get mashed up pretty quick. I replaced all the small springs in 3 of my Taurus revolvers with Wolff springs from the "small spring multi pack" and they work fine now.
 
You are asking a bunch of S&W fans which to get? 442 of course! That said, if you like the bodygaurd, go for it.
 
I'm a female and had the opportunity to 'try out' both Bodyguards, pistol & revolver, just yesterday. I thought I would like the pistol better and also because it's a little smaller, but surprise to me, I fell in love with the revolver 38 special! It's only 1/8" wider where the rounds are, but it's about the same width as the pistol, and it felt more lightweight believe it or not, and it just FIT better in my hand. When thinking of recoil, if you want to carry an airweight, any rounds of a decent weight will hurt! The BG revolver is easily concealable, the laser is AWESOME, and it feels more like one piece as opposed to the pistol. This has no external hammer either. Now about the Taurus. I owned a Taurus in the past, but it just was not wonderful. With any pistol you have to know what you are doing; I have seen grown men go to chamber a round and it got stuck, and the round went off in the house. I've seen this a couple of times.
Go with the S&W Bodyguard revolver. I bought mine yesterday! You won't regret it, I promise!
.............and that awesome laser..........!!! What more can I say?
 
No to the Taurus! The Bodyguard that I fondled at the range would not even rotate with a trigger pull. Turned me off. The 442 no lock is available at Bud's Gun Shop online. Good price. That's what I'd go with. The 642 finish peels, so I don't see how it holds up better.
 
My daily carry is a 442 no dash with a satin nickle finish, circa early 90's. It carries and shoots great. My carry round is the CorBon DPX +P 110 grain (best recoil control for this senior citizen). Any of the lightweight J's (NOT scandium or titanium) would be a good choice.
 
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