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

josh8042 · May 6, 2010

I'm going to pick up a new pocket revolver and I am trying to decide which of these 3 to get...

Bodyguard .38 with integral laser:

442 Centennial Airweight:

Taurus Model 856 (6 shot):

I'm leaning towards the Taurus because it's a couple bucks cheaper and holds 6 rounds with no difference in size, but I don't really have any experience with Taurus revolvers and I'm not completely confident in Taurus' quality control. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Snowbandit · May 6, 2010

Once I seen the brand name Taurus I would have all the information I needed about the 856. That thing wouldn't even get a second look from me. As to the other choices my personal preference would be towards the 442 for a pocket revolver as there is less opportunity for lint to enter the action. The Centennials are perfect for pocket carry with a suitable holster.

chp · May 6, 2010

Either S&W. If you want a small frame 6 shooter, go with a Colt D frame IMO.

jframefreak · May 6, 2010

Get either one of the S&W's and you'll be alright. Don't go cheap when it comes to revolvers, cause all you'll wind up with is a cheap revolver. If you try to sell it later, might not be worth much. Just my opinion.

gwalchmai · May 6, 2010

I think the Smiths are better overall but I carried a Taurus 85 on my evening walk tonight and didn't feel underarmed. I've heard that Taurus QC can be spotty, but I have two 85s which are great. Not as tight as my Smiths but I have every confidence in them.

jframefreak · May 6, 2010

S&W has a lifetime warranty, I don't know if Taurus does or not.

woodsltc · May 6, 2010

IMO.........Taurus is just a malfunction waiting to happen. You could give me one ( & I would sell or trade it ASAP) but I will never spend my money on one ever again. Bought one once and found out in hurry what a piece of junk it was.

Never again!!

Don

Pisgah · May 6, 2010

Although any revolver manufacturer can have lapses in quality control -- and even S&W is no exception -- I have owned about a dozen Taurus revolvers through the years and have had no problems whatsoever. Ditto for S&Ws. Fit and finish of the S&W guns has, on average, been a slight bit better than the Taurus guns, and an S&W will always have a better resale value than a Taurus, but in terms of practical use, my experience would lead me to consider the choice a toss-up.

Double-O-Dave · May 6, 2010

I always try to stay away from the 1st generation products - too many teething problems. Taurus does have a spotty reputation regarding their quality, so in my opinion, it beats nothing, but a handgun for personal defense is not a place to cheap out. I might consider one for a BUG, but I'd have to really be confident in it. The 442 or 642 is a proven performer. It's a great pocket pistol and it's no wonder that it's S&W's number one seller. My EDC is either a 642 or 432PD (.32 H&R Magnum), and I think if I could ever find another 642 or 442 I'd scoop it up for a NY reload.

Best of luck,

Dave

Dale53 · May 6, 2010

I have great preference for the S&W 642 (that is my daily carry). I can carry anything that I desire and I definitely chose the 642 over the Air Light. The Air Lights are entirely too light for me. The recoil is painful from them. However, the few extra ounces (just three) of the 642 makes ALL of the difference in shooting them. Further, the 642 is hardly a burden at 15 ounces.

The reason I picked the 642 over the 442 is the finish seems to wear quite a bit better - otherwise they are the same revolvers. If you must have black then you have to go with the 442. If you prefer a longer wearing finish (my personal experience with just a few examples) then do as I did, go with the 642.

I practice with target wadcutters and finish a practice session with a cylinder or so of full load 158 gr SWC's or 158 gr RF. My carry ammo is the .38 +P FBI 158 gr SWC H.P.

I am a GREAT believer in Crimson Trace grips. I have large hands and prefer the longer (with a covered back strap) #305's.

YMMV
Dale53

josh8042 · May 6, 2010

jframefreak said:
S&W has a lifetime warranty, I don't know if Taurus does or not.

Taurus also has a lifetime warranty which extends beyond the original owner. However from what I understand, S&W pays shipping both ways when you need service and Taurus only pays return shipping.

Thanks for all the great responses. Based on all the advise, I have decided on the 442. I'm also picking up a SW99 while I'm at it.

photoman · May 6, 2010

The new Bodyguard/Centennial/laser/plastic fantastic is unproven. At this time, I wouldn't have one for anything other than a novelty item.

Taurus? I've owned six or eight Taurus revolvers and have sold them all. They all had terrible double action triggers.

Get the 442. Dry fire the thing into next year or have a quality action job done and you're good to go.

aterry33 · May 7, 2010

Comparing a Taurus to a S&W is like comparing a Kia to a Lexus. Sorry, but I wouldn't buy a Taurus.

Get the 442. In a self-defense situation, you should never be using single action anyway, so that feature is unimportant.

spricks · May 7, 2010

Smith & Wesson and Taurus have alot of buisness in common....including the lifetime warranty.
I own both and have problems with neither.
spricks

DUNTOV · May 7, 2010

442

josh8042 said:
I'm going to pick up a new pocket revolver and I am trying to decide which of these 3 to get...

Bodyguard .38 with integral laser:

442 Centennial Airweight:

Taurus Model 856 (6 shot):

I'm leaning towards the Taurus because it's a couple bucks cheaper and holds 6 rounds with no difference in size, but I don't really have any experience with Taurus revolvers and I'm not completely confident in Taurus' quality control. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.[/QUOTE

The 442 / 642 are S&W top sellers

jframefreak · May 7, 2010

The 442 is a good choice, you won't be disappointed.

TinyDee · May 7, 2010

Please, ask different Smith models but just leave any Taurus talk at a nice roadside trash dump

cjcutter1 · May 7, 2010

442 is the way to go, or 642 in my case.

Matt C. · May 7, 2010

Just started carrying a 642 and am very pleased with it.

jframefreak · May 7, 2010

TinyDee said:
Please, ask different Smith models but just leave any Taurus talk at a nice roadside trash dump

Ha Ha, we're a wee bit biased on this forum, aren't we?

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

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