442.....how many REALLY get used to the recoil ?

[Chrisj357]

Used to the recoil?

I don't have a 442, but I do have and shoot a 642. Unless I am missing something they are essentially the same weapon, different finish. Shoots .38 or .38+P (NOT .357)

I never considered the recoil with +p ammo anything to complain about. I do have the stock rubber grips. My wife has the model with the hammer (cant remember the number) she only shoots .38 special but she has a compromised hand and wrist but the recoil never bothers her.

Maybe its the way you are holding it........I cant imagine wondering if anyone could get used to what I experience, it seems mild.

 

[BB57]

Several not necessarily connected thoughts:

1. I prefer the heavier steel framed J-frame and J-Magnum frame revolvers, specifically the Model 36 and Model 60.

The extra 6-7 ounces of weight compared to a lightweight J-frame has never bothered me in all day carry, but I appreciate the heavier weight when shooting the with +P ammunition.

2. A Model 60 in .357 is interesting, but the recoil is more than I find to be practical in a self defense revolver. The average self defense shoot is over in 5 rounds or less, at 5 yards or less in 5 seconds or less, so getting well placed hits rapidly is important. The recoil of the .357 Magnum in a J frame revolver makes good controlled pairs difficult to achieve with any reasonable degree of speed.

3. At the other extreme, the standard pressure .38 Special in a 1 7/8" or 2 1/8" barrel is uninspiring and rather marginal in terms of penetration. For a short barreled .38 you really want to be using a +P load.

4. I've found the Hogue mono block grips to be very comfortable for carry in an IWB holster, and very effective when shooting a J-frame pistol with heavier loads.

5. Shooting a lengthy range session just to get comfortable with a heavy recoiling revolver can be very counterproductive. At some point you get fatigued and practice after that point is useless. You may also start to anticipate the recoil and that makes further full power practice worse than useless as you start ingraining bad habits.

My preference when practicing with any heavy recoiling handgun is to mix speed drills with accuracy shooting, and randomly inserted dummy rounds to ensure I'm not compromising the basics or anticipating recoil. I'll also usually mix in some .22 caliber practice to reinforce the non-flinch response as well.

6. The 125 gr .357 magnum round has a mostly undeserved rap for "causing" forcing cone erosion and stress cracks in Model 19s - it's a lot more complicated than that. However Smith and Wesson warns against the use of bullet weights less than 120 grains in its light weight frame .357s due to concerns about increased erosion. If I were working up to higher recoil levels, I'd use a heavier bullet with a reduced charge before I'd use a full power 110 grain cartridge.

 

[Waywatcher]

The recoil is really not bad--this coming from a guy (me) who freely admits to not liking recoil. I've had my 442 well over a year and have put just over 500 rounds through it; 25-50 at a time. It's a great little gun.

Trigger control is important and accuracy matters--I don't allow "belly gun" excuses. The gun will easily put all rounds on a piece of 8.5x11 paper at 25 yards, standing, offhand. When it doesn't, I know it was me.

Crimson Trace laser grips are excellent.

 

[dr. K]

The 442 is a great little gun, but it does kick. You could always practice with a heavier gun, or with lighter ammo, or with fewer rounds more often. It's a carry-often, shoot-little gun for many, but it's an all the time one for me and for many others. For me, comfort every day outweighs a little discomfort in practice every so often.