Advice on Newer S&W Snubbies

[peterd]

I want to get a new snubby as a concealed carry gun and retire my Model 36. My wife has a new Ruger LCR and loves it - it seems fine to me, but I'd rather go to a "hammerless" style revolver and get a better grip angle with reduced recoil. Having seen numerous complaints about the newer S&W models in print, I thought I'd ask people who have the best knowledge base (and are not afraid to share their opinions) - thanks in advance!!

 

[kennyb]

the new ones are fine peter...i far prefer them to a ruger

 

[RychenCop]

the 442 is a great piece.

 

[Old cop]

I have an older, no lock 442 as my daily carry. My other is a newer IL 638. I'm very old school and do not carry the IL 638, but do shoot it often and with +P from time to time. The IL has never unintentionally engaged and I'm sure it is safe to carry, I just don't. IMHO you would be well served by either model and it may just come down to which one you can get at a good price.

 

[Broadside]

the 442 is a great piece.

Agreed. Smith & Wesson is currently manufacturing both the Model 442 and the Model 642 (stainless) without the internal lock and at a great price. Both can easily be found for less than $400.

Both are hammerless (Centennial) models with an aluminum alloy frame (Airweight).

If your local gun dealer says they cannot order one for you, find yourself another dealer.

I think either would compliment your Model 36 very nicely.

 

[blujax01]

If the complaints are about the Internal Lock and/or the MIM parts, well, they all come from the same small but vocal group of folks.
With all due respect to the villagers of "NoLo-NoMi" (no lock - no MIM), an off-the-shelf 442/642 should serve you well.

 

[P&R Fan]

The Centennials are some of the best concealed carry revolvers ever made. In .38 Spl I prefer the 642 over the 442 because of the stainless parts. It weighs about 15 oz. I have a 340PD that I got about a year ago that has been living in my pocket. It is a .357 Magnum and weighs about 12 oz.
There are also heavier all steel Centennials, the 640 has been produced in both .38 Spl and .357 Magnum. It of course is stainless and weighs about 24 oz.
I would be willing to bet most people who have had a CC permit for a lot of years have at least one Centennial. They are an excellent choice.

 

[CTP]

442 or 642

 

[What the]

Peterd,

Don't be too quick to overlook the LCR...some shooters myself included prefer the Ruger trigger,a tad longer in pull but smoother to me which almost makes it feel lighter. The only trigger gauge I have is my finger so I can't quantify the actual weight for you.

The .357 LCR would be my choice simply because the quality seems better to me than the newer Smith revolvers. Your model 36 is very high quality and a trigger bob and action job may be worth looking into,certainly the least expensive of all the options mentioned.

 

[mm6mm6]

I love my 2007 Model 40-1. It's a bit heavy with the steel frame for what you're looking at, but if you want advice about current production S&W J-frames, I love this gun.

I also love the new S&W Bodyguard. It's light and smooth and even has the built in laser:

 

[pharmer]

First new S&W I've bought in over 15 years. Spent case says 10/09. I've put 150 "minute of man" rounds through it, almost ready to trust it. Highly recommend consideration. Joe

 

[Hovnnes]

My criticism of J frames with the 2"barrel is that I've never had one that reliably ejects all five cartridges in the first attempt. Other than that the Centennial is about as good as they get.

 

[bobnpa]

hello all I have a 638 semi hidden hammer and love it. She still is single action and double action but the hammer is hidden and doesn't get hung up like my 637. I would recommed this to anyone looking for a CCW.

 

[ConquestN98858]

You can't go wrong with the newer S&W Model 442's... usually not a daily shooter but the most reliable and durable 5 shot on the market today! (just sayin...)

 

[TACC1]

Either a 442 or a 642. Works for me, TACC1.

 

[papajohn428]

I have the 642 and love it, but the 442 would be my second choice.

 

[rooster59]

I bought a new 642 made in 10/09, and it is fantastic. I have 4 older Ruger revolvers, this was my first S&W. The trigger was perfect out of the box, and with 158 g ammo I can hit an 8"x8" steel plate 13-14 times out of 15 at 25 yds. I've shot 100 rounds or so with it and I don't think anything is going to break.

 

[Condition Yellow]

mm6mm6,

Doxa ...

 

[4864]

642's are a good choice.

Close to two years ago I jumped on the non-IL 642-1's that come out. Wonderful carry gun that shoots great. I ankle carry this gun a lot. I like the 642-1 non IL so much I just bought the 642-1 Pro Series that is cut for moon clips.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I have a new no-lock 642 I bought a couple of months ago. I've only been able to put a few hundred rounds through it so far but it's holding up well. The gun still looks new (well, except for the area around the forcing cone that's hard to clean). It gets carried periodically either in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster or a Sideguard Tuck Snap IWB. I have Spegel boot grips on mine and usually carry it loaded with Nyclads and Speer Short-Barrel GDHP in strips for reloads.

The only complaint I have is that I prefer the older style cylinder release. I use my support hand to reload and the older style release works a little better when using my support-hand thumb to push it. It's not a big deal, though.