Damn a Model 442
- Thread starter Gene L
- Start date
SC_Mike
Member
I fired my 640-1 with full .357 loads once... once.
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Doug M.
Member
I have had light J frames. I dislike them, and find them worse to shoot with most ammo than my 296. They are also harder to shoot well than any other platform due to ergonomics. The only ammo I would seriously consider using in a light (or most any other) J frame is a good quality hard cast target wadcutter, or maybe standard velocity 158 grain SWC. What you want is a flat front and decent penetration.
FOR ME, even when unpleasant to shoot due to the ammo and configuration combination, I prefer a good quality small auto-pistol for deep concealment in circumstances in which appearing conspicuously unarmed is of value. I have a Glock 33 in a Kramer pocket holster that works well in both dress clothes and cargo pants. It is not even close to fun to shoot, but better than a light J. I put XS Big Dot sights on it, and I have qualified with it out to the 25.
My new Shield w/RDS is likely to be the new belt gun once tested, due to my vision. With a good holster (Dale Fricke) and belt, I should be good to go in most circumstances.
FOR ME, even when unpleasant to shoot due to the ammo and configuration combination, I prefer a good quality small auto-pistol for deep concealment in circumstances in which appearing conspicuously unarmed is of value. I have a Glock 33 in a Kramer pocket holster that works well in both dress clothes and cargo pants. It is not even close to fun to shoot, but better than a light J. I put XS Big Dot sights on it, and I have qualified with it out to the 25.
My new Shield w/RDS is likely to be the new belt gun once tested, due to my vision. With a good holster (Dale Fricke) and belt, I should be good to go in most circumstances.
Grips make all the difference. I have Pachmayer compact pro grips on my 442 and it tamed the little beast.
Pachmayr Compac Grips S&W J-Frame Round Butt Rubber Black
Pachmayr Compac Grips S&W J-Frame Round Butt Rubber Black
Backlighting
Member
I got rid of my snubbie (S&W 638). Recoil and short sight radius were the main issues. I replaced it with a semi-auto Ruger Security 9 Compact. Longer sight radius, 10+1 and more power with less recoil. Add to that the price per round is much less.
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scruffy
Member
This is the softest shooting combo I've found for my 442. Pachmayr Compac grips and Federal Micro HST .38+P. Feels like mild load .38s and grips help with muzzle flip. Downside is grips aren't the best for pocket carry.
Just throwing a different philosophy in here...
Some guns are strictly "all other options have run out" guns. An Airweight revolver has the added title of "I'm too old to carry something heavier today" guns. I would shoot them once in a great while - or maybe even just once, to verify point of aim - and put it in the rotation box for appropriate occasions. Not gonna shoot it all the time, especially not every range trip. Heck, not even every year. (And that's the good part: leave a revolver in the box for a day or ten years, it's still gonna shoot.) As long as it's available for those times when it's the best option to be my last option. See what I'm sayin'? Thanks!
Some guns are strictly "all other options have run out" guns. An Airweight revolver has the added title of "I'm too old to carry something heavier today" guns. I would shoot them once in a great while - or maybe even just once, to verify point of aim - and put it in the rotation box for appropriate occasions. Not gonna shoot it all the time, especially not every range trip. Heck, not even every year. (And that's the good part: leave a revolver in the box for a day or ten years, it's still gonna shoot.) As long as it's available for those times when it's the best option to be my last option. See what I'm sayin'? Thanks!
Seems to me that, as I age, recoil is becoming less manageable. Sure like my 63 and 617.
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