How noticeable will it be with lightweight j frame

[Grimjaws]

So I daily carry a 36-10 in a pocket holster. Been thinking of getting a 442 or 637 lately
Always nice to have a back up gun and maybe something lighter

How noticeable will the weight savings be?

Does anyone carry a steel frame and aluminum frame off and on?

Dumb question time - does the 442 sit higher in the hand versus the 36 or 637? Is recoil different with the hidden hammer models versus exposed?
I know the lighter frame will have more recoil just curious if the styles handle differently?

Thanks in advance

 

[Bastogne71]

A model 442/637 will feel noticeably lighter in your pocket but the trade off is the noticeably heavier recoil. Since the M36, M637, M642, & M442 are all J frames, the stocks are interchangeable so there isn't any difference in the feel in your hand. Unless you're shooting your M36 single action, there isn't any difference in the trigger pull either.

See if you can borrow or rent an Airweight to try with you favorite self defense ammo and see if you're OK with the recoil before you buy.

 

[crazyphil]

Here are two of my little friends who go for a walk with me occasionally.
On the left is a vintage Charter Undercover (about the same weight as
your Model 36). 2nd from left in a Wally Wolfram Blazer holster with a
dog ear. 3rd from left is my S&W 642-1. 4th from left the 642 shown in
a Black Hills shark skin pancake.

I am not aware of any significant difference in weight when I carry one
or the other. Nor do I notice any significant difference in amount of recoil.
Maybe I'm just not very sensitive.

 

[ContinentalOp]

Dumb question time - does the 442 sit higher in the hand versus the 36 or 637? Is recoil different with the hidden hammer models versus exposed?
I know the lighter frame will have more recoil just curious if the styles handle differently?

It can. The recoil shoulder on the 442 goes higher than the 36/637. That would allow you to grip the gun higher, which can reduce muzzle flip compared to gripping it like you would a 36. However, there are two negatives to that. First, unless you have grips where the horns go all the way up, like Spegel's Centennial boot grips, you're going to have that narrow metal shoulder recoiling into the web of your hand. Not a pleasant experience. Second, it can change the angle of your trigger finger with relation to the trigger. For me, gripping the gun higher makes pulling the trigger more awkward and difficult.

So, for me, I just grip it in the way I would grip a 36/637, or any standard revolver. If you get a 442, try both grip methods and see if one works better for you than the other.

Hope that helps.

 

[mscampbell2734]

I switched from a 49 to 442. There is a noticeable difference in weight, especially if you carry all day.

Unfortunately this also means a noticeable increase in recoil and negative ability to shoot accurately past 7 yards. My 49 was easy to hit out to 15 yards, the 442 struggles at 10.

 

[VictorLouis]

I carry airweights in the pockets of typical gym shorts unobtrusiveley.
Putting a steel J-frame into the same pockets pulls down the shorts too much
and swings to-n-fro like a pendulum. Looks and feels ridiculous.
I've pretty much swung over to lightweight guns, and normal pressure loads for all carry purposes. Both easier to carry, and control, if needed.

 

[Goldstar225]

I had a 640 I carried for some time but have used a 642 for about the last 20 years. IMO a big difference between the two with the 642 being much easier to pocket carry. There is an increase in recoil with the 642 and due to the weight I have to focus on the trigger more to shoot the 642 well. As a basis of comparison I can hit as well with the 642 at 15 yards as I could with the 640 at 25. Considering the ease of carry, that's a trade off I've been willing to live with for pocket carry.

 

[Old cop]

My EDC is the 340PD, 11.5 oz empty and the recoil w/+P is significant but doable w/ regular practice. I also have an older Model 60 which sees little carry time due to its weight. It's an individual thing, some people don't mind the extra weight but it doesn't work w/my physical handicaps & mode of dress.

 

[max503]

I carry an Airweight S&W 638. If I go to an S&W 36 or a Taurus 605 it feels like I have a brick in my pocket. A PT 92 feels unbelievably heavy.
Shooting the 638 is not bad as long as you have good grips.

 

[rwsmith]

I put..

...Pachmeyr grips on my model 38. Practice with decent ammo was painful. I don't mind if it knocks my hand off in an SD situation, but practicing.......whoe.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I used to pocket carry a M642 and sometimes I carried a M638. I hated shooting those guns because they kicked like mules and ruined accuracy. I switched to an all steel M649; much easier to shoot and no, I do not notice the weight change at all and I pocket carry it routinely.

 

[47knuckle]

Yes, my carry rotation includes several steel as well as alloy J frames. Using inside or outside waist band holsters I can feel no difference in weight at the end of a 10 hour day. In a pocket holster I can tell a large difference, to the point I no longer pocket carry steel J frames.

 

[hyena]

I have a 640 Pro and 642. I can tell a difference even with belt carry, AIWB and OWB, even with a quality gun belt and quality holsters. And that surprised me. I figured carrying on the belt, the weight difference wouldn't be noticeable.

I sometimes pocket carry the 642. In Carhart and Wrangler jeans it fits, but shows, at least in my mind. It fits much better in baggy Duluth jeans, but I don't care for the baggy look.

I can't imagine pocket carrying the 640 Pro. I stuck it in there once, and it felt like a brick. Maybe I would get used to it.

The 640 Pro is a sweetheart to shoot. The 642, with a titanium cylinder and wood boot grips, no fun to shoot. Not at all. Uncle Mike's boot grips help, Hogue tamers help tremendously, but they're huge compared to boot grips.

 

[HughD1]

I have a 642 and a 60 no dash. The small difference in weight doesn't bother me. My biggest difference is the longer grips I have on the Model 60. I do notice the difference when I shoot them. The model 60 is far more pleasant to shoot. I live in the country. My usual carry when I am off work is a three inch 686 plus. Either of the j frames feels light compared to it. My wife has a 3 inch model 60 that is very pleasant to shoot with +p 38 but would take a Jumbo sized pocket. Just depends on what I am wearing or where I am as to which gun goes with me. Good luck with your decision!

Hugh

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gwpercle]

In your pocket or holster ... a good bit , I find my AirWeight and Airlite get picked up and go out the door with me while the all steel models get left behind ... and the older you get the more the lightweights seem better .

During a situation ... I can tell you during a real gunfight ... I never noticed any recoil ( 38 Special +P loads )
At the range you will notice some additional recoil but nothing to worry about with proper fitting grips .
I Shoot them a little ...mostly carried so the light weight is appreciated .
Gary

 

[delcrossv]

I pocket carry a 342PD a lot. Hardly notice it's there (compared to my 940).

 

[heeter3]

I switch off between a model 36 3 inch ,a detective special, an old cobra and a 442 .The cobra and the 442 are the lightest to carry with the 442 being by far the lighhtest. And easiest.I pocket carry all of them and the key for me is deep front pockets and good desantis pocket holsters.

 

[uncleted327]

I went from a 640 Pro to a 360 in my rotation. Night and day difference. From a brick to barely heavier than my LCP. Is the recoil greater, of course it is, but you'll be carrying it a hell of a lot more than you'll be shooting it. So if you can handle them it's well worth the weight savings to me.

 

[wetdog1911]

I used to pocket carry a M642 and sometimes I carried a M638. I hated shooting those guns because they kicked like mules and ruined accuracy. I switched to an all steel M649; much easier to shoot and no, I do not notice the weight change at all and I pocket carry it routinely.

Same here, started out with the M442, but, even short range trips using target loads was a painful experience with accuracy to match.

Switched to an older M49 and though the range trips weren't longer, the pain level was much lower and accuracy (for me, anyway), improved quite a bit.

Got used to the extra weight of the all steel M49 and the reduction in recoil more than compensated for the extra weight of the revolver while toting it around.

YMMV

Rob

 

[haywood]

I usually only carry and shoot J-Frames. The Two 442s and 37 are noticeably lighter in the pocket. I always use rubber grips so the recoil doesn't bother me. The grips make Range time very enjoyable. They also fit in all my pants pockets. A 442 lives in my off hand pocket and a second J is usually in my waist. If you buy a Hogue Tamer Grip, like the one 442 here, it's made for the Centennial Frame and sits a little higher. It won't fit a hammer type frame.