My new 442 airweight

I prefer the Speer Gold Dot 135 +P for my 442-2. They hit right on top of the front sight where as the 158's hit to the right and high. Your gun will tell you what it likes. I've also found the 135's to be very accurate also. I also like the Uncle Mike's Pocket Holster. I reload 125 grain RNFP lead bullets for practice and the short barreled guns do take some practice as you will find out. It will reward you if you work with it. Enjoy!
Jim
 
.45mtngun, how long does the suede band on your Uncle Mike's holster last. I've had a couple, but after a while the band wears smooth, and the holster no longer 'sticks' inside the pocket, but starts coming out with the gun.
 
How do you like the 442? (I plan on buying one soon, but I can't decide between the 442 (black) or the 642 (chrome).
 
I use a galco pocket holster with my 642 and it rides in my front pocket and I really enjoy it. I also have a Shield and a BG380 and have holsters for all three for front pocket and or iwb. Go with what you feel is best for you and enjoy.
Frank.
 
I-Toon said:
How do you like the 442? (I plan on buying one soon, but I can't decide between the 442 (black) or the 642 (chrome).
Click to expand...

I put 50 rounds through it last weekend (and regretted it all day monday lol. My wrists are already shot from work and revolvers have hela recoil compared to semi autos.) and I really like it. When I bring the gun up the sites are in line automatically and I can just bring the gun up and put shots into a torso sized target quickly keeping both eyes open.
 
I have Three 442s. I paint the Front sights with Appliance White Touch up Paint then seal it with Glow in the dark Nail Polish. I use Corbon DPX +P and Speer Gold Dot 135g +P as carry loads. The pocket holster I like best is a Five year old Uncle Mikes that I use every day. I use the #4, the J-Frames slide out of the #4 better than the #3 and still works after all the years of carry. One of my 442s has the lock so, I put a drop of Thread Lock on it and it no longer works. I carry one of these as a backup to a 357 Snub.
 
Another vote for Mika's pocket holsters. I was starting to carry my 442 in one when I discovered the frame crack. The 642-1 that is replacing it will ride in either Mika pocket or IWB holster depending on the situation.
 
GaryS said:
Another vote for Mika's pocket holsters. I was starting to carry my 442 in one when I discovered the frame crack. The 642-1 that is replacing it will ride in either Mika pocket or IWB holster depending on the situation.
Click to expand...

I keep reading about these frame cracks... Did I choose poorly with my 642?

Edmo
 
Edmo said:
I keep reading about these frame cracks... Did I choose poorly with my 642?

Edmo
Click to expand...

It seems to be hit or miss. My 442 was a very early production (Sept 1993) on the original J frame Airweight. I never noticed the crack until about two months ago when I read the thread on this forum and decided to take a look. Look up the thread "The dreaded frame crack" and you'll see mine and other stories.

The good news is that S&W will stand behind the revolvers. In my case the bad news was that they don't make the non "J Magnum" frames any longer and so I couldn't get it repaired, it had to be replaced. If your 642 should crack, what they are likely to do is replace the frame and barrel and transfer the rest of your parts over to the new frame.

So, the bottom line is even if something does happen S&W will stand behind it.

So, I would say no, you didn't chose poorly because you bought a product by a company that will repair or replace your 642 if the need arises.
 
GaryS said:
It seems to be hit or miss. My 442 was a very early production (Sept 1993) on the original J frame Airweight. I never noticed the crack until about two months ago when I read the thread on this forum and decided to take a look. Look up the thread "The dreaded frame crack" and you'll see mine and other stories.

The good news is that S&W will stand behind the revolvers. In my case the bad news was that they don't make the non "J Magnum" frames any longer and so I couldn't get it repaired, it had to be replaced. If your 642 should crack, what they are likely to do is replace the frame and barrel and transfer the rest of your parts over to the new frame.

So, the bottom line is even if something does happen S&W will stand behind it.

So, I would say no, you didn't chose poorly because you bought a product by a company that will repair or replace your 642 if the need arises.
Click to expand...

Good on S&W for fully standing behind their products... Bad on S&W for continuing to sell a gun which apparently has a design issue. Have they made efforts to fix the problem which causes the cracks?

One day an owner of an Airweight J-model might need to bet his/her life on it. If it is me, I don't want to have to wonder if my gun has a cracked frame and if it will affect the outcome. Functionality in a self-defense firearm is something I don't take that lightly!

I do like my little 642, but I check the "crack area" every time I come back from the range.

Edmo
 
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