need reco for my S&W 442 Airweight

[ronstaug]

I have a 442 S&W 38 Airweight for concealed weapon & also keep by bedside for home defense. Love it! Had a Crimson Trace Laser put on it. I know the barrel says OK to shoot +P ammo & I've gone thru a few doz. rounds to get used to the "kick". My problem is I have a touch of arthritis in hands & the "kick" is too much for my wife (I'm away & want her to be able to handle this new revolver). *It also hurts my hands a bit.
I know full well that +P has more "knockdown" power than your conventional 38 special, but not concerned about putting holes on walls of our home if we have an intruder up to no good. I ran into an article & took the most interesting part with the intention of posting it here. Would love to get comments from some of the experts who keep up with qualities of ammo.
*Here's a list of my current inventory, some given to me by ex brother in law (career FBI):
(1) I keep in the 442, Winchester SuperX 38Special 125 gr. silver tip H.P. +P
(2) For target shooting, we have some cheap ammo, Blazer Brass 38 Special 125 gr. FMJ. BTW, no exposed lead ammo allowed in the indoor range I use up in Jacksonville, thus FMJ.
(3) Lastly, I have an inventory of Federal 38 Special 147 Grain Jacketed Hydra-Shok H.P, (for law enforcement only). Says +P+ on ea. bullet & I was told by S&W customer service to give it to someone else, the 442 won't handle that, it's too much.
*SUMMARY: my objective would be to keep this simple (KISS) and keep just one type of ammo that would be manageable re. self defense & still affordable for rare target shooting. I noticed that Blazer Brass ammo has a couple of misfires in ea. box, but not important.

Here's the article I've referenced:


A Special Note on Snub-Nose .38 Revolvers With 2" or 3" Barrels: The Cor-Bon .38 Special +P 125 grain JHP and 158 grain LSWCHP FBI load are not the best choice for 2" or 3" barrel revolvers. The short barrel does not provide enough velocity to ensure reliable expansion with these load, and the unpleasant and hard-to-control recoil hurts snub-nose accuracy (as well as your hand). Controllability is crucial, and I recommend non +P standard pressure loads, for the .38 snub-nose.

Good +P choices for a steel-frame 2" .38 snub-nose revolver are:

* Federal 125 grain +P Nyclad LSWHP (P38N) - my preferred .38 2" barrel snub-nose revolver load (a.k.a. the "Chief's Special" load, now available only to the police).
* Federal 129 grain +P Hydra-shok JHP (P38HS1)
* Remington 125 grain +P Golden Saber HPJ (GS38SB)
* Cor-Bon 110 grain +P JHP - I would recommend this high-pressure load only for the sturdy (and heavy) Ruger SP101 snub-nose .38 or .357 Magnum revolver.

Standard Pressure (non +P) Loads.

If you carry an aluminum-frame snub nose .38 (e.g. S&W Model 38 Bodyguard, 642, 442, 37, or Colt Cobra) I urge you to carry a standard pressure (non +P) .38 round. The best standard pressure .38 load is the Federal 125 grain Nyclad lead hollowpoint (P38M). This P38M hollowpoint - known as the "Chief's Special load" - was specifically designed to expand at lower velocities and is the industry leader in standard pressure .38 rounds. This load is now available to police departments only.

Another acceptable standard pressure .38 load is the Winchester Silvertip 110 grain JHP (X38S9HP). A third possibility is the Federal Low Recoil Personal Defense 110 grain Hydra-Shok JHP load (PD38HS3 H

 

[Lenny_D]

I use 135gr. Speer Gold Dot +P Short Barrel ammo for carry in my 442 and am very comfortable with it. I practice with 158 grain Speer SWCHP's in front of 4.5 grains of unique.
I consider a snub a gun that is not a "beginners" weapon. It takes a lot of practice to be able to hit with it and the 442 is a very light gun which equals more recoil. No way of getting around it. It makes for easy consealable carry but for a home defense gun I believe you'd be better off with a K frame 3"-4" barreled gun in either 38 or 357. This is just my opinion and everyone has theirs.

 

[Old cop]

LennyD is right about a 4" in .38 or .357 being better choice for home defense, but if you 442 is an "only" gun it is more than adequate. You can use almost any standard (non +P) commercial hollow point and be well served. I've read the Buffalo Bore makes a good standard pressure load. Wad cutter target ammo, if you can find it, will also work.

In the unlikely chance you will have to use the gun in a self defense situation you can rest assured you won't notice the recoil. I'm speaking from experience on this last point.

 

[photoman]

I would try any one of those three standard pressure loads (I prefer the 110gr Silvertip of the three listed). Also try Federal Gold Match 148gr wadcutters.

 

[ronstaug]

Thanks for both responses. Actually, I traded in a longer barrel 38 for the 442. Without the laser & the "kick", I'm deadly at up to about 25'. I went thru sniper school a long time ago & unfortunately got a good bit of practical use after that in S.E. Asia for 2 yrs.
The odds of having an intruder in this house are remote as we live in a gated community with armed guards on a barrier island off the coast of N.E. Florida. However, when we travel to more "undesirable" areas like the neighborhoods around Atlanta or Miami airport, I wanted that small 442 for concealed carry. I'll deal with some more restrained ammo for wife's practice just so she can get used to it.
*the 38 traded in was too large for concealed carry, thus my choice.

 

[-db-]

Depending on your size, dress style and lifestyle, a steel snub K-frame may still be concealable enough for carry but tame recoil enough to where it allows your wife to shoot it comfortably and doesn't bother your arthritis. +Ps in something like a 2" Model 64 will feel much milder compared to an aluminum J-frame plus you get an extra round in the cylinder.

 

[MichiganScott]

If it hurts to shoot, you will develop a flinch whether you know it or not.

With your arthritis and your wife's opinion that it kicks too much, I'd try some wadcutter target loads. They may not do quite as much damage as some of your current inventory, but they would convince all but the most dedicated crack heads that attacking you and your wife was not a good career move.

 

[RussellD]

another option to consider is a different set of grips. Crimson trace makes a pair the covers the back strap of a j frame and providing more cushion to the shooters hand.

 

[bettis1]

Ron,

Welcome to the Forum. First, let me say that I love the M442 Smith. One of them has been in my pocket EVERY day for 20 years...either as my secondary or primary carry. Having said that, I must agree with the previous posters in saying that it isn't the easiest gun to shoot, especially in high stress circumstances.

In your second post you gave us some insight into your firearms experience and your residential circumstances. Both are excellent; you've had great past training (thanks for your service!) and your home is about as hardened as reasonably practical.

If, for whatever reasons, you are limited to that one gun, I would encourage you to stick with a standard load. You will increase your and your wife's chances of a hit with the limited rounds available to you. Remember that old adage "You can't miss fast enough to win!"

If it is at all possible, I would suggest that you consider getting a shotgun for home defense. I don't mean some high tech, black tactical monstrosity. I am speaking of a relatively inexpensive pump or side by side. They are usually available for less than another revolver. You may find a used one that will serve your purposes for years for very little investment. If you feel the need for a light on it, a flash light and electrical tape works wonders.

Bob

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your service!

May I go in a slightly different direction. Keep the +P ammo for SD and practice with lighter ammo. Also, buy an all Steel 4" revolver (like the Model 10) for home defense. The additional weight and longer barrel will both aid in shooting it well and remove a lot of the felt recoil. I'm sure your wife would like shooting it at the range much better than a 15oz snub nose revolver. If you would rather stay with a J frame you can always fine a M36 which is heavier @ 21oz which would be easier to shoot because of the additional weight.

I carry a M442 daily loaded with Speer .38 Special +P ammo but on the night stand I keep a S&W M&P (Model 10) loaded with the FBI Load. (pictured below with the M36)