New To Me 442 "Ultimate Carry"

[.357magger]

OK, first off, let's dispense with the hype. IMHO, there is no "Ultimate" carry firearm.

There are firearms for various reasons and carry methods, and everyone can and will have a differing opinion of what might be the "Ultimate" choice for their reason and carry method.

What I was looking for was a lightweight revolver in .38 Special to replace the need to use a beautiful Model 38 Airweight in nickel that my Dad left me. It's a great shooter, carries like a feather, and is more accurate than most mortals. But it has great sentimental value to me and I'd prefer from here on out that it remains in its excellent condition.

So with that being said, as soon as I saw the new Lipsey's 442 I wanted one. I liked the idea of the upgraded sights and the VZ grip collaboration looked very promising for a gun that I planned on carrying religiously. Meaning hand filling in all the right places.

Auction prices were bananas on these things with a couple I tracked touching the $1000 mark after fees and shipping. "No Thanks" for me on a revolver with MSRP of $719. So today I went to a local gunshow and...voila... a S&W Model 442 UC with a price tag of $679. SOLD !!!!!!

I should have a range report for the coming week, but dry fire has been impressive. So is the sighting upgrade and I really like the feel of the grips.

So...Ultimate? Perhaps not, but imo it's certainly worth the factory upgrades over the standard 442. And those weren't horrible to begin with.

 

[.357magger]

And before someone asks...here is the Model 38.

Another GREAT J frame.

(circa 1972)

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I'm a 49 no dash carrier. While it weighs a few ounces more than your 39 it has held up to 11 years of EDC through a great deal of dust, lint and muck.

I'm not convinced the various alloy models will stand the abrasive environment my routine put me in.

Ivan

 

[pasound]

I love my mdl. 38, but I admit I've been staring at the 442's in the display case at my LGS. But I am not in love of the cost of the .32 ammo. Got to factor in the cost of reloading dies. I figure I own the powders and primers I need, but no cases.

 

[.357magger]

I'm a 49 no dash carrier. While it weighs a few ounces more than your 39 it has held up to 11 years of EDC through a great deal of dust, lint and muck.

I'm not convinced the various alloy models will stand the abrasive environment my routine put me in.

Ivan

I carried a 649 for many years as a BUG back in the day. The stainless and carbon steel frame variants aren't behemoths by any stretch, but I was looking for a very light option that can do anything from OWB to just slipping into a pocket of a pair of shorts.

At that the Airweights excell imo.

I've been playing with this all afternoon, it just disappears even with pocket carry.

 

[.357magger]

I love my mdl. 38, but I admit I've been staring at the 442's in the display case at my LGS. But I am not in love of the cost of the .32 ammo. Got to factor in the cost of reloading dies. I figure I own the powders and primers I need, but no cases.

This one is a 38 Special.

IIRC, the 32 H&R Magnum version with 6 round capacity is the 432.

I thought about one of those, but finding magnums is like finding hens teeth around here and I'd almost certainly have to go to the internet for resupply. Nothing wrong with that, until there is.

Unfortunately I'm not set up for reloading at this time or I might have considered the 32 further.

 

[.357magger]

Couple more pics, particularly of the sights by XS, which are excellent imo.

 

[Old cop]

I’ve been carrying a J Frame since my 1968 rookie year, the current EDC is a no-lock 340PD, w/my LCP filling in as necessary.

 

[dobegrant]

Congratulations very nice looking.

 

[Garandpappy]

442 Ultimate Carry

I snagged one as well to replace a 438 Airweight Humpback. My grandfather left it to me and I've carried it for years. I saw the 442 Ultimate Carry and thought that would be a good replacement to allow me to put the 438 in the safe. It's more sentimental than anything. I do love the humpbacks.

I wanted the 442 black, but had to go for the 642 "stainless" version. I've watched several at auction do some ridiculous things. I pretty much put it out of my mind since my son is at his last semester at school and they hit me up for more $$. My LGS let me get it today for just under $700, even with a trade.

The sights sold me. I love XS sights and S&W needs to do more with their sights. The chamfered & beveled cylinder and endurance upgrades give it a much needed improvement as well. The grips are cool, but I think I may end up preferring the regular VZ grips.

I am interested to know more about the "optimized geometry & springs". Don't get me wrong. It's much better than the standard trigger, but I'm sure some trigger time will help that out.

 

[Electraclyde]

I have been waiting for one of the LGS around here to get the 432. Since I am already set up to reload the 32 H&R magnum, ammo will not be an issue.

 

[.357magger]

I snagged one as well to replace a 438 Airweight Humpback. My grandfather left it to me and I've carried it for years. I saw the 442 Ultimate Carry and thought that would be a good replacement to allow me to put the 438 in the safe. It's more sentimental than anything. I do love the humpbacks.

I wanted the 442 black, but had to go for the 642 "stainless" version. I've watched several at auction do some ridiculous things. I pretty much put it out of my mind since my son is at his last semester at school and they hit me up for more $$. My LGS let me get it today for just under $700, even with a trade.



I am interested to know more about the "optimized geometry & springs". Don't get me wrong. It's much better than the standard trigger, but I'm sure some trigger time will help that out.

HA HA HAAAAH.

I wanted the 642 and could only find the Black.

But it's grown on me already and in the "Keeper" category.

Yeah, I saw/read about the "geometry", not sure what they meant either. The only side by side comparison I can do is with my Model 38. But it's not really a fair comparison because the 38 has over 40 years of trigger pulling.

All that being said, the 442 UC does have a very smooth pull. It's not light, just uniform throughout and no stacking at all. It's easy to keep the XS front in the U Notch rear until it breaks. I'm pretty sure it's going to be an accurate shooter.

 

[Beju]

I snagged one as well to replace a 438 Airweight Humpback. My grandfather left it to me and I've carried it for years. I saw the 442 Ultimate Carry and thought that would be a good replacement to allow me to put the 438 in the safe. It's more sentimental than anything. I do love the humpbacks.

I wanted the 442 black, but had to go for the 642 "stainless" version. I've watched several at auction do some ridiculous things. I pretty much put it out of my mind since my son is at his last semester at school and they hit me up for more $$. My LGS let me get it today for just under $700, even with a trade.

The sights sold me. I love XS sights and S&W needs to do more with their sights. The chamfered & beveled cylinder and endurance upgrades give it a much needed improvement as well. The grips are cool, but I think I may end up preferring the regular VZ grips.

I am interested to know more about the "optimized geometry & springs". Don't get me wrong. It's much better than the standard trigger, but I'm sure some trigger time will help that out.

I also wanted the 442, but then I saw a 642 without a mark-up.

My understanding is that the 'optimized trigger geometry and springs' is just carrying over changes made in the scandium guns (M&P 340, 340/360PD) over to the aluminum guns.

The UC guns largely seem to have consolidated things that were done on other J-frames over the years in an aluminum frame. Chamfered charge holes from PC guns, XS front sight from the M&P340, rear sight from the 640 Pro, more durable trigger/hammer pins and easier to time 2-piece barrel from the scandium guns, etc.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I had an M&P 340 for many years, liked the weight but not shooting it all that much. I sold it and found a very clean 649-2 that is much more pleasant to shoot. I had been thinking about a 640 Pro for some time but after reading and watching all the videos on the Lipsey's models, I have a 432UC on order.

 

[CajunBass]

I'm thinking I'm going to get one of the 32's models one of these days, when they're more available. I've got a Taurus 327 magnum that I'm shooting now and have been really surprised how much I like it. I was also surprised how much the 327 Federal Magnum kicks even in a steel frame gun. Not as bad as my 642-2 does with P+ 38,158's but still a good thump. 32 Longs really aren't a lot more than a 22 LR in a light gun. I've heard they're (327 Mag) really loud, but I can't say I've noticed that myself. I've never tried a 32 H&R magnum. I have to go online to find the 327's Federals, but they're no more than premium 38's would be. Magtech makes a nice 32 Long, with an 85 grain HP that shows interesting results in gel on some U-tube video's.

I've got dies and such. Saved up a couple hundred pieces of 32 S&W Long brass, and have ordered some more. Found a source of plated 85 grain RNFP bullets (Everglades Bullets) for a reasonable price and have started reloading for the 32 Long. I did one batch with about the last of my Unique, and have since switched to W244.

I never thought I'd be interested in a 32 anything, but here suddenly I've got two, and thinking about a third.

 

[.357magger]

Some more pictures because...why not?

And some close ups of the sights.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I've had a 642-2 for many years now, and it alternates with my PC Shield Plus 9mm for EDC. The 642-2 has always been a dependable and accurate shooter (for a snubby). The finish is starting to show some wear, and I do wish that it had a better front sight. Otherwise, great gun. Enjoy that 442UC!

 

[GCF]

I'm wondering if those VZ grips are proprietary to the UC, or available as with the rest of their line. They look like they'd fit on my M&P340 - just fine...

Nice piece over all, BTW!

M&P340

 

[Beju]

They should fit your M&P340 just fine, but are currently only available on the UC models and not for sale separately.

So, if you find a UC owner who's willing to part with them...

 

[.357magger]

They should fit your M&P340 just fine, but are currently only available on the UC models and not for sale separately.

So, if you find a UC owner who's willing to part with them...

Beju is correct.

Which is a shame imo considering all the Centennial variants could use them.

They're handfilling and they allow a proper grip high on the backstrap.

Hopefully VZ will make them available as I'd like a set in all black G-10.