On the fence for a 442

[Patton1970]

I have wanted (not needed) a black 442 for a long, long, time but never acquired one for whatever reason or another.

I currently have a M&P BG38 which after replacing the grip with a Hogue G10, I have grown to really like it.

But still, a small all metal S&W 38 special still has its appeal, but I can't seem to justify $500+ for another 38 special.

Is there anything else about the 442 I should be considering among the mind fog of expense?

Suggestions and opinions are most welcome.

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

You can get a good looking "no lock" version.

 

[AJ]

Need has nothing to do with it, how bad do you really want one?

 

[armorer951]

Just be aware of the "shortcomings" from the get go......aluminum alloy frame, which has shown a propensity for cracking in the frame yoke cutout just under the barrel extension in the past.....finish issues (wear) with the black coating on the frame (finish guaranteed for one year).....canted barrel irregularities (any S&W model) .....incidents of long ratchets in the recent past. (also on any recent production S&W model)

Of course, not all of the alloy frame examples are plagued by these potential problems. And.....all these issues can be ruled out by a thorough check and inspection of the example you intend to purchase.

 

[blockislander]

Great little carry gun that goes bang when you pull the trigger.

 

[AJ]

Not meant to be a target piece. Meant to be carried a lot, shot only a little!

 

[Eric300]

The 442 is a great little carry/pocket revolver, and quite accurate as well. AJ hit the nail on the head!

 

[rockquarry]

A snub nose J-frame is a snub nose J-frame. Model differences are fairly insignificant; the basic design is not changed. The skill required to shoot one well remains the same. Get the one you want.

 

[jframejoey]

Ive had three 442s. All early models...pre 642. Two nickels and one blued. Great guns!

 

[hyena]

I've got a 642-1. It would be one of the last guns to go if I had to thin the herd. I don't think you will regret getting it. Your BG38 might end up a safe queen.

 

[JimBianchi]

I've owned a few J frame pocket guns in the past and currently one of my carry guns is a 642-1. Love the size and weight.

The pocket J frames are all great, very very rare to get a bad one.

If I found a nice pre-lock blue one around here in Vegas, I'll buy it. I passed on one early this year and have been kicking myself since.

 

[Rpg]

The advantage of the 442 over the Tupperware 38M&P is reliability.

The Tupperware 38 uses an action not used in any other Smith revolver. It reliably jams. It's a design flaw that Smith won't fix.

I'd get rid of the Tupperware 38 and replace it with the 442 immediately. The 442 is a much superior handgun.

 

[mod57]

I love mine. Nice and light, carries easily. DAO took me a little while to adjust to but all is well. The finish is a nice, dark coating (I don't care for the word paint) that I think wears pretty well. I for one would like to see it offered with an anodized finish or maybe nickel or hard chrome. Mine shoots straight and is as reasonably accurate as any other handgun I own. I have the no lock 442-1. I don't personally like the factories grip selection so I equipped mine with a set of Pachmayr Compacs. I don't shoot +Ps in mine, but 158 gr LSWC or LRN work fine and hit to the sights. The 148 gr wadcutters are a joy and I use them quite a bit.
Try one, I bet you'll like it.
BTW welcome to the forum. Stick around, it's lovely here.

 

[chief38]

The Bodyguard at least allows a single action shot if needed, the Centennial design does not. To me, a DAO Revolver is a deal breaker. The ones I have shot (friends) have really stiff triggers and are harder to shoot accurately because of that.

Even if you had a standard model Chief's Special (M36/60) and bobbed the hammer, single action shots are still able to be taken after the hammer is carefully cocked. I realize many do not agree with me here but that is why I never bought a Centennial of any type. A "homely" Bodyguard would accomplish more IMHO.

Light alloy revolvers are more prone to cracking and while easier to carry all day because of their light weight, they are also harder on recoil with stiff SD loads.

 

[Rpg]

There's some confusion about what we're talking about when we refer to the Bodyguard.

For those of us of somewhat advanced age, the Smith Bodyguard is the M38, M49 and their current versions eg M638, M649. These are all J frames.

Smith has recently produced some very different handguns that they call the Bodyguard: a 380 semiautomatic and a 38 special revolver on a Tupperware frame. The current bodyguard revolver shares only the name and cartridge with the original Bodyguard revolvers. The original Bodyguards can be fired double action or single action. The new Tupperware bodyguards are double action only.

 

[AJ]

I carried a S&W 342 AirLite for a lot of years. However, as I have gotten older the light weight and recoil bothered my hands to much (read arthritis).
I have since gone to a S&W stainless Ladysmith Model 60. The heavier frame absorbs the recoil much better. Carried a lot, shot a little!

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

Not meant to be a target piece. Meant to be carried a lot, shot only a little!

I have to agree with AJ here 100%. My 442 is my regular carry piece. I qualify once a year under HR218, that's it. My range work is a Mod 36. Maybe a 3" 60. But the 442 is kept for business.

 

[haywood]

I've repeated this often. A 442 or light J-Frame of some sort is always in my pocket. No matter what's on my waist I consider the pocket gun my first responder. Walking around in public, it is easy to have my hand in pocket with a full grip on the little Snub. I've switched my grips for more comfortable shooting. I needed a lot of practice to shoot accurately. Not a pro but, I can do OK. I've never had a cracked frame or finish wear. The only problem with buying my first J-Frame is they multiply easily. They may recoil a bit and have heavy triggers. They my be hard to shoot accurately at first but, I feel they are worth the time and make a great get off me Gun.

 

[dinooch]

Not meant to be a target piece. Meant to be carried a lot, shot only a little!

I couldn't agree more. I will shoot it a few rounds (5-10) on occasion mainly with 130gr fmj. Don't want it smacked up under the forcing cone like my 340sc .357

 

[djohns6]

Not meant to be a target piece. Meant to be carried a lot, shot only a little!

Nailed it .

 

[HamHands]

The wife and I have put about 400 rounds thru hers since I bought it and performed a trigger job on it... It's a great gun with a great trigger meant for business... We'll typically put 40 to 50 rounds each range session thru it between us both. If you want a target piece get a K framed .38Special for sure.

 

[AppStFan]

Get off the fence for a 442. It's hard to beat a 442/642. I agree with Rpg about the reliability issues with the Tupperware version of the Bodyguard 38. The 442/642 is the better revolver.

 

[Patton1970]

I sincerely appreciate everyone's feedback, opinions and facts. I have decided to move forward with a purchase.
My only issue now is it appears there are very limited 442's in the DFW area right now. I am way south of the metroplex, so for me to travel let's say to Plano is kind of a PIA.
As soon as I get my hands on one however I will post a pic of the beautiful little beast.

 

[Eric300]

I bought a 442 in the early 90's and carried it on & off duty quite a bit. Always in a pocket holster. Other than qualifying with it once a year, it hasn't been shot much. Qual with .38 Spl. only, but carried with +P HP. Still lookin & workin good to this very day!

OP, jump off that fence and get yo'sef one!

 

[Patton1970]

I bought a 442 in the early 90's and carried it on & off duty quite a bit. Always in a pocket holster. Other than qualifying with it once a year, it hasn't been shot much. Qual with .38 Spl. only, but carried with +P HP. Still lookin & workin good to this very day!

OP, jump off that fence and get yo'sef one!

Indeed, that is looking great for a nearly 30 year old unit.

 

[ajgunner]

Once you get yourself one, the next decision will be which grips to put on it. Why limit yourself---just get another with different grips. After awhile you will probably want one with a different finish---again, why limit yourself. Before you know it you will have all your pocket carry needs filled and be ready too move on to a different model or barrel length or caliber.

 

[mscampbell2734]

A snub nose J-frame is a snub nose J-frame. Model differences are fairly insignificant; the basic design is not changed. The skill required to shoot one well remains the same. Get the one you want.

I disagree. My Department did not authorize aluminum frame J frames until 1999. Prior to that I carried a 49. That gun was a tack driver out to 15 yards. I can not hit the inside of a barn with the 442. The light weight, stiff trigger and sharp recoil are all negatives compared to a steel frame J frame.

 

[HamHands]

I disagree. My Department did not authorize aluminum frame J frames until 1999. Prior to that I carried a 49. That gun was a tack driver out to 15 yards. I can not hit the inside of a barn with the 442. The light weight, stiff trigger and sharp recoil are all negatives compared to a steel frame J frame.

I think a trigger job is just about a must for the 442/642's that me, wife, and brother own. All of the required such. It's not hard to do at all polishing the rebound slide, sear engagements, and with Wolff reduced power springs (1-2lbs) of reduction right there alone with just the spring replacement. The polishing really cleans up the trigger as well. Once done, we shoot the 70's manufactured M36's and the 442's the same accuracy wise.

 

[mic214]

I love my 442! I usually carry it as a BUG, but sometimes it's my primary if I am just making a quick run to the store:



I also have a 649 that gets thrown into the rotation:

 

[rockquarry]

I disagree. My Department did not authorize aluminum frame J frames until 1999. Prior to that I carried a 49. That gun was a tack driver out to 15 yards. I can not hit the inside of a barn with the 442. The light weight, stiff trigger and sharp recoil are all negatives compared to a steel frame J frame.

I guess it's a subjective thing; I shoot an alloy framed gun and several steel-framed J-frame .38s regularly and I can't tell much, if any difference in recoil. "Stiff trigger" is also a subjective term. Have you fired it enough to get accustomed to it? As for recoil, I think they are all hard kickers but again it's worth the time and effort to get used to it.

I've never had a 442. Why would it be different than other lightweight J-frame as far as recoil?