On the fence for a 442

[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?

 

[Patton1970]

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.

Very nice collection you have there. Can you tell me what small grip you are using on #6? (L>R, T>B)

 

[Patton1970]

I found a local reseller that has two 442 units coming in early next week. He already sold one and I told him I will take the second unit.
Fingers crossed!

 

[Patton1970]

Anyone want to show me the holsters you are using?

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Great little guns. Easy to carry. Horrible recoil. All steel is the way to go - I'm done with Airweights; carrying an all steel J frame is just as easy.

 

[ajgunner]

I have a bunch of J-frame holsters and never pass up any that I like the looks of. The only thing you need to remember is with a 442 you have no hammer so it either needs to be a correct fit, or the retention strap needs too work with hammerless.


My particular favorites are a pair I ordered custom made by Horseshoe Leather back in the late 80's or early 90's. He used to make them one at a time in his little cobblestone shop in England. Even way back then I remember it took over a year to get them. Unfortunately he was forced to change with the times and quit making revolver holsters at least 10 years ago. Even worse is that due to his age and failing health, I believe he is no longer making holsters. Hard to tell by these pics, but there is no retention strap. The nice snug fit with any j-frame is enough to keep them in place with no worries even if a guy took it jogging.

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[ajgunner]

Very nice collection you have there. Can you tell me what small grip you are using on #6? (L>R, T>B)

That is a Crimson Trace and is rubber. I don't think they make that model any more. Same with #8 bottom right---Crimson Trace but hard plastic---real small but also hard on the hand. Several of the others are also CT in the longer version. Not necessarily the laser I was after, but these are a great feeling grip in the hand.

 

[mscampbell2734]

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?

As they say different strokes for different folks. I can really tell the difference between the recoil of my 49 and my 442. The weight difference is about 7-8 onces but the recoil difference feels huge.

Both wear hogue grips so the difference is the gun

 

[AJ]

As they say different strokes for different folks. I can really tell the difference between the recoil of my 49 and my 442. The weight difference is about 7-8 onces but the recoil difference feels huge.

Both wear hogue grips so the difference is the gun

I say the same about the difference in weight between my 342 Ti and my Model 60. Both wear Hogues and the 60 is much easier on the hands!

 

[MSD2343]

For me the Model 36 is best. I shoot it a lot but only carry it a little.

 

[B_Still]

I have a M360J. Carries great.

On my first range trip, after a couple cylinders of .38sp, I loaded a cylinder of .357. I only shot one round and unloaded the rest.

I always finish each range trip with a scored quick reaction drill with my carry and HD guns I brought. Surprised that I actually scored a little better with the 360 (DA) than I did with my usual G43.

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