Looking for opinions pro and con because it is on my short list.
Thank you -
R
Thank you -
R
Please tell me about your S&W 442?
- Thread starter ImDrRich
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Electraclyde
Member
I have had several over the years until arthritis overtook my ability to handle recoil. All were perfect for carry in any position. I have switched to the new 432UC. The same gun in .32 H&R magnum. Less recoil.
geeollie
Member
They are a very nice firearm to own and are designed to be carried easily. For concealed carry they are one of the best. I have had a couple for 20 plus years and plan to keep them.
Because they are lightweight they have a fair amount of recoil. They generally require more practice than a larger firearm does to become a good shooter. But some people do learn to shoot them very well.
Many shooting ranges have them or another j-frame sized handgun to rent. Go shoot it with a few types of 38 Special ammo and see if you like it.
Because they are lightweight they have a fair amount of recoil. They generally require more practice than a larger firearm does to become a good shooter. But some people do learn to shoot them very well.
Many shooting ranges have them or another j-frame sized handgun to rent. Go shoot it with a few types of 38 Special ammo and see if you like it.
My 442 was the very first S&W I ever bought many years ago. I still carry it from time to time. Excellent little snubby!
pistolpete10
Member
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I have 2 642s, both are serviceable. Good pocket guns.
brian686
Member
Almost too easy to slip in a pocket with a pocket holster. Accurate as a snub can be. Lots of dry fire really slicked up the trigger. Can't think of any negative outside of wishing capacity was higher than 5 rounds. Carried often.
OP
No complaints here. They're so nice I bought'em twice!
Are there variations of the 442?
I've had one for about 9 years. It is the Pro model,the cylinder is cut for moon clips. It shoots well and can take +P rounds. Easy to carry in a pocket and very light when carried on a belt.
Greetings,
442's (I have several) have been my go to carry gun for 20 years. Light weight, accurate, reliable, and quite concealable in pocket carry. I prefer them over a 642. No pealing clear coat and the black sights are easier to see. I painted my front sight yellow and replaced the rubber grips with service magnas. I've tried everything from Baby Brownings to Glock 26's and always come back to the 442.
Best Regards,
ADP3
442's (I have several) have been my go to carry gun for 20 years. Light weight, accurate, reliable, and quite concealable in pocket carry. I prefer them over a 642. No pealing clear coat and the black sights are easier to see. I painted my front sight yellow and replaced the rubber grips with service magnas. I've tried everything from Baby Brownings to Glock 26's and always come back to the 442.
Best Regards,
ADP3
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My 442's my favorite carry gun.
JFrame_Bandido
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Love my no lock 442!
I consider it my best compadre as I never leave home without it! Some may not agree with the following statement and that's ok but…I am guilty of not using a pocket holster most of the time. She either rides high in my jacket pocket or low in my jeans pocket. It's my oldest gun and my Sigs and Glocks are probably jealous but that's ok haha. I mostly shoot flat nose 158 grain FMJ and underwood wadcutters.
I consider it my best compadre as I never leave home without it! Some may not agree with the following statement and that's ok but…I am guilty of not using a pocket holster most of the time. She either rides high in my jacket pocket or low in my jeans pocket. It's my oldest gun and my Sigs and Glocks are probably jealous but that's ok haha. I mostly shoot flat nose 158 grain FMJ and underwood wadcutters.
okiegtrider
Member
I just don't know how a man could go wrong with a centennial. Mine is a near constant companion.
shil
Member
It broke!
I still have what's left of mine. I liked it a lot when it was in one piece! It was a no-dash model which Smith and Wesson advised on my asking was OK for +P. It blew up; split cylinder. The topstrap flew off to Neverland. The top of the frame where it surrounds the barrel breech; split. There were NO fireworks; NO unusually loud muzzle blast (???). I was lining up for a shot when I noticed the cylinder hanging halfway out of the gun. I was using handloads, 135 grain Gold Dots. In loading that batch of cartridges, Accurate #5 powder, I remember deliberately double-charging ONE case to see how high a double-charge powder column reached. I DO NOT remember if I dumped that charge. No more experiments. I'm currently carrying a Model 38 I got out of mothballs, loaded with some of a jealously-guarded supply of Federal Nyclad 125gr Chiefs Special ammo (non-+P).
I still have what's left of mine. I liked it a lot when it was in one piece! It was a no-dash model which Smith and Wesson advised on my asking was OK for +P. It blew up; split cylinder. The topstrap flew off to Neverland. The top of the frame where it surrounds the barrel breech; split. There were NO fireworks; NO unusually loud muzzle blast (???). I was lining up for a shot when I noticed the cylinder hanging halfway out of the gun. I was using handloads, 135 grain Gold Dots. In loading that batch of cartridges, Accurate #5 powder, I remember deliberately double-charging ONE case to see how high a double-charge powder column reached. I DO NOT remember if I dumped that charge. No more experiments. I'm currently carrying a Model 38 I got out of mothballs, loaded with some of a jealously-guarded supply of Federal Nyclad 125gr Chiefs Special ammo (non-+P).
It comes down to the individual gun. I have two 442PC models, the version produced for a Chattanooga arms dealer. While PC models, supposedly of a higher quality, I will not carry either for SD. They were apparently put together in a slipshod manner with the sideplates being improperly screwed down. As a result, the cylinders would rotate, but the hammer would not cycle to strike the primer. Unacceptable for a SD gun. I tightened the sideplate and the guns would fire. Also, the grips were of poor quality. The PC added some silvery parts from an earlier model: trigger, ejector latch but these do not balance out the failures to fire due to poor assembly.
That said, I have a number of 642 'sister' guns which all work well. Again, the individual gun...
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
That said, I have a number of 642 'sister' guns which all work well. Again, the individual gun...
Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
wagsfn
Member
Great little snubbie that goes with me quite often in a Mika Pocket Holster. +P rated which is snappy but not brutal. I did not care for the heavy factory trigger so I changed it out to a apextactical J-frame kit. Much better now IMO.
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shil
Member
Precisely how I carried mine. I think I'm going to buy another.
