DAinTX
Member
Great little carry gun as others have said. Not a range gun, but there are light loads available for your wife to use while getting comfortable with the gun. Good price. I'd buy it if I were in a similar situation.
S&W 442
- Thread starter Snowwolfe
- Start date
You guys talked me into buying one for the wife to try to see what she thinks of a lightweight revolver. When I went back seen they also had a 642 for the same price and it actually seemed to have a better trigger so bought it. If she doesn't like it I figure for the price I can toss it into the tackle box or jacket pocket when going out for a walk. Might try the Hoque grips as well.
Appreciate the input.
Appreciate the input.
Shorty 45 MK2
Member
Congrats! 
Jaysq
US Veteran
One thing I would like for you and your wife to re-think is purse carry. The purse is not in your control 100% of the time. It is easy for someone to snatch and not only do they get the purse, but the gun as well. If there is no other way for her to carry, then make sure it is a dedicated carry purse with a non-breakable strap and she wears it over her head so it won't easily slip from her shoulder. Use a holster that covers the trigger inside the purse and make sure nothing else is in that compartment.
I hope this doesn't come across wrong to you, I am just not a fan of purse carry and want her to be safe. Good luck in your decision.
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Well if you want at least a 38 round and desire a snubbie for carry the 442 and 642 are good choices. Practice and get familiar with the guns. We have both even the wood factory grips on my wife's ladysmith and the recoil isn't so bad. All about practice and what you're comfortable with
Snowolfe,
When my daughter (5'2"/105#) moved to the city I passed her great-grandfather's .32 Hand Ejector on to her. She took it to the range once and decided she wanted something more powerful. I got her a 442 and put in the Apex Spring/Firing Pin Kit and added the large cushioned Crimson Trace Laser Grip. She practiced with 130 grain Jacketed Round Nose ammo (very light recoil) and within 1/2 hour obliterated the 10 ring at 50 feet. This set up makes the 442/642 as manageable as possible. The only complaint I received from my daughter was after 150 rounds she was getting a blister on her trigger finger.
Best Regards,
ADP3
When my daughter (5'2"/105#) moved to the city I passed her great-grandfather's .32 Hand Ejector on to her. She took it to the range once and decided she wanted something more powerful. I got her a 442 and put in the Apex Spring/Firing Pin Kit and added the large cushioned Crimson Trace Laser Grip. She practiced with 130 grain Jacketed Round Nose ammo (very light recoil) and within 1/2 hour obliterated the 10 ring at 50 feet. This set up makes the 442/642 as manageable as possible. The only complaint I received from my daughter was after 150 rounds she was getting a blister on her trigger finger.
Best Regards,
ADP3
riverrat38
US Veteran
Sounds like a good use for Trail Boss.
I think "soft" loads in 38 SPL are superior for self defense to any loads in the smaller calibers, including 22 LR. But, I wouldn't want expansion. Penetration becomes more important with marginal loads.
Best,
Rick
First range session went pretty well. First two cylinders were nothing worth talking about but then put my concentration hat on and managed to keep the remaining 40 shots in a 5 inch bullseye at 12 yards shooting offhand.
More than adequate seeing if we ever need it for self defense the distance will be much closer. Used Unique for powder but it is to slow as lots of unburned granules. Think I will try some VV310 or Bullseye for the next trip.
I am guessing recoil will be stiff with +P loads.
More than adequate seeing if we ever need it for self defense the distance will be much closer. Used Unique for powder but it is to slow as lots of unburned granules. Think I will try some VV310 or Bullseye for the next trip.
I am guessing recoil will be stiff with +P loads.
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Officerblue
Member
Buy it!!! My wife carries it and loves it. We did take it to a gunsmith to lighten the trigger up a bit...
Plus if she doesn't like it you have yourself a nice pocket gun
Plus if she doesn't like it you have yourself a nice pocket gun
Whoa! You're doing the shooting? I thought it was your wife's gun. You know you'll hafta buy another now, don't you? She won't like you running off to the range with HER gun all the time!
I have a 442 I got recently. The factory boot grips sucked big time. Went to a Hogue wood 3 finger grip, much better. Then upgraded to the 3 finger rubber Crimson Trace 305 laser grip. Ahhh...much better now! Mom even likes shooting it.
