Thoughts on the 442

[minden]

In my opinion there is no better "carry gun" I'm an older guy and have no problem with recoil, however I stay away from the P-P, and with some practice 10 yd accuracy is pretty good, Highly Recommend. jmop

 

[Joe.45]

My NO lock 442 is my pocket CC gun with Uncle Mikes #3 holster & Federal HST +P 130gr (the one that's factory leaded backwards) makes a big hole in the bad guy (bigger than wadcutters)and it won't punish your hand.
I wipe it down with Ballistol every 3 months & never an issue with rust.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[yep380]

The 442 (or 642) is a great little gun. Doesn't get much more simple.

A pic of mine is attached, alongside my M38.

When carried, the 442 is loaded with Federal HST 130gr:

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/tested-federal-hst-38-special-p/

With a load of golden saber in a zeta6 jclip:

J-CLIP™ Speed Loader for 38SP/357 J-Frame Size Revolvers - Zeta6™

 

[gunny4053]

Got her out to the range and she ain't no one hole shooter, but to put 5 center of mass, it'll do the job every day. Love this little gun! I shot a cylinder of Gold Dots followed by about 70 rounds of 158gr SWC and 10 rounds of 158gr jacketed soft points, all over 5.3gr of SR4756. I love the soft points! I've got a set of Wolff springs coming, so we'll see how that works out.

 

[Yaworski]

I have a 442 and 642. Never found a reason to not like either one. They aren't fun to shoot but they aren't supposed to be fun guns.

 

[Jessie]

With a good holster like a Mika nothing slips in or, more importantly, out of a pants pocket as easily as either a 442 or a 642.
It's light and unnoticed until needed.
I'll sometimes slip it into a desantis ankle holster or belt holster in the winter.
Main gun or a BUG, it just works.

 

[Model 10-8]

Barami grip

The 442 and 642 are my favorite EDC guns. Reliable, simple, and effective. I use Barami hip-grips with them, and carry either one in my Levi's right front pocket. With shirt tail out, they are invisible. Handy and quick, no holster required. Lightweight - you will forget they are even there (until you need them, of course).

John

I just found out about the Barami grip and had to buy one.

 

[Islander]

I'm thinking about a new J frame, and the 442 looks pretty good. What are your experiences with them? The one I looked at lacked the Hilary Hole, so that's a plus already.

Hi I bought the custom shop model about a year ago I love it I can hit six inch steel @ 10yds. no problem best trigger on a small revolver I have ever tried. Very easy to conceal

 

[reccpd101]

As usual, Hog Blue and I think alike. I'd go with the 642 although I own both a 642 & 442. I've carried one or another J frame for more than 45 years. Since 1998, it's been the custom 642 in my avatar either primary or backup. Haywood, if it's in good shape, buy the used 642 and don't look back.

 

[Richochet]

Good self defense gun

I kept one in my desk drawer a my office for 29 years.
Took it to the range a couple of times. Nice revolver, no complaints. No lock, a plus.

I put a cocobolo pair of "Secret Service" grips on it. A little better grip for my medium sized hand.

 

[rich5674]

Desantis Grip

I just found out about the Barami grip and had to buy one.

Desantis has a Hip Grip. A little more hand filling

 

[the perfesser]

Like my 442-2. I like it very much. My first J-frame snubbie. Had a trigger job done to reduce trigger pull a bit. Carry infrequently because I work in a gun-free government site, but otherwise it is my pocket carry in a Desantis Nemesis with Critical Defense. But I am intrigued by trying WC ammo. Whose make and what weight bullet?

 

[ContinentalOp]

But I am intrigued by trying WC ammo. Whose make and what weight bullet?

148gr. Federal Match is often recommended, but I haven't tried it. I have tried Fiocchi and it worked well in my gun. S&B didn't do so well, showing possible signs of keyholing. Try whatever WC you can get and keep an eye out for keyholing. 148gr WC are relatively low velocity, and some may not stabilize very well out of a 2" barrel.

 

[rich5674]

Keyholing May be good

148gr. Federal Match is often recommended, but I haven't tried it. I have tried Fiocchi and it worked well in my gun. S&B didn't do so well, showing possible signs of keyholing. Try whatever WC you can get and keep an eye out for keyholing. 148gr WC are relatively low velocity, and some may not stabilize very well out of a 2" barrel.

I think it was the British that came up with a 200 grain load for the S&W 38 that tumbled on impact. That was also the original idea of the 55 grain 5.56 bullet from the M16A1
I use double ended 148 grain wadcutters in my snub noses. I haven't seen signs of tumbling.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I think it was the British that came up with a 200 grain load for the S&W 38 that tumbled on impact. That was also the original idea of the 55 grain 5.56 bullet from the M16A1
I use double ended 148 grain wadcutters in my snub noses. I haven't seen signs of tumbling.

Just my opinion, but at rifle velocities, yeah, tumbling can be a good way to maximize tissue disruption. At pistol velocities, not so much. The advantage of the 148gr WC is that it can cut a full-caliber wound channel thanks to its flat meplate, and still give adequate penetration while mitigating the risk of overpenetration. I think tumbling in that case would reduce effectiveness. I don't have any knowledge of the 200gr load you mentioned. Maybe it worked, maybe not. I don't know. I'm just going off what I know based on the research I've done into terminal ballistics.

As for tumbling, I think it definitely depends on the ammo/gun combo. In my case, S&B tumbled, but in another gun it might be fine. Fiocchi was fine in my gun, but maybe in someone else's it won't be. Just one of those things you have to check for in your particular ammo/gun combo.

Again, just my opinion.

 

[jerry52]

Best thing since sliced bread !

 

[scruffy]

My thoughts on my 442:

 

[slabside2]

Love mine I'll never be without it!

 

[Pef]

A little over three weeks, and 77 replies (not including mine), overwhelming positive.

Yeah, the 442 is a good choice. Rest easy!

 

[Bradatlas]

I have two 642's. One stays in my wife's vehicle, the other stays in mine. They are what I carry when I'm not carrying . Just the handiest guns ever I think.