Which of these J frames would you prefer to carry
- Thread starter kng
- Start date
Murdock
Member
No real preference
I wound up with a 642-1, no lock. The price was right. Actually I prefer the appearance of the 442, but I anticipate that the 642 will not show as much holster wear over time and with lots of practice, which I believe to be essential for these little belly guns.
I use a suede pocket holster or a Bianchi 9R shoulder holster for carry.
I wound up with a 642-1, no lock. The price was right. Actually I prefer the appearance of the 442, but I anticipate that the 642 will not show as much holster wear over time and with lots of practice, which I believe to be essential for these little belly guns.
I use a suede pocket holster or a Bianchi 9R shoulder holster for carry.
Murdock
Member
Keep the index finger out of the trigger guard. Look (or feel) to ensure that a bit of shirt tail or some such is not fouling the trigger, and insert.
My vote is for the #442 for the same reasons as many of you. It is black and does not signal "gun" as sharply as a #642 if you pocket carry and your pocket blouses open. It is light so there is no reason not to have it with you. Mine does not even pull down draw cord pants like sweats or the gym shorts I cut grass in. My yard is copperhead heaven. It also has a completely concealed hammer so lint and pocket crud are not going to affect it as much as the #38/#49 or #36/#37 series guns.
If you are fretting about re-holstering your gun after you draw you have several options. If you pocket carry like I do you can use a rigid holster. Mine are Kydex from Aholster in Tennessee. Then you do not have to worry about pressure on the trigger. If you use a non-rigid pocket holster. Take the holster out of your pocket, insert the gun in it and then replace it in your pocket. Whichever type you use do not carry anything in that pocket but your gun. There is no need to jam a gun into any holster. Belt, ankle and shoulder carry require a more obvious presentation of a gun and should present no problem for anyone in reholstering. Remember unless you have a "Fitz Special" or you failed to take you finger off of the trigger, the front of the trigger guard will block pressure being applied to the trigger. Unless you are Barney Fife reincarnated reholstering should not present a problem.
Kydex also has the advantage of not absorbing sweat like leather and fabric holsters. I coat my #442 several times a year with "Boeshield T-9" . It is a parafin based lube and protectant that keeps rust away even here in SC.
C.S. 63's comment about smooth grips contradicts my experiences. Smooth grips are great to look at (nothing beats some nice ivory) but on a defense gun they are the last thing that I want. Perspiration from my palms has been a factor every time that I have needed a gun. In double-action shooting they particularly cause the gun to twist more in the hand and make control of the gun and follow-up shots more difficult. If you doubt this shoot in an un-air conditioned range in the South on an afternoon in July or August and you will see what I mean.
Best Regards,
ADP3
If you are fretting about re-holstering your gun after you draw you have several options. If you pocket carry like I do you can use a rigid holster. Mine are Kydex from Aholster in Tennessee. Then you do not have to worry about pressure on the trigger. If you use a non-rigid pocket holster. Take the holster out of your pocket, insert the gun in it and then replace it in your pocket. Whichever type you use do not carry anything in that pocket but your gun. There is no need to jam a gun into any holster. Belt, ankle and shoulder carry require a more obvious presentation of a gun and should present no problem for anyone in reholstering. Remember unless you have a "Fitz Special" or you failed to take you finger off of the trigger, the front of the trigger guard will block pressure being applied to the trigger. Unless you are Barney Fife reincarnated reholstering should not present a problem.
Kydex also has the advantage of not absorbing sweat like leather and fabric holsters. I coat my #442 several times a year with "Boeshield T-9" . It is a parafin based lube and protectant that keeps rust away even here in SC.
C.S. 63's comment about smooth grips contradicts my experiences. Smooth grips are great to look at (nothing beats some nice ivory) but on a defense gun they are the last thing that I want. Perspiration from my palms has been a factor every time that I have needed a gun. In double-action shooting they particularly cause the gun to twist more in the hand and make control of the gun and follow-up shots more difficult. If you doubt this shoot in an un-air conditioned range in the South on an afternoon in July or August and you will see what I mean.
Best Regards,
ADP3
Horace & Daniel
Member
I voted for the Model 38. Mine serves as my BUG. For concealabilty, especially looking at the factory grips, you can't beat the M38.
IMO, the only advantages the 442/642 give you over the older Model 38s are the ability to shoot +P ammo and the option to add a CT laser.
IMO, the only advantages the 442/642 give you over the older Model 38s are the ability to shoot +P ammo and the option to add a CT laser.
Horace & Daniel
Member
For those who carry in hot & humid climates and/or for those who sweat a lot, the 642 gives you an advantage over the 442 in that it is more resistant against rust...allegedly. That's what I hear anyway.
For those wanting the more concealable black finish without giving up on the better rust-resistance of the 642, it is offered in a "Pro" version, which sports a 442-like black finish. It also has a 2.125-inch ported barrel. However, it's not offered new without the infernal lawyer lock, unlike the regular 442/642.
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one eye joe
US Veteran
I would carry the 442 or the 642. I have NEVER seen a 642-2 W/O THE LOCK. I had to search long and hard for a 642-1 to avoid that accursed hole. It's my EDC, whether primary or a as BUG, dependin' on where I'm going. I'm very happy with it.....
ldp4570
US Veteran
To the OP, I went with your list an picked the 49. Even though the lighter guns are more easy to carry, they are not that much fun on the range for practice. I shoot my carry guns alot, which means they are all steel no alloy guns in revolvers. As to my prefered carry J-frame its a 640ND.
dubhelix
Member
Well, I like the 640nd best too, but it wasn't an option on the poll, so I went with the 442-1. I have a couple 442-1's and think they make an excellent carry gun. The centennial design is perfect, and the lightweight guns are easy to carry. Shooting them is not too bad either, though I choose standard pressure ammo for the airweights.
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