I got it! I got a Centennial J-frame!

M

Mike Irwin

Staff
(NOTE to Northern Virginias, I'm heading to the NRA range tonight at 7:00 if anyone is interested in meeting!)

A friend and I went to the Dale City, Virginia gunshow this morning.

I've been wanting a J-frame Centennial or Bodyguard for quite some time, preferably an Airweight, to replace the Taurus TP-22 that I've been carrying for the last couple of years.

I had several from which to choose, believe it or not.

There were, of course, the new Titanium hammerless guns, but I don't have much interest in those, as many of them are "Post-Sellout."

There was a decent stainless 640 3" there, but the more I looked at it, the more it seemed to be not worth the $250 they were asking for it. The sideplate was buggered, and it had a pretty big gap at the seam between the frame and the front of the crane under the barrel -- a sign of possible abuse and a bent crane.

Another one had been ported, had an action job, and had a set of nightsights. Not really what I'm looking for, especially at $400.

There were TONS of Model 36s, 3" and 2", but no lightweights, and I really wanted a hammerless.

So, I went back to the table I visited last week, and picked up the Model 042 that I mentioned in a thread last Monday or Tuesday.

Very decent shape, didn't appear to have been shot much, set of Pachmayer rubber grips, serial number put it as late 1992/early 1993 production. It's got some dings, but overall very good shape. And I only paid $293 for it, plus tax.

The trigger needs some smoothing, and I have a set of springs on order, but overall, I think it's going to be just what the doctor ordered.


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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
 
Congratulations
I’ve had a 442 for six years and have not had a bit of trouble with it.
The Centennial is my “all the time” gun, primarily in a Kramer pocket holster.
 
Hello, sir, and congrats on your M042. I have one of these also. Not too many were made, but they're not collector's items I don't believe. Mine is not rated for use with +P, but I suspect that a few for carry wouldn't hurt. I carry mine loaded with standard pressure Federal 125 gr Nyclad HPs.
This little gun is the one that is ALWAYS on me. Best and enjoy your little gun.
 
Stephen,

What kind of grips does yours wear? Mine came with Pachmayer boot grips, and I HATE them.

I'm getting a set of Hogue full-size grips to see if they are any better.

I was shooting some of my 158-gr. LSW reloads through it, and it was REALLY stout. They're warm.

I'm going to be carrying 125-gr. Federal Nyclad +Ps in it.

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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
 
You can never go wrong with S&W J frame revolvers. I personally like model 38 Bodyguard and have 3 of these. I loe them all and have been known to carry all three at once (one behind each hip in a IWB holster and one in the ankle holster).
 
I predict that when you find the grips you like, you will wonder how you ever did without a handgun like this.

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Shamans emerge whenever certain needs remain unanswered...Mark Levy
 
You might consider a Barami Hip Grip combined with a Tyler T-Grip. A good combination. Fills the hand and you can carry it looped over the belt or hanging from a front pocket. I fold a pocket corner over the butt, which holds it in nice and tight. I like to carry mine this way, with the Centennial filled with CCI snake loads, when I'm mowing the lawn in my marshy, copperhead-friendly neck of the woods. I have a set of boot grips on order from Craig Spegel, but I like the Barami/Tyler combo so much I almost wish I hadn't ordered the Spegels.
 
Mike, do you remember the optional wood grips the factory used to make for J frames maybe 15? years back? They came on a blister covered card and were only sold as a ( manufacturers ) aftermarket accessory IIRC. They were usually smooth rather than checkered. Open backstrap. Some were for round butt only, others for round or square butts.

I have a smooth set of the old "banana" shaped ones on my Bodyguard. I also have a set converting my round butt 3" Chiefs
"kit gun" into smooth square butt profile something like standard K target grips thinned, then sanded down to melt ( round ) the corners a bit.

I found mine used, but CDNN appears to have a bunch of factory and non factory replacement grips.

If those don't suit your fancy,is Herretts still in business?

I would dislike Pachmayers even if they didn't usually have covered backstraps that make it harder to reach the trigger for two reasons: a) they have no soul; b) they killed off ( for all practical purposes ) the little shops that turned out beautiful custom wood grips. I can understand wearing them on an issue or duty weapon for their quietness, and resistance to damage. Or on heavy recoiling guns. Otherwise I consider those with rubber grips of any brand to be PHILISTINES!!!!!
 
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