S&W 442 Airweight Recoil

R

rbonin

Inactive
I've come to the conclusion that pocket carry is the only good carry method for my lifestyle. I've been considering the limited choices out there and have really only come up with a few acceptable alternatives. A light .38 S&W snub appears to be ideal based upon what I've read in the many forums. I have not been able to find any to rent in my area, so I have been limited to handling various models in local shops. The Model 442 S&W appears to be a good balance of reliability, weight and stopping power. My question concerns perceived recoil. I've read much regarding this topic and the Airweight and Airlite models.

Using standard .38 loads, how does the recoil of the 442 compare to that of my Glock 26 9mm, Beretta 92FS 9mm, or Beretta 86 .380?
 
After having owned a 342PD Titanium, I now have a S&W M38 Bodyguard. The 342 was 10.9oz. the M38 is 15oz. Even just 5 oz. makes a big difference in both carry comfort and controllability. I like to shoot, and while the 342 was super "neat" it was "too light". All the automatics, you mentioned, recoil softer because of the mechanical advantage inherenct in their designs- polymer frame, browning recoil type etc. The S&W can be had in weights ranging from 11oz-342, 13.5oz-37, 15oz-442,38, 20-24oz-60-depending on barrel length. With the lightweights give due consideration to ammo, grip styles, and use of a shooting glove. Porting does help, although some negate its use in a CCW setting, which I think is overrated. Good luck
 
rbonin...

Welcome to The Firing Line.
You might also consider the 642. It's just like the 442 (same weight), however it has a stainless steel cylinder. For "pocket use only", that's what I'd pick. The 442 has a carbon steel cylinder. (But you can keep it free of rust with a wipe of a "Rig-Rag" every so often.) I have some 30 year old "pocket pistols" that have no rust.

Kentucky Rifle
 
I've got a S&W model 37 airweight (15oz.) and find that even with standard pressure .38's the recoil is much more noticeable than my 9mm Beretta or .380 Sig or any number of other guns I shoot. Like you, I have found that the majority of my concealed carry is in a pocket and even my 37 doesn't always fit so for those times I carry a NAA Guardian .32. To become proficient with an airweight snub takes considerable practice in my opinion, but when you consider the distances at which you will probably need it helps to master it.
 
My "Always" CCW gun is a Model 442...Mrs. 3-5-7's is a 642--the same gun, but Stainless--so we have a bit of experience with 'em...IMHO, the 442 is not UNPLEASANT to fire, except with 158-gr. "Plus-P's"...it's "Okay" with wadcutters, TOLERABLE with standard-velocity 158's, but a HANDFUL with the "Plus-P's" that we use as our CCW loads...the all-steel Model 60's that we REPLACED with the "Airweight Centennials" weren't even unpleasant with the "Plus-P's"...kinda TOLERABLE with them, and downright "Pussycat-ish" with standard-velocity 158's and wadcutters...there's that extra few ounces of weight having its' effect, dontchaknow???...FWIW, because of my experience with the 442/642, I have absolutely NO desire to fire one of the "AirLight Ti" guns in .357 Mag-!!! Of course, YMMV, as always....mikey357
 
I've got an 042, a short run that was the predecessor to the 442. Recoil is sharp, but very managable with 125-gr. bullets.
 
Thank you all for your input regarding the 442 recoil.

I have noticed in other posts that some of you also shoot the 331/332 in H&R .32 Mag. How does the recoil of this lighter frame/lighter load model compare with the 442?
 
rbonin..welcome to TFL.

I have a lightly customized S&W 442, Its magnaported, front nite site insert and the trigger has been smoothed a bit.

"A light .38 S&W snub appears to be ideal based upon what I've read in the many forums. I have not been able to find any to rent in my area, so I have been limited to handling various models in local shops. The Model 442 S&W appears to be a good balance of reliability, weight and stopping power."

You are right on with this statement, all that I can add is the modifications on my 442 improve its shootability 3 fold.
The Magnaporting brings the felt recoil and muzzel lift to my glock 26's level. The difference in shootability is incredable.

I've had to many j's in the past, 2xmod. 36's, 649, 642,37 and a 342ti* I have always gone back to the little j after selling exactly for the reason of your above statement but just could not get shooting results I felt I needed in a CC piece.

This has entirly change with my current mod. 442, I only wish I bought it first, could have saved more than a few $$$.

Let me know if you have any perticular questions.
;)
 
I too find it the baby bear of the smiths....20 ounces and up is a bit much for ankle and 10 ounces just don't feel like I'm holding anything in my hand....and with 125 grain gold dot +p, not too much to handle....
 
Magnaporting

Pocketman,

If I could get the recoil down to that of a Glock 26, I would be a very happy pocketcarrier indeed. Did you send it to S&W for the magnaporting? Approx. cost?
 
rbonin, My 442 was a distributor special run. I got it with those mods.

If you go to the magnaport web site you can check it out, you send your gun to them I think its $79 or $89.00.

This is the first light weight snubby I can punch holes where I want consistantly and there is no question it is because of the porting.
 
Glad to see so many of us using the little J frames.

I retired my older 649 Bodyguard when I bought my 642-1. If I can't, or don't care to, carry one of my larger pistols I can always have my little 642-1 with me. I use the neon orange sight paint available through Brownells to make the front sight stand out, and I switched the grip to the Bantam lightweight. Very user friendly pocket gun.

The recoil isn't an issue unless you're shooting 100 or more rounds of 158gr ammunition, and half of it is +P. Some shooters discover a small sore spot, cut, blister, or whatever on the top edge of their trigger finger ... but that's about it, and that's only after extended shooting ... and even that doesn't happen all the time.

Fun, easy little guns to practice with ... and carry along.
 
Newbie here........

I also retired an old M49 .38 and replaced it with a +p rated M642. 15 oz. seems to be the best compromise for ease of carry and recoil. I use Nyclad 125 +p hollow points and don't find the recoil at all objectionable. My second choice would be 125 +p Starfires. In the informal testing I've done, the Starfires exhibit match grade accuracy and expand to .65-.70" through milk jugs filled with Jello.

Just remember: ANY +p in a 15 oz. weapon is going to kick! The key is practice, practice, practice. Good luck.:cool:
 
Rbonin,

Not all of us thing porting on a short defensive gun is the bee's knees.

Do a search on my name and "porting" to see my opinion. I've voiced it a number of times, but here it is in short form -- on a short-barreled defensive gun, I think porting is more of a liability than a benefit.
 
Robnin...

A 331 .32 H&R Magnum is on my hip (or what remains of my hip) right at this very moment. The .32 H&R magnum is more powerful than non +P .38 Specials and the cylinder holds six, instead of five. Low recoil in a 11.9 oz. pistol. (IMHO) I like it SO much that I'm also starting to look for a 332 "hammerless" model. (However, I've gone a little nuts and buy firearms at the drop of a hat.:D Ask my wife! ) I have it loaded with "Magsafes".

KR
 
Mike Irwin...Man I haven't heard "bee's knees" In alog time. :D

As far as porting on a small defensive piece, your right it may not
be, infact a small defensive piece in its self is not the best option, but if its the only option I want all the odds on my side. And regardless of CQB combat senerios, The fact is the porting tame's recoil, which give's me faster and more accurate follow up shot placment.

What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

It doe'snt really fit but its all I could think of in regards to the bee's knee's term. ;)
 
I used a 442 for a lot of years. It's a great gun. With the effective Win X38SPD +P 158gr LSWCHP, the recoil is mild. The gun gets a little heavy with these heavy bullets, but not too bad.

I prefer the black finish, as it might be less likely to be accidentally seen - although the stainless version is very popular. I touched mine up with cold blue from time to time.

I just switched from the 442 to the .357 S&W 340PD snub for the added Pocket Power. Easier to carry, but sharp recoil with the 357s in this 12-ounce gun.
 
Have had my 442 for about 7 yrs now and some 800 rds through it. Carry load is 158 gr SWCHP plus P, practice load a similar handload to std. velocity. I agree that it is an excellent compromise. Have not fired the extreme lightweight guns but think the recoil of this one is 'sufficient'. I have no desire to go lighter and think this is a good choice. I would do it all over again.
 
I have always found the grip on the J frames way too small. If I wandt a really small, controlable wheelgun, I prefer the Colt Police Positive. But normally, I prefer and carry a K frame M-19. Despite claims to the contrary, the K frames CAN be concealed.

Here is a photo of the Colt Police Positive next to a S&W M-19 for size comparison.

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And this is my IWB rig from Tucker Gunleather .

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