smith and wesson 442

G

griffin12aaa

New member
I just bought a 442 two days ago and im really liking this gun. I dont have a license to carry but i plan to get one in a couple of month. So my questions to you guys that own this gun and carry it is. What inside the waistband holster do u guys use? What kind of grips do u use for range and for carry? Lastly, what ammo is a good choice for the 442?

Im only 5'11 and weight 185 im kinda slim so suggestions from guys with same build is greatly appreciated. I really want wood grips for this gun but it might add weight. As far a carry ammo i have some PMC starfire 125 gr +p jhp anyone carry this ammo?

One more thing i bought this new but doesnt have a lock on the side like new smiths anyone know why?

Thanks in advance to all

AAA
 
It's probably new old stock. A new gun, but an older model that your dealer had in stock. Consider yourself lucky. The locks are worse than useless. Altamont makes some very nice grips at reasonable prices. I have the boot grips on my snubbie. (Altamontco.com)

I prefer OWB or pocket carry with a revolver. The cylinder bulge tends to dig into my own cylinder bulge. :p When I do carry IWB, I just use a simple nylon holster.

Im not a big fan of +P, mostly because I have a few older revolvers that are not rated for it. There are a number of good defensive rounds made specifically for short barreled guns.
 
As I sit here I am wearing my 442 with a Galco IWB holster, one of their stow and go line. Holds it very securely, is comfortable to wear. I use R-P Golden Sabre cartridges, +p I am using the factory grip, but have been thinking about getting that strange looking grip that is angled back more. I practice with the factory grip, so I probably will keep on with it.

I am a bit bigger, 6'4" and 230, have no problem hiding it. You will need to get a belt about an inch longer than normal.

David
 
I carry my 642, nearly the same as a 442, IWB in a leather Triple K holster Mod 314-3 2". It has worked great for me. Once you find the spot you like and use it for a bit you might forget you have it on. I like 3:00 to 3:30 ish. There are probably better choices out now but I got stuck on Federal Hydra Shock a long time ago and have stuck with it. It is a +P ammo.
 
I usually pocket carry mine but have a couple Bianchi pro100 IWB holsters that I love, they usually have a steel framed heavier gun in them and work beautifully so with an airweight they'd be even better. I carry good old Remington 158gr +p lead SWC-HPs in it.
Smith has been making new snubs without locks for LE but this is policy and not law so some distributors will sell them to whoever wants one.
 
Take it out and shoot it a bunch.

If you don't like +p .38 specials drop back to regular .38 specials. If you don't like 158 grain .38 specials drop back to 125 grain...

You've got options in the ammunition you feed your gun...don't forget that.

Effectiveness??? Put any round your gun shoots into center mass and you're probably good. Not enough? Well do it again and again. You've got 5 shots.

Holsters are just too much of an individual choice (IMhO).

Good Luck.
 
Take it out and shoot it a bunch.

If you don't like +p .38 specials drop back to regular .38 specials. If you don't like 158 grain .38 specials drop back to 125 grain...

You've got options in the ammunition you feed your gun...don't forget that.

Effectiveness??? Put any round your gun shoots into center mass and you're probably good. Not enough? Well do it again and again. You've got 5 shots.
Click to expand...

^ This is excellent advice. If you do change the grips, remember that wood is a little less forgiving than rubber. For a light gun that you can reasonably expect to be with you in an emergency, you'll want maximum confidence in your ability to use it in an emergency. Your ability to finely control the gun is much more important than a few extra ft-lbs.

Check out the muzzle energy graphs on Ballistics by the Inch. (The 442 barrel is just shy of two inches.) Then put it into perspective with other popular defense calibers.
 
S&W makes the 642 and 442 in "no-lock" versions alongside ones with the internal lock as standard. They are the only two revolvers they make that do not have a lock.

I have a 642 no-lock that I use Barami hip grips with:

GD_Barami.jpg


The Barami hip grip is a set of replacement grips for these revolvers that essentially take the place of a holster. In the picture above, you'll notice the grip has a "lip" near on the right side panel. You stick the gun in your waistband and this lip goes over your waistband and keeps the gun from falling down your pants. I know this sounds pretty hokey, but with a good belt to support the gun I have had absolutely 0 issues in nearly a year of daily carry this way. It is extremely comfortable, and you WILL NOT find a more concealable method of carrying this gun for IWB on the strong side. Since you don't need a holster, the gun just sits in there and is very flat against the body.

A good belt is a must too, I have a Beltman 1.5" bullhide and it's been fantastic. I know what you're thinking: "that seems unsafe" but there is no way of accidentally pulling that long and heavy double action only trigger when the gun is in your pants, think of this device as turning your pant into it's own holster. This method of carrying a J-frame isn't for everyone, but it darn sure works for me and I have absolutely no plans to change it.

As for a carry load, I can only recommend Speer Gold Dot .38 special +P 135 grain Short Barrel loads (also pictured above). This is simply the best load available for a snub nose .38 revolver. They were specifically made for short barrels, and are used by the NYPD for their snub nose backup guns and for the officers who still use S&W K-frames for duty guns. That's a hell of an endorsement right there. It has manageable recoil, low flash, and yet expands well and penetrates over 12" in ballistics gel test with denim. It is truly superb.
 
After years of resisting the sirens call of the J-frame I've bought two in the last few weeks. A 642 for my wife and then I liked that one so much I got a 442 for myself. It also is a -1 model, with no lock. Nice little gun.

I'm another thta doesn't care much for IWB so I looked on EBay and found a Don Hume, JIT belt slide holster. I've used them before for small semi's and think they are about the best CC holster I've ever used. They're well made, and inexpensive if you can find them. The thing I like most is I like to carry at the 3:00 position, and there is always a belt loop right there. The JIT has two belt slots that will straddle that trouser loop perfectly. It should be here next week.

I'm not too fussy about ammo. I figure I'll shoot 'em with whatever I got. If that doesn't work, I'll shoot 'em again. If that doesn't work, well, I'm just having a really BAD day.
 
what ammo is a good choice for the 442?
Click to expand...

I've been carrying a 642 for seven years now. I keep it loaded with Speer 135gr +P short barrel rounds. I feel very confident that it would serve well if ever needed.
 
Thanks for the responses and advice im actually going to shoot it tomorrow with different kinds of ammo to see how it feels.
DaleA thats is great advice i usually tend to forget with revolver. So versatile.
Your totally right cosmodragoon i going to have to take the time to find a grip both comfortable and light.
Model12Win thanks for letting me know about those grips they seem like would work great but this gun black(blued) i dont want the cylinder to look worm. :) some day in the future i might get a stainless model who knows :D

Thats a nice 642 by the way! Are the finger groves part of the grips? The look nice.
 
Last edited:
I too am a fan of the Speer 135grn short barrel gold dots,work great in all my snubbys. I also am a big fan of pocket carry and IWB for these size guns.
 
griffin, the 442 is an excellent choice for discrete carry, Smith and Wesson has sold them for years. I have a model 640, which is the slightly heaver .357 Magnum version, which I find myself carrying more and more. I've installed a set of elk stag grips along with a grip adapter, and carry it in a Lobo Leather IWB holster. As for ammo I load the Underwood brand 158Gr. 38 special +P rounds. great ammo with lots of power.

To help with recoil you may want to think about a set of boot style grips.
 
My 1986 442 sits in a Don Hume H715 snap-on open top.

There are (5) flat-nosed FMJ loads in the cylinder. Thanks to other comments, I will have to consider shopping for more suitable ammo.
 
All my modern S&W revolvers have locks. Never had a problem. My 642 is a favorite carry gun; it's a performance center TALO model... very nice.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top