S & W 642/442 questions

WanMan99

WanMan99

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I am getting ready to make this my next purchase and I had a few questions.
I want to use this as my primary CCW, is it a comfortable size/concealable(IWB)?
Does it have enought stopping power or should I be looking at a 357?
Is it worth the money to get the crimson trace grips?
Any additional thoughts or comments are welcome, thanks.
 
The 442 is my primary carry. It's not the most fun to go plinking with, but it won't break your wrist either. I find it's plenty comfortable IWB or in a pocket holster. As far as stopping power, fortunately I haven't had to "stop" anything with it. With that said, a good SD .38 round is plenty powerful - and the 442/642 is rated for +P as well.
 
My 642 is comfortable in an IWB holster, but I usually carry in my right front pants pocket in a Galco leather or Uncle Mike's nylon holster. As for stopping power, volumes have been written both ways. Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 125 Gr. Plus P is issued by numerous police agencies, including NYPD. Recoil isn't too bad, and it hits point of aim in my 642, as does the Walmart white box FMJ, which I use only for practice.
The .357 J-frames are a little longer, a little heavier and kick a helluva lot more. I don't think you get full .357 performance from a 2 1/8 barrel. Crimson Trace is a choice. They are a little bulkier. Their best attribute may be their intimidation factor. If you find a revolver you like that doesn't have them, you can always add them later. I believe there's a 442 for sale here right now at a good price. Best of luck with your choice. I love mine.
BTW, S&W has announced a new, lightweight Bodyguard .38 with CT grips coming soon. Not in production yet, though. Check their website.
 
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I would say that the best attribute to having CT grips is that the 642/442 come with rudimentary sights that to some, may not be fast to acquire. Having those grips, I would argue, cuts target acquisition in half.
The worst thing about CT grips is the price. I don't mind paying $439 + tax for a 642/442 as I feel that's a fair price.

However, that same gun with CT going for $659+ tax? Holy crap....that's just more than I would want to spend for that gun though that's the market price. Anything over $500 and it's a "serious" purchase for me, requiring alot of thought to establish need, as I'm not a man of large sums of cash currently.

Alot of people absolutely love their CT grips, and I can't remember anyone who had them badmouth them. I was skeptical until I demo'd a few pair at a shop, and it was then that I truly understood the benefit of these grips.

However, in a week or so when I go to FS to pick up a 642/442 I will be doing it sans CT. The 642/442 is like a stubborn breed of dog: can be a great pet as long as you put in the work.

Be prepared to put in a ton of range time to become proficient with it, as that is my plan.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I was leaning towards not getting the CT due to the price but I wanted to hear if people say you really should get them. I guess with regards to the stopping power I will go with a quality +p Hp round. I want to compare to some of the airweights to see how comfortable the carry will be.
 
WanMan99 said:
Thanks for the feedback. I was leaning towards not getting the CT due to the price but I wanted to hear if people say you really should get them. I guess with regards to the stopping power I will go with a quality +p Hp round. I want to compare to some of the airweights to see how comfortable the carry will be.
Click to expand...

I own 2 Smith 642's and love them. I can shoot them very well even at extended distances, and have not yet considered the CT grips. My advice is to purchase the gun without the grips first and then purchase the LG405 grips later if you decide you would like them. From what I have seen, purchasing the gun with the grips is not of any substantial savings anyway, and they usually come with the larger CT grips which inhibit pocket carry.
 
I love my 442. You can get the base model 442 or 642 without that stupid lock, too, if you can find one. I stuck CT grips on there because I found some lightly used ones for a bargain. Very easy to carry and conceal.
 
newenglandshooter said:
A 640 (.357) in a Mika pocket holster is a very functional and comfortable carry configuration.
Click to expand...

Do you find it easy to draw the gun from the pocket holster or does the holster try to come out of the pocket along with the gun?
Holsters seem to be the biggest issue on CCW.
 
WanMan99 said:
Do you find it easy to draw the gun from the pocket holster or does the holster try to come out of the pocket along with the gun?
Holsters seem to be the biggest issue on CCW.
Click to expand...

What newenglandshooter said. Order a "Mika" pocket holster. It draws real easy, no snags, no holster pulling out. It's a butt ugly holster that just is the best. http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/
 
BigMike said:
I would say that the best attribute to having CT grips is that the 642/442 come with rudimentary sights that to some, may not be fast to acquire. Having those grips, I would argue, cuts target acquisition in half.
The worst thing about CT grips is the price. I don't mind paying $439 + tax for a 642/442 as I feel that's a fair price.

However, that same gun with CT going for $659+ tax? Holy crap....that's just more than I would want to spend for that gun though that's the market price. Anything over $500 and it's a "serious" purchase for me, requiring alot of thought to establish need, as I'm not a man of large sums of cash currently.

Alot of people absolutely love their CT grips, and I can't remember anyone who had them badmouth them. I was skeptical until I demo'd a few pair at a shop, and it was then that I truly understood the benefit of these grips.

However, in a week or so when I go to FS to pick up a 642/442 I will be doing it sans CT. The 642/442 is like a stubborn breed of dog: can be a great pet as long as you put in the work.

Be prepared to put in a ton of range time to become proficient with it, as that is my plan.
Click to expand...


I went with the 642 WITH CT grips and love it.

As you pointed out, the CTs are great for complimenting the rudimentary sights on the gun and are a terrific aid in target acquisition.

I consider the CTs more or less essential in any defense gun and have them on my M&P and 686+ as well, since it's a defensive situation where you may have the greatest difficulty with target acquisition. Low or no light, awkward position, being without eyelglasses, etc. all lead me to wanting laser help as an option in a crisis.

Folks can deal with the intitial price shock by doing what you're doing and buy the gun first. They can add the sights later, though it is cheaper to buy them as a package.
 
642 and the LG405 Laser Grips are a great combo. I wouldn't go any other way on the 642. Oh yeah, be sure you get the gun "without" the internal lock.
 
Lasers are great but costly. You might be surprised to find out that instinctive shooting (compact type guns) at close ranges (21' or less) without any sights can be very accurate with some training. Just like shooting a jump shot after you learn your rhythm. This is where the laser shines, dry fire instinctive shooting training.
 
I have a 642 and like it. As much as I like my Model 60, the lightweight shrouded hammer 642 has a lot going for it.

I did put larger grips on it for better control.

As for .357 Mag loads in a J frame, I can not say I am a fan. .38 spl +P JHP loads are a great round for a J frame. I find anything more is painful and it takes me longer to get the second shot off accurately.

If I had a choice of getting 2 .38+P rounds placed quickly and accurately center mass, or 1 .357 round placed center mass and a second round missing, I'll take 2 well placed rounds every time.

As for the CT grips, (and yes I have a CT on my Glock22) I'd rather spend the money on ammo and practice more often than to drop that kind of money. I couldn't justify the expense to get a pair for the J frame.

Just my 2 cents, YMMV
 
My favorite things about the 642 are the light weight and the carry versatility - whether IWB, OWB, ankle carry, pocket carry or THUNDERWEAR carry, it works. I have considered CT grips, but the money keeps getting spent elsewhere. Someday....
 
Hello....If you haven't already bought the 642 try the Ruger LCR and compare the two..see what you think....I have them both and I carry the LCR more often...Check them out
 

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