SW Snubby .38s

TheRoland

TheRoland

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I'm thinking of picking up one of Smith and Wesson's famous 442 or 642 airweights, probably with some of the smaller Crimson Trace grips. The things that are stopping me are:

1. Only 5 rounds of .38 +p
2. Somewhat thicker than, say, the PPS.

Anyone have opinions on these wheelguns?
 
I pocket carry my 442 in a Desantis Nemesis holster daily at work, casual business attire (dockers, tucked in shirt, etc.), and it just disappears. They're just incredibly handy, literally a "drop in the pocket and go" kind of gun.
 
i highly suggest you try before you buy [laugh]

*especially if your a Ma**h***.

Subjective (of course)
trigger is horrible, small gun, short barrel = not accurate at all. i have rather large meat-hooks, I absolutley HATE shooting the thing. i've only carried it once or twice, and that was out of guilt of not carrying anything at all.
 
Get a trigger job. Greg Derr did an incredible job on my 642, for $45 it was money well-spent.

Different size grips address the different size hands issue, if done correctly.
 
Don't forget to give the Ruger LCR a try. It's a touch lighter than the {4,6}42 (doesn't really matter) but it does have a smoother stock trigger. CT grips are available but I don't think they are sold with them in MA.
 
My issue with the LCR is that it's bigger with longer grips. I think LCR ankle or pocket carry might be harder.
 
I carry a Glock 21, but my S&W 642 always funds a way into my pocket. Five rounds of .38 + P is never a bad thing.
 
wolf223 said:
i highly suggest you try before you buy [laugh]

*especially if your a Ma**h***.

Subjective (of course)
trigger is horrible, small gun, short barrel = not accurate at all. i have rather large meat-hooks, I absolutley HATE shooting the thing. i've only carried it once or twice, and that was out of guilt of not carrying anything at all.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. I think I could throw the gun srtaighter than I can shoot it.
 
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TheRoland said:
My issue with the LCR is that it's bigger with longer grips. I think LCR ankle or pocket carry might be harder.
Click to expand...

Size wise I find the LCR and 442 comparable. I just tried googling both to try and find a side by side picture and my avatar comes up on the 9th page [rofl]. The aftermarket for the LCR just isn't there yet, but I'm sure it will pick up. My issue with the grips is their thickness and stickyness. The Hogue's on the LCR are a pretty soft rubber. I haven't tried the CT grips on the LCR.
 
Tim94gt said:
I completely agree. I think I could throw the gun srtaighter than I can shoot it.
Click to expand...

Not sure what you guys are looking for in accuracy. My last range trip with my 340PD and CT grips - 5 shots at 10 yds in maybe 5 sec - 4" group - would have been about 2.5" if I didn't pull the first one.
Certainly not a gun for shooting at 25 yds, but if I am that far from the threat I am evading and not returning fire.
 
put some things in perspective, an airweight 38 is not accurate at 50 ft, i tried.

its probably good for 7 yards or closer. with a pocket holster they are concealable,

try one before you buy one,\.

Jim
 
I just picked one up and even though I haven't shot it yet I love it. Was thinking of waiting till the new S&W .380 came out but said screw it.
 
I have a S&W 637 (airweight) that I carry with +P hollow points. It's a belly gun - it's not for long distances. I don't shoot it for fun at the range - but for me it's a good carry gun. Just my opinion.
 
JimB said:
put some things in perspective, an airweight 38 is not accurate at 50 ft, i tried.

its probably good for 7 yards or closer. with a pocket holster they are concealable,

try one before you buy one,\.

Jim
Click to expand...

It can be in experienced hands...
 
Great little gun but if you're concerned with only 5 rounds and the recoil try picking up a S&W 432 airweight in 32 H&R Magnum. I love mine...6 rounds of ammo with similar ballistics to 38+P. Not a range gun but accurate at 7 - 10 yards. I pocket carry alot and have a great OWB holster for it too.
 
Every firearm I've ever shot was more accurate than I was. Bar none. It's the "nut" behind the trigger not the firearm that makes it accurate.

I carried a Model 49 for years. Only shot it double action even though you could cock it if you had to. It had action work and had a smooth trigger. Almost every firearm made could benefit from some kind of action work. But there is no replacement for practice, both live fire and dry fire.

Would I want to try it out at 100 yds? Heck no. But at a resonable distance it was more accurate than I was. As a "belly" gun, it's perfect.

Wall drills. Spend 10 minutes a day dry firing wall drills. I can't stress that enough with any firearm you choose.

Hope that helps,
 
pj150 said:
Kudos to you guys who can pull off the pocket carry. I tried to force myself into liking it but couldn't do it.
Click to expand...

Same here, I like my 340PD, with the option of 357 "hand killer" loads even, but pocket carry and this dont go together for me, feels like im carrying a baseball in my front pocket.... Its a great gun overall though, particularily in the summer with a light pair of shorts, drawstring tie only, IWB is a non issue.

ReaperVelle
 
For you guys that are having a hard time pocket carrying, you need a better holster. Try a Mika! I have 5 of them for different guns and applications, and they are great, the longer you have them the more they form to the inside of your pocket and the easier it is to hide your gun.

I don't have too much trouble putting most of my shots in a shopping bag size target at 25 yards with my 640, 442 or mod 38. It's all a matter of trigger control and practice.

These little Smith snubbies are far more accurate than most of the people who shoot them.
 
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Well, I picked one up, and shot around 100 FMJ rounds and 25 +Ps through it. Slowfire at 20 yards is quite good; better than my 5" 9mm, in fact. But real fire-rates get me to yanking the trigger, and past 7 yards, I might as well throw the gun.

I think I like the revolver, for what it is. But man, does my hand hurt the next day.
 

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