The snub nose revolver was once the quintessential concealed carry gun. The 442 is one of the best, but is it still as relevant today with the advent of the high capacity micro 9mm? This moron believes it is.
In 1974 I used my issued Colt Detective Special, about the same size as your 442 but a six shot, in a gunfight w/ three armed robbery suspects. I was fortunate to walk away unhurt, the suspects not so fortunate, so I know a small revolver will protect me & my family should the need ever arise. Good well thought out video.
I got my dads colt detective special which he purchased in 1972. It’s in immaculate condition and I shoot it a few times a year. Accurate, handled the recoil well and truly One of my most treasured guns.
Actually I just checked serial #. And it’s a 1974. Evidently he didn’t get it until a few years after he thought he did. Admiring it tonight. May take to the range tomorrow in fact.
@@triplefshooting on my way to the range and brought an assortment of revolvers - including pops’ Colt. What’s funny is that he saw it purely as utilitarian. I treasure it far more than he did. But he took great care of it. En route now. Enjoy your Sunday!!
I see this as the ultimate minimalist “get off me” gun. Pulling your pistol is always a last resort, but having something comfortable enough to carry on your person EVERYDAY needs to happen first. It is the baseball bat in a zombie apocalypse. There’s fancier and better options, but you can take it everywhere without too much hassle.
That's how I like to think of this gun as well. I recently tried carry in a belly band. This let's me wear pretty much anything and still carry regardless of belt loops or lack there of. My 442 will probably never leave my rotation. It's just too convenient when the situation dictates clothing that otherwise would be hard to get along with.
You’re literally one of the first RU-vid gun channels I’ve seen that put an emphasis on situation awareness. That’s your number one tool for self defense. Not how many rounds you have or what kind of gun you’re carrying. That being said thumbs up on the j frame, it’s my “always on me” gun.
My 442 has been my go to carry gun for decades now. Mine was made in 93 so it is pre lock which i prefer, all ky smiths are so far. I love the factor of it, most states allow it cause only 5 round capacity. And also working around the house i keep a load of snake shot in it. And i have nail polish paint on mine. I got good with it years ago and can consistently hit 8" steel plates out to 50 yards if i stage the trigger like you do. Its also easy to point shoot from the hip with a little practice. Love love love mine.
The 442 is really handy to keep around for sure. It's great that you practice with what you carry. Wish everyone would do the same. Glad you've got a good one without the lock too!
Adequate capability in many situations. Those who say I need a Glock 19 and two mags to leave my house, this is my reply: If you need 50 plus round in two mag changes, either 1. Take a rifle, 2. Take some capable friends with rifles, or 3. Don't go there.
I think one of my favorite things about concealed carry is that it's like a reminder to be situationally aware. Most issues can be completely avoided if you don't go where things are dangerous. You don't get to pick everything, but it's always worth paying attention
The J-frames are great little guns. I carry a Model 37 (exposed hammer version of the 442) for motorcycle rides. It's an older model from the 1990s. Fits right in my jacket pocket, very discreet, and runs like a clock.
I'd like to get my hands on a 638 to see if that shrouded/accessible hammer is worth having. For niche uses, the j frames are hard to beat. If yours is from the 90s, is it lacking the stupid internal lock?
@@triplefshooting Right, no lock. I believe mine's a 1994 model. It's basically the "Airweight" version of the old Model 36 Chief's Special. I think all of them are descendants of the model 36. I've never handled a 638, but they've been around forever. Essentially all the same pistol, but different hammer and finish configurations. Great little guns...
I bought a 642 for my wife for concealed carry; she loves it and shoots it very well. She also has a S&W mod 15 that is to large for concealed carry but very nice for range work. I did a trigger job on the 642 (new hammer spring) which brings the trigger press down to about 8 lbs I also installed new larger grips which allows for a full three finger purchase. It fits her very well and it works for me as well. I agree with your pros and cons. She practices with it for real world scenarios for self defense at ranges out to 15 yards and it. A friend tried the 642, liked it, and he purchased a 442 that he found in a used gun display at Scheels. The 642 is a great little CCW gun. I carried a mod 1911 for a duty gun for years and now carry a G19 for CCW. Good video; keep up the good work. Keeping magazines loaded doesn't hurt them. Col Jeff Cooper kept his loaded the whole time he was in Africa during WWll. I met him and we talked about it.
Thanks for the kind words and info. I keep all my mags loaded full time and haven't had issues yet. I've always heard conflicting arguments on both sides, but I've heard enough to believe it's generally ok to have them loaded long term. It's cool your wife enjoys the 642! Mine hates our 442. She got spoiled the first time she fired a 9mm 1911 and took me a long time to convince her that she should be proficient with more than that trigger lol
This is one of, if not the best, review and critical evaluation of a stubby for self defense I have seen. A very informative and objective analysis. I also have a 442 ( along with several other snubs) and found it to be my favorite pocket handgun as well. Cheers! BTW, a $10 Wilson spring kit makes it much more shootabkw, bringing the trigger pull down to the 8 - 9# range while still maintaining reliable ignition with a wide gamut of loads.
Good review. I like carrying my 442 in a Galco Ankle Glove. The 442 is very light, lighter than my P365, and the Ankle Glove is very comfortable to wear and stays in place even at a moderate run. From standing it's going to take longer to draw, but seated at a work desk, restaurant, or in a car it's far more comfortable and easier to draw than from pocket or IWB.
Thanks for the info. An ankle holster is something I've never tried but have always been curious about. If I were to carry that way, I think I would still carry my shield+ appendix and have the 442 as a solid backup.
The Agency I retired from issued full size Glocks for primary sidearms & S&W Model 642's with ankle holsters for backup & I still carry that combo in my retirement.... I spend a lot of time driving & drawing from strong side hip while sitting in the driver's seat, especially if wearing a seatbelt, is awkward, slow, & telegraphs the draw .. whereas drawing from an ankle holster while sitting behind the wheel is smooth fast & unexpected....
on my 442 I just got rid of those grips and put the old skinny grips on it. I get a good 3 finger hold on it. I don't use hot loads in it, and I use wadcutters. I have seen videos and read articles that show wadcutters do a very good job without the recoil. Paul Harrel's video CARRYING THE 38 SPECIAL shows the wadcutters did just as much damage as Hornady plus Ps did. I use speedloaders and have no problem carrying them and loading with them. it is faster than speed strips. this 442 just disappears in my pocket. and I have no problem seeing these sights. but I will be painting all my guns sights soon. and guns like these are just made for pocket carry.
I've debated getting the small panel grips rather than the "boot" grips that come with it. I was mainly worried about how small they would be in hand and if that would allow the gun to roll left to right. With your info I'm tempted to buy a set
I have 7 S&W revolvers sprinkled about my house. Mod 10 / Mod 15 / mod 36, 2” / mod 36, 3” / mod 49 / centennial. You might say I’m all in. Mod 67 for my Duty gun when I used to carry for work. All 70s and 80s.
Thanks for reviving the S & W 442, this is a beautiful revolver! To enhance the 442, the Performance Center brings down the trigger pull to about 8 pounds pull. For a close combat handgun, the weapon is reliable. My EDC handgun is a Staccato CS, flat trigger DLC barrel with a Holosun 508T optics.
I carry the 642 with slightly larger grips that cover the backstrap. I have arthritis and the small grips on any gun are an issue for me if I am shooting for a longer training range session. One of the biggest positives for this or any revolver is the ability to load the gun with one hand if necessary. Yes, it is not fast but try to load your Shield mag with just one hand. Also, try to clear a stove pipe round from your Shield with one hand as opposed to just pulling the trigger on a revolver to bring up the next round. I also own and carry the 638 as it has the ability to shoot single action but still has all of the pros of the 442 or 642. I have a Shield + and I really like it but for my purposes, the Airweight is my go-to carry first. Be safe all and thanks for a great video.
Instantly recognized the range you were shooting at, I'm a member there! (And have had the "multiple plates go down from one shot" scenario happen to me many times there)
I have the same gun and I painted the front site with bright orange fingernail polish then put a clear coat on it to protect it from wear a bit! You may have to touch it up periodically but man it is like night and day when acquiring the front site for me. I love this little gun and if I keep the dog in the dog house when acquiring the front sight, I can get 5 dings no problem. It is only a gun for get off me ranges and I would never think about taking on a mass shooter unless they happen to be real close to me, but I would probably be to busy running away for that to happen! 😂
To me this is a gun that a lot of people will carry over other things just because it's easy. I will always be a proponent of the idea of any gun is better than none. On the mass shooter front, I imagine most people would do what they have to. I try to keep in mind that legally speaking, the gun you have is to protect yourself first and foremost. I don't have a badge to keep me out of hot water if I do something wrong in a tense situation. So unless I know a situation for certain, or my or my family's life is in immediate danger, I won't be drawing my gun. There are too many variables to just go attacking what you may perceive as an aggressor. I'd hate to shoot someone trying to defend themselves or something crazy.
I’ve carried a little bit of everything. I LOVE my Glock 19 and will sometimes carry it if I know I’m going to a big city, sketchy area, or far from home. But let me tell ya, that thing sucks to carry after about 2-3 hours. Feels like you’re carrying a brick! After all kinds of carry pistols I keep coming back to my good ole 442 Performance Center with Crimson Trace laser grip! I get the capacity crowd on me from time to time, but I don’t really care. I know I have a guaranteed 5 shots with that little thing. And yes, situational awareness is #1 in defense hands down! If I sense a hint of even a fist fight breaking out I’m getting out of that situation. People don’t really take into consideration capacity and weight either. All too many times I’ve heard of guys leaving their “high capacity” firearms at home because it was too inconvenient to carry. I can carry my 442 on me everywhere with anything I wear and basically forget it’s there. And let’s not forget the main purpose and that’s DEFENSE! You shoot much more than 5 rounds in a defense scenario and you better have a top tier lawyer because you’re more than likely on your way to prison!
@@maybe5883 I actually carried a P365 for awhile. Great pistol, but wasn’t really for me. I didn’t like the grip and how the mag inserted. I found myself pinching my palm when I’d reload.
And if you either mount a new sight on these or highlight the front sight with a bright paint it'll improve your aim. Then if you change out the hammer spring with a lighter Wilson combat spring and put a combat grip on it you have a great "first shots on target" appendix carry, first line of defense. With the modern .38 special loads then it's effective just put shots on target.
@@invictawarrior change out all your springs in all your guns while your at it,prosecution will love that.The police will have all of them until your case is over anyway.
For a huge jump in price, you can get the S&W M&P340 which is a NO LOCK and has a better front sight! Oh, it's also in 357 Magnum. If you enjoy recoil, 357 Magnum from a 14oz gun will give you that in spades! I like the little beast for pocket carry. I do also have a belt holster for cooler weather. I have options, but it turns out I'm not one of those people who can carry inside the waste band without severe discomfort. Carrying the little beast is comfortable and doesn't require thinking about. It does require practice.
I would imagine that thing could beat the crap out of my hand in a short time! However, 357 mag is much more potent and potentially worth carrying. As you said, practice would be the #1 with that beast
@@triplefshooting A question in my mind is how important is rapid fire? 357 is going to slow you down if you want to keep your shots on target. Also, does that extra energy do anything, or is it absorbed by the elasticity of the target? There is no question that more people will hear it.
@Fudmottin true. I would probably be more comfortable with 38+p. Though nowhere near the 357, I can handle the recoil with little issue to follow up shots. I'm also not terrified of it lol
Nice video and channel! I’m looking for a nice pocket revolver. This video definitely helping understand what it will be used for which is self defense. What’s the price point for that pistol? I subscribed!
The Airweight j-frame S&Ws are remarkably accurate but they do require A LOT of practice. They are also very fast to deploy. Ninty percent of the time it's my preferred ccw. My steel frame model 640 is a lot easier to shoot accurately but 24 ounces vrs.16 ounces makes the Airweight my first choice. If I feel I need more firepower I'd usually opt for a Glock. You are spot on, if you can shoot an Airweight j-frame accurately you can shoot anything. Oh yeah, and the sights do suck. LOL! A little nail polish does help a lot.
I carried one for many years. And yes, put some white paint or nail polish on the front sight, then once it dries put a coat of bright neon green or orange on that sight. It helps! Also mine have always shot the Winchester White Box 110 grain JHP ammo. Also, being an enclosed hammer, you can put it into a coat pocket and fire it from inside the pocket if needed.
If you are jumping straight from a striker fired or DA/SA auto, your comment makes sense. I know that I struggled at first. After you spend a month dry firing though, stop target focusing, and start sight focusing, things change drastically. With practice, 25yds is a chip shot with a 442/642.
I haven't noticed any major marring on the finish on my gun. If anything the stainless may get marks from the kydex that will most likely wipe off. Worse case, there are a few holster makers that do a leather pocket holster if I'm not mistaken
I have one of this and love it. Some other idiot on RU-vid keeps cutting his thumb on snub noses. I just think he needs to give the gun back to his husband and start carrying .22LRs again.
Think I would go with the Taurus 856 for the +1 capacity though. Idk why smith doesn't update the design to be an airweight 6 shooter. Its like they don't really do anything new with their revolver lines anymore. They just kinda sit there
It does seem odd that smith doesn't go for the 6 round airweight. They've done some interesting carry guns like the 19 compensated or 686 l comp but they are much larger and heavier.
Those airweight revolvers are not keepers because they sting your hand to shoot them and end up being sold because of that. I have a stainless steel 22 ounce & a Taurus 650 24 ounces and they are way more comfortable to shoot because of the increased weight. Snub nose revolvers are basically to keep you from getting your ass kicked, mostly effective at distances of 2,3,5,10.12 feet max.
While I agree it’s not a range toy, it is a fantastic defensive firearm! Trust me, in a defensive situation with your adrenaline going you won’t even notice recoil.
