Getting comfortable with the S&W 442

[MikeJ]

I took my 442 (Airweight concealed hammer) to the range yesterday for the second time since I bought it and was very pleased. My first range session left me wondering if I should really use this as my CCW and if the gun was ok as I was all over the place with my shots. When I went back for a second time things got a lot better. I started out at 5 yds. vs. 10 yds. and through slow deliberate firing was able to put the rounds pretty much where I wanted them, both two handed and single handed. I also didn't notice the recoil nearly as much as the first time. BTW, I was shooting 130 grain standard pressure FMJ. I then moved the target to 7 yds. and was still able to put the rounds where I wanted them, not in groups that are going to win awards but still very acceptable. Next time I plan to try and speed up my shooting a little and attempt more point shooting as this is my pocket gun and if the need arises I won't have those several seconds I took at the range to fire each round. Just thought I would share this with folks that might be considering a lightweight J frame for self defense, they really are great if you take the time to get to know them.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Just shoot as much as possible the trigger and recoil will become less and less a issue. What do they always say practice. I shoot my 49 one handed 95% of time I figure if needed I ain't gonna have time for a nice combat 2 handed stance. These are up close and personal guns.

 

[medic_guns]

and most confrontations involving SD shootings are up close and personal, according to the stats. I want to feel comfortable that I can hit em in the tater with my 342, just in case they are vested up. Practice, practice, practice.

 

[MeanStreaker]

I'm not an expert marksman, but I can shoot my handguns pretty well. I can get a nice group at 25 yards with my stock Springfield XD9.

The first trip for my 642 (same as your 442, but not blued) didn't go so well, either. It was a bit of a chore to keep all five shots on a paper plate at 7 yards. Around 150 rounds later, I started to see improvements and am now to a point that I am completely confident in carrying it for defense.

Stick with it and practice, practice, practice! You'll surprise yourself how well it shoots after a few more range sessions.

 

[22luvr]

What Medic Gun sez....

It is a statistical fact that there is a "3-3-3" armed encounter average: Three feet, three seconds, three shots. Believe me, you have the right handgun for that sort of an encounter! As I have owned several concealed hammer and hammerless revolvers, find a place to practice drawing, acquiring, and firing your 442 at close range. You'll be glad you did. Having never been in an up close and too personal armed encounter, three seconds seems mighty fast. What's ideal about the 442 is that it can be fired from a garment pocket where the element of surprise is on your side. You'll get better, believe me.

 

[peoria46]

It is a statistical fact that there is a "3-3-3" armed encounter average: Three feet, three seconds, three shots.

I realize that conventional wisdom says that gunfight ranges will be very short. What data population is used to derive this 3-3-3 rule of thumb? Do police traffic stops form the preponderance of data (starting literally at arm's length)? If so, what would the stats look like if these traffic stops were stripped out--would distinctly "civilian" gunfights give a different view? Are they still at close range?

 

[perpster]

I realize that conventional wisdom says that gunfight ranges will be very short. What data population is used to derive this 3-3-3 rule of thumb? Do police traffic stops form the preponderance of data (starting literally at arm's length)? If so, what would the stats look like if these traffic stops were stripped out--would distinctly "civilian" gunfights give a different view? Are they still at close range?

Well, put it this way: What is most likely to be YOUR gunfight situation? Most that I can think of would be pretty close, such as: about to walk into or out of a door (home, store, car); surprised by an assailant while walking down the street; in a business that gets robbed; etc. Often these encounters will be in low-light conditions: night time; an indoor parking location; a stairway, alley, deserted area, etc.

Of course no one can think of every situation you might be in a gunfight, look at your daily activities/routines and imagine you are a criminal--where are your vulnerabilities. Make it a habit to think to yourself often "If the SHTF right now what would I do?" Mental preparation is a big part of your self-defense. Also think about firearm accessability. If it's cold or raining, is your gun under 2 or 3 layers of clothing? Are you wearing gloves?

Practice, practice, practice and prepare, prepare, prepare.

 

[JERRY]

slow deliberate practice with the target loads you mentioned, will give you better trigger controll and help build your confidense.....eventually moving to a h.p. round, and then start to slowly increase your speed of fire until to can do a fast double tap ........

rememeber, a double tap at 15 feet or so will be about 3" apart and thats good spacing.......


you should also be able to hit center mass at will at 50 feet during slow fire.


practice is what you need. snubbies are not the easierst to shoot, but will exceed your expectations if you do your part.