Is the S&W 442/642 the perfect pocket gun?

[chaim]

The Eagle grips do maximize the best feature of the 442, concealment. I have changed to 110 grain Hornady Critical Defense in my aluminum snubs over the past few years. I haven't shot the 442 with Eagle grips and Critical Defense yet. They are capable rounds yet don't recoil too much. I should try them with the original grips before I give up on them. I'd also like to try Federal Train and Protect LWCHP in it. In my steel revolvers one of the rounds I'm also switching to is the Federal Punch, another that doesn't have recoil that is all that stout. Maybe I can get away without having to spend money on grips that may or may not be any better.

 

[Anchorite]

My PM9 never ran. Some do and some don't. To the point, I do have a 642 with CT laser grips. I have carried it quite a bit and shot it in matches. It's an absolutely fine gun. About the laser grips, I really haven't found them that useful in lighted, normal posture conditions. I can get the gun into position and shoot it and find looking for the dot as a distraction. Also, in outdoor sun, I can't see the red dot at any distance. Indoors in the dark, perhaps.

In any case, you can't go wrong with a 642 and a reasoned choice of ammo, Chaim. I have a Glock 42 and it's harder to draw from pockets and it's a touch unreliable. I've worn in on my belt when my old back was hurting.

Glad you posted. There’s a CM9 at my local hardware store I was admiring. But at $459 and ONE magazine, I’m hesitant. I think I will stick with my 442.

 

[Anchorite]

No.

The Ruger LCR is better.

View attachment 1147426

MUCH smoother trigger, the front sight can be easily changed, more durable finish, slightly lighter, and absorbs recoil better due to the polymer frame.

I’m looking at the S&W Bodyguard 38 Special. Yes, I know it has an odd cylinder release, but for the price……..

 

[.38 Special]

Altamont boot grips on my 340PD.




These ones are rosewood. The fit is typical for such things; adequate but not great. They are about as comfortable and controllable as the factory plastic/rubber, not significantly better or worse. I got them solely because I don't like the way the softer grips grab a lightweight shirt, which tends to call attention.

 

[shoebox1.1]

I carry a 638 daily with Altamont boot grips. They work pretty well. I also liked the factory rubber grips. I could easily have kept them on there. Altamonts are really just cosmetic

 

[unclenunzie]

Personally I like these a lot. At the moment these are the cheapest color: https://www.amazon.com/Hogue-Frame-Bantam-Piranha-G-Mascus/dp/B007PVB12I?th=1

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I feel the M442 is the perfect pocket carry gun For Me.

Mine sports a set of Badger Custom boot grips. It's comfortable enough to shoot even with +P ammo but I usually practice with standard pressure ammo but for a cylinder load before I'm done.

 

[Pat Riot]

Altamont boot grips on my 340PD.

View attachment 1147501
View attachment 1147502

These ones are rosewood. The fit is typical for such things; adequate but not great. They are about as comfortable and controllable as the factory plastic/rubber, not significantly better or worse. I got them solely because I don't like the way the softer grips grab a lightweight shirt, which tends to call attention.

Thank you for posting those photos. The photos on the Altamont site make the boot grips look a bit wide. Yours look more trim.
I also find the original grips sometimes catch my tee shirts when I OWB carry if the tee shirts are of a lighter material.

 

[Tallball]

I think they're called Robertson's Ranch? They're online and on GB. They carry a lot of discontinued NoS grips. I've gotten some good ones from them.

 

[bannockburn]

On my two J frames I have found that both the original factory grip with a Tyler T Grip adapter (taken off a Model 38 that I had), works great with the all steel Model 649 that I have. On the lighter weight Model 638 I like the soft factory rubber boot grips that come with the gun. I also have a set of Roger's Combat grips that I use at the range on occasion but feel they're a bit too long for CCW.

 

[Skribs]

While bigger than a pocket auto, I feel like the rounded edges of a revolver are more concealable in a pocket. The sharp corners and shape that is obviously a gun, even an LCP can print and if it does, it is clearly a gun. The rounded shapes of a revolver just look to me like I have a pocket loaded with stuff.

While I agree with you about the revolver, an LCP in a pocket holster just looks like a wallet, phone, or something else like that. Unless you're wearing yoga pants with pockets, in which case I could see it clearly printing.

 

[Poper]

grips that are decent to shoot, yet maximize the advantage of the lightweight Centennial snubs (IMO, pocket carry).

You have identified multiple types of grips that you believe might work for you and your CC methodology.
I see that you have multiple handguns that fit your CC pocket carry needs. However, it appears from reading your posts that the cost of grips is a primary concern.
Now, if'n I was in your shoes (I am not), I would buy one of each of the grip types and try each one out on my primary CC choice, in both carry condition and range training/practice, and see which grips best fit the bill for what I am wanting them to do. It will cost me some money but a bit less than one of the revolvers.
When we are discussing a possibly life saving decision, what's a couple hundred bucks between friends?

 

[fireman 9731]

I really like the Hogue bantam grips on my 442. They are inexpecisve and have held up much better than the factory grips. They are a little grippy, so if IWB carrying it may cause your un-tucked shirt to ride up a bit, but they are fine in a pocket.

 

[Jonesy814]

This is how my J frames are set up. The bigger grips help tame recoil but I can still pocket carry. The set on the 442 is from Thailand and the ones on the 638 are Altamonts

 

[roo_ster]

Why, yes, the various S&W J-frames are the perfect pocket guns. I prefer the 638 & 649. I have toted quite a few pocket guns (autos & revos) and all others are relegated to backing up my SW638, these days.

I think you are missing out on the KILLER ACCESSORY for J-frames and other snubbies: Crimson Trace Laser Grips
https://www.crimsontrace.com/produc...nufacturerCompatibility&prefv1=Smith & Wesson

I am partial to the boot-grip variant (LG-105) but you may be more a LG-405 kinda guy. The larger grips from CT (or anyone else) on a J-frame means you ought to upgrade to a K-frame.

The CT laser grips are the bees knees for shooting a snubbie in low light situations and for dry fire training at home. I, too, appreciate pretty wood, but the J-frame is more about the function than fashion.

Of course, my preferred carry is a 1911, but reality intrudes and I carry the J-frame about 50% of the time, so I resolved to get better with it. A J-frame makes you apply the fundamentals. If you do so, 5-gal buckets and full size silhouette targets can be hit at 50 yards, once you get elevation down.

As for ammo, I used to be a Buff Bore/ Underwood aficionado. Their nuclear 158gr +P LSWCHP-GC was my go-to. After losing the use of my dominant arm for a while, I switched to target wadcutters. My arm is better, but I have stuck with the wadcutters. Maybe I am getting old, but those wadcutters shoot so well and with so little recoil I don;t need anything other than a boot grip shaped grip.

 

[shoebox1.1]

I agree. Wadcutters in J frame are the cats meow

 

[orionengnr]

I have owned a bunch of J-frames, currently have a 642 with Crimson Trace 105 and it is okay. Certainly not my EDC.
I'd like a 342 with no lock, but haven't seen one in years.
In the mean time, my 642 sits in the safe (with an occasional range trip) while my Kahr PM9 gets EDC duty.

 

[Diamondback]

I have a factory bobbed 37-2 which is a close second cousin to the 442. I have let the factory grips be, but that is because I still have a bunch of easy shooting 125gr. Nyclads that I stocked up on years ago. When I eventually run out and step up to the short barrel Gold Dots or the FBI load for carry I will need to consider changing grips or just go with target wadcutters and call it good. Honestly, at my age I don't enjoy shooting much +p out of the airweights. Couple of cylinders full at the end of the range day and that's it for me.

 

[WisBorn]

The 442 has been my favorite carry for 10 years. I also have a 637 and Taurus 605.
Lightweight and reliable the 442 is a comfortable carry.
I went down the single stack 9 road a few years ago with a Shield, XDS, and Kahr. The Shield and XDS were more accurate, and close in size to the 442, but the centennial design slipped in and out of the pocket easier. The Kahr didn't make the reliability cut. Even after their 200 round break in I would get failures to extract
I am vetting a Kimber R7 Mako. With its 11+1 capacity it is going to be my primary carry. The 442 will continue to be carried along with my LCPII at times when lighter and smaller carries are needed.
The other two J frames are more accurate in single action, but the 442 centennial design is better for a defensive revolver.

 

[chaim]

I really like the Hogue bantam grips on my 442. They are inexpecisve and have held up much better than the factory grips. They are a little grippy, so if IWB carrying it may cause your un-tucked shirt to ride up a bit, but they are fine in a pocket.

I've thought about the Hogues, but without a grip screw, putting them on and taking them off the gun seems to be more involved than with the others. If I knew they'd work for me and I wouldn't need to remove them, I would have had them on my list. While I normally prefer wood on a revolver, a 442 is more utilitarian to me so I can do rubber. Though, sometimes rubber can grip your clothing and either make the draw more difficult, or make it obvious you have a gun. Has that been an issue with your Hogues?

 

[chaim]

View attachment 1147822

I have a factory bobbed 37-2 which is a close second cousin to the 442. I have let the factory grips be, but that is because I still have a bunch of easy shooting 125gr. Nyclads that I stocked up on years ago. When I eventually run out and step up to the short barrel Gold Dots or the FBI load for carry I will need to consider changing grips or just go with target wadcutters and call it good. Honestly, at my age I don't enjoy shooting much +p out of the airweights. Couple of cylinders full at the end of the range day and that's it for me.

I have thought about spending the money on the Uncle Mikes and calling it a day (those are Uncle Mike), it is just at 4-8 times what I could have bought them for when they were new, I am hesitant.

 

[trackskippy]

I've thought about the Hogues, but without a grip screw, putting them on and taking them off the gun seems to be more involved than with the others. If I knew they'd work for me and I wouldn't need to remove them, I would have had them on my list. While I normally prefer wood on a revolver, a 442 is more utilitarian to me so I can do rubber. Though, sometimes rubber can grip your clothing and either make the draw more difficult, or make it obvious you have a gun. Has that been an issue with your Hogues?

The Hogues go on and come off easy enough. They have a little clip that makes it really easy. A couple of credit cards or something similar will do in a pinch too.

It would be nice if they would come up with a formula that wasnt so sticky. Its kind of a trade off. Sticky is better for shooting, not sticky is better for carry.

 

[Tallball]

Yeah. The Hogues are NBD to put on or take off. A little clip goes onto the bottom of your grip frame, then a screw goes through the bottom of the grip into the clip. Easey peasey.

 

[trackskippy]

The Bantams dont use the same clip set up as the Mono grips. They just "slip" on. Either way, they are good grips.

For shooting, and especially the heavy recoiling guns, I really like the Mono grips. They feel like they were made for my hand. Butt ugly, but I can live with it.

 

[LeftyRed]

Yes.