I have a 642 and a G26. The G26 stays home more than the 642. The reason is that much of the time I need a pocket gun. The G26 does not fit or is too hard to draw from any pocket I have. The 642 is a pocket gun. So unless I'm going to be able to wear a belt holster with my attire, the G26 stays home.
S&W 442 or Glock 26?
- Thread starter fxstchewy
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I carried a S&W 642 for a couple of years and then "moved up" to the even lighter 340PD after buying into the hype about the .357 ultralites. There's no question that the Airweights and Airlites are easier to pocket carry. My issue with the light J-frames is the difficulty in actually using the weapon in a real life-threatening situation. Most of the favorable comments about the 642/442/340 guns pertains to "ease of carry". On balance, it has been fairly well established in the shooting community that considerable skill is required to effectively use a little snubbie. In my experience, the average person seems to be more concerned with comfort than the accuracy of the little S&Ws. The justification for carring a J-frame snubby over a more effective firearms seems to sound like "...they are intended for point-blank belly shooting". You also hear the popular internet gun forum line that it is better to have a little .38 in your pocket than a ________ at home in the gun safe. Personally, I want to be able to use my concealed carry handgun in defensive situations that might require hitting something that's further away than point-blank distances. After shooting a G26, I got rid of the 340PD. The G26 is quite accurate for a short, stubby handgun and packs 11 rounds. A back-up G19 magazine holds 15 more rounds. That's a lot of 9mm. Although I've occasionly carried the G26 in a Galco pocket holster, it usually rides in a low-ride IWB holster in the appendix location. Although the G26 is not nearly as comfortable to carry as a 642/442/340 - I don't select my concealed carry firearm based mainly on how comfortable it is to carry.
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Scott Free
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"I don't select my concealed carry firearm based mainly on how comfortable it is to carry."
But you do Weedmonk. At least to some extent. You could probably conceal a shotgun if you were willing to dress around it. Some guys actually carry three handguns. For me, and most, and probably you, three guns would be inconvenient and uncomfortable. If I were a diamond courier, my definition of uncomfortable might change. I'm not a diamond courier, though, and I'm not a cop. I live in a pretty much crime-free rural area. It's highly unlikely I will ever need any gun for self defense (as it is for most of us.) A 642 in a pocket is enough. A little P32 is probably enough. We all make choices about what is comfortable enough vs. are realistic threat levels. There's nothing wrong with a big .45 if that's what you need. For me, carrying a 642 goes unnoticed and will suffice for most any encounter I am not even likely to ever have.
But you do Weedmonk. At least to some extent. You could probably conceal a shotgun if you were willing to dress around it. Some guys actually carry three handguns. For me, and most, and probably you, three guns would be inconvenient and uncomfortable. If I were a diamond courier, my definition of uncomfortable might change. I'm not a diamond courier, though, and I'm not a cop. I live in a pretty much crime-free rural area. It's highly unlikely I will ever need any gun for self defense (as it is for most of us.) A 642 in a pocket is enough. A little P32 is probably enough. We all make choices about what is comfortable enough vs. are realistic threat levels. There's nothing wrong with a big .45 if that's what you need. For me, carrying a 642 goes unnoticed and will suffice for most any encounter I am not even likely to ever have.
Scott Free
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"I don't select my concealed carry firearm based mainly on how comfortable it is to carry."
But you do Weedmonk. At least to some extent. You could probably conceal a shotgun if you were willing to dress around it. Some guys actually carry three handguns. For me, and most, and probably you, three guns would be inconvenient and uncomfortable. If I were a diamond courier, my definition of uncomfortable might change. I'm not a diamond courier, though, and I'm not a cop. I live in a pretty much crime-free rural area. It's highly unlikely I will ever need any gun for self defense (as it is for most of us.) A 642 in a pocket is enough. A little P32 is probably enough. We all make choices about what is comfortable enough vs. our realistic threat levels. There's nothing wrong with a big .45 if that's what you need. For me, carrying a 642 goes unnoticed and will suffice for most any encounter I am not even likely to ever have.
But you do Weedmonk. At least to some extent. You could probably conceal a shotgun if you were willing to dress around it. Some guys actually carry three handguns. For me, and most, and probably you, three guns would be inconvenient and uncomfortable. If I were a diamond courier, my definition of uncomfortable might change. I'm not a diamond courier, though, and I'm not a cop. I live in a pretty much crime-free rural area. It's highly unlikely I will ever need any gun for self defense (as it is for most of us.) A 642 in a pocket is enough. A little P32 is probably enough. We all make choices about what is comfortable enough vs. our realistic threat levels. There's nothing wrong with a big .45 if that's what you need. For me, carrying a 642 goes unnoticed and will suffice for most any encounter I am not even likely to ever have.
Scott Free
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"I don't select my concealed carry firearm based mainly on how comfortable it is to carry."
But you do Weedmonk. At least to some extent. You could probably conceal a shotgun if you were willing to dress around it. Some guys actually carry three handguns. For me, and most, and probably you, three guns would be inconvenient and uncomfortable. If I were a diamond courier, my definition of uncomfortable might change. I'm not a diamond courier, though, and I'm not a cop. I live in a pretty much crime-free rural area. It's highly unlikely I will ever need any gun for self defense (as it is for most of us.) A 642 in a pocket is enough. A little P32 is probably enough. We all make choices about what is comfortable enough vs. our realistic threat levels. There's nothing wrong with a big .45 if that's what you need. For me, carrying a 642 goes unnoticed and will suffice for most any encounter I am not even likely to ever have.
But you do Weedmonk. At least to some extent. You could probably conceal a shotgun if you were willing to dress around it. Some guys actually carry three handguns. For me, and most, and probably you, three guns would be inconvenient and uncomfortable. If I were a diamond courier, my definition of uncomfortable might change. I'm not a diamond courier, though, and I'm not a cop. I live in a pretty much crime-free rural area. It's highly unlikely I will ever need any gun for self defense (as it is for most of us.) A 642 in a pocket is enough. A little P32 is probably enough. We all make choices about what is comfortable enough vs. our realistic threat levels. There's nothing wrong with a big .45 if that's what you need. For me, carrying a 642 goes unnoticed and will suffice for most any encounter I am not even likely to ever have.
lesjones
Member
"Glock 26 for your belt, 442 or 642 for your pocket."
Yep. Pretty much.
Decide how you're going to carry the gun. For pocket carry or ankle carry the 642/442 is king. Once you move to belt carry the Glock 26 starts making more sense because of the 10 round magazine capacity, and you might even go to the Glock 19 with its 15 round capacity.
Due to my lifestyle and the way I dress I mostly pocket carry, so my main carry gun is a 642 with a professional trigger job, Crimson Trace Lasergrips, Mika pocket holster, and Remington 158 grain LSWCHP. It's a helluva setup.
Yep. Pretty much.
Decide how you're going to carry the gun. For pocket carry or ankle carry the 642/442 is king. Once you move to belt carry the Glock 26 starts making more sense because of the 10 round magazine capacity, and you might even go to the Glock 19 with its 15 round capacity.
Due to my lifestyle and the way I dress I mostly pocket carry, so my main carry gun is a 642 with a professional trigger job, Crimson Trace Lasergrips, Mika pocket holster, and Remington 158 grain LSWCHP. It's a helluva setup.
My 442 is my favorite go to gun. It is the gun I carry the most during the warm months. I put it in a Desantis Nemesis holster and slip it into the front pocket of my shorts.
While working, I carry my 442 in an ankle holster. I am issued a Glock 37 so I bought a Glock 39 to carry as a backup. The Glock 39 has the same size frame as a Glock 26/27 with a heavier slide. The Glock 39 was too heavy for ankle carry in my opinion so I went back to the 442.
While working, I carry my 442 in an ankle holster. I am issued a Glock 37 so I bought a Glock 39 to carry as a backup. The Glock 39 has the same size frame as a Glock 26/27 with a heavier slide. The Glock 39 was too heavy for ankle carry in my opinion so I went back to the 442.
david_the_greek
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uh ok just have to chime in on my amazement with the 442. When I first shot mine, I thought I made a kind of big mistake in choosing it over the Keltec. I liked the revolver and it hid really well, I just didn't shoot it well. Well I shot some wad cutters out of it this weekend and wow! This thing is a lot more accurate than I could have imagined. Need to practice with the low power stuff a few more times but it definitely helped my revolver shooting technique! (the only rounds I'd shot out of it before were high powered reloads and self defense ammunition).
Well I bought a 442 about a month or so ago and bought a G26 last week 
so i can chose whichever on suits my carrying need. the G26 shoots alot better than i thought it would, i had heard that they are hard to hold on to but i had no problems. Chewy
so i can chose whichever on suits my carrying need. the G26 shoots alot better than i thought it would, i had heard that they are hard to hold on to but i had no problems. ChewyLonestar.45
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I had a 340pd for a while (a short while) and sold it. I could not hit the broad side of a barn with it. I don't know if it was the trigger, or just me. The snubbies are super nice for carry though. The 442 always appealed to me.
I looked into the G26 (which made sense because I have a G19). I went with a Kahr PM9 and have never regretted it. It's smaller than the G26 and more capacity than the snub, and I shoot it well.
My advice would be to get whichever one you shoot best and learn to carry it.
I looked into the G26 (which made sense because I have a G19). I went with a Kahr PM9 and have never regretted it. It's smaller than the G26 and more capacity than the snub, and I shoot it well.
My advice would be to get whichever one you shoot best and learn to carry it.
oneounceload
member
Think of it this way - how many straight, square to rectangular shapes does the human body have...(semi pistol), versus rounded curves...(revolver)
Which SHOULD be easier to meld to your body??..
Which SHOULD be easier to meld to your body??..
Moccw
Member
Go with the 442, in my OPINION it is alot more comfortable..
I do not think that the recoil is brutal by any stretch and not even bad if one is using factory ammo. Now I have loaded up .357 that makes even my sp101 a brute but factory ammo through the light smiths is no problem and i am not a recoil junkie by any means.
I have been considering a G26 for a while but I am not a fan of its width. I prefer the slimness of a Khar. I may yet get that G26 for various reasons though.
brin747
Member
I pocket carry a 642 almost every day in a basic Uncle Mikes pocket holster. It disappears into my pocket and I hardly know it's there. I don't mind the recoil at all, even with +P defensive loads and my last trip to the range I ran 50 rounds through it from 5-10 yards and all were in center mass.
DawgFvr
Member
I used to pocket carry my 642 in a Mika pocket holster frequently...and still do on occassion.
The G26 in an IWB MTAC holster, however, is very comfortable and the 10 + 1 9mm + P rounds it holds is the deal breaker...that and aside from the fact that I am far more accurate with the little auto.
I now go for the G26 every time.
The G26 in an IWB MTAC holster, however, is very comfortable and the 10 + 1 9mm + P rounds it holds is the deal breaker...that and aside from the fact that I am far more accurate with the little auto.
I now go for the G26 every time.
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