S&W 442...question

[4895]

I own a S&W 642 and take to the range almost every time I take anything to the range. I enjoy shooting my little .38 spl and all distances. Even hit 12" targets at 80 yards with it (won't tell you how many shots it took or how many I tried after I hit it). I load the .38 special cheap as possible, I think around 10 cents each. I have had good luck with the pistol and would not change a thing. Double action triggers take more patience and more ammo to learn on and I am very happy with mine. The only down side is I need to go shooting more to keep familiar with it. Is that really a down side?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I prefer the Taurus grip angle and trigger. I've owned a Rossi that was absolutely reliable so I'll give a long hard look at Taurus. The S&W is a good gun but I don't want to buy it and modify it to suck. Thanks for all the opinions and information, especially to Old Fuff.

While I totally agree S&W revolvers are not what they once were the do not "suck" buy any stretch of the word. I truly hope you get a good revolver when you buy that Taurus especially since you are going to trust your life to it...

I agree you should look at the S&W Bodyguard 38 before you buy anything...

 

[orangeninja]

I already have a .380 Bodyguard that rocks. The Taurus would be if I'm in the mood for a wheel gun and largely range use, etc. I've owned an older Taurus 605 before that was reliable to a fault (like the Rossi) even when shooting 158gr. .357 magnum (which is not recommended for that gun).

The S&W I am sure is reliable but I am likewise sure 99% of Taurus revolvers are too. Besides I don't "trust my life" to anything untried, ever.

 

[SwampWolf]

If you're still shopping, I'd recommend taking a hard look at the Ruger LCR. Everyone I've handled (4) has come with a great trigger

^^^
This. As much as I like Smith J-frame revolvers (I currently own three of them), the Ruger LCR revolvers that I've handled have had much better da trigger pulls. Yes, in my mind the LCRs will always be ugly, but I subscribe to the form should always follow function formula, particulary in the context of a weapon intended for self-defense use.