I’m considering picking up something smaller for my next purchase.
Due to my work environment and subsequent wardrobe requirements my G17 is less than ideal for daily carry.
I have always had an appreciation for wheel guns and Smith & Wesson wheel guns and am considering a 442 to fill my perceived need. I think that .38spcl and .38spcl +p are suitable defensive calibers although not necessarily my ideal cartridge. I also think that the size, weight, etc with a proper ankle or pocket holster would make a pretty handy package that I’d probably rarely be without.
That said, in the back of my mind I keep telling myself to get a G26 instead. There is the convenience of a common caliber, the fact that I could use my primary mags as reloads, and I find the sub-compact Glocks to be quite accurate, reliable, and surprisingly easy for me to shoot even with my large hands.
I previously carried a G27 as a compliment to my issued duty G22 both as a BUG and as a CCW piece off-duty. It worked pretty well in this role but more so in the uniformed BUG role that the CCW piece. I never found it to conceal terribly well on the ankle or in a pocket. It was just to bulky and well blocky.
This leads me back to the 442. For those of you who have or have had or carried both what experience can you lend? (I’ve never owned or carried a revolver.) What did you settle on and why? Would I be selling myself short with a lower capacity, heavier trigger pull, DAO revolver?
I carry both a 442 and a G27. I love sliding the 442 in my back pocket of my 511 shorts and pants. I also have a Galco Tuc holster that I love wearing inside the waistband. I love wearing my G27 both inside the waistband and outside. I just got a outside the belt holster from Dillon that is made by Mitch Rosen that I love. I wore a t-shirt over the top the other day and you could not see the print of the G27. Honestly I wear both of them equally. It really depends on what I am wearing. Both of them get worn during the summer and winter. Most of the time during the winter I wear either my G23 or G19 in a Mitch Rosen holster. When I travel they both come with me along with my G20. So to sum things up you really can’t go wrong with either. I prefer both.
That being said- I am a firm believer that a J frame is a great self defense weapon. There is a great book out called “The Shooter’s Guide to Airweight J-Frames” by Stephan A. Camp. He really does a nice job talking about the benefits of this gun.
On duty there is almost always a G27 on my ankle. When I’m off duty however, I still prefer to carry a full size gun and a BUG. If I’m wearing shorts, there is a J-frame in my pocket. Tried the baby Glock in the pocket routine and for me it’s too wide. If you wear cargo pants/shorts, the pocket holster found here may work for you: http://www.pocketholsters.com/Glock_Pocket-Wallet_Holster/glock_pocket-wallet_holster.html It fits perfectly in 5.11 pants cargo pockets.
Too many people overlook the J-frame IMO, though it seems to be gathering more fans lately. But if you want a pocket gun and don’t want a revolver, I believe the Glocks are excluded unless you are the size of an NBA player or professional wrestler (with baggy clothes).
You mentioned ammunition… FWIW check out the Gold Dot 135gr +P. NYPD uses it in their snubbies and it was developed specifically for 2" barrels.
My main ccw is a G23, which for my size, suits me well. However, there are times when my attire, situation, comfort, or convenience lead me to carrying a 442. I have a Tuff pocket holster which grips nicely to the inside of the pocket, and subdues the outline of the revolver. I like it in the cargo pocket of my shorts, and works well in the front pocket of dress pants. As a private citizen carrying for the unlikely event of needing to defend myself, I feel the 5 rounds of .38+p is adequate.
I really liked the G27 too but waistband carry is out for work and more formal occasions which is where this pistol would be carried. If I were going to go to waistband carry I’d stick with my G17 or another full size handgun.
+1. I love my M&P 340. I have an apex duty trigger kit that I plan on putting in it. I’ve carried it everyday since it came out.
I also have a LCR that I’m toying with. I love the hogue tamer grips on the LCR and the trigger pull is nice. The whole trigger reset/rebound thing is a little weird. I have continually failed to allow the trigger to completely reset a few times. Once I’ve put a few hundred rounds through it, then I may start using it as a carry gun.
You can’t go wrong with a centennial j-frame. I had a 442 and a 642. Great guns, just had to sell them to fund other projects. I love the simplicity of the snubbies. I’ve never had an issue with one. Boringly reliable.
One downside of the 442 not yet mentioned is the recoil. It’s NOT a pleasure to shoot, like the G26 is. 30 to 50 rounds of training ammo is okay, but you might have a blister in the web or bloody thumb. 30 to 50 rounds of carry ammo will almost certainly leave a mark! Once a year I shoot fifty rounds of +P through my 642 and I usually don’t wear gloves, and it flat out sucks. Even in winter and wearing gloves, when shooting the +P something on my hand will be injured.
But the J-frame does get the nod for concealability- for summertime carry with just shorts and a tshirt, appendix carry is very concealed.
Ditto. Easy to conceal regardless of attire assuming you have a good selection of quality holsters. I find 38 Special (+P) easy to control and accurate.
It is my belief that most folks (including me) need to be carrying either a superlight J-frame or a Kahr PM9. Most of the larger guns are just too tempting to leave behind.
Ultimately yes, compared to a G26. Compared to not carrying anything, no you’re not selling yourself short.
The J frame is hard to shoot well, it has a cramped grip, small sights and a heavy trigger pull. The LCR is a little easier to shoot well due to the trigger geometry. I think it has a slightly longer trigger reach which allows me to shoot it like a K or L frame, rather than having to cock my trigger finger way out with the subsequent shots pulling to the right that I get with a J. With either the standard or boot grip, it has less felt recoil and is easier to practice with than a 340 or 442.
The G26 carries 2X as much of slightly more powerful cartridge. It has easy to see sights that can be easily replaced with decent tritium sights. It is heavy in the pocket though and for me only fits in baggy pants/shorts pockets. I’m often hitching the pants up. You might try a tuckable inside the waistband holster like a Comp tac MTAC.
I have some of this that I use in a 442-2. Seems like good stuff.
My only J-fames are a pair of 442-2s (no lock). I rarely carry them because my G-26 hides well enough when I want something smaller.
I know I’m in the minority, but the J-frames shoot pretty well for me out to 7-10 yards. Past that and I have to slow down to get good hits.
Realistically, a 5 shot J-frame would probably be plenty sufficient for any encounter I may have in my lifetime, but I carry a Glock 19 anyway. I just like my Glock I guess.
Agreed, I got rid of my Airweight a couple of years ago and replaced it with a G26. Bad decision on my part. I ended up carrying my G19 just as easy and more often but was also without the Airweight for easier carry during the hot summer months. I look forward to another snub in the future.
I guess I’m in the minority on this but I’ve never found my snubbies to be any easier to carry/conceal than my G26. Maybe a tiny difference in the pocket but minimal and I shoot the G26 much better. Nothing wrong with a J frame but given the choice I would go with the 26, I carried one on my ankle for about 4 years.
I have both too and feel most folks could benefit from both depending on situation. M&P340 or other S&W wheel guns weigh half as much and can be carried with any shorts or outfit. It is also twice as difficult to shoot well and requires practice. maybe 3x more difficult.
The sub compacts weigh almost as much as service size guns, and can be shot almost as well.
Summer is coming on, get you a small wheel gun and a neoprene Blackhawk holster and bring on the heat! And go have fun learning to shoot that little Tiger.