carrying S&W 642

[Alpental]

442 is my favorite gun and goes with my most places.

[xdfan80]

I dont plan on using my XD .45 for carry, At least not in warmer months.
Thats why I have a Ruger SP 101 .357 mag on layaway right now.

[rupert]

Somtimes I go with my XD Subcompact, but usually with my 642.

Anyone ever use Federal .38 +P+ in their Airweight J-Frames?

[StrykerDM]

Originally Posted by rupert

Somtimes I go with my XD Subcompact, but usually with my 642.

Anyone ever use Federal .38 +P+ in their Airweight J-Frames?

I've only carried speer gold dot +P...not sure about the +p+ in such a small light gun

[mgeoffriau]

Since my 38 Bodyguard is an alloy frame, I'm using Buffalo Bore standard pressure rounds. They pack a punch without killing the frame (or your hand).

[Conceyted]

I had a similar question about carrying my S&W 340CT M&P. After some research and hearing nothing bad about the SmartCarry I decided to go for it. The SmartCarry has a 60 day trial period and at any time you can return it for your full money back. I figured I couldn't go wrong.

Well, I ordered it on Wednesday and it arrived on Friday! I had about 10 minutes to play with it before I had to leave and as soon as a put it on and placed my unloaded 340 in it, it felt like it was at home. The holster itself is very comfortable. Even sitting down I have little to no discomfort unless I have some very tight pants on (which I try to avoid buying, anyway) My girlfriend watched me put it on and as soon as I zipped up my pants I said, look extremely hard where it is, can you tell? Nope! This thing down right DISAPPEARS. Later that night I had more time to mess with it, I even had my girlfriend put it on in a dress. I was surprised that you couldn't tell even with a dress on her! Granted, the draw with a dress on would probably be a bit of a.... show! but it sure disappeared well.

All in all, the SmartCarry is exactly what I was looking for. With my thin frame, I was pretty limited to carry options. Pocket carry worked in some instances, but it felt bulky and somewhat uncomfortable. With this SmartCarry I am able to carry my weapon without ever really noticing it and I can draw pretty quickly already.

[drgonzo]

Originally Posted by Alpental

442 is my favorite gun and goes with my most places.

Same here.

I went back and forth between the 442 and MP340 and am glad I went with the 442. In every review I read of the 340 and in conversation with everyone I've ever asked who'd fired .357 through it the word "painful" came up at some point. So I figured if I'm going to end up using .38+P all the time, why spend the extra $3-400 for the 340? This is in no way meant to disparage the 340 or those who own/shoot one. It was just my thought process and decsion. YMMV.

I got the Crimson Trace lasergrips and they incorporate a padded cover for the backstrap which helps quite a bit with managing recoil. Over the weekend I put a box of 50 +P through my 442 and, though I wouldn't use the word "painful" to describe the experience, 50 rounds was plenty. It's not really 'managing recoil', it's just that there's one area in the palm of my hand that gets a little sore.

As the saying goes "Carry a lot, shoot a little." I carry it all the time and shoot about 50 rounds/month through it. Works for me.

[Conceyted]

Originally Posted by drgonzo

Same here.

I went back and forth between the 442 and MP340 and am glad I went with the 442. In every review I read of the 340 and in conversation with everyone I've ever asked who'd fired .357 through it the word "painful" came up at some point. So I figured if I'm going to end up using .38+P all the time, why spend the extra $3-400 for the 340? This is in no way meant to disparage the 340 or those who own/shoot one. It was just my thought process and decsion. YMMV.

I got the Crimson Trace lasergrips and they incorporate a padded cover for the backstrap which helps quite a bit with managing recoil. Over the weekend I put a box of 50 +P through my 442 and, though I wouldn't use the word "painful" to describe the experience, 50 rounds was plenty. It's not really 'managing recoil', it's just that there's one area in the palm of my hand that gets a little sore.

As the saying goes "Carry a lot, shoot a little." I carry it all the time and shoot about 50 rounds/month through it. Works for me.

Well, I can only agree with you on the "painful" part of a snub nose .357. However, the recoil is not uncontrollable and the power behind the round easily makes up for the pain you feel. In a self defense situation are you going to be worried about a stinging feeling from shooting the bad guy? I sure won't. But that tenderness in an area of your palm you feel is exactly how the 340 feels after 25 rounds of .357. +P stings too, just not as much.

Even if you decided you only wanted to shoot +P, the differences between the 442 and 340 are as follows. The 340 is 3 ounces lighter, the 340 has an XS dot front tritium night sight, the difference in price is about $200-$250, not $300-$400. The price you are comparing for the 340 is the CT model (model with Crimson Trace Laser Grips). Either way, they are both great guns. The night sights is a nice touch that very few snub nose revolvers have. And the weight and size for the caliber is amazing.

[sldghmr]

I have a 642 w/ Crimson Trace grips, loaded with Speer Gold Dots +P that I can pocket carry. I also have Kahr PM 9, I much prefer the Kahr.

The Kahr is not hard to practice with, is more accurate then the 642 (at least in my hand) and carrying spare ammuntion is easier, a mag instead of speed loaders. It also is a more concealable gun due to its flatness.

I ran a 100 rounds through it yesterday, and was very pleased with the hits in the target, shooting 2 handed, 1 handed, off hand and even from the hip. I do not have the same level of confidence in the J frame.

A 1.78" barrel, with guttter sights, is sited in at the factory using 158 gr. lead round nose ammunition, when you change that you chnage the point of aim of the sites. It may be adequate, but part of the reason I have CT grips is to account for the type of ammo I carry in it.

[1lowlife]

Originally Posted by drgonzo

Same here.

I went back and forth between the 442 and MP340 and am glad I went with the 442. In every review I read of the 340 and in conversation with everyone I've ever asked who'd fired .357 through it the word "painful" came up at some point. So I figured if I'm going to end up using .38+P all the time, why spend the extra $3-400 for the 340? This is in no way meant to disparage the 340 or those who own/shoot one. It was just my thought process and decsion. YMMV.

I got the Crimson Trace lasergrips and they incorporate a padded cover for the backstrap which helps quite a bit with managing recoil. Over the weekend I put a box of 50 +P through my 442 and, though I wouldn't use the word "painful" to describe the experience, 50 rounds was plenty. It's not really 'managing recoil', it's just that there's one area in the palm of my hand that gets a little sore.

As the saying goes "Carry a lot, shoot a little." I carry it all the time and shoot about 50 rounds/month through it. Works for me.

I'm with you.
It wasn't worth the extra $200 to $300 for the 357mag capabilities.
I've found the 38sp +P to be plenty a round in my J-frame.
I also have the CT LG-405 grips and like them a lot.
I bought this pistol for occasional summer carry.
But I haven't stopped carrying it since I bought it.
I never thought I would be so content with a 5 shot SD pistol.
But I love this gun.
I just need a good leather OWB holster.
I might just try that Smartcarry option.