[Corelogik]

I am considering an S&W 442 Centennial for concealed use at work and in between locations as I transport "large" amounts of cash and jewelry. Dress mode is plain clothes and I drive my P.O.V.

Anyone have any experiance, comments, suggestions or other info on this piece?

Much Thanx

[valnar]

The 442/642 is an excellent piece and one of the best CCW firearms ever invented. I highly recommend it for normal people that need a small gun to conceal.

However, that being said, I don't recommend it for you.

With the job you just described, shouldn't you get a bigger/stronger weapon with more reload options? It seems like the potential for bad guys is a little greater.

-Robert

[ACP]

I agree. Get a Glock 17 or some such hi-cap to carry in a belt holster (with a spare mag or two!) under a covering garment, and get the 442/642 as backup. Seriously. Your work demands it.

[MikeJ]

Not knowing all of the specifics of your job I won't try and tell you what you need, just address your question. IMHO, the 642/442 is the best concealed revolver made, bar none. I much prefer it to the titanium or scandium models due to the bullet grain limitations placed on them and personally I don't like the idea of my barrel having a sleeve in it. I prefer the 642 over the 442 because, from what I have gathered, the finish on the 442 begins to show wear early on if it is carried regularly in a concealed mode. This may not be a concern of yours and I am going from hearsay not personal experience. Mike

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I own both the 442 and the 642 revolvers and have found both to be completely reliable, easy to carry, but requiring frequent practice to be able to maintain accuracy levels that might give me the ability to deliver rapid, accurate hits. Speaking for myself, I find that these are not the easiest little guns in the world to get precise hits with and while that's not their intended purpose, I continue to believe that placement's the primary determinant in "stopping power." Their sheer convenience in carry likely insures that they'll be there if needed.
As has been mentioned previously, only you can decide if the J-frame meets your perceived needs as a primary or back up weapon.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid44/pf045a54a77e12ca364f7701656e16148/fcdf22fd.jpg
The "spots" visible on the cylinder are where the matte finish has become polished from carrying 24/7 in a pocket holster.

This Model 042 (the same thing as a 442) was my previous carry gun, but with the hot summers here in Texas, despite daily cleaning, I began having a rust problem so I went with the stainless version even though I prefer blued.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid20/pbd2ed4a953c587de90bb15f7268d70c5/fdbf69a0.jpg
This one shows some wear on the blued as well as anodized parts of the revolver. This doesn't bother me as that just results in "honest battle scars," but I cannot abide rust.

The very thing that makes these little guns so easy to carry works against them in trying to get good hits quickly. Only you know if you have the desire and opportunity to practice regularly with them.

For what it's worth, Remington 158 gr +P LSWCHP averages 800 ft/sec from my 642 with the now discontinued Federal 125 gr Nyclad std pressure HP running about 40 ft/sec faster. The blued gun gave average velocities averaging right at 40 ft/sec faster than the stainless version with all loads tested.

Probably the most potent .38 Special load I've tried in my +P-rated M642 is the discontinued Corbon 115 gr +P+ JHP. It is not fun to shoot, but it is the only .38 Special load I've seen that will truly match the standard pressure 9mm velocities for the same weight bullet. I only have a few boxes of this and will use it sparingly as it's not lots of fun to shoot and I DO think it's hard on the revolver.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid63/p3ca8147620579f4388461469abc0f037/fc1aa556.jpg
The velocity shown is the average velocity based on 10 shots fired from the revolver. As this is no longer available, I'd likely go with the Remington +P LSWCHP mentioned earlier. Placement's going to be the key to decking a determined aggressor, but the "FBI" or "Chicago load" does seem to be a good one for these little guns.

Best and good luck.

[Corelogik]

To elaborate a little further,

the main thing I am worried about is the following scenario;

I am driving between stores with say 5k cash and another 30k in jewelry. One or more bad guys wait until I am on the road away from assistance, I have a cell phone, and "stage" an auto accident. In the process of performing all the normal things that follow such event's, they attempt to rob me.

My main considerations are these,
In our stores, we are allowed to carry anything we wish.

However it is understood that we should be as quiet and unobtrusive as possible.

In the car I am limited only by my budget, but I should think that something easy to get to that I can carry on me, is the best choice.

I do have a Glock 23 but the options for carrying that where it is easily accessible both in and out of the car and quietly are somewaht limited. (I have a large body style so some options "print" WAY to easily.)

I was thinking since I wear cargo pants or similar BDU type pant's most of the time, a little Centennial would fit nicely in the cargo pocket and be at hand in all situations.

Drive time between the store is 30 min in good traffic, 60-75 in bad traffic. Both stores sit on large open parking lots so someone approaching me there unseen is most unlikely.

I NEVER stop between stores unless it is an absolute emercengcy. (had a flat tire once, can't drive on a flat.)

Thanx for all the input.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. In the vehicle I would have a second handgun (at least) and it would be of larger size and greater power than the .38, which would be relegated to backup status when driving or in the situation you mention.

Best.

[ACP230]

I like the M649 better than the Centennial for concealed carry. Having a small revolver on hand much of the time is a good thing IMO. I carried a Colt Commander in an outside the belt holster a couple of times recently and none of my light jackets covered the bottom of the holster well. Back to the small revolver, I guess.

In your position I'd think about run flat tires too. I live in an areas some residents of my state can't even find on a map and one of the tire shops here is advertising a process for converting existing tires to run flats.

[keithernTN]

The 442/642 is an excellent revolver. Like S. A. Camp said it takes some practice to shoot accuratly. It can be a handful with full power loads but it isn't as bad a I was led to believe. Overall I would recommend it.

Safe shooting.

[BigG]

$5,000 - that's not money. That's a motive with a universal adapter! Apologies to Way of the Gun (Jimmy Caan).

[Fel]

Keep a J-frame in your pocket and a 12 gauge in the car. A pistol-gripped riot gun should handle most roadside emergencies.

[Serpico]

I love mine...although I'm not sure if it still a 442 since it was hard chromed to look like a 642..maybe it's a 542?
http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/album/00000364/aluminum_442.jpg

[9mmepiphany]

my 642 is an excellent piece and fullfills it's potential after having it's action tuned...it is now just an extention of my hand. i have carried it in a number of holsters over the years depending on the circumstances.

might i suggest an ankle holster for when you are in your vehicle. when i used to push a squad around for a living, my 642 in an ankle holster was much more accessable than either my belt gun or vest holster...and certainly a pocket (the pocket closes when you sit)...you just drop your hand from the steering wheel and reach over to the oposite ankle. when you exit your car, you can transfer it into your pocket for the walk to the shop

[Ivansrm]

Serpico, What grips do you have on that 542 of yours? How do you like them? Do they extend past the butt? I wouldn't mind puttin those on my j-frame! Please tell....

[FunYet]

...but at first I wasn't crazy about it. Took me some time to learn to use it since I was too lazy to learn to shoot double-action. Once I applied myself, though...:p

Very nice gun! No concealed carry where I live so I can't comment on it as a CCW piece. I do enjoy shooting snubbies

http://www.funyet.com/images/442.jpg

[Serpico]

Brownell's hideout grips...only 15 bucks...made of hard nylon...these are smooth w/finger grooves...you can get them stippled or smooth, grooves or standard....they don't extend past the butt, they fit like a boot grip...I like them because they don't irritate my ankle like rubber if my sock falls down...they also don't grab my clothes on the belt like rubber does...

[Jeff OTMG]

442 is a neat little J-frame. I have the 342 which is even lighter. In your case I would prefer the mod 38 which is what I had before I got a 342. Someday S&W will make a 349 just for me, maybe even in 9mm.

[Ivansrm]

Thanks Serpico, I checked the Brownell's website and found them. I'm going to order a pair tomorrow.

[Serpico]

You're welcome...they are a lot of bang for the buck...