Dear Smith & Wesson

[sm]

Dear Smith & Wesson,

Please start production of 442/642 in .22 LR.

Now you "new" owners of Smith and Wesson, may not be aware that back in the day, the Model 34, (in .22 long rifle) was THE best firearm for law enforcement officers, that were being issued Model 36 and Model 37, for training purposes.

Less felt recoil, and less ammunition expenditure, allowing more effective quality practice, which transferred to officers being able to be more confident, and proficient with the issued .38 Specials.

The reality is, the 442 and 642 models are extremely popular, and your sales are very good.

Allow me to share other reasons for making a 442/642 in .22lr, based on personal experiences with the Model 34

1.Law Enforcement, that use/still use the 442/642 as either primary or back up weapon.

2a. We have an aging society, meaning, with age, sometimes with arthritis and other reasons, the centerfire .38 spl is more recoil than they can handle.

2b. Doctors orders, for less felt recoil, DO come about with injuries from car wrecks, injuries, post surgery and such. Therefore, the market which does buy the 442/642 for concealed carry really need, a "less felt recoil" option. My experience has been over the decades, many surgeons, doctors and physical therapists,will allow a patient to shoot a .22 long rifle caliber firearm.

3. Fun Factor.
The .22 long rifle cartridge continues to be a best seller. From introducing new shooters to shooting, to plinking, to serious "property duty" the .22 long rifle is proven, and will continue to be a proven cartridge in the future.

Personally, I recommend making this new offering in a FIVE shot, to better replicate the five shots of the 442/642.


Sincerely,.

Steve

 

[sixgunner455]

Model 43 C

I think it's ridiculously expensive, since you can get a 642 for under $400 bucks, but there you are.

That said ... I think I need one.

 

[sm]

Thanks my friend...

Just I want a steel cylinder, five shots...
And...If S&W was smart, they would reduce the price. Simple, sell the dickens out of the .22, therefore folks would buy the 442/642 and similar offerings they make.


Yes, I am right about all this...

 

[sixgunner455]

I'm not disagreeing with you. A steel cylinder would make it so the hammer and trigger would be able to be more pleasant.

I just don't understand how an almost all-aluminum gun can list at almost $800, when a 642 lists at $469. Just don't understand that. Supply and demand, sure, but if they list it at a lower price, then they'll sell more. I'd buy a couple of them.

 

[oldfool]

as said, ask and ye shall be served, there 'tis model 43
(I always prefer steel too, but it is "just" a 22 LR, and having more than 5 holes does not require you to fill them all)

Me, I just want them to put out their small frame revolvers in 22WMR with at least 3" barrels, preferably 4"; I really just don't get the apparent enthusiasm for WMR 2" snubbies as CCW, re: the 351s (obviously not "target' guns), although WMR seems to me a more natural training simulator, for noise effects if nothing else

I wish they would offer a 22WMR companion to their 63 series, or perhaps a dual cylinder for same; it's getting to where their discontinued classic 63/651 is pricier (if/when found) then their NIB stuff.

This one example of aging demographic (me) thinks 38 sp recoil is just not an issue for 97% of us old folk, and for those few for whom it is a tad much, there are always wadcutters
(or 32 S&W, I would like to see a resurgence in S&W 32/32L just because they are so much fun)

 

[sm]

I just don't understand how an almost all-aluminum gun can list at almost $800, when a 642 lists at $469. Just don't understand that. Supply and demand, sure, but if they list it at a lower price, then they'll sell more. I'd buy a couple of them.

Yeah, I am with you.
The older I get, the more I unnerstand the world is totally screwed up. A conundrum.

*damn-whippersnappers*

 

[Water-Man]

Buds was selling the 43c for $554.00.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If they listened, and produced them, would anyone buy them?

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // I think it is a perfect idea, sort of like the Marlin Model 39 of snubbies.

I warm up with a K frame 617 before shooting my L frame 586, both 6", set up with similar grips, bout as close as I can get in balance /sight radius.

Choking down the cost of the 617, which was more than the 586, took years but was well worth it.

Maybe if S&W had enough preorders for a 442 in .22 or even a 638 in .22 ... well ,good luck.
If it happens to be a 638, I'll always give you partial credit when I tell the tale.

 

[sixgunner455]

Buds was selling the 43c for $554.00.

Exactly what I mean. That's more than a 642 *lists* for. You can get a 642 for $200 *less* than that.

edit to add: And they're all made on CNC machinery. I'm no machinist, but my understanding is that you put the right cutter heads on the machine, select the blueprints it is to make from the menu, and start feeding it metal. It's not like you they've got to reconfigure a whole line of old-style milling machines, just select a different program for the day.

 

[Hondo 60]

sm:

In case you don't know, one of the beauties of reloading your own is being able to tailor recoil.

My favorite .38 spl load (for my j-frame) is a 158gr lead semi-wadcutter over 3.4 grains of Titegroup. It gives just a tiny, tiny bit more recoil than a .22lr.

The recoil is so slight in my 4" K-frame, that I don't like it.
For them I up the powder to 3.7 or 3.8 gr.

 

[Guillermo]

If Smith and Wesson gave a damn about their customers they would not produce MIM, IL revolvers that on a good day are of Taurus quality.