I have a compelling urge for a hammerless J-frame...

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sidheshooter

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I don't need one. But that's not the point. I've always wanted a 2" centennial of some sort, and that's good enough.

I do have a 3" 36-1, several snub K-frames, an SPNY and some small autos, so it's not so much filling a niche, as much as just getting a cool new carry piece.

Which version would you all get, and why?

Thanks in advance for the thoughts.
 
I want an all steel, blue or stainless one.
I'm pretty sure I'll have to find an older one, to get that.
 
I like the 442. It's light and easy to draw. It fits easily in just about any pants pocket except for tight jeans so there's never really an excuse to not carry it. Like all the j-frames, incredibly accurate for its small size and short sight radius if you do your part.
 
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The only way to suffice this urge is to buy. If I were in your shoes I would get a 642. Simply due to the fact I have a Model 60 and sometimes miss my 642 for pocket carry
 
You guys aren't helping: the 442, 642 and 340 were all under consideration already.

:D

If I didn't have the 36 and SP, I'd start with a 640, but I'm thinking lighter.

I bet the 340 is brutal.
 
They aren't really "hammerless", but I like 'em, too. I got my first Centennial recently and it carries great. I'd like to find an older 640 someday or maybe even a lemon squeezer.
 
I just got to say go with a 642. I have pocket carried mine for about 6 years now. I shoot it about once a week or more depending on the weather. It is the stainless model and after a while you will get use to the small grip, well maybe. Hey just go to a gun range and try them out and decide from there. I am pleased with my 642. Just my thoughts from the Big Sky Country.
 
I have a S&W 442 that I carried for a lot of years, loved it.

This past year I've gotten bitten by the 3" wheelgun bug and found a 340PD 3",,,,, kind of like finding the holy grail for me.........also have a 1 7/8" barrel for it just in case.
 
I prefer all steel snubs.

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Why?

Snubs like the S&W 340 kick a huge amount with any load. And regular aluminum snubs wear out earlier if full power loads are used.

Now with that being said I do use a 642 S&W as a practice gun. I shoot it weekly with lower powered loads (and they kick as much as my all steel .38 snubs with full power loads!)

Now before you say all steel guns are to heavy, we are only talking 2 pounds and 3 to 5 ounces at the most. I'm sure most of you are far more than that overweight and so why should 1 lb in weight matter between two guns.

What is more the all steel guns are much more controllable and the ultra light weight guns.

Think about it.

Deaf
 
I'll be the first to admit lightweight snubs aren't fun to shoot . I own a few steel ones too. Used to shoot PPC snub only matches on a regular basis, the heavier the better but for long term carry I prefer a lightweight one.
 
I prefer the lightweight versions personally. If I'm going to carry a baby size gun it might as well be light also. I picked up a 642-2 Enhanced Action a while back and really love it. The Performance Center action job makes it worth the small additional cost, alloy frame, stainless cylinder and all in a matte finish.

SampW642_zps6009bab1.gif

I should add I don't carry mine to the range for a day of fun though, I have full size guns for range days. This only gets shot about once a quarter just to see how it's doing.
 
The 642 is plenty light, I see diminishing returns going to the super alloys. They're a bit lighter, but way less enjoyable to shoot...

I pocket carry the 642 and frequently forget its there ("forgetting its there" is not something I've experienced with mid-sized or larger semiautomatics or 4" K frames). That's the main reason I don't see a benefit in going lighter.

You can't go wrong with any of them as a carry piece, but if you plan to shoot it regularly consider the trade-offs. I find up to about 150-200 rounds of .38 to be enjoyable in the 642, which is a reasonable amount if I've brought a few guns to shoot. The same weight gun in .357, or a lighter gun in .38 is usually not fun after 2 or 3 cylinders.

Personally I find that if I don't like shooting a particular gun, it isn't long before I trade it away no matter how much I initially wanted it. It's happened 3 or 4 times now. Suppose that means I'm not a very good "collector"!
 
I was carrying a M642 for a while until I was a M442.
Now the M442 have been my daily carry for years.
I like J frames and also own a M640 in .357 Magnum.

M442-2.jpg

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Get one with a pinned front sight so you can replace it with a gold bead or night sight. I wish I had done that; the sight picture on a Model 442 is not very good.
 
I don't think anything was different but for the color and I didn't know it was discontinued. That's too bad, I like the Bodyguard frame and I like Blue guns, that's why I bought the M442. If there was a M438 without the lock like my M442 I would have bought one.
 
I have always been partial to the concealed hammer designs with the J frame; like the Models 38, 49, 638, and 649.
 
I like a steel frame for .38 Special. An older M60 is 19.5-oz, only 4-oz more than a 642/442.

For an ultralight carry J-frame, I went down in power to .22 Magnum. The 351c is only 11.5-oz and holds 7 shots. I love having those 2 extra shots. The heavy trigger is required for reliable ignition, so changing springs is a bad idea. Regular practice has helped smooth out the action and allowed me to develop good accuracy out to 7 yards. I had a very good outing with it last week and reduced my group size considerably. I'm liking the 351c a lot.
 
I want a 40 and a 640. I'd like a 642, and a 38, too.
I would have loved to have seen a .32 H&R version of a 640 made.
 
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