Recoil of 642/442

[C-grunt]

My wife picks up her 442 tomorrow and she is wondering about recoil of SD rounds. She isnt horribly recoil sensitive as she has no problem shooting a service size 9mm or a .45 1911, but she doesnt like the .40. So she doesnt like a sharp hard recoil. I know recoil is subjective but how do the good rounds compare in the recoil department. We're really interested in the 158 grn LSWCHP +P and the Speer 135 +P. We are going to try a few different loads but Im trying not to spend to much money on different SD loads. Thanks.

 

[Seven High]

I take a grip as high as I can on my 642 when shooting SD loads. This seems to help me control the weapon better. I suggest that you have your wife do the same.

 

[Spiff_P239]

I just bought a Smith & Wesson M&P 340 and find that the recoil really isn't all that bad after putting 135 grain Speer Gold Dots in .38+P through it. However, I can definitely say that the recoil is quite a bit more than through a full-size 9mm pistol. I shot the 340 and my P226 in 9mm back to back and the P226 felt like a cap gun in comparison. Granted, I was only putting range ammo through the Sig and not self-defense loads, but when you shave off about 20 oz of gun weight, recoil is going to increase. If she isn't terribly recoil sensitive, I'm sure she'll be able to handle the 442. Just make sure she has a firm grip on it to help control it.

 

[mavracer]

135 gd are much softer recoil than 158 FBI load. CT405 grips also make a big difference in felt recoil. my 17 year old daughter is threatining to take my 442 they'll make more

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I think you will find the recoil from the M442 sharp but manageable. It's not so bad with standard .38 Sp but there's a big difference with the .38 Sp+P stuff. Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel rounds seem to have a little less snap than other .38 Sp+P ammo I've used. You might want to give those a try if she doesn't like the snap from the FBI load. I have a M638 and have been carrying the Short Barrel 135 gr Speer ammo.

 

[MassMark]

I think if your wife finds the .40 S&W to be too much, then the GDHP +P 135's may prove to be a disappointment for her. They are a robust cartridge compared to the 125gr Winchesyer +P "Personal Protection, the Federal HydraShok 129's, the Speer GDHP +P 125's and Corbon 125's. I recently made a large purchase of the 135's, (1,000-rounds) and found that I was taking a break switching back to the 125gr offerings. The 135 GDHP's are much warmer in comparison. I have no experience with the 158's - other than MagTech FMJ, so I can't comment, but inderstand they're fairly stout as well...

Perhaps start her off with lower power offerings and work up to the big stuff...Starting off with GDHP +P 135's may be too much too soon - especially if she's sensitive to the .40

Good luck!