Small S & W: Bad shooting !!

kidvett · 11-08-2003, 12:17 AM

Hello,

I had a chance to try a S & W 442 ( Airweight 38 ) this week. A hard weapon to control in rapid fire due to heavy recoil with 158gr loads!! and shooting a tad low !! I'm just curious to know if anybody has any experience with that type of weapon

Thanks,

Mark

Edward Tinker · 11-08-2003, 01:13 AM

I have shot one a long time ago, much easier to control a heavier gun. But then, it is for close in and personal shooting, not for fun.

I always thought the Charter Arms 44 special Bulldog must kick like a mule also?

Ed

kidvett · 11-08-2003, 10:11 AM

Hello Ed,

You're absolutely right on better control with a heavier gun...I shot 44 Bulldogs and it has heavy recoil !! ( do not try with Keith loads !! )

That 442 was evaluated as a personnal close in/ backup role....dissapointing. I've always prefered Colt's line of Detective Specials and I have a 2nd model Agent that fills that role. But I've had good results in the past with S & W Bodyguard Airweight ( model 38, shrouded hammer ), good pointability, smooth DA action and not so bad recoil. I was just wondering how come the 442 doesnt give those results ?? I tend to blame it on the concealed hammer desing combined with the lightweight. A sad conclusion as it is slick & light and should carry well...So I guess I'll stay with Colts...

Mark

AGE · 11-08-2003, 11:50 PM

I have one of these with the titanium cylinder and exposed hammer. I forget the model number but it is a gun to carry easily (10 ounces) and shoot little. It has quite a kick (worse than my Ruger .44 magnum) and really cuts your finger with the trigger guard. Anyway, it is accurate but does shoot low. You have to let the front sight show about 1/16 of an inch above the frame notch for a good zero but my gun groups well. I guess I could cut down the front sight but I don't believe I will.

Greg G · 11-09-2003, 10:42 AM

I had a Model 442 and traded it for a Model 342PD Airlite. It is a little lighter than the 442 and is my daily carry piece. It does seem to shoot a little low but with practice I can get decent groups with it. Obviously the gun wasn't designed for casual target practice. I put a bandaid on the crotch of my thumb and index finger when I shoot it to prevent the top of the rubber grip from rubbing a blister. I carry standard pressure 125 grain Federal Nyclad loads in it in a Kramer horsehide pocket holster. My two cents.

Michigan Gunner · 12-23-2003, 11:24 PM

Your group looks about par for the course. I have a S&W 640, basicly the same gun with a steel frame. Both will do the job they were designed for. Close range, easy to carry, five shots as sure as the sun comm'in up in the morning, no hammer to snag on anything, it just works!

Shoot it some and get use to it. Try some different loads/brands. One may shoot POA and group better.

Lock and Load!

kidvett · 12-23-2003, 11:35 PM

Michigan Gunner,

Since then....bah !!.......it went......and I refered back to an old favorite !!

I do agree with your comments : ready to fire, small, compact, light & slick......

This one has 7 shots ( alternate GSS / STHP ), have all the qualities of the other one, does NOT jam!!...and is THE favorite for that `` second `` role...

MARK <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

AGE · 12-23-2003, 11:50 PM

Kidvett,

Your automatic has advantages, but my 10 ounce aluminum/titanium J frame revolver is so light it disappears in a pocket. Great for formal occasions when obvious carry is unacceptable.

Michigan Gunner · 12-24-2003, 10:09 AM

A very good choice as well. My dad has one in blue steel. He's 85 now so he doesn't shoot it much.

Just keeps in handy!

Also, since you can carry it "on safe", if someone got ahold of it in a tussel, they can't make shoot!

Lock and Load!

11-08-2003, 12:17 AM	#1
kidvett User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 584 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Small S & W: Bad shooting !! Hello, I had a chance to try a S & W 442 ( Airweight 38 ) this week. A hard weapon to control in rapid fire due to heavy recoil with 158gr loads!! and shooting a tad low !! I'm just curious to know if anybody has any experience with that type of weapon Thanks, Mark

11-08-2003, 01:13 AM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	I have shot one a long time ago, much easier to control a heavier gun. But then, it is for close in and personal shooting, not for fun. I always thought the Charter Arms 44 special Bulldog must kick like a mule also? Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

11-08-2003, 11:50 PM	#4
AGE User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 597 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have one of these with the titanium cylinder and exposed hammer. I forget the model number but it is a gun to carry easily (10 ounces) and shoot little. It has quite a kick (worse than my Ruger .44 magnum) and really cuts your finger with the trigger guard. Anyway, it is accurate but does shoot low. You have to let the front sight show about 1/16 of an inch above the frame notch for a good zero but my gun groups well. I guess I could cut down the front sight but I don't believe I will. __________________ Al Eggers (AGE) NRA Life Member

12-23-2003, 11:50 PM	#8
AGE User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 597 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Kidvett, Your automatic has advantages, but my 10 ounce aluminum/titanium J frame revolver is so light it disappears in a pocket. Great for formal occasions when obvious carry is unacceptable. __________________ Al Eggers (AGE) NRA Life Member

11-08-2003, 10:11 AM	#3
kidvett User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 584 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Hello Ed, You're absolutely right on better control with a heavier gun...I shot 44 Bulldogs and it has heavy recoil !! ( do not try with Keith loads !! ) That 442 was evaluated as a personnal close in/ backup role....dissapointing. I've always prefered Colt's line of Detective Specials and I have a 2nd model Agent that fills that role. But I've had good results in the past with S & W Bodyguard Airweight ( model 38, shrouded hammer ), good pointability, smooth DA action and not so bad recoil. I was just wondering how come the 442 doesnt give those results ?? I tend to blame it on the concealed hammer desing combined with the lightweight. A sad conclusion as it is slick & light and should carry well...So I guess I'll stay with Colts... Mark

11-09-2003, 10:42 AM	#5
Greg G User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TX Posts: 65 Thanks: 15 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	I had a Model 442 and traded it for a Model 342PD Airlite. It is a little lighter than the 442 and is my daily carry piece. It does seem to shoot a little low but with practice I can get decent groups with it. Obviously the gun wasn't designed for casual target practice. I put a bandaid on the crotch of my thumb and index finger when I shoot it to prevent the top of the rubber grip from rubbing a blister. I carry standard pressure 125 grain Federal Nyclad loads in it in a Kramer horsehide pocket holster. My two cents.

12-23-2003, 11:24 PM	#6
Michigan Gunner User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Michigan, on the border Posts: 75 Thanks: 2 Thanked 15 Times in 9 Posts	Your group looks about par for the course. I have a S&W 640, basicly the same gun with a steel frame. Both will do the job they were designed for. Close range, easy to carry, five shots as sure as the sun comm'in up in the morning, no hammer to snag on anything, it just works! Shoot it some and get use to it. Try some different loads/brands. One may shoot POA and group better. Lock and Load!

12-23-2003, 11:35 PM	#7
kidvett User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Montreal, Quebec Posts: 584 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Michigan Gunner, Since then....bah !!.......it went......and I refered back to an old favorite !! I do agree with your comments : ready to fire, small, compact, light & slick...... This one has 7 shots ( alternate GSS / STHP ), have all the qualities of the other one, does NOT jam!!...and is THE favorite for that `` second `` role... MARK <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

12-24-2003, 10:09 AM	#9
Michigan Gunner User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Michigan, on the border Posts: 75 Thanks: 2 Thanked 15 Times in 9 Posts	A very good choice as well. My dad has one in blue steel. He's 85 now so he doesn't shoot it much. Just keeps in handy! Also, since you can carry it "on safe", if someone got ahold of it in a tussel, they can't make shoot! Lock and Load!