J Frame, 438 or 442?

[BLC]

What say you? Bobbed hammer or no hammer? Is there really advantage to having SA/DA in a firearm this small?

[scarville]

For pocket carry I prefer the 442. Otherwise it's mostly a matter of preference.

Since you're probably going to be shooting an SD revolver double action the hammer spur is extraneous. That said, the spur has never caused me a problem if i am carrying in a holster.

[9mmepiphany]

All it does is tempt you to shoot it SA. If you learn to shoot the DA correctly, you'll be just as accurate out to 25 yards...maybe 50 yards if you are good

[mayo 111]

go with the 438, the option of single action i believe comes in handy. plus its never bad to have more options. and I like the way the shrouded hammer looks. you can get one of these

http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item/84675_Laserlyte_Sights_Lasers_LL_RAIL_ADAPTER_SW_J_FRAME_637_642_X.aspx

and throw a little light on it and have yourself a tactical snub nose

thats what I want to do.. heck i might do this as a bday present to myself.. my bday is coming up in a good 5 months

[lawaia]

442

[glockman19]

Nothing beats a S&W 442/642..

For the definitive guide...go to http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=554071

It's the 642 Club Part Three...

...don't forget to read through the forst 10,000 posts in parts 1 & 2.

[awall919]

Id go 442 and have the trigger polished up, Its a bit heavy.

[ojisan]

The 442 /642 trigger can be pulled to just prior to hammer drop and fired almost like a SA if necessary.

[scarville]

Id go 442 and have the trigger polished up, Its a bit heavy.

A Wolff 8# mainspring and a 15# return slide spring will go a long way toward lightening up a J-frame trigger. Stock is 8.5# and 18# respectively. Add some some polishing of the return slide and Slipstream oil to make it smoother. My 442 is right at 10# and even my wife will shoot it now. (though she still doesn't like the recoil).

Or you can get the Apex kit which has the springs and an extra length firing pin -- about 0.015" longer IIRC..

[West coast]

442

[BunnySlayer]

I carry a hammerless daily. Personal preference. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

[Picasso2]

Sorry I can't remember exactly, but over on the S&W forum they say that the 642 will have a better double action trigger than the 638 due to the transfer bar... if I remember the nomenclature correctly.

That was enough for me, bought a 642, installed an Apex kit and added Crimson Trace grips. Now have the perfect pocket rocket for around $600.

642 $337 from Jet Guns
LG-405 Crimson Trace grips for $216 off eBay
J Frame duty kit from Apex Tactical $25
RKBA pocket holster $36
-$50 Crimson Trace Rebate

I second this.
Picasso

[Anchors]

I like the bobbed hammer, but it is just personal preference.

[BLC]

Whats the difference between a 442 and 642?

[SDM44]

Whats the difference between a 442 and 642?

Frame color

442 = blued (essentially black color gun)
642 = stainless (essentially matte silver gun)