What ammo in 442 - Page 1

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Posted: 12/8/2014 1:37:26 PM EDT

My wife will have a S&W 442 (.38) for Christmas (her choice) and I would like her to "like' it when she starts to shoot it. So, what ammo is suited for this gun, or a woman -- not a kick ass round but a mild load something for these guns -- or women, but could also be used for defense if required?

Posted: 12/8/2014 1:40:17 PM EDT

[#1]

I have a nice little Federal 110 grain low recoil that works well. in my 340.

Like this.

Posted: 12/8/2014 2:02:47 PM EDT

[#2]

Regular old 148 gr wadcutters are about as good as anything, both for practice and defense.
The Speer Gold Dot 135 gr is made specifically for the 2 inch J-frame sized revolvers, but it is a bit more rambunctious than the factory wadcutters.

Hornady does make a pink-tipped Critical Defense load with .380 ballistics (95 gr at 800fps, IIRC), but Critical Defense bullets are designed to open early, so penetration suffers.

Reloading will allow you to make lightweight, low velocity loads a whole lot cheaper than the Hornadys. Once she gets used to the recoil of an Airweight J-frame, she can ease into the wadcutters or Gold Dots.

Some well-fitting squishy rubber grips like Pachmayr Compact Decelerators might help, too; the factory ones are a bit hard. Getting a proper grip is important in shooting these light guns well and enjoyably. They need to be well-centered with the hand high on the backstrap. The gun wants to squirm around with each shot, and it tends to creep up out of the hand, increasing perceived recoil with each shot.

Posted: 12/8/2014 2:50:53 PM EDT

[#3]

I've been carrying 158gr Golden Sabers in mine for the last years. They are super accurate and recoil isn't bad.

Posted: 12/8/2014 7:00:51 PM EDT

[#4]

For my wife's J-frame I just use cheap ammo for practice/range.
For defense I load it with the Gold Dot short barrel as that is what is recommended in the ammo FAQ by Doc roberts.
In a life or death situation I don't think she'll notice the recoil difference.

Posted: 12/8/2014 9:51:08 PM EDT

[#5]

wadcutters, can use for practice and carry.

Posted: 12/8/2014 10:01:12 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
My wife will have a S&W 442 (.38) for Christmas (her choice) and I would like her to "like' it when she starts to shoot it. So, what ammo is suited for this gun, or a woman -- not a kick ass round but a mild load something for these guns -- or women, but could also be used for defense if required?

View Quote

Standard pressure 110 Gn Hornady FTX or 148Gn LWC

Posted: 12/10/2014 12:16:43 AM EDT

[#7]

Defense ammo...135gr +P Gold Dots, #53921
Range ammo.... anything

Posted: 12/10/2014 12:19:49 AM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Defense ammo...135gr +P Gold Dots, #53921
Range ammo.... anything

View Quote

A recoil sensitive shooter isn't going to enjoy shooting the 135 GD. The 110gn FTX has much less recoil and acceptable performance according to doctor Roberts

Posted: 12/10/2014 5:34:19 PM EDT

[#9]

Look for ammo advertised as "Cowboy Action". They are usually very low power, some have velocities as low as 600 fps in 38 special.

It might not be the best for defense but it's a place to start.

Posted: 12/10/2014 9:08:57 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have a nice little Federal 110 grain low recoil that works well. in my 340.

Like this.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/k/p/kpc_3161.jpg

View Quote

That's some weak shit.

Posted: 12/10/2014 9:50:48 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:

That's some weak shit.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I have a nice little Federal 110 grain low recoil that works well. in my 340.

Like this.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/k/p/kpc_3161.jpg

That's some weak shit.

Weak hits are better than misses.

Posted: 12/11/2014 12:47:34 AM EDT

[#12]

Wife had the 442 but didn't like to shoot it. Looking for a replacement as we speak. After trying many loads she ended up with the Hornady 38 special 90 grain FTX Critical Defense Lite Load. Is this the best person stopper out there I think not but it was a round that seemed to recoil less than others enough that she could put rounds on target. I shot it with that load and it does have less recoil than some of the others mentioned.

Posted: 12/11/2014 5:31:47 PM EDT

[#13]

This stuff right here. No need to worry about whether the round expands or not, it just punches a full-diameter hole 14-16"..

Posted: 12/11/2014 10:02:32 PM EDT

[#14]

I carry the Critical Defense 110 +P. They seem kinda light for +P loads, not unmanageable from a 642.

Start with light target loads and see what she can manage.

Posted: 12/11/2014 10:58:57 PM EDT

[#15]

Get her some HOGUE TAMER GRIPS

they really help soak up the recoil, and the hard plastic endcap means keeps it from dragging on the draw.

.38 special is a great round to handload.

you can make some very affordable low recoil practice ammo

some 125-140gr cast bullets and a small charge of fast target powder, like CLAYS, bullseye, HP-38 can help her get used to the gun without beating her up. bunny fart loads kick like a 22LR

once she's used to it, work it up to some normal 38 special levels.

Posted: 12/11/2014 11:20:36 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

My wife will have a S&W 442 (.38) for Christmas (her choice) and I would like her to "like' it when she starts to shoot it. So, what ammo is suited for this gun, or a woman -- not a kick ass round but a mild load something for these guns -- or women, but could also be used for defense if required?

View Quote

OP, no offense, but I think that 442 may be a hard sell on the SO. It isn't a gun that easy to like, or even "like"

I had one and I though it sucked. The trigger was awfully long and heavy, couldn't hit a thing with it. Recoil was miserable too. Even with the "easy" stuff.

Traded up for a 360PD, lighter and a much nicer trigger. Still hurts like hell though, especially with .357mag Speer Short Barrel loads.

Posted: 12/22/2014 1:47:01 PM EDT

[#17]

Cor-Bon DPX Barnes 110gr.+P.

Load them in an Ruger LCR though.

Posted: 12/22/2014 6:53:33 PM EDT

[#18]

Do some of you guys even read the question?

Posted: 12/22/2014 7:19:46 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:

Do some of you guys even read the question?

View Quote

I guess some of us may have.

Posted: 12/22/2014 7:27:23 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
Do some of you guys even read the question?

View Quote

I did.

Do you handload ?

If so, you can make some mild .38 ammo to get her started.

Posted: 12/23/2014 11:06:55 AM EDT

[#21]

I own a Ruger LCR and found that nobody (including myself) wanted to spend any significant time with it at the range really learning how to shoot it well using most of the available .38spl loads. However, I started shooting Georgia Arms 125gr. .38spl "Cowboy Load" and it makes the gun a joy to shoot and allows shooters to concentrate on sight picture and trigger press without developing a flinch.

For carry, I keep it loaded with 158gr.SWCHP+P, the old "G-man" load.

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