S&W 442 Review: Old School Cool!

Smith & Wesson’s series of subcompact five-shot revolvers has been carried in pockets and on ankles for decades. Is it an anachronism today, or still a viable defensive arm?

I initially reviewed the S&W 442 in 2022. After putting a few hundred more rounds through it, my opinions have shifted. So, here’s my updated take on the S&W 442.

S&W 442 Background

Before semi-automatics became the standard handgun, revolvers were dominant. They tamed the Wild West, fought in the trenches in World War 1, and were only recently phased out  in some police departments. Compact versions quickly followed the introduction of full size models for those needing concealable firepower. While the full-frame models have fallen by the wayside, there remains an active market for concealable revolvers.

As a lifelong gun nerd, I can tell you there is no debate which models are the industry standard: the S&W J-frame subcompact revolver family is the one to beat. Versions have been produced with evocative names like Chief’s Special and Ladysmith, or out of exotic materials like Scandium. But the bread-and-butter variants are aluminum-framed, 1 ⅞” barrel, 5-shot .38 Specials. They are light enough to carry all day but are not fragile.

So, why does the Model 442 (and its ilk) still have a following? It generally boils down to concealability, and ease of use. Revolvers do not have manual safeties. The heavy trigger pull is generally enough to prevent accidental discharges. There is no slide to rack prior to firing. It can be fired from a coat pocket without jamming because there is no reciprocating slide. And, critically, a dud round does not require an immediate action drill to correct. You simply pull the trigger again.

This is not to say a revolver is the ultimate handgun. There are many trade-offs inherent to revolvers (e.g. low capacity, slow reloads, a heavy trigger, the risk of a bullet jumping the crimp of a cartridge case and jamming the cylinder). But if a wheel gun makes sense for your use case, the S&W 442 is worth consideration.

S&W 442 Features

1 Excels in deep concealment

2 Enclosed hammer avoids snagging

3 Double Action Only Trigger

S&W 442 Models or Colors

This article specifically details the Model 442, which has an internal hammer, double action only trigger, and black finish. Very similar models are also produced with a standard spur hammer (the Model 437) or a shrouded hammer (the Model 438). Those models can be fired single-action or double-action. Identical models are also available with a silver finish (the Model 642, 637, and 638, respectively). These six models are all part of the Airweight family. 

There are numerous variants outside the Airweight family, including the Airlight models with Scandium frame. Current caliber options include .22 LR and .357 Magnum. Models were also produced in 9mm and .327 Federal.

Smith & Wesson 442 – Our Take

Guns that are easy to carry are not generally guns that are easy to shoot. The 442, and similar models, are wonderful to carry. But they are not wonderful to shoot, especially for those who are recoil sensitive. Unlike semi-automatics, which have a recoil spring to slow down the recoil impulse of firing, revolvers dump all of the energy straight into the web of your hand. This is especially true of the 442 with its split grips that place the frame against the web of the hand with no padding.

Felt recoil is not helped by the weight of the 442. Light guns kick more than heavy guns when using the same ammunition. Physics simply cannot be avoided. But a lightweight gun, especially when carried in unconventional manners, also puts less strain on the carrier than a heavy gun. 

The double action trigger pull of the 442 and similar models is generally in the 12-14 pound range. That is a massive pull weight. The rightly-mocked advice of gun counter workers that all women should carry revolvers, because they are not strong enough to rack a slide, makes little sense when considering the strength that is required to pull the trigger on a DAO revolver. These heavy trigger pulls are also difficult to master, and even experienced shooters can struggle to keep their shots on paper at distances beyond 10 or 15 yards. Good technique can overcome this difficulty, but it will exacerbate any existing flaws.

The ballistics of the .38 Special from a barrel less than two inches are not incredible, but are probably adequate in its intended role. Ammunition selection is very important. Thankfully, there are many good hollow point loadings on the market that make the most of the short barrel.

J-frames are not known for excellent sights. The 442 is equipped with a simple black front sight and a groove in the frame for a rear sight. Needless to say, they are not adjustable. The short barrel and small frame result in a rather short sight radius of about 3.75 inches. The sights, combined with a long, heavy trigger pull, and a small revolver grip, make for a gun that is not terribly accurate. While the rubber grips offer some comfort, the overall frame grip lie can still be challenging. Mechanically, the gun is capable of shooting usable groups, but in the hands of a real person, the results are often poor.

The model 442 has an MSRP of $532, which is not unreasonable. Revolvers are more complex to manufacture than a polymer pistol. However, Airweight models are generally the least-expensive U.S.-made revolvers in the display case. Their longevity means there are thousands and thousands of them in circulation. That prevalence means they are easy to find on the used market at prices lower than retail.

Revolvers are known for reliability because they do not depend on the force of a fired round to operate the action. The rotation of the cylinder and cocking of the hammer are performed entirely by the work of the trigger finger. This means that ammunition-induced malfunctions are more rare with revolvers than pistols. However, low quality ammunition can still cause issued in a revolver. The recoil force can cause improperly-crimped bullets to work their way forward out of the brass case. In severe cases, this can result in a cartridge long enough to jam the cylinder in place and prevent its movement. This is a rare occurrence with quality ammunition, though. I have not experienced that type of malfunction on any of the J-frame revolvers I have carried.

Reloading an empty revolver is more involved than reloading a semi auto, and reloading the model 442 is more complicated than some revolvers. Speed loaders, which hold 5 cartridges in line with the chambers and drop them all with the turn of a knob, do not work well on the 442. A much more reliable option are Speed Strips, which hold the cartridges in a line. They are then peeled off directly into the cylinder. It is my practice to always carry a speed strip or two when I have a J-frame.

Smith & Wesson 442 Pros and Cons

S&W 442 – FAQs

Are the sights on the S&W 442 adjustable?

No, the sights on the S&W 442 are not adjustable. It features a simple black front sight and a groove in the frame for the rear sight, which contributes to its deep concealment but limits sighting precision.

What type of frame grips come with the S&W 442?

The S&W 442 comes with rubber grips that provide a decent hold but can still leave the frame exposed to the web of your hand, which can make recoil feel sharper. You can opt to upgrade to aftermarket grips for better comfort and control, especially if you find the stock grips too minimal for your liking.

How does the S&W 442 compare to other concealed carry guns?

The S&W 442 is one of the most concealable revolvers out there, making it a great option if you’re all about discreet carry. Compared to other concealed carry guns, especially semi-automatics, the 442 keeps things simple and reliable. But it does have its downsides, like lower capacity and being a bit harder to shoot. If you’re comfortable with a revolver and need a carry gun that’s easy to hide, the 442 is still a solid choice.

Is the S&W 442 comfortable for small pocket holster carry?

The S&W 442 is perfect for carrying in a small pocket holster. Its compact size and lightweight frame make it easy to hide while keeping it within reach. Plus, the internal hammer design means it draws smoothly without snagging on your clothes.

Smith & Wesson 442 Ammo

Smith & Wesson 442 Starter Pack

So, you’re planning on picking up a Smith & Wesson 442? If so, you’re going to need more than just the gun to make it safely go bang. You’re going to need proper protections and something to clean it with at the end of a long day at the range. Here are our recommendations:

• Gun Cleaning Kit: Otis All Caliber Elite Range Box on Amazon or build your own personalized cleaning kit with premium components.
• Shooting Glasses: All it takes is one piece of rogue hot brass, and you’ll learn the importance of shooting glasses. But not all glasses are built the same. See our recommendations for the Best Shooting Glasses.
• Hearing Protection: Firing a gun without wearing proper ear pro can be very dangerous and detrimental to your hearing. Find out the best hearing protection for you in our full-length review.
• Storage: Check out our article on the Best Biometric Gun Safes
• Targets – If you’re wanting a great resource for shooting practice or zeroing your optics on your optics rifle or pistol, download our FREE Sighting in Targets below.

Smith & Wesson 442 Upgrades and Accessories

If we’re going to pick up some other accessories to upgrade the Smith & Wesson 442, these would be our picks.

Smith & Wesson Accessoires

1. Bianchi Speed Strips for .38/.357		Holds five rounds of .38 Special or .357 Magnum cartridges Loads two rounds into the cylinder at a time Pliable construction makes it easy to use	Check Price
2. Safariland 27 IWB S&W J Frame Holster		J-hook concealment holster Holster can be worn with any belt	Check Price
3. WILSON COMBAT – #321 S&W J FRAME SPRING KIT		Improve handgun performance High tensile strength Delivers reliable function	Check Price
4. DeSantis Nemesis Pocket Holster – S&W J Frame		High craftsmanship and dependability Made of a slick pack cloth – low friction draw For S&W J Frame/Bodyguard handguns	Check Price

How to Care for Your S&W 442

S&W 442 Important Links And Manuals

Below we have a few important links that might be worth bookmarking for your Smith & Wesson 442.

• Smith & Wesson 442 Manual
• Smith & Wesson Manuals Database
• S&W 442 Overview
• GU Best Revolver Recommendations