By Joe W Gorman
Smith and Wesson’s 442 Ultimate Carry in .38 Special +P with a HKS speedloader full of Federal Nyclads. Very old school.
Since the .38 Special Smith and Wesson J-frame’s debut in the 1950s, small-framed revolvers have found their way to on and off duty law enforcement officers as well as armed citizens. I have had a J-frame revolver in my arsenal since I was 21 years old (which is a really long time ago). When Smith and Wesson reintroduced the model 640 in the late 1980s I dutifully purchased one. When they released the 640 in .357 magnum in the 90s I was the first kid on my block to purchase one and run 500 rounds of 125gr/158gr .357 Magnum ammunition through it to see if it would stay in time. It did (500 round Smith and Wesson 640 Stress Test, Shooter’s Report, 1996) I figure 500 rounds represented a number of full power rounds that would exceed the number of magnum rounds fired through a 640 by a typical owner and then some. It wasn’t a particularly enjoyable test by about round 60. But, this work was for science!
I will say that during Covid shutdown (April 2020-April 2021) I wore my Smith 640 in a Galco ankle rig, literally every day. I felt adequately armed with my 640 in an ankle rig and two speed loaders. I managed to survive the Covid crisis, the summer of love and the 2020 election.
The S&W 442 secure in a Galco Speed Paddle configured with a belt loop
70 years after the Chief’s Special .38 was introduced, we find that a 5-shot, J-frame .38 special revolver is still a go-to gun for many, including me. Smith and Wesson recently released their Ultimate Carry Revolver line, and it included a 442, aluminum frame, 5 shot .38 special revolver with an XS tritium night sight, an adjustable rear combat sight, G10 stocks with wood grain pattern, revised and polished endurance package components, a beveled front edge and NO LOCK. This gun appears to a very practical answer to the needs of people who carry all the time. The 442 Ultimate Carry revolver (442 UC) is light (16.3 oz), even when compared to the steel 640. The little touches Smith did to this gun (chamfered charge holes and grip relieved for speed loaders) make this a great back-up or primary gun for concealed carry.
Shooting the 442 UC was proof of just how right Smith got their refinements. The boot grips seem to be the perfect compromise between control and concealability. The windage adjustable rear sight and the high visibility XS front sight provided a clear sight picture that was quickly acquirable. The revised trigger geometry provided for good combat groupings out to 12 yards and a smooth consistent pull. Recoil with +P loads was sporty but not unbearable for the course of my testing. Non +P target loads with fun to shoot and easy to keep in the 9 ring at 8 yards. I could, with deliberate fire, keep my shots in the head of B27 at 8 yards. My wife, all 5’2” 120 pounds of her, could easily shoot the 442 UC with full power self-defense loads and remarked about how well it worked.
From 10 yards, head shots on a B27 target were easily made thanks to the smooth action
I knew she liked the 442 UC when I saw a Galco belly band holster, that she had ordered, show up in the mail. Hmmmm. I would never say that my 640 is a heavy gun, but the 442 UC is a featherweight in comparison.
Miss Miko testing the 442. Her first handgun was a Smith Model 49. She is a good shot.
During the combat testing I managed to put a couple hundred loads, a mix of standard pressure and +P ammunition, through the 442 UC. The action worked efficiently, and the chamfered charge holes made quick reloads with defensive ammunition in speed loaders, easy.
Combat target shooting the 442 proved it was effective and easy to use
I found deliberate shots from 8 yards stayed in the 9 ring on a standard B27 target. Drawing from concealment while moving laterally, I found I could get a good purchase on the boot grips while the 442 was secured in a Galco speed paddle holster and shoot quick doubles that stayed within the lines of the 8 ring from 8 yards. I never lost the sights as I pulled up to draw and the trigger pull became very predictable.
Reliable, concealable, topped with rugged and highly visible sights; what’s not to love! Loaded with modern and reliably-expanding +P ammunition, the elegant 442 is a potent and compact weapon that can be carried everyday
I’ve used Hornady’s 158gr XTP .38 special ammunition in my older Colts that are not rated for +P and they work well. They work just as well in this Smith 442. If you need solid penetration on your defensive loads, these will do the job.
For more information contact: Smith-Wesson.com
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