Smith & Wesson's Model 442 38 Special +P Revolver Part I

I like my primary physician. Smart guy, pays attention, very much up to date and always there in a crisis. Usually, I go for an annual physical, then get my labs done and leave quickly before he gets the results. He sends me email and calls, alerts and alarms, regarding the results and I hide until the next annual physical.

Yes, I do take his advice. I do make changes. Changes do make for a major improvement, but I need to do it on my terms. This time he tricked me and scheduled my labs ahead of my appointment by fifteen minutes. Fortunately, inept hospital administrative systems slowed the process and I once again evaded capture. I did not escape emailed results and text haranguing.

America’s love – hate relationship with the revolver

Most Americans love revolvers, they just hate to admit it in public… social media, for fear of being assailed for breaking from the tactical herd. How could anyone not appreciate the Model 442 from the perspective of its intended purpose?

We all have our own thoughts regarding potential threats, the type of threats that cause us to keep a defensive firearm in the house or carry concealed.  For me, I see up close and over fast; home intrusion, attempted car jacking, attempted assault. All close up, no prolonged engagement.

What I don’t see is an extended shootout at a distance. My first instinct would be to avoid or break an engagement at the first opportunity. I don’t want to shoot anyone and I don’t want to be shot. I just want to end a threat and save my life or the lives of those in my charge.

Again, my perceptions and objectives, others may, and will, have quite different views. Which is why i tend to evaluate handgun performance at seven to ten yards and not at twenty five or fifty yards unless the handgun is long barreled and has trail or hunting potential.

Size is relative

I didn’t want to put a tape measure in the photo to illustrate the Model 442’s as that seemed a bit… pedestrian. Then I took a picture with the gun cupped in my hand, which pretty well covered, but who would know my hand size as a point of reference?

So I finally settled on placing it on a the touch pad of my laptop in view of the keyboard. As laptop keyboards and touch pads are non standard, I’ve accomplished little. The touch pad is 5.5″x3.75″. The point is that the Model 442 is very compact, quite narrow and lacks any clothing/holster grabbing corners, edges or protrusions.

Simple, but appropriate sights, although I suspect point and shoot skills would be good to practice, based on anticipated applications. The no hammer thing? This configuration is called hammerless. At least it was before new enthusiasts and marketing staff began calling it a concealed hammer. I all fairness, many so called hammerless guns did not more than lob off the hammer spur, leaving the slot in the frame and a visible spurless hammer. Although I guess it could be a spurious hammer.

Even with a short grip, the Model 442 offers substantial purchase, good trigger finger alignment and sights aligned on the same plane. The grips are a soft polymer. For me, much easier to shoot than a sub compact auto loader.

The 38 Special +P… and why it is Special

The 38 Special was developed by S&W in 1898 as a black powder cartridge and introduced as a military cartridge in Smith & Wesson’s Military & Police model revolver in 1902.

A longer and more powerful cartridge than the older 38 short or long Colt cartridges and shorter than the significantly more powerful 357 Magnum cartridge that followed in 1935.

The 38 Special is significantly more powerful than the 380 Automatic and slightly less powerful that the 9mm Luger. It has served, and continues to serve law enforcement, the military and private citizens. The firearms are easy to master and the cartridge has a reputation for accuracy.

There are approximately 22 brands contributing to 107 factory loads for the 38 Special, 37 of which are +P level. Bullet weights run from 100 grains to 158 grains as mainstream, with specialty loads ranging to 200 grains. The 38 Special is also a good round for the handloader, from both performance and cost savings potential.

How many bullets are needed for handloading? At least one for each casing…

There are approximately 44 component bullets made in 0.357″ diameter, with cannelure placed for the 38 Special / 357 Magnum. Approximately 7 within that group, by bullet weight and construction, are intended for use with the 357 Magnum.

Above are four popular type and weight bullets for the 38 Special. L-R: Speer 110 grain JHP, Speer 125 grain JHP, Berry 148 grain double ended wad cutter, Speer 158 grain JSP.

To complicate matters when selecting a bullet, manufacturers often used their marketing departments to create a sense of obsolescence or, replacement product, while the contents of the box remain unchanged… despite becoming “target” bullets.

My bullet inventory is FIFO.  If a bullet works for me, its performance does not degrade from time on the shelf, so I don’t run out to get the latest label as long as the product designation remains unchanged.

Bullets with a purpose… my purpose 

Speer Gold Dot 110 grain JHP #4009: This bullet is specifically intended for use in short barrel handguns and made to expand at associated velocity levels. They are listed by Speer for self defense applications.

Speer Gold Dot 125 grain JHP #4013: While very similar in design to the 110 grain JHP, its construction is different and it is primarily intended for target shooting.

Berry 148 grain double ended wad cutter #68188: A simple swaged lead core, electroplated with copper to seal the lead core for indoor range work. The double ended feature is only a benefit when assembling ammo, manually or with production equipment. They may be for target work, but they are excellent for dispatching pests and they work for self defense.

Speer Gold Dot 158 grain JSP #4217: Construction is Uni-Cor jacket over lead core. The current version is listed as primarily for target shooting. The earlier version, same number, different packaging was not listed with this sole application. Penetration and expansion in ballistic gel makes this a personal protection choice for me.

From here…

So, we’ll take a break here, look for some low flash powder and work up handloads with the bullets indicated. I think we can cover standard and +P handloads.

Merry Christmas!!…! A wish of Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward All. I have high hopes that this will be a turnaround year. One with a lot less politics and a lot more humanity.