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MLeake · February 23, 2013, 07:40 AM

I regularly practice at 25yds with my 442; if you can shoot DA well, you can shoot it at decent ranges.

In Massad Ayoob's 2012 handgun compilation magazine (can't remember the title, but it's back on my shelf in my room), he describes a big game shot he made with a 4" 629, double action, at 117 yards.

So, if you can't shoot at medium and long ranges with a DA revolver, it means you may need more DA practice.

Meanwhile, with regard to the 642/442 vs 638, a couple of differences that Mas notes in the same magazine:

1) Dust and grit can get into the hammer slot in the 638 shroud, potentially fouling the hammer;

2) The backstrap of the 642/442 (or 640/340 etc) extends slightly higher up than on any other J frame, in order to contain the internal hammer. This allows a higher grip, resulting in a lower bore axis and better controllability for rapid fire, than one can get with the other J frames.

February 23, 2013, 07:40 AM	#5
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	I regularly practice at 25yds with my 442; if you can shoot DA well, you can shoot it at decent ranges. In Massad Ayoob's 2012 handgun compilation magazine (can't remember the title, but it's back on my shelf in my room), he describes a big game shot he made with a 4" 629, double action, at 117 yards. So, if you can't shoot at medium and long ranges with a DA revolver, it means you may need more DA practice. Meanwhile, with regard to the 642/442 vs 638, a couple of differences that Mas notes in the same magazine: 1) Dust and grit can get into the hammer slot in the 638 shroud, potentially fouling the hammer; 2) The backstrap of the 642/442 (or 640/340 etc) extends slightly higher up than on any other J frame, in order to contain the internal hammer. This allows a higher grip, resulting in a lower bore axis and better controllability for rapid fire, than one can get with the other J frames.