A few weeks after the 2024 SHOT Show, I attended a media event a Lipsey’s Distributors in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There, a small group of like-minded shooters gathered to get a first look at the new Lipsey’s exclusive Smith & Wesson Ultimate Carry revolvers. We received an inside look at the product conception and release to market. In addition, we spent a day at the range with a stack of guns and a pallet load of ammunition. It was an excellent event that validated that the J-frame is still a viable option for personal defense.

Building the Perfect S&W J-Frame

The concept for the Ultimate Carry started in the summer of 2002 when Jason Cloessner, Lipsey’s Senior Vice President for Product Development, approached Smith & Wesson. Cloessner pitched the concept to Andrew Gore, Smith & Wesson’s Handgun Product Manager. Cloessner explained that he wanted to develop a line of exclusive Smith & Wesson products, specifically revolvers. The concept was to design and produce a truly improved product, not just change stocks, apply a spray and bake finish, and find a new name for an old model. Unlike many executives in the firearms space, Cloessner is a shooter, hunter, and all round gun guy who carries a J-frame on a daily basis.

The concept centered on the Centennial J-Frame series. The 442/642 J-frame Centennials are one of the bestselling revolvers in the Smith & Wesson line. However, they are basically the same pistol that was introduced in the 1950s. Materials and production methods have improved but little else. Cloessner and Smith & Wesson were about the change that. They were going to design the “next generation of J-frames.”

As with many serious gun people, the deficiencies of the J-frame have been obvious for many years. So, what are the deficiencies of the pistols? Sights are at the top of the list. The narrow ramp front sight, when combined with the shallow rear sight trough, is very difficult to acquire. This is aggravated by the lack of color contrast between the front and rear sights. The second issue is a draw between trigger pull and proper stocks. Both can be addressed with aftermarket products, but wouldn’t it be nice to get it correct right out of the box? The question was, could the perfect J-frame be produced and, here is the elephant in the room, how much would it cost?

Ultimate Carry Features

The design of the Ultimate Carry started with the existing 642/442 series of pistols. They considered leveraging existing designs and features found in some other models. However, this was to be a new revolver that would set the stage for future projects. The gun has a synergy, and to quote Aristotle, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts!” To appreciate the depth of the redesign, it is best to take each feature separately.

Sights

The first, and most important priority, was to give the 642/442 Ultimate Carry a set of usable sights. Smith & Wesson already offered upgraded sights on the Model 640 Pro, which has a dovetailed rear sight and a high-visibility front sight. For the UC, Smith took the basic rear sight of the Pro and modified it to have a wider window and a “U” notch. The rear sight is black with a serrated face. Thankfully, it is void of any dots or a white outline. The sight is dovetailed into the frame and has a set screw to prevent any unwanted shift during use.

The front sight is an XS Standard Dot with a Tritium insert and a proprietary Glow Dot bright photoluminescent ring that absorbs ambient light and glows in the dark. The dot is convex for improved light absorption and visibility. The Glow Dot features a unique shade of green developed specifically for the Ultimate Carry. Made from solid bar stock, the front sight blade pins into the barrel shroud of the UC. It replaces easily if required.

Barrel

I mentioned that Smith & Wesson intended to leverage existing designs that may not have been part of the 442/642 models. The two-piece barrel was first introduced in 2001 with the scandium J-frames frame that were chambered in .357 Magnum. This design offers a number of advantages of a traditional, one-piece, threaded barrel. The one-piece barrel must be “clocked” to ensure that the front sight post is exactly at 12 oclock. This is a time consuming process and over-torqueing can result in a cracked frame. This is especially the case with the aluminum alloy frame of the 442/642 and other similar models.

The two-piece barrel consists of a steel barrel sleeve and an alloy barrel sleeve or shroud. The barrel is round and can be installed without the need for clocking. This design also allows for a smaller and more consistent cylinder to barrel gap. A round bearing surface secures the front of the shroud while a recess on the rear edge of the shroud indexes with a tab on the front of the frame. This process also reduces the installation time. 

Endurance Upgrades

Traditionally, alloy J-frames have steel studs that are copper-brazed in place. These studs are critical to the operation of the cylinder lock, trigger, hammer, and trigger rebound block. Should one of these studs break, the gun is normally a total loss. Smith & Wesson gave the UC an enhanced “endurance package” that includes titanium pins and improved geometry of some internal parts.  When combined with improved springs, the trigger pull, on the new UC, is a substantial improvement.

Stocks

VZ Grips has long been known for their extensive line of G-10 stocks for both revolvers and pistols. The company worked closely with Lipsey’s and Smith & Wesson to develop a set of specifically designed stocks for the UC. The design not only fills the sinus behind the trigger but also encloses the entire backstrap of the frame. This design is known as a high horn and is specific to the Centennial-style frame. The design allows for a higher purchase on the pistol and allows the recoil to be defused across a larger portion of the hand. This improves the shooting experience and helps improves performance. They are also very attractive and really set off the UC from other guns in the dealer’s case. 

Additional Touches

Smith & Wesson went the extra mile with some very subtle, but important features rarely found on production guns. The leading edge of the cylinder, and the front edges of the frame, exhibit a nice bevel. The enhancement eliminates any sharp edges. This allows for easier re-holstering without snagging or shaving of holster material. Smith also chamfered the charge holes for easier reloading. And, to the joy of all, Smith has eliminated the internal lock on all Ultimate Carry revolvers. The lock has been a point of contention for many years and this is a welcomed change.

New Models – New Calibers

The initial concept builds around the 442 and 642. Both are chambered in .38 +P and feature an alloy frame and steel cylinder. The 442 comes in all black, while the stainless steel 642 features silver anodizing. As the proof of concept became a reality, Cloessner made the bold move by asking if Smith & Wesson would produce a version in .32 H&R Magnum! Smith agreed, adding the 432 and 632 models to the UC line. And everyone was off to the races! From production to validation and final approval, it was very much a team effort between Lipsey’s, Smith & Wesson, and a small group of outside “consultants.” 

Shots Fired

Having carried a 642 for over 30 years, I was excited to see just how significant the UC improvements were. And it impressed. The trigger on my 642 UC broke cleanly at 9.5 pounds with no grit or drag. This is a significant improvement over a standard 642. The stocks fit my hand well, fitted properly to the frame. However, it is the new UC sights that really got me excited. 

On the range, I tested the 642 UC with several of the most popular loads. I will admit that the hotter loads, like the Federal Punch +P, tended to sting my hand. This was aggravated by my having some compromised tendons at the base of my thumb. Still, I got through the day’s testing with minimal discomfort. Shooting off-hand, from 10 yards, all four loads shot very close to the point of aim. My initial groups hit slightly left of center but I determined that was due to the position of the sun, not the sights.

On the Clock

As is my habit, I shot the HiTs Super Snubby Test that consists of five rounds, fired from 3, 5, and 10 yards, respectively. Par time for each string of fire is 3 seconds, 5 seconds, and 8 seconds, respectively. I should note that the 3-yard-line is fired using the strong-hand only, so five shots in 3 seconds is rather spicy. The drill is shot on a B-8 repair center and scored using the ring values on the target. It is only shot once for score and is normally shot cold. My score, with the 642 UC ,was a personal best of 147/150 or 98%. I dropped one point at the 5-yard-line and pushed one shot into the 8 ring at 10 yards. I attribute my high score to the sights and stocks on the UC. 

After testing, the UC has become my daily carry gun. It is normally carried in a Galco Ankle Glove and loaded with the Georgia Arms 148-grain Ultimate Defense Wadcutter. This load is specifically designed to deliver good terminal ballistics and penetration from an 1 7/8-inch barrel. My reload is the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel, 135-grain +P, carried in a speed strip.

The UC will fit in most current production holsters. Those using more custom holsters, that have been tightly molded for the old barrel profile, may have some issues. Regarding pocket holsters, there are some holsters, especially the soft nylon rigs, that may result in the rear sight snagging during presentation. A number of makers are working to modify their current designs to better accommodate the UC guns. If you are unsure, contact the manufacturer to ensure you won’t have any issues. 

Final Thoughts

The UC is truly a perfect J-frame in almost all aspects. Words cannot really describe how excellent the new sights are. Hats off to Smith & Wesson and XS Sights for this upgrade. It is amazing what can be accomplished when you can really see the sights! The only change I made to my UC is to swap out the VZ high horn grips for a set of Crimson Trace 405 Laser Grips. I’ve used 405s on my daily carry guns for many years and, in my opinion, they are one of the best designed stocks available today. 

As I write this, the Ultimate Carry pistols have been shipping for approximately several weeks. As expected, supply has been outpaced by demand. The good news is, production is ongoing and availability will only improve. As Jason Cloessner summed it up like this. “If you are looking for your first small frame revolver, the UC is ideal. It you already own a J-frame (or two or three), the UC features will make you want to upgrade!” The feature-to-value ratio is just that good!

For additional information visit Lipsey’s Ultimate Carry or check your local Lipsey’s dealer for availability.

Smith & Wesson 642 Ultimate Carry Specifications

• Caliber: .38 Special +P Rated
• Capacity: 5 Rounds
• Barrel: 1 7/8 inches
• Front Sight: XS Tritium/Green Dot
• Rear Sight: Dovetailed Black “U” Notch
• Overall Weight: 16 ounces
• Grips: VZ G10 High Horn Boot Grips
• Action: Double Action Only
• MSRP: $759.99