A friend of mine bought a used 442 as part of a collection and decided he wants to sell it. It's a model 442 with a satin Nickel finish and black rubber boot grips. I thought it was refinished and he did some research and found it was a factory finish.
What was the serial number range and years that the 442 was produced with a satin nickel finish?
He dropped his price down to $200 and it looks pretty minty, so I'm going to grab it.

I bought mine in 1994.
The finish is called electroless nickel.
A finish that stays on much better than the finish on 642's.

Attached Images

442.JPG (153.8 KB, 80 views)

The picture coach22 posted above is actually my gun (and my photo). It's a 442 no-dash from 1995. Here's a full-size shot:



S&W offered the nickel finish starting with the no-dash 442 in the early 90's, and continued to offer it for a year or two after they switched to the magnum-frame 442-1. According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, the nickel finish was discontinued in 1997.

T-Tac, $200 is a steal for any mint-condition early 442, and especially so for one with the nickel finish. IIRC, someone once offered me $475 for the one pictured above. Congrats on a great find!

Thanks for the help guys. Are these guns +P rated?

No, but a limited amount should not harm the gun.

BTW, on one of the popular gun sites today one of these is selling for $439, which I think is a decent price.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks Again. I'm thinking of shooting non +P through it and then maybe a cylinder of +P to see where it hits and then carry it with that load.
Federal use to make a Non +P Nyclad load just for the the J frame guns. It was pretty good. I don't know if it's still around.

My satin nickle 442 is from 1993 and is a great carry gun. The finish looks as good as day one (carried daily) and a limited amount of +P will not harm it.

I've carried a nickel M442 in a Kramer pocket holster EVERY day since 1993 and I wouldn't be caught without it. Mine also wears a set of Crimson Trace grips. I carry it with +P and fire those each trip to the range along with several cylinders of standard loads. In 2003 I noticed a slight peel beginning on the front of the cylinder. A quick trip back to the Factory, a no charge refinish, and it looked like new.

I'd love to get a chance for another one for $200!

Bob

BUY IT...............................NOW!