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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 05-20-2014, 10:27 PM
S&W1006 S&W1006 is offline
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Default 442 or 642

I am seriously considering purchasing a 442 or 642 for pocket carry in the summer. My everyday carry is a Ruger SP101. I love the gun but it is too heavy and bulky for pocket carry. I normally carry inside the waistband. With hot weather naturally I dress in lighter clothes and my holster won't work very well without a belt.

I usually prefer stainless but the aluminum frame of the 642 doesn't look as good to me as the all black 442. How well does the finish hold up on the 442? I sweat puddles here in the hot humid south and my sweat is toxic to blued guns which is why I avoid them. I know the frame on the 442 is aluminum but I am concerned about the steel parts. I will be using a pocket holster which should help and I will keep it as clean as I can but if the 642 will hold up better I will get it. My local gun store has both in stock and neither have the lock and the price is the same.

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Old 05-20-2014, 10:37 PM
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I've carried my 442 for several years, either in my pocket or on my belt in one of my homemade holsters. I just make sure to wipe it down with an oily rag daily when I get home. I haven't had a problem with the finish, just a bit of holster wear.
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Old 05-21-2014, 08:19 AM
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I've carried a 642 for twelve years in a Mika synthetic pocket holster and the finish still looks good.
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Old 05-21-2014, 08:32 AM
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I've had the 442 for awhile and it still looks like new, but given your needs & climate the 642 may be a better choice for you.
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Old 05-21-2014, 08:32 AM
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I had a 642 and replaced it with a340pd . Lighter
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Old 05-21-2014, 08:36 AM
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Both are going to show some wear. I like the 442's for looks alone. Can't go wrong either way. Just keep them wiped down.
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Old 05-21-2014, 09:25 AM
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Go with the 642 just to be safe with the moisture. No lock is the way to go, I went with the Pro that's cut for moon clips. I love that little gun.

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Old 05-21-2014, 09:38 AM
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Here in rainy Oregon I was concerned about rust, so I went with the 642. I too think the 442 looks better, but if it's concealed...
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Old 05-21-2014, 09:49 AM
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Hi-
Take a look at the 442 Pro Series. It has black PVD coated stainless bbl and cylinder, and is cut for moon clips. No rust and all black.
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Old 05-21-2014, 09:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mickeyblueyes View Post
I had a 642 and replaced it with a340pd . Lighter
Love the 340 PD and I would love to have one but I can almost buy a 442 and a 642 for the cost of a 340PD.

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Old 05-21-2014, 09:55 AM
S&W1006 S&W1006 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kadonny View Post
Go with the 642 just to be safe with the moisture. No lock is the way to go, I went with the Pro that's cut for moon clips. I love that little gun.

How easily do the moon clips bend for the J frames? A buddy had a k frame cut for moon clips and the clips are way to fragile for concealed carry. I had considered having the SP 101 cut for moon clips but as many times as I bump and bang my speed loaders getting in and out of a car I was afraid I would bend moon clips and in an emergency that could be bad.

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Old 05-21-2014, 05:27 PM
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I went with the 442 because I see the black sights of the 442 far better than the silver sights on the 642.

Best Regards,
ADP3
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Old 05-21-2014, 05:35 PM
John Erickson John Erickson is offline
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I have a 642 and no wear at all and put a dot of orange flow paint for a front bead. Still stays on after 3-years.
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Old 05-21-2014, 06:34 PM
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I have a 642 and if I were to buy again I would get a 442 or the M&P model because of the dark color. In some pockets of my pants and shorts you can see in and notice the you the contrast of the silver frame and black grips. If it were all black it wold be a lot harder to make out whet it is.
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Old 05-21-2014, 08:26 PM
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I've carried my 642 pro in a Desantis pocket holster with NOoooooo problems whatsoever.
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Old 05-21-2014, 08:34 PM
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Carry my 442 in a Mika. The black hides better in your pocket if the butt happens to peek out of your pocket. The Mika is hard on the finish, I have edge wear carrying mine for just over a year but on the plus side the Mika is waterproof so no rust issues.
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Old 05-21-2014, 08:37 PM
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Bottom line...get what you like and do the p.m. on it - you will be fine.

A lot of people want something and settle for something else and are always wishing they hadn't.

Those mistakes can get expensive...
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Old 05-21-2014, 09:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S&W1006 View Post
Love the 340 PD and I would love to have one but I can almost buy a 442 and a 642 for the cost of a 340PD.

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I thought the same thing, I went to buy my second 442 and there was a used 340pd in the case calling my name. So I bought it, it really is a much nicer gun. Don't forget the M&P340 rides the line between the two of them.

I go with the black models, because they are easier to conceal. Like if your pocket is open a little, Ed


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Old 05-21-2014, 09:12 PM
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Get what you like.

I don't like white guns, but that's a matter of taste. (I love nickel).
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Old 05-21-2014, 09:49 PM
Double-O-Dave Double-O-Dave is offline
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I have a Model 642 equipped with a Model 442 cylinder that was cut for moon clips by TK Custom that I purchased from a fellow Forum member. This used to be my EDC, and I always carried it in an Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster. I like to use a coat of paste (car) wax on the exterior of my guns, and while the finish on the frame has held up nicely, not so much on the cylinder. I've since switched to a pair of Air Weight Bodyguards (Model 38-0 with a nickeled cylinder, and a Model 638-1) as my EDC - that's an all stainless steel Model 649 on the lower left hand corner of the photo. The Model 642 is my wife's favorite revolver, though she has never shot it. She likes the simplicity of DAO, and its small size. The main reason I like the Model 38/638 is the ability to make a precise SA shot if the need ever arises. Yes, I have envisioned occasions when such a shot may be needed.

I think a key advantage of the moon clip is that all of the cartridges will eject together - even with a non-full length ejector rod as is found on the 2.0 inch barrel. I usually carry speed strips for a reload rather than a speed loader or a moon clip.

Regards,

Dave
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File Type: jpg Model 642 & 60-7 #2.jpg (91.0 KB, 53 views)
File Type: jpg J-frame Bodyguard #1.jpg (78.6 KB, 57 views)

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Old 05-22-2014, 03:26 AM
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[QUOTE=S&W1006;137909602]I am seriously considering purchasing a 442 or 642 for pocket carry in the summer. My everyday carry is a Ruger SP101. I love the gun but it is too heavy and bulky for pocket carry. I normally carry inside the waistband. With hot weather naturally I dress in lighter clothes and my holster won't work very well without a belt.

I usually prefer stainless but the aluminum frame of the 642 doesn't look as good to me as the all black 442. How well does the finish hold up on the 442? I sweat puddles here in the hot humid south and my sweat is toxic to blued guns which is why I avoid them. I know the frame on the 442 is aluminum but I am concerned about the steel parts. I will be using a pocket holster which should help and I will keep it as clean as I can but if the 642 will hold up better I will get it. My local gun store has both in stock and neither have the lock and the price is the same.

Stainless steel is better than carbon steel when it comes to resisting corrosion due to human perspiration. For body-contact concealment the 642 will always be the better choice. This is not to say one cannot make the 442 work....it just won't be as seamless.

As long as you give the gun a good wipedown and oiling after carry, a 442 will probably do fine.

And YES you are RIGHT to doff your massively overbuilt Ruger for the much lighter, more compact Smith!

My 642-1 PRO weights 14.5 ounces, takes a 5-shot "en-bloc" clip of rounds, and fits EASILY in my front jeans pocket!
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Old 05-22-2014, 12:17 PM
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442, I like basic black.
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Old 05-22-2014, 05:12 PM
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Number 1. 340pd $$$$
2. 438 $$
3. 642 $$
All have stainless steel cylinders
Oh yea. 340M&P $$$$
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Old 05-22-2014, 05:53 PM
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This 642-1 is my current favorite and most frequent carry piece.

But, my wife's 638 is also fun to shoot.

Still, if you prefer black . . . go for it.
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Old 05-23-2014, 05:44 PM
kaaskop49 kaaskop49 is offline
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Hey MTB, you can shoot! That's the same size target that the late Stephen A. Camp, a REAL J-hound, recommended in his book on J-snubs. What's your preferred carry style and rig, if you don't mind? I like the old Bianchi suede clip pouch for IWB and Mernickle scabbard for OWB. Concealment Specialties LLC for pocket carry. See you at El Con.

Kaaskop49
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Old 05-23-2014, 07:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kaaskop49 View Post
What's your preferred carry style and rig, if you don't mind?
Hey there, Mr. Kaaskop!

Thank you for the kind words! It's always fun when you have "one of those good days" at the range.

No doubt you have had your fair share of those days when you just can't miss too.

I mostly pocket carry in an inexpensive Uncle Mike's size 4 fabric holster.

But, the holster drawer does contain one nice Safariland 568 "Molded Custom Fit Pistol Holster" with a paddle that is pictured below.



This holster is mostly used when riding my mountain bike over to the range. The semi-transparent sweat shield is just a piece of plastic cut from a polypropylene CD case and sandwiched between the paddle and holster using the original paddle mounting screws.

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Old 05-23-2014, 08:22 PM
Duelist Duelist is offline
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642. Rust is no longer a concern. Holster wear happens. If it is a concern, buy two, carry one, safe queen the second.
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Old 05-23-2014, 08:35 PM
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642 no lock is a great gun.
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Old 05-23-2014, 08:58 PM
S&W1006 S&W1006 is offline
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Quote:
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642. Rust is no longer a concern. Holster wear happens. If it is a concern, buy two, carry one, safe queen the second.
Holster wear isn't huge concern it's more of a concern of what happens when the finish wears off. Mainly rust. I usually gravitate toward stainless for this reason but in this case the 442 looks better to me. I just wondered how long the finish will hold up. I know the frame is aluminum but the barrel and cylinder are what concerns me.

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Old 05-23-2014, 09:47 PM
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Product: Model 442 Moon Clip

Stainless Bbl and Cylinder - on a 442
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Old 05-23-2014, 11:23 PM
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My 442 is carried in a uncle mikes pocket holster and shows no wear. I carried it as one of two back ups for years.
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Old 05-23-2014, 11:36 PM
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I've got two 642s and the first has been flawless while the second (on the bottom) is back at the mothership being replaced with a 640 Pro Series 357. It was starting to experience misfires.

Edmo

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