I picked up a 442-1 brand new yesterday from my LGS. The Smith-Wesson site states that the cylinder is carbon steel. Does that mean that the barrel is carbon steel also? Just curious. Thanks.

Yes, the barrel is carbon steel, and the frame aluminum alloy. The 642 has a stainless barrel and cylinder. How you like it?

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I really like the 442. I plan on pocket carrying it a lot. It's a lot more comfortable to carry than my G23.

I keep reading that the newest 442's are starting to come with stainless cylinders and barrels that have some kind of black finish on them. Also you may find them with a blued steel and stainless combo. Might try a magnet test to be sure. Not having found one and looked up close I can't say how obvious the finish would be. I would think blued steel would be easy to see while a coated stainless would stick out.

442 is a favorite. So far I have Three. One is older, has the smaller frame. The Second is a newer model with lock. The Third is New, no lock. I would like to find more good used with the different - #s to show internal changes.

The magnet test doesn't really work. I was curious about my 442, the magnet stuck to it, but it also stuck to my M-63.

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Be obscure, clearly.

The stainless steel used in guns is magnetic, so the magnet test is worthless in determining whether the steel is blackened stainless or blued carbon steel.

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Pisgah

I saw a new one in local gun shop today without the dreaded ILS.

442s have been made with stainless cyls. and barrels since at least 2008.

re; the magnet test. Some stainless steels are magnetic and some are not. The stainless steel in my 500 is magnetic, frame and cylinder.

According to S&W website: 442 - carbon steel cylinder. 642 - stainless steel cylinder.

The 642 or 442 is on my 'to get eventually' list. But I gotta say; I feel really good carrying my 60-9. To me, IMHO, the 60 is not that much heavier, IWB, than the airweights. YMMV.

Attached Images

IMG_1227.jpg (117.9 KB, 27 views)

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But then, what do I know?

I know there was a difference between the no lock, and lock 442s. I bought a few of the first no locks, when they were first introduced again, and they all had stainless barrels and cyls. The lock version was still coming through with carbon steel barrels and cyls.