Hi folks,

Just wondering why there seems to be talk on many forums as though the 642 .38 models and the 442 .38 models have differences other than the finish.
I wanted a 642 until I saw the 'blacked out' 442. This prompted me to call S&W to get the word from the horse's mouth.
They said firearm is identical but for the color.

BTW ... I say '.38' to save characters.

This little beauty will be my personal carry. I really wanted the no internal lock Pro model but, my seller had the regular lock ones at such a great summer blowout price, I couldn't refuse.
I've carried a Glock model 30 (.45) for over 20 years and have just gotten too darn old to trust my wrists in the event of a stupid move from someone else.

sorry folks ... looks like I may have posted in wrong area.

You're in the right place. I'm sure there are several here who have both. I'm no help since I don't recall ever seeing a 442 in person. Everyone has 642's. Curious as to what people are saying the differences are?

It’s the same gun. The older 442s were said to have carbon-steel cylinders and barrels. I presume the new ones do, too. There’s a chance S&W is just blackening SS parts for current production 442s, but I doubt it.

The 442s first came out in a black model and the same gun in electroless nickel. I’ve had an electroless nickel 442 for a long time. I always liked the finish for its durability, the modern 642s... not so much. If I were buying one now, it would be a 442, hands down.

... and then wrote a whole sentence to explain your frugality

Congrats on the new 442. I like mine. My observation over the past few years of watching post #s on this forum says that the 642 is more popular - but that's just my perception, could be wrong.

I had a choice between a 642 and 442 when I bought this summer, both no-lock models. Always liked my guns to be black, so I went with the 442.

Here's a pic.

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I have a 642 and 442 both pro series no locks. On the scale the 642 does weight a couple ounces more than the 442 so that could be the difference in cylinder materials. I favor the 442 a bit more as I don't care for the 2 tone look of the stainless 642.

i love the 442... so much so, i have 2. my wifes 637 is looking a bit shabby after 10 years, but my 442 still looks good. both have wear on all the hard edges, but over all finish is WAY better. good choice, enjoy!

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why? why not?

I was hoping to see a nice Olds 442.

442 my all time favorite. The Boot grip gun is always in my pocket. The Hogue Tamer Grip Gun is for the waist. They are holding up well. Bought about 6 years ago.

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Two Handguns every day

Would like to see that 637......

My 442 has really been a good constant companion.

Smith and Wesson website says the Barrel is stainless and cylinder is carbon steel on the 442. So I guess there is a little bit of a difference. The steel of the cylinder. Unless that's a typo. I would've thought both the barrel and cylinder were carbon steel on the 442.

Get a good grip on it when you fire it, they buck a bit but not bad.
I don't feel quite right without my 442 in my pocket.
More accurate then I would have thought even with the heavy trigger.
I bought mine a few months ago, but the little bugger sure has grown
on me.

my IWB one has the nylon Hogue 3 finger grip, and the pocket or ankle one has a set of Hogue G10s on it... great minds think alike!

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why? why not?

Thanks for all the comments! Today, I launched 100 rounds of 125gr +P out at 10 yds. I was surprised at the accuracy of this little beast and even more surprised that my wrist only hurt for about 10 minutes after I was finished. What a blast!!

Congrats on a great little revolver. I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Good stuff.

Thanks for the range report.

Glad you like it.

Centennials all the way!

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

My brother carries one every day. He's a little hard on it (not abuse, just a big beefy guy that sweats a lot in this Georgia heat), and it looks a little chewed up. But it shoots to POA with any ammo we've tried in it and the 642 is a gun that you can always have on you no matter what you are wearing because it wears and carries so comfortably/well. If I already didn't have couple of nice M36's in the carry rotation... I'd have a 442 and a 642... because it's the gun you will always have on you! And that's the one you need when something stupid arises...

Nice buy! The 442’s are great little revolvers! My 442 and my 640-1 get carried a lot. The 442 is a great carry gun for the Summer.

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

I too am one who has a 442 it w/o the lock. Got it this summer. I’d like to carry it more. Very small and I shoot great with it but haven’t found a pocket holster I like yet. I have a clinger holster that works well but almost a little too big for the small 442.

Enjoy your new pocket rocket. Mine is surprisingly accurate.

Try a Mika, or my favorite, Galco horsehide pocket holster. mine has ridden in one for 5 or 6 years now...

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why? why not?

And a second vote for the Galco pocket holster, I use that with my 442 and 640, it works very well for me

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Life NRA, Life TSRA, C&R FFL

I bought a 442 for its black sights - easier (for me) to see and align in most light than stainless. But when I carried it IWB and treated it like a Glock - IOW, ignored it - it got rust spots on the yoke. Not on the barrel or cylinder, just the yoke. I learned that I could avoid the rust if I opened the cylinder every day and wiped the inside surface of the yoke with a silicone cloth.

I've since switched to OWB carry, and probably wouldn't have the same problem today, but I still prefer a stainless material. (I carry a 632 today with Buffalo Bore 32 H&R Mag loads - as much muzzle energy as a Remington +P 38 Special, with 1 more round in the cylinder.) I paint the stainless sights - red ramp front and black rear notch.

My 442 goes with me wherever I go.

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Keep on Chooglin'

Congratulations. Glad you're enjoying your 442. I recently picked up a PC 642 to replace a 642 I sold a few years ago. J Frames are great little defensive handguns.

Here's mine!

What's not to like? Congrats! Here's mine with CT grips and Wilson springs.

I love my little S&W Airweight 442-2 .38 SPL+P.....Congratulations on yours!

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Life is short,live it fully.

The inexpensive Uncle Mikes/Black Hawk #4 works well. It’s thin and last a long time. The last time I bought one, I think Wallmart for less than $20.

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Two Handguns every day

Thanks for the suggestions of pocket holsters. Love hearing what works for others having luck with a particular gun.

Checking into the recommendated pocket holsters.

Try Uncle Mike's #4. That's what I use!

Here is mine.....

DSCF1725.jpg

The best thing to do is turn your pants inside out and look at the shape of the pockets. A holster that works well in jeans may or may not fit in a pair of dress pants/khakis.The pockets have different shapes. Jeans tend to be relatively square, where dress pants tend to have a curved bottom.Then just look at holster designs and find one shaped to your pockets ( you may need more than one to use with different pants.

I had an Uncle Mike's when I started carrying my 642, but over time the corner where the gun wasn't holding it stiff started to collapse and the gun was all over my pocket. I got a relatively cheap Don Hume 001 and it fixed the issue and I have had zero issues since then.

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

F75gunslinger has good advice, love the pocket holster. Works well in the pocket of cargo shorts, chinos, slacks. No so much in jeans that are tight as in Wranglers or Levi's. Levi's is anti gun so I don't buy their garbage.

Mika pocket holster is my favorite.

I use a Desantis Nemesis for J frame pocket carry.

Robert Mika or Milt Sparks for me.

Hi guys, first post here. I got my 442 early this summer, it so easy to carry compared to my old 640 that kept dragging my pants down!
I installed a Wolff spring kit and it pulls much smoother. Don't shame me, but I've been practicing with Magtech 38 special shorts, and it is like plinking with .22's, you should try them. Just say you are getting them for the Mrs.

Waaaaaa? I never heard of those. My daughter would like them too.... I just figured out this week she like my Colt DS and this would be a good load to start her off on.....

38 SPL-Short 125GR LRN - Magtech
I'm guessing Post#37 is referring to MAGTECH 125 gr. .38 Special short ammo.

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66/642/640/627/586/60/638/686

I like it and thanks for all who posted pics. Finish looks like a cross between satin and matte. Be a good alternate carry to my CS-9.

Hey, I wanna play, too! Great little revolver. I carried mine as a back-up for quite a few years in a cheesy little nylon Uncle Mike's holster in my uniform pants pocket, so it has a little wear on it. Good choice. Enjoy it!

I like my 442PC.

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Psalm 27:2

Thank you! This could be good for my daughter and wife.

Here's a second for the DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster. I've carried a 640 in one for several years. It holds the gun well positioned for an easy draw, won't shift, and breaks up the outline. It's a little more expensive than the Uncle Mike's, which I used for years, but not much. Worth a try.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Do they make a 442-1 and a 442-2, with and without the lock? I'm guessing a cheap price on the lock models indicates the others sell better