OK, I want an Airweight, but which one? Other than the finish, is there any functional difference between the two? My personal preference is for the 442. I am not looking for a "BBQ Gun", so cosmetics are meaningless. Is there any real reason to consider the 642?

Scott

When I can, I pick stainless for my backup guns, and my Js are only carried as backups. I sweat on my backup guns, and I hate having to be too particular about their maintenance. Just lazy, I guess...

I have the 642/CT factory-installed grips...dead on @25'...zero problems in 3 years!

Hi, I have a 642 and I love it. they are esentually the same gun. You can not go wrong with either.

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M.J.Hanna

I have one of each, like them both. Do you like stainless or blued? Its as simple as that, they are the same in every other regard.

It's not a 442 or a 642, but I'd go for the 640.

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Get off my lawn.

I think functional wise they are the same. The only reason to consider the 642 is if you like stainless more than blued. I have a 642 a friend has a 442 we carried them the same way. He has no problems with rusting and neither do I.

Give the Bodyguard series a try - models 438/638.

You'll thank me later.

I'm partial to stainless guns for carry. Mainly because they are easier to "buff up" if they get scratched. I also like to carry with no holster ( a la hip grip) so don't worry as much about the stainless against my skin vs blue/finish.

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Dave

Don't buff up the aluminum frame on a 642...it's clear coated.

Also made in nickle.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

I always try to buy SS if I can nowdays but bought the 442 because it kind of just dropped in front of me. I carried a M15 for years before the state changed over to model 65's, and I never had a rust or maintenance problem. Regular cleaning and care will keep the 442 looking nice.
Cherokee Slim

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NRA,SASS,BOLD#808,Semper Fi

The 642 cylinder and barrel is stainless...the frame is anodized and has a clear coat over it....from what I've seen, the black anodizing on the 442 holds up better as the clear coat on the 642 does flake off for some....but the cylinder and barrel will show more wear and possible rust on the blued 442..so it's kind of a toss up...I have the 442 and when it started to show some pitting on the cylinder, I had it hard chromed....

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

I realy like my Airweight 642 No Dash..
I've had it for years & it still looks like brand new..
The early 642s & 442s had anodized frames & when S&W changed to the -1 frame with the intregal cylinder stop & +P rating they went to the sprayed on clearcoat & matte finish.. They also went from forged flash chromed trigger & hammer to case hardened MIM parts somewere along the transition..
Here's a ****** pic of my 642-0 below my 940-0, also note that I just fit a 940-1 cylinder to the 642 converting it to a 9mm/38spl convertable..
Both of My Centennials have seen lots of carry & have been soaked countless times in sweat & still appear as new
I prefer stainless but will have to say that the Nickeled 442-1 of ladder13s is stunning..
Nothing against the Black/Blued 442s just prefer the stainless to help prevent corrosion & Love the way the stainless snubbys look expecialy with a nice set of Spegels
Gary/Hk
940 & 642/942 Convertable Airweight

And here I thought this was going to be an easy decision!

Scott

It is. Just buy one of each.

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Centennial Every Day

I've been prejudiced against stainless steel for many years. That's why I compelled myself to purchase a Model 642 in 1998, my first stainless steel anything. It's ok and its surface finish has held up very well but I think the Model 442 is the better looking revolver.

I'd prolly get the 642 and if/when the clear coat became chipped, etc. then duracoat with whatever color you prefer.

I might be way off, but I was under the impression that the ONLY difference in the 442 and the 642 was the color. I thought that the 442 has a stainless cylinder and barrel and they just coated it in black.....someone who knows more than me chime in and correct me if I'm wrong.

It's my understanding that the steel in a 442 is carbon while stainless in the 642.

I appreciate all the replies! I knew I could count on yous guys!

I will probably go for the 442... maybe!

Scott

I have the 442. The only reason I prefer this over the 642 is that I carry in the pocket sometimes. If I sit and the pants pocket rides up slightly, the person to my side may see the edge of the gun. If it looks black, it could be a cell phone, right?

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NRA Benefactor Member

I just ordered a 442, I have a 640 and a model 40 both re nice I have to remember to squeeze the grip on the 40. I bought the 442 because I wanted an airweight and it to be what I was looking for.

The bodyguard series is good too i have a 649 and almost went with the 638 but the 442 came with no internal lock so i chose it.

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Stan

The new 442 no locks seem to have stainless barrels that are coated in a black finish, but the cylinder is still carbon steel (blued). Mine is like this as are several other members on here. They match fine. The locked 442s I'm not sure about. Why there are like this we can only guess. I just wish the cylinder was stainless too, just alittle added corrosion protection but still with the blue finish.

I like both for different reasons/occasions. Thats why I got one of each.

I use a 940 as a BUG and sometime carry gun, but I have a 442 that I really like as a off duty/carry weapon, as to the finish I do like the black and I am considering having one of my 940s refinished in one of the really durable black finishes. The dark color gun can be in the hand and not nearly as noticable as the SS finish at night. It can also be carried in a IWB or OWB holster and not be as noticable as the SS finish. Between the 642 and 442 the flaking clear coat on the bright finish would be a deal breaker for me. I have a 396 with the clear coat flaking, I am thinking about making it black.

They're making 442's without locks????? Why wasn't I informed of this??? where do you find them-what dash are they???

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Forum consigliere

Yep. They've been out now for a year or so. Not the easiest to find, but they are out there. Not sure what the product or dash number is.

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Centennial Every Day

Product: Model 442 Revolver - No Internal Lock
642-1 (prelock & new no lock)
642-2 (lock)
442-1 (prelock)
442-2 (lock & new no lock)
Don't know why the new no lock 442s are not -1s like the 642s, but everyone I've seen on here and my own are like that.

A dealer recently told me a batch of no lock J frames "Turned up" at S&W and were finished and sent out with orders.
Dont know if there is any truth to it but heard it from another dealer recently as well.
BTW, My vote is 649 or Nickel model 38.
I Just like to have an option to cock the hammer.

Practically there is no difference but my preference is for a black carry gun so I'd go with the 442.

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NRA Pistol Instructor

I prefer the 442.