What are the dash numbers on pre MIM 442's and 642's.
Thanks

The 442-1 had MIM triggers started in 1997 and the 442-2 had the lock and MIM internals started in 2001. The 642 engineering and production changes does not list any MIM changes. In the 642 summary it says the 642-1 with the J magnum frame has the new MIM thumbpiece. It also says some of the Ladysmith 642s had MIM hammers and standard non-MIM triggers. The lock came in the 642-2 in 2002. Hope this helps.

Thank you very much, this will help a lot.

I may be wrong, but I think the 642-1 had MIM parts. I've owned a few, but it's been awhile. The easiest way to spot the MIM triggers anyway is to look behind the face of the trigger itself. If it is solid, it's forged. If it's hollow, it's MIM.

That all sound correct to me too!
If you want Non-MIM look for a 642/442 No Dash.
You'll notice the flash chromed trigger that's solid.
Also the finish is Anodized instead of being a sprayed on matte finish.
Gary/Hk
Models 940 & 642/942

The Best of The Best of The Best SIR!!

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MightShowYouHisSmith&Wesson

S&W introduced the magnum frame 442-1 and 642-1 about a year before switching to MIM, so the earliest versions of those models had forged parts. Since they were made for such a short time, they're a lot harder to find than the ones with MIM.

As Gary said above, the no-dash versions of the 442 and 642 also had forged parts. Unfortunately they're getting hard to find, too. Here are examples of each:

Dan Those Pics of those Centennials are SWEET!!
I didn't know that the -1s had forged parts originaly..
That gives me something else to look for..
Still have a small amount of those Original Nyclads in 9mm & 38spl that I aquired from DC7, See some in my pic
I'd bet the 632 & 940s went through the same transformation as the 442/642??
I realy love the Anodized finish that S&W Originaly had on the 642s.. I've only seen one like mine at the gunshows in the past few years & the seller wanted $650.. It even had Spegels as well..
Gary/Hk

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MightShowYouHisSmith&Wesson

Thanks,
There are some new, no lock 642-1's out now with the +P frame and they must be a hybrid.
Does anyone know if they are just clearing out some old frames, or will this be a new model that will be available for a while?

Were there a lot of pre-mim 442s made? There's a guy on gunbroker with one right now and he claims it's a "very rare" gun. It just looks like a regular 042/442 with the smaller frame and forged parts...of which I've seen a handful over the years.

My no dash 442 has a case hardened trigger and hammer.

Yeah, this one has a casehardened trigger, the old circular fitted frame lug, and I'd imagine a casehardened hammer too. Looks like a clean gun, claims to be unfired...but are they really "rare"?

Looks like this one has a pinned firing pin, whereas the newer ones don't have that pin...does that make this one "rarer"? I know pinned barrels on pre-1981 guns are generally more desirable, but do "pinned firing pins" have any enhanced value?