Why are the no-lock 442s marked 442-2?

aterry33

aterry33

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My understanding:

442 (no dash) no lock, not +P rated

442-1 no lock, +P rated

442-2 lock, +P rated

Just wondering why the run of no lock 442s I've seen this past year are marked 442-2.
 
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good question

But to be honest, everything is the same as a lock gun. "lock" hammer, but no lock cylinder parts.

The hammer don't show....
 
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I purchased a 442-2 today and it has no lock and is +p. The funny thing is the dealer was surprised that it didn't have a lock but the key was in the box from S&W. they ended up giving me a cable lock and i sold them the useless key for $10.00
 
Sold 'em the key. That's funny right there.
 
As long as you didn't take it back and ask for one with the internal lock instead you are okay!
 
aterry33,
Your confusion comes from trying to associate engineering revisions (the number after the dash) with features. Engineering revisions are not meant to indicate features or configurations. Engineering revisions are there so that the correct part for a repair can be ordered.

A engineering revision is only incremented when the change to the firearm would require a different part than the preceding revision.

For example, the -1 engineering revision of the model 442 was a change to the J-magnum frame. Because of the stronger frame the firearm was now rated for +P. However if you had to replace a cylinder you would need to know it was a -1 as opposed to a no dash because the cylinders are different lengths. There are other parts differences as well.

Your revolver is marked as a -2 because the correct internal parts are -2.
 
aterry33 said:
As long as you didn't take it back and ask for one with the internal lock instead you are okay!
Click to expand...

Nope,
Snatched it up as soon as i seen it didn't have a lock.This is my first revolver so i had read somewhere about removing the lock and pluging the hole. So when i seen no lock Bingo less money i will need to spend. I brought it home.
SW442005-1.jpg
 
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I've actually seen quite a few of the no locks 642s and 442s. The oddest one I saw had the circular lock arrow on the frame, but no lock.
 
Another question about the 442/642 nomenclature...

I can see why they went from the original 42 (aliminum centennial) to 642 (the "6" reflecting stainless, aluminum centennial).

So why did they create the 442 instead of just calling it a 42? What is the the extra 4 for? I understand there's no grip safety on the 442.
 
aterry33 said:
Another question about the 442/642 nomenclature...

I can see why they went from the original 42 (aliminum centennial) to 642 (the "6" reflecting stainless, aluminum centennial).

So why did they create the 442 instead of just calling it a 42? What is the the extra 4 for? I understand there's no grip safety on the 442.
Click to expand...
You have the answer, it was so that it could be distinguished from the firearm with the grip safety. The 42 and 442 are not even built on the same frame. The grips are not interchangeable. Internal parts are different.

The 4 in 442 indcates alloy frame/carbon steel cylinder. Just like the 342 is a alloy frame/titamiun cylinder and the 642 is alloy frame/stainless cylinder.
 
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