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Satin Nickel 442 questions

T

TSmith49

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Joined
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Location
NW Ga.
Are these more desirable or sought after than the matte blue?
Are they more expensive, if in the same condition as a matte blue?
Does anyone have info regarding the nickel/blue production ratio?
The reason I ask is I have only seen a few for sale in the metro Atlanta area in the past.
Thanks,
TSmith
 
Not many around, that's for sure. I can't answer your questions specifically, but DC7 will see this and he will probably know...
 
Your first question I'd say would be up to the buyer. Alot of people like blue guns better for concealment, especially if its in the pocket since the butt may be seen in certain pants pockets from certain angles. Alot of people like the nickel/stainless guns better because of corrosion protection.

I've seen them bring considerably more than like condition blue models.

No hard info on production but I'd say more blue models were produced. The nickel guns were made originally because S&W wasn't happy with finish on the original 642s and ceased production till they felt they could get it right. They were for the people that wanted the "shiney" guns or better corrosion resistance.

I don't usually see alot of them and when you do they don't seem to last long.

I found mine about 2-3 years ago at a pawnshop. It was still new unfired, but no box.

006147.JPG

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Only problem I had with the finish was after the first range session some of the finish peeled off on the crane. You can't see it though unless the cylinder is open.

001228.JPG


I personally love this finish. Its not too shiney and is extremely easy to clean. I've tossed up the idea of getting rid of it but know I'd regret it if I did. The action is smooth as butter. It came with the Uncle Mikes grips too. Mine was one of the last ones made in '95 before the change to the "magnum" frame in '96.
 
I passed on a nickel one a while back for $425.
the nickel had some spots that were flaking already and I just decided I really wanted the blued version.
To each his own.

Sonny, that's a fine looking pocket gun!
 
I bought one for my son several years ago. He had the flaking finish on the crane area also. We sent it back to Smith for refinishing on their dime but they destroyed the frame when they tried to strip the old nickel off. They replaced the gun with a new 442 but unfortunately it had the lock. We sold that gun and replaced it with one from the no lock run last year. The finish on the last version is good so far with about 500 rounds through it.
 
WFR,

Thanks! :)

akviper,

I believe I've seen you post in the past about that experience and it always made me leary about ever sending it back to them considering I'd be very PO'ed if that happened to me. I also think someone else on here mentioned sending one back and everything went alright though.

So far my finish is not peeling anymore than what came off after that first range session and I've put alot of rounds through this snubby. No cracked frame either and I've shot a moderate amount of +Ps through it too.

tocohillsguy,

Is yours peeling? If so where? I saw one at a pawnshop (it was actually the 37-2 with this finish) and it looked HORRIBLE! The owner had to have been abusing it somehow. It had a set of LG 305s on it that were probably worth more than the snubby, thats how bad it was. The guy in the shop even admitted that, lol. I asked if he would sell it to me without the grips for alot less but he wouldn't. Figured I could send it back to Smith and have it refinished and refurbished.
 
Photoman, Sonny, WFR, akviper, tocohillsguy,

Thanks for the info and pictures. Fortunately mine has had no flaking problems and it too has a nice trigger.

TSmith
 
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