How has your 642 and 442 held up over the years? Do any issues pop up? And parts need changing. I hear that the fit and finish isn't thar great, and the finish starts peeling???

I had a 642 for years it held up fine and never had issues with the finish.

I have had a 442 Pro for 10 years with no issues.

My 442 bought new in 2012. One of my most carried and shot pocket guns. I couldn’t guess how many rounds probably only a few thousand, always carried in a pocket or waistband holster. Some 642’s had finish issues back in the day.

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Two Handguns every day

My 340PD is almost 20 years old and never a problem w/hundreds of rounds down range, and the same with my 442 Pro model. Neither one has the lock if that matters.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I've had a Model 642-2 (manuf. 2009) since 2010, and have never had any mechanical issues. It's always been one of my primary EDC handguns. The finish however, does show some small spots of peeling but that doesn't bother me. I usually carry it in a pocket holster along with a Tuff Strip with an additional 5 rounds.

The only thing I've noticed - thru several hundred rounds - is a slight but noticeable "dishing" of the cylinder pin hole in the recoil shield. No impact, I think, on operation or safety but noticeable and unsightly. I have two 360's which both have the steel bolster ? or reinforcement there and don't have any issues.

No issues with my 642-1. I've had it around 30 years. Your hand will wear out from shooting it before the gun wears out.

Purchased a 642 for a back-up approximately 1999-2000 time frame.

Carried in an ankle holster everyday I worked for 15 or so years.

Carried it also when off duty at times in a pocket holster.

On the Department I was on you had to qualify with your off duty on the same course as your duty weapon so put several thousand rounds through it to get good with her.

Around the 15 year mark began to have some issues with ejection. Had it looked at and a small crack in one of the chambers was found. Retired that cylinder and replaced it with another and she is still ticking.

I did move to a 442PC when those came out though and to be honest don't carry the J Frames much any longer.

Still looks decent for all the wear and tear.

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Assuming the parts were proper spec and installed correctly, and assuming the barrel is not over-torqued, and assuming ammo used is within industry spec, you should be good to go for a long time. My shooting friend keeps a record book with each firearm. His Model 38, acquired new in the mid- to late-sixties, now has 18,000 rounds down range. No issues. I would say that the only issues you might experience after many thousands of rounds would be DCU (doesn’t carry up); or, if you’re using +P, which is totally safe, but which will accelerate wear, you might eventually experience end shake. Both conditions are easily and quickly corrected by the factory. If your 442/642 uses aluminum pins, you may experience a bent one. Again, the factory can take care of this.

Many here says you heard wrong.
The 642 is stainless, what's to peel off. Mechanically no issues with my 20 year old 642. Also no issues with my 442. Many rounds down range with no issues. Both guns are carried and make visits to the range regularly.

The 642 barrel and cylinder are stainless steel, the frame is aluminum and has a coating (clearcoat in older models, 'paint' in newer models) applied to give it a matte stainless appearance and prevent surface corrosion.

640s and 60s, OTOH, have stainless frames.

Check out the post “Project Break my J frame” on the m4.carbine.net forum. He ran 6K plus rounds through his 642 and gave up on breaking it and sold it.

The flaking issue is limited to 642’s. The clear coat on the aluminum frame peels off after a while. The 442 finish is more durable in my experience. It’s also easier for me to see the black sights than the silver sights on the 642.

Best Regards,
ADP3

I’ve had my 442-2 (No Lock) for a dozen years or so, carried often, seldom shot and it still looks as good as the day I bought it new. Same thing with my 340PD. I’m kinda surprised at how well the finish has held up on them.

My 642 has held up pretty well. Just a little clear coat peel. Doesn’t bother me. I carry it everywhere I go except work.

One 642 the coating peeled; another did not.

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Rather be outdoors

I have 2 642s. One since about 2005 and it's beginning to show a little wear on the frame. Still tight and accurate tho. 2nd gun is 5 yrs old I guess, newer gun, no lock. Still pretty. S&W quality has been slipping for the last 30 years or so but their guns usually work pretty good once they are repaired or debugged.

Well Armed , Ive had my 442 since 1995 when I went into dicks.I still carry it today after retiring in 2005.This 29 year old gem has a faded finish and has needed a new firing pin and spring cap but still shoots like a champ.As a side note when the firing pin broke the gun was still firing and I only discovered that it broke when cleaning it after the range session.