442-2

[Retired W4]

I bought my wife a new 442-2, CMK prefix, a while ago. She likes the little 5 shot 38's and keeps a 649 in her car. In the box were two keys for the Internal Key System, but noticed the gun had no key hole above the thumb piece. I checked in SCS&W and it stated that the -2, which was introduced in 2001, was for that internal key system. The spent case envelope was dated 05-15-09 which matched the Julian date on the box. BTW, the gun has the 1.59" J magnum cylinder. I thought the whole thing was a little odd, but I have seen another gun, new in the bow, just like it. I'm sure Smith & Wesson has a reasonable explanation for this and I'm hoping someone on the forum knows what it is.

Edit: The box and spent case envelope both designate the gun as a 442, not 442-2. Don't know if this is significant or not.

 

[valkyriekl]

Maybe it's one of the new "no-lock" 442s, but mismarked as a -2 instead of a -1. It's been known to happen from time to time.

 

[qballwill]

I am not 100% sure, but I believe when S&W started producing the no lock J frames again, they marked them with the previous "no lock" dash number which i believe was a -2 or the 442. If that is the case, I am not sure why keys were enclosed.

 

[qballwill]

My mistake, valkyriekl is right about the dash number. I think it was just mismarked. Was supposed to be a -1. Its quite common at S&W

 

[bigjerm80]

I have a 442-2 no lock that also came with the keys. My spent casing date is fairly close to yours.

 

[Old cop]

I recently aquired a 442 (98% condition) no dash that has no IL. It is not rateed for +P and came in the old cardboard S&W box w/no key. I'm not sure what the explanation is for your circumstance, but suggest you email S&W (check their web site). I asked for a DOB on my 442 and had an answer via email w/i the week. Excellent customer service.

 

[CTP]

My 442 is a -2 no lock and no keys in the box.

 

[valkyriekl]

Hmm...maybe S&W made an unannounced engineering change and simply, uh, forgot to update the number. Possibly to keep the gun on certain approved-firearms lists?

Edit: no, this probably isn't the case. The 442-1 and 442-2 are both current on the CA DOJ certified gun list.

 

[.45mtngun]

Last year I picked up a slightly used 442-2 (like 10 rounds through it), that had the shell envelope marked 10-01-2009. It didn't have the lock, one of the reasons I bought it and it was tight as hell, and the box didn't have any keys in it either. It was also marked for +P ammo. The gun shop I go to gets in new ones with out the lock, 442's, off and on so Smith must be kicking out a certain amount of them throught out the year. I have not seen any of the large frame guns come in with out the lock. I believe this has been going on for the last couple of years.

 

[Combat_Diver]

They way I understand it that the 442-2 are for ILS guns. They have reverted back to the 442-1 for no lock guns. This decision was made during 2010. My 442 Pro has a DOB of Jun 2010 which has no lock is stamped 442-1.

It came packed with a cable lock, 3 full moon clips, spent casing, paperwork, case and 2 ILS keys.

CD

 

[djm]

Quick question, guys: Those of you who have the model that you would think would have had the lock but didn't, was the frame still stamped at the lock location just lacking the internal parts? Or was the frame clean, and clearly never intended to have a lock?

Thanks

 

[Masondixon]

Can the moon clips be used in all 442's, or were just certain ones cut for the clips?

I'm almost sure it would have to be cut for them, but I'd like to know if I might have gotten lucky with my new 442-1 purchase.

 

[ADP3]

Your 442-1 cylinder must be cut for moon clips. I bought a few new production 442-1's in early December to take advantage of the rebate offer and one was cut for moon clips. They all came in the same type box with the same 150544 SKU number but one of the Pro Series Moon Clip guns was sent out as a standard 442-1. Smith failed to package it with the moon clips and when I called the moon clips were out of stock. They arrived in today's mail after a six week wait. If the weather cooperates I'll hit the range with it Saturday.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[warrconn]

Ordered a 442 no lock from Bud's. Great deal....$361, no shipping and my FFL charges only 20 bucks. Plus, they send me constant updates on shipping, etc. I should be able to pick it up tomorrow (Fri) right after work. I'm so excited that I took Monday and Tuesday off to get to know it. I didn't think the weekend would be long enough!

 

[Combat_Diver]

Quick question, guys: Those of you who have the model that you would think would have had the lock but didn't, was the frame still stamped at the lock location just lacking the internal parts? Or was the frame clean, and clearly never intended to have a lock?

Thanks

My 442-1 Pro doesn't have ILS parts, arrow or hole. I wouldn't have bought it if it did have the lock.

CD

 

[Old cop]

I have a 442, no dash, and there is no evidence that any kind of lock was ever intended. The frame is clean, but it is not rated for +P if that is important to you.

 

[Retired W4]

Quick question, guys: Those of you who have the model that you would think would have had the lock but didn't, was the frame still stamped at the lock location just lacking the internal parts? Or was the frame clean, and clearly never intended to have a lock?

Thanks

Clean frame, but angled thumb latch like those with IL.

 

[ol timer]

Clean frame, but angled thumb latch like those with IL.

The angled thumb piece is the newer MIM type. These pre-dated the IL.

 

[psp7304]

I just picked up a 442-1 with no lock at my local shop for $369. It was test fired on 01/27/11.

 

[kng]

I have a 642-2 with no lock, but has been silk screened with the "L" and arrow.

It came with a set of keys. It's spent case date was 2/23/2010.

My 442 is a -1 no lock and also came with a set of keys. It's spent case is 11/04/2010. It came from Bud's.

Bottom line is there are some -2 with no lock floating out there, but it looks like they did decide to go back to the -1 as the no lock designation more recently. It doesn't appear that S&W is as concerned as we are about getting the dash numbers correct for these lock/no-lock models. This is just my opinion.

thanks,
-Kyle