442 question

[Electraclyde]

Have a 442 that I have carried as a BUG or as a primary gun every day for about 5 years now. Have fired this gun about 3000 rounds worth. It goes with me at all times. I shoot this at 10 yards as well as a 5" 1911
Do not be afraid, step up to the plate and get 442/642, You will not regret it. (Mine has the "lock" and it has never been a problem.)
Had a Model 36 before this, it was to heavy.

 

[Der Biermeister]

Shoot mine at every range visit, but only 50 rounds or so...
Carry it with .38 +P, Speer Gold Dot 125gr short barrel loads...

I prefer steel revolver IWB, but use the 442 for "deep" concealment.

You forgot to mention that you changed grips to Uncle Mike's -- probably to aid with the speedloader issue with the OEM grips. Even without the speedloader issue, the Uncle Mike's grips are MUCH better quality.

 

[Der Biermeister]

A couple of months ago I came across a brand new 642 (no lock) and decided to carry that. After about a month, I wondered why I had ever left my old friend in the safe. The new 642 went back into the box and into the safe and the 442 took its rightful place in my pocket.

Bob

I thought the only difference between a 642 and 442 was the finish?

 

[CSG]

It is. I don't understand what that guy was talking about either.

 

[bettis1]

It is. I don't understand what that guy was talking about either.

And "that guy" responds:

You are actually incorrect in two points. Both the older 442 that I have and the new 642 are nickel so the finish is the same for both. But more importantly, the 442 that was produced in 1993 was not certified by the Factory for use with +P ammunition and the new 642 is certified for that use.

Now, at the risk of raising the tiresome question "can I shoot +P in my older gun", I have shot a lot of +P in the older 442 without any sign of stretching and I carry them in it. However, when I found the no-lock 642 at a very low price I thought that the newer handgun that the Factory had rated for +P might be sound in the long run. I determined that any differences were of no practical importance so I returned the newer gun to the box and took up with the old friend who's quirks I know.

Bob

 

[681ismyfavorite]

i have a 640 no dash .38 that i got just because.....but i find that due to its weight id rather have the 640-1 .357 instead. for the same size gun as the 640 no dash my 642 non locks fill the niche just fine.

 

[GaryS]

To stick my nose in and further muddy thing.

The 442 made in 1993 came in two flavors. One was traditional blue and the other was in "Satin Nickel Finish". I had the latter and it was a very nice hand gun. More importantly though, the early 442 was built on the "hammerless" J frame. After about 1996 or so (maybe earlier) S&W changed the frame to the "J Magnum" and the 442/642 were built on that. The J Magnum frame is +P certified, but the earlier frames were not.

Unfortunately the frame on my early Satin Nickel frame cracked and since the frame couldn't be repaired and new frames are not available for the early guns my gun had to be scrapped. The good part is that S&W gave me my choice of a 642 or 442. I chose the 642 because it's closest to what I had, although the finish on the new gun seems more shiny to me. I asked for and received a no lock version even though I had to wait a couple of weeks longer.

The only real difference I'd say is that the newer frame is stronger. Other than that, there's really no difference.

And "that guy" responds:

You are actually incorrect in two points. Both the older 442 that I have and the new 642 are nickel so the finish is the same for both. But more importantly, the 442 that was produced in 1993 was not certified by the Factory for use with +P ammunition and the new 642 is certified for that use.

Now, at the risk of raising the tiresome question "can I shoot +P in my older gun", I have shot a lot of +P in the older 442 without any sign of stretching and I carry them in it. However, when I found the no-lock 642 at a very low price I thought that the newer handgun that the Factory had rated for +P might be sound in the long run. I determined that any differences were of no practical importance so I returned the newer gun to the box and took up with the old friend who's quirks I know.

Bob

 

[CSG]

Mine is also a 1993. I don't shoot +P through it. Still don't get your reasoning, Bob, but it's none of my business anyway.