642 VS 442

[blgoode]

I too am glad I have the 442

 

[DKG188]

My 442 is a good shooting trusted friend.

DKG

 

[myanof]

Originally posted by blgoode:
I too am glad I have the 442

Sweeet, I love to see a good looking gun with no internal lock.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I bought a 442 recently for my wife on her birthday. She loves the saving in weight over her previously-carried 640, and has remarked that the black-finished 442 is not so obvious when her carry purse is opened. I've equipped her gun with the hip-grip setup so she can tuck it in her waistband - no holster required. With the hip-grip and a grip adapter, it's just the ticket.

 

[abs]

You can't go wrong with either; have both.

I prefer my ability to sight more quickly with the lighter color of the 642, but for stealth, the 442 wins. Tried the "ghost" glow paint and nail polish on the 442 front sight, better, but still not as easy for these aging eyes. Wish they had front pinned sights that could be replaced with XS ones.

 

[S&W Guy]

Originally posted by abs:
You can't go wrong with either; have both.

I prefer my ability to sight more quickly with the lighter color of the 642, but for stealth, the 442 wins. Tried the "ghost" glow paint and nail polish on the 442 front sight, better, but still not as easy for these aging eyes. Wish they had front pinned sights that could be replaced with XS ones.

Consider getting Crimson Trace grips - I did, now I have the stealth look of the black 442 along with the best sights you can get (note, S&W offers CT with their logo on it).makes one handsome package

 

[BIG DOG]

I have the 642-1. I love it. I prefer the stainless beccause it is in my pocket daily. moisture from sweat tends to be there. I felt the stainless was a better choice for me. The way I figure its personal preference because both are great guns.
G

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

WOW!!
This two year old thread is still going..
How Time changes things..
My first Airweight was a 642-2, Then I traded it for a 442-2 & then later traded that one for this 642 No Dash..
I love the Non Matte Finish of this Little snub & with the Spegel Grips it's a Keeper..
S&W Airweight Model 642

If You See Me Out I'll have this in my Pocket stoked with Nyclads carried in a Kramer Pocket Holster..
Gary/HK

 

[benmcc]

442 pocket carry

 

[yooperpat]

I chose the 442 over the 642. I preferred the black for concealment also I had difficulty seeing the "silver" sight in the 642.

 

[Mickey D]

FYI - The 442 was also offer in electroless Nickel. Looks just like a 642.

 

[ladder13]

Originally posted by Mickey D:
FYI - The 442 was also offer in electroless Nickel. Looks just like a 642.

looks like this:

here's a 642-1

 

[abs]

Very subjective, but for my older eyes I prefer the matte silver finish when using the front sight, just easier see. My wife has the 442 which is better for concealment purposes for obvious reasons. The 442 seems to collect GI gold where the 642 doesn't. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[AJ]

My 442-1. Shoots at 6 o'clock at 15 yards on a 8 inch bull. All rounds group together. You'll notice it is in nickle.

 

[Danny33486]

Just bought the 642 over the 442 at the WPB gun show today. Both were about the same price $425.
I liked them both, but after a few conversations there I went with the silver, the dealer seemed to think the finish is more durable. Cant wait to shoot it tomorrow!

 

[dbh1956]

Local store has had the 642, 442, and 638 all on sale for $379 or a couple of weeks. 642's have the lock and the only ones left include both the pink and black grips for $399. Hard choice but I picked the 442 - its a no-lock and I like the even finish. We'll see how it holds up.

 

[AJ]

This maybe sacrilegious, but sold my 442-1. However I sold it after I had picked up a 342.

 

[MTKTM]

For pocket carry I consider anything that weighs more than roughly one pound to be problematic. A loaded 442 is right about there because of the alloy frame, a 642 a few ounces heavier and over-the-line IMHO. In fact, for pocket carry I have gone to the 340PD, like the combination of light weight and rust-resistant materials.

 

[Sporting12]

I have the 442.
Only reason I chose it over the 642, is the fact that my eyes are quite light sensitve,and I thought glare might be an issue with the 642.
The black is more "stealthy", but I think both are good.
Regards, Pete

 

[shotgunpet]

My Wife is looking into the 442. I have been told by someone at work (Midwayusa) that the J-frame airweight is hard to handle for women with the recoil. Do you find this to be accurate. Ladies?

Sorry I am new here. Nice to meet you all my name is Bill. Merry Christmas

 

[OHIOUP]

Virtually the same but for color. Same weight at 15oz. empty. One could argue the differences in steel components and finish durability. I got a 642 for my daughter who had no particular trouble with recoil using the boot grips that come from factory. Yesterday, I picked up one each of the 442 and 642 with my wife in mind. My question, as yet unanswered, is how she'll respond to the recoil. I'm waiting for the larger LG-305 Crimson Trace grips to arrive which ought to alleviate some of the recoil discomfort. With her Ruger SP101 (at twice the weight of the J frames) and CT grips the cylinder full of Buffalo Bore 158gr. 38+P at the end of a practice session is managable but not pleasant shooting so we may have to change the carry ammo accordingly.

 

[Jacksmyname]

I bought a 642 with CT grips for my wife (she picked it out) recently. She used it for the cc class and did fine with it.
For one of her Christmas gifts, I bought her a 63 for target fun.

 

[myanof]

I think many people make a mistake thinking that everyone needs to carry a +P load in the light weigt guns. I also carry +Ps in mine, but for my wife it's standard 38s with lighter bullets. She has been loaded with 125 gr Nyclads for years. Now that I can't buy Nyclads I will find a good 110-125 gr standard 38 for her. For those ladies that can shoot +Ps, all the better.