Bought my new 442 Today

[Phlontho]

Hi folks,

Just wondering why there seems to be talk on many forums as though the 642 .38 models and the 442 .38 models have differences other than the finish.
I wanted a 642 until I saw the 'blacked out' 442. This prompted me to call S&W to get the word from the horse's mouth.
They said firearm is identical but for the color.

BTW ... I say '.38' to save characters.

This little beauty will be my personal carry. I really wanted the no internal lock Pro model but, my seller had the regular lock ones at such a great summer blowout price, I couldn't refuse.
I've carried a Glock model 30 (.45) for over 20 years and have just gotten too darn old to trust my wrists in the event of a stupid move from someone else.

 

[Phlontho]

sorry folks ... looks like I may have posted in wrong area.

 

[shakyshoot]

You're in the right place. I'm sure there are several here who have both. I'm no help since I don't recall ever seeing a 442 in person. Everyone has 642's. Curious as to what people are saying the differences are?

 

[M29since14]

It's the same gun. The older 442s were said to have carbon-steel cylinders and barrels. I presume the new ones do, too. There's a chance S&W is just blackening SS parts for current production 442s, but I doubt it.

The 442s first came out in a black model and the same gun in electroless nickel. I've had an electroless nickel 442 for a long time. I always liked the finish for its durability, the modern 642s... not so much. If I were buying one now, it would be a 442, hands down.

 

[SeamasterSig]

BTW ... I say '.38' to save characters.

... and then wrote a whole sentence to explain your frugality

 

[yep380]

Congrats on the new 442. I like mine. My observation over the past few years of watching post #s on this forum says that the 642 is more popular - but that's just my perception, could be wrong.

I had a choice between a 642 and 442 when I bought this summer, both no-lock models. Always liked my guns to be black, so I went with the 442.

Here's a pic.

 

[Wishbone]

I have a 642 and 442 both pro series no locks. On the scale the 642 does weight a couple ounces more than the 442 so that could be the difference in cylinder materials. I favor the 442 a bit more as I don't care for the 2 tone look of the stainless 642.

 

[getoff]

i love the 442... so much so, i have 2. my wifes 637 is looking a bit shabby after 10 years, but my 442 still looks good. both have wear on all the hard edges, but over all finish is WAY better. good choice, enjoy!

 

[rubiranch]

I was hoping to see a nice Olds 442.

 

[haywood]

442 my all time favorite. The Boot grip gun is always in my pocket. The Hogue Tamer Grip Gun is for the waist. They are holding up well. Bought about 6 years ago.

 

[ABPOS]

i love the 442... so much so, i have 2. my wifes 637 is looking a bit shabby after 10 years, but my 442 still looks good. both have wear on all the hard edges, but over all finish is WAY better. good choice, enjoy!

Would like to see that 637......

My 442 has really been a good constant companion.

Smith and Wesson website says the Barrel is stainless and cylinder is carbon steel on the 442. So I guess there is a little bit of a difference. The steel of the cylinder. Unless that's a typo. I would've thought both the barrel and cylinder were carbon steel on the 442.

 

[Damol]

Get a good grip on it when you fire it, they buck a bit but not bad.
I don't feel quite right without my 442 in my pocket.
More accurate then I would have thought even with the heavy trigger.
I bought mine a few months ago, but the little bugger sure has grown
on me.

 

[getoff]

442 my all time favorite. The Boot grip gun is always in my pocket. The Hogue Tamer Grip Gun is for the waist. They are holding up well. Bought about 6 years ago.

my IWB one has the nylon Hogue 3 finger grip, and the pocket or ankle one has a set of Hogue G10s on it... great minds think alike!

 

[Phlontho]

Thanks for all the comments! Today, I launched 100 rounds of 125gr +P out at 10 yds. I was surprised at the accuracy of this little beast and even more surprised that my wrist only hurt for about 10 minutes after I was finished. What a blast!!

 

[629shooter]

Thanks for all the comments! Today, I launched 100 rounds of 125gr +P out at 10 yds. I was surprised at the accuracy of this little beast and even more surprised that my wrist only hurt for about 10 minutes after I was finished. What a blast!!

Congrats on a great little revolver. I'm glad you're enjoying it.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Good stuff.

Thanks for the range report.

Glad you like it.

Centennials all the way!

 

[HamHands]

442 my all time favorite. The Boot grip gun is always in my pocket. The Hogue Tamer Grip Gun is for the waist. They are holding up well. Bought about 6 years ago.

My brother carries one every day. He's a little hard on it (not abuse, just a big beefy guy that sweats a lot in this Georgia heat), and it looks a little chewed up. But it shoots to POA with any ammo we've tried in it and the 642 is a gun that you can always have on you no matter what you are wearing because it wears and carries so comfortably/well. If I already didn't have couple of nice M36's in the carry rotation... I'd have a 442 and a 642... because it's the gun you will always have on you! And that's the one you need when something stupid arises...

 

[Glashaus]

Nice buy! The 442's are great little revolvers! My 442 and my 640-1 get carried a lot. The 442 is a great carry gun for the Summer.

 

[Agustus]

I too am one who has a 442 it w/o the lock. Got it this summer. I'd like to carry it more. Very small and I shoot great with it but haven't found a pocket holster I like yet. I have a clinger holster that works well but almost a little too big for the small 442.

Enjoy your new pocket rocket. Mine is surprisingly accurate.

 

[getoff]

I too am one who has a 442 it w/o the lock. Got it this summer. I'd like to carry it more. Very small and I shoot great with it but haven't found a pocket holster I like yet. I have a clinger holster that works well but almost a little too big for the small 442.

Enjoy your new pocket rocket. Mine is surprisingly accurate.

Try a Mika, or my favorite, Galco horsehide pocket holster. mine has ridden in one for 5 or 6 years now...