Factory nickel finish, Model 442 nolock?

[f2]

Originally posted by ladder13:
f2, did you get your 442 no dash yet? Make sure we see some pics.

ladder13, I did, but the frame was cracked at the usual place; w/the cylinder out, under the bbl near the forcing cone. The seller made it right though - full refund + my $20.00 FFL fee, + $17.change priority mail. Got the money order the other day. While I was disappointed, the sellers response was very welcomed and sincere.
<span class="ev_code_WHITE">zzz</span>

 

[semperfi.45]

Originally posted by DC7:

The earliest 442-1 and 642-1 revolvers, along with other early J-magnum-frame models like the 640-1, had forged parts. According to SCSW, the change to J-magnum frames occurred in 1996, while the switch to MIM triggers happened in 1997. The internal lock wasn't introduced for several more years after that--around 2001/2002.

I currently have a 442-2. Lets say I'm looking for an early 442-1 with forged parts (which I am). What years were they produced? Is there a Serial # sequence to look for?

What exactly is the J Magnum frame?

 

[DC7]

Originally posted by semperfi.45:
Lets say I'm looking for an early 442-1 with forged parts (which I am). What years were they produced? Is there a Serial # sequence to look for?

With Smith & Wesson you can never really know for sure, but it's likely that the 442-1 was built with forged parts only during the short time between the introduction of the magnum frame in 1996 and the introduction of MIM parts in 1997. I don't know of any specific serial number range for non-MIM -1 models. Whenever I see one for sale I just check the trigger--if the back is solid and smooth, it's a forged part, and if it has a deep groove down the back of the trigger (like your 442-2) it's a MIM part. I've seen a few 442-1 and 642-1 revolvers with forged triggers for sale over the last couple years, but they're far outnumbered by MIM-trigger versions.

What exactly is the J Magnum frame?

When S&W switched some of their J-frame models--640, 649, etc.--from .38 Special to .357 Magnum, they had to elongate the frame slightly to fit the longer magnum-chambered cylinder. They then standardized on that frame size for all J-frame models (presumably for reasons of production efficiency), so even Airweight models like the 442 and 642 that are still .38-only are now built on the J-magnum frame.

All no-dash 442, 640, and 642 revolvers were built on the non-magnum J-frame. The -1 engineering change indicated the switch to the J-magnum frame for all three of those models.

 

[semperfi.45]

DC7

Thanks for the expert reply.The search is on for a 442-1 and the funds to purchase it.