Going to Buy a J-Frame Today - 442 or 642?

Mr. Blenderson said:
Went to five shops today and no one had a no-lock 642 or even a 442, and they were out of stock at all the distributors with an uncertain delivery date.

One of them did have a 642 w lock that was on sale for $399! They're around $450 at all the shops here usually. I signed on the dotted line!

I have to wait til nedt Thursday to pick it up.
Click to expand...

You did good! I don't have a 642 but I do have a 442 with lock and unlike others, the lock doesn't bother me a whit and it has been reliable as hell. My example has a sweet, smooth trigger.

As a tip. For over 20 years I always give my blued and even stainless guns a thorough coat of Flitz polish every once in awhile and I've never had a speck of rust pop up anywhere. I'm a real Flitz fan.

Of course I do clean them after every shooting session and wipe them down.
 
I guess there's nobody here man enough to carry the THREE 42???

Ohhh, hold it, there's one, ohh that's a mirror, it's me!

Nuk, Nuk, Nuk!!

Actually I was thinking of getting my wife a "42" and this thread caught my eye.

Don't think I'll be even trying her on my 342PD which pretty much whips me when I shoot it much... 10.7oz dry...
 
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Lock or no lock

Hello, I have enjoyed reading this thread a lot. I purchased a 442 for my son a few months ago. I have several larger guns and I carry my 380 Bodyguard. I said that so you would know that I am a gun person. After taking my sons 442 to the range and shooting a couple of hundred rounds through it I have decided that I like shooting it more than my 380 BG and I am going to by myself the 642. But I have seen a lot on this thread about getting one with or without the lock. What exactly are you talking about on that. I don't know if the one I bought my son has that or not. lol... Any info on the "lock" will be helpful. Thanks in advance.
 
dennisvet said:
Hello, I have enjoyed reading this thread a lot. I purchased a 442 for my son a few months ago. I have several larger guns and I carry my 380 Bodyguard. I said that so you would know that I am a gun person. After taking my sons 442 to the range and shooting a couple of hundred rounds through it I have decided that I like shooting it more than my 380 BG and I am going to by myself the 642. But I have seen a lot on this thread about getting one with or without the lock. What exactly are you talking about on that. I don't know if the one I bought my son has that or not. lol... Any info on the "lock" will be helpful. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Most new S&W revolvers come with an internal locking mechanism just above the cylinder release latch. A few models like the 642/442 are available with or without the lock. For some of us the lock just plain ruins the look of the revolver and there are documented cases of the gun locking itself though that seems to be rare.

Others don't care one way or the other if the gun has an internal lock or not.
 
dennisvet said:
Hello, I have enjoyed reading this thread a lot. I purchased a 442 for my son a few months ago. I have several larger guns and I carry my 380 Bodyguard. I said that so you would know that I am a gun person. After taking my sons 442 to the range and shooting a couple of hundred rounds through it I have decided that I like shooting it more than my 380 BG and I am going to by myself the 642. But I have seen a lot on this thread about getting one with or without the lock. What exactly are you talking about on that. I don't know if the one I bought my son has that or not. lol... Any info on the "lock" will be helpful. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Here is a representative lock removal video.
There are many others on the net.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvSX_WKl3bI[/ame]

Best,
Rick
 
I own both the 442 and 642.

I have both and shoot both. There is no difference other than color. If I close my eyes and pick either of them up I can't tell which one. Cleaning is the same. Also both incredible guns.

Enjoy what ever you decide..You will love it.
 
All this talk of finishes and rust has me considering picking up a $200 LCP that I don't really care about to stick in my pocket when I'm out doing yard work.

There was a story a few days ago near here in Jupiter, FL where a college kid out of his mind on flakka randomly killed a husband and wife who were hanging out in their garage. My wife told me the story and said she thought to herself "I'm glad my husband has a gun in his pocket." I don't want to end up leaving it inside bc I'm worried about the finish when I get sweaty (doing yard work here more or less soaks you through).
 
Mr B

That kid also ATE a good part of the murdered guy's finger, after he died

Sure was crazed!
 
vireya said:
Mr B

That kid also ATE a good part of the murdered guy's finger, after he died

Sure was crazed!
Click to expand...

Yeah, it was pretty messed up. He only had a knife IIRC. That being said, I am trained to defend myself with just my body and various non-projectile weapons and things I could find lying around but I'd certainly rather have some 38 Special in my pocket if I found myself in that kind of situation.
 
For ANYWHERE in Florida go with ALL stainless, or the combination with aluminum in the frame. You want no rusting parts. I worked there for many years and carbon steel guns--even carried in a normal holster--will rust before the end of the day from just getting in and out of your AC'd car. Florida is a hell-hole for rust on guns if you actually carry them, especially concealed. Forget wiping them down with oil every day. Buy stainless.
 
Chief Tom said:
For ANYWHERE in Florida go with ALL stainless, or the combination with aluminum in the frame. You want no rusting parts. I worked there for many years and carbon steel guns--even carried in a normal holster--will rust before the end of the day from just getting in and out of your AC'd car. Florida is a hell-hole for rust on guns if you actually carry them, especially concealed. Forget wiping them down with oil every day. Buy stainless.
Click to expand...

Agreed or Scandium/Titanium
 
I ended up going with the 642.

Although I'm definitely going to get a 442 at some point. And a 340PD, and a...

Any thought on picking up an LCP to stick in my pocket when getting crazy sweaty doing yard work?
 
Mr. Blenderson, a pocket .380 is a great idea, and I suggest finding an LCP with a stainless slide. Ruger did make them, so were I you I would find one before buying. I use a Kel-Tec P3AT with a chrome slide and love it--carried it for a decade (so far) daily. Get a good pocket holster...mine is a DeSantis.
 
I like the 642 version and without the safety-toed, reflective vest, safety lock...

Of course of my two 642s, one died and one survived. Running 50/50...

Edmo

3dc503c7-8233-4802-9d7f-6d89ac745c0a_zpse264fe74.jpg
 
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Mr. Blenderson said:
I ended up going with the 642.

Although I'm definitely going to get a 442 at some point. And a 340PD, and a...

Any thought on picking up an LCP to stick in my pocket when getting crazy sweaty doing yard work?
Click to expand...

I carry a 442 during the warmer weather in PA, but my Kel-Tec .380 sees a lot of CCW time, as well, mostly in the role you described. It's been an indispensable tool for me.

Regarding the face-eating miscreant, and your post about hand-to-hand skills and having a .38- in that case, you likely would've needed both.
 
I have a couple 642's, but my stainless LCP gets far more carry use. It's just easier to hide in most pockets.
 
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