Rusting 442s?

J

JayFramer

Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2013
Messages
4,596
Reaction score
9,339
Seems a big knock against the J-frame S&W 442 is the blued carbon steel barrel and cylinder. I’ve heard many folks mention the 442s are prone to rusting issues whereas the stainless 642s make a superior carry revolver in terms of corrosion resistance.

Can anyone tell me if there is really much real-world problems with the 442s and them rusting? I live in Las Vegas where it is quite hot but also dry. I am more drawn to the looks of the 442 but if the gun will have corrosion issues I may get a stainless revolver.

Thoughts?
 
Register to hide this ad
Seems like a no-win situation. The 442 has a carbon steel cylinder and barrel which is prone to rust and the 642 has a stainless steel barrel and cylinder but the finish peels off. The discontinued 438 had a stainless steel cylinder and barrel I’m pretty sure.
 
I’ve carried a 442 for 5 years, never a speck of rust. When I got it I used EEZOX on the cylinder, barrel, thumb latch, screws, and internals. I followed the directions on the container, and never had a problem. The revolver is carried in a Kydex IWB holster, belly band, Remora IWB, and StealthGear IWB. I *might* wipe it down with a dry rag or blow off the dust with a couple blasts from one of those computer duster canned air thingies at the end of the day, but other than that I don’t do anything else to it except clean it after shooting. The cylinder looks spankin new... the frame has some minor wear, mostly from me bumping into things. :)
 
Last edited:
slabside2 said:
Seems like a no-win situation. The 442 has a carbon steel cylinder and barrel which is prone to rust and the 642 has a stainless steel barrel and cylinder but the finish peels off. The discontinued 438 had a stainless steel cylinder and barrel I’m pretty sure.
Click to expand...

I've been carrying a 642-1 daily for going on three years through rain, heat, humidity and cold here in the mountains of western NC and the finish shows no signs of deterioration.

I must be doing something wrong. ;)
 
I’m not saying it happens to to all the 642’s but if you do a search here you’ll find many threads about it. I’m sure some of the flaking off is related to using the wrong solvents on the gun. It also scratches much easier than the finish on the 442. I speak from experience.
 
Last edited:
slabside2 said:
I’m not saying it happens to to all the 642’s but if you do a search here you’ll find many threads about it. I’m sure some of the flaking off is related to using the wrong solvents on the gun. It also scratches much easier than the finish on the 442. I speak from experience.
Click to expand...

I agree. Didn't mean to seem argumentative, wasn't my intention.

I put off getting the 642-1 for a long time due to reports of issues with the finish. So far I've been lucky...even my application of sight paint is still intact. :cool:
 
Not a 642 but my CCH Model 40- has the clear flaking in spots. I can’t say for sure but I believe it’s from Eezox. It has strong solvents and I think that may have weakened the bond to the metal. On a blued gun I don’t think would matter.
 
blues7 said:
I agree. Didn't mean to seem argumentative, wasn't my intention.

I put off getting the 642-1 for a long time due to reports of issues with the finish. So far I've been lucky...even my application of sight paint is still intact.
Click to expand...
It’s all good:)
 
May not be the answer you're looking for but a gun bud had his 642 painted dark grey (almost flat black) with one of the current 2-part epoxy coatings (cera, dura, KG, etc???). So far, he's not reported any issues with flaking or rusting.
I think someone local charged him $50 for prep & coating. Sounds reasonable to me.
 
I have both 642's and 442's.

I prefer the 642 for defensive purposes due to its greater visibility and my primary training gun is a 442, which has developed a little rust in the past, but I tend to neglect maintenance a bit.

In terms of what S&W states on the website regarding what parts of the 442 are carbon or stainless, I wouldn't trust it. They have changed it in the past and different customer service reps give conflicting answers. Even the director of marking and the head of the performance center couldn't agree and give me a definite answer about the 442 pro series.
 
I have a 20 year old 642-2 and a 5 year old 642-1 ( my son now has the -2) ans neither has any finish issues. the older -2 does have some wear on the back strap, but that's expected as it's worn boot grips the majority of the time. Both have nicks and dings but nothing unusual.
 
I have a Model 442 since shortly after they first became available. I also have a much later model 642. The 442 still looks pristine. The 642 not nearly so much, but I knew that going in on the 642. It wasn't too good looking when I bought it for cheap and I don't mind how it looks at all! But that said, no rusting issues on my 442 made in 1993. It has been taken good care of along the way!
 
I pretty much agree with Rick_A. Regular preventative maintenance will go a long way towards protecting your 442, should you get one.

As for me, I went with the 642 specifically for the added corrosion resistance (still not corrosion-proof) because I'm lazy. I've had two 642-1s, and the frame finish on both of them started degrading before too long, but they don't affect function so I don't really care.
 
diyj98 said:
Except for that blued barrel, unless it's blackened stainless.
Click to expand...

As another astute poster noted above, that's a question with too many answers. The SKU for this model is 11516. I've not seen any mention anywhere about the composition of the bbl. Perhaps I've missed something. Remember folks carried blue steel firearms for years before the onset of stainless. Some care is required if rust is an issue. Here in the desert, there are no dish towels and rust is a memory.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
I carry a 642 daily, 7 Years now. I live in the hot south and I bike with it in my pocket 3+ days per week. It stays in my (sometimes sweaty from biking) pocket 12+ hours a day and the rest of the time sits in a quick access safe. I do use a Desantis Superfly.

I do *no* added preventive maintenance on it. Other than cleaning after the few times it gets shot; I've never oiled it, never wipe it down, nada. It's never shown any sign of corrosion.

The coating on the aluminum frame is wearing off in spots, and can even be scratched off by a fingernail in a couple of those areas. It doesn't look that bad in those spots, just slightly noticeable.

The gun's in great mechanical shape and functions flawlessly.

I have no doubt a 442 would hold up well with preventive maintenance. Unsure if it (with varying non-stainless parts) would show no signs of corrosion with lots of carry during biking and not wiping it down.

Can't recommend a 642 enough!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

RM Vivas
NYPD Model 64-1: 4-inch SB, 4-inch RB, 3-inch RB and 2-inch RB
2 3
Replies
48
Views
4K
Doug M.
Doug M.
Eagle1*
442/642, sweat/rust questions...
Replies
4
Views
710
mikerjf
M
T
Michigan State Police, model 38, stainless cylinder
2
Replies
37
Views
3K
Baxter6551
Baxter6551
W
Anyone w/ rust issues new Shield Plus?
2
Replies
35
Views
6K
Shield 9 WV
Shield 9 WV
P
My first rust blue!
Replies
19
Views
3K
Patrick L
P

Latest posts

Back
Top