Should I pick up a 642 or 442?

The 442 has a carbon steel cylinder, the 642 has a stainless cylinder. If you aren't good at wiping down your carry piece on a regular basis you might opt for the 642. I carry a 442 in a Mika's Pocket Holster every day and wipe it down every other day (The Mika holster is waterproof).

pineappleshooter
 
I am a convert. My brother bought one(642-1) and I busted his chops for buying it because I carried a "real gun" (1911) at the time. When he passed my mom gave it to me because he used to tell he how much he loved shooting with me. In the ten years I have had that gun, I have carried it more than any other in my safe.
 
I picked up a brand new, no lock 442 at the LGS a few weeks back for $279 during their big sale. The 642/442 is one of the best primary EDC guns out there. I back my 642 up with a Glock 19 on occasion.
 
I seldom leave the house without my 442. It's a great little shooter and serves me well in the role of either my primary carry or as a BUG. I prefer the black finish simply for better concealment.
 
This is just my opinion, so take it for what it is worth.

If you live in an area of constant high humidity like Florida, Georgia, South/North Carolina or anywhere along the Gulf Coast of the United States, you should opt for the Model 642 because of the additional rust resistance of the stainless steel cylinder and barrel.

If you prefer black sights to stainless, then opt for the Model 442.

If neither of these apply to you, then just pick whichever color you prefer, black or stainless.
 
I've had my 442 for a couple of years. I'm one of those people who always seems to buy the one bad example of what everyone else thinks is a great product, but I'm happy to say that is NOT the case with this 442. It's been great - reliable - accurate - handy. I trust this little beast with my life. I think it is the best pocket revolver ever made.

I don't worry about rust. Only the cylinder and the barrel of the 442 are carbon steel, and as I always have it in a DeSantis pocket holster, my hands never touch rust-able steel. When I walk at night I will sometimes have my hands in my pockets, my right hand loosely curled around the grips - it's very reassuring.

And I don't think the recoil is as bad as some people think. Yes, it barks and pushes back a bit, but the issue grips are great, and as long as you hang on tight, you'll be fine.

There's something about the 642 - did they put a kind of coating or covering on the frame that does not last? It seems to discolor over time, I think. I don't have one, I'm just remembering the look of the rented 642 I shot before I bought my 442, and some of the posts I read at that time...
 
Can anyone tell me o if the 642-2 should have a forcing cone cut? My gunsmith said to send it in get cut. Thanks.
 
andyo5 said:
I love my 642. I carry it in my front pocket, without a holster.
I don't even notice it in my front pocket.
Click to expand...

andy05,

I beg you to please stop doing this now. This past weekend, a father or four in Richmond, Virginia negligently shot and killed himself in front of his children.

He was carrying a Glock 27 in his waistband without a holster. His was getting out of the car to return a video rental when he went to adjust his seatbelt and ended up somehow getting either his finger or part of the seatbelt enough into the trigger guard to set the pistol off.

He shot himself in the hip/abdomen and bled out in a matter of minutes.

Mika pocket holsters are fairly inexpensive. How much is your life worth to you?
 
I have to second the always using some kind of holster. If nothing else it keeps the gun from getting all scratched up or the gun wearing a hole in your pocket. I put the new 642 in a pocket holster so the wife can carry it in her purse without getting lipstick or something all over it.
 
Firing a Glock in the manner he did is dramatically different from having a negligent discharge with a revolver. Not only does one have to overcome a long DA pull, but the cylinder has to rotate. I have never heard of an ND with a J-frame in the pocket.
 
squidsix said:
Firing a Glock in the manner he did is dramatically different from having a negligent discharge with a revolver. Not only does one have to overcome a long DA pull, but the cylinder has to rotate. I have never heard of an ND with a J-frame in the pocket.
Click to expand...

And you would be willing to bet your life on that?

A Mika pocket holster is $30. You could probably find another brand cheaper if you looked around. How much is your life worth?
 
Broadside said:
And you would be willing to bet your life on that?

A Mika pocket holster is $30. You could probably find another brand cheaper if you looked around. How much is your life worth?
Click to expand...


While I wholeheartedly concur with your recommendation, I do think the comparison is apples to oranges.

A chambered Glock pistol should NEVER be carried unless in a holster that covers the trigger.
 
Photoman44 said:
While I wholeheartedly concur with your recommendation, I do think the comparison is apples to oranges.

A chambered Glock pistol should NEVER be carried unless in a holster that covers the trigger.
Click to expand...

So you want to continue to encourage unsafe gun handling?

No handgun, regardless of type, should EVER be carried without a holster that covers the trigger.

I'm sure that individual who shot himself didn't think it would happen to him either. Now his four children are left without a father.

Blaming a design for unsafe firearm handling makes no sense. Unsafe firearm safety is just that, unsafe. No responsible gun owner should try to justify it. Further, when they see, they should call it out and attempt to correct it.
 
Broadside said:
So you want to continue to encourage unsafe gun handling?

No handgun, regardless of type, should EVER be carried without a holster that covers the trigger.

I'm sure that individual who shot himself didn't think it would happen to him either. Now his four children are left without a father.

Blaming a design for unsafe firearm handling makes no sense. Unsafe firearm safety is just that, unsafe. No responsible gun owner should try to justify it. Further, when they see, they should call it out and attempt to correct it.
Click to expand...


Carrying loaded firearms is dangerous business and each one of us has to work out our own salvation.

If you are not comfortable carrying a double action revolver without a holster, by all means, use a holster. I have on occasion carried one without a holster. On the other hand, I have never carried a chambered Glock without a holster.
 
Why not get both? The 642 for nighttime use, the 442 for daylight. If I have to pull either one, I want the bad guy to SEE it and know that he's in deep doo-doo.

I have equipped each of these with Barami Hip-grips, and grip adapters. They fit nicely into my right front Levi's pocket, and are instantly accessible. As light as they are, it's easy to forget that you are packing - so double check when you go to the airport!

John

BARAMIHIPGRIPS-SMALL.jpg
 
I would only add one caveat: keep an eye on any of the Airweight revolvers as they have a tendency to just float away...
FLOATER1.jpg

My vote: 642-1 w/CT405 grip
 
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