442 no lock vs 642 with lock

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Triggernosis

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Which would you get and why? I wish the 642 came without a lock. Does anyone that has both notice any difference in sight picture between the two (black sights vs grey sights)?
They are the exact same price at my local gun dealer and I'm going to get one of them, I just need some help deciding which. The cylinder on the 442 is stainless like the 642, just anodized, correct?
 
I've had both. The difference in ability to see the dark sights of the 442, didn't out weight the wear and rust resistance, of the barrel and cylinder, advantages of the 642.

Stainless steel can't be anodized, what would lead you to believe that the cylinder of the 442 was made of stainless steel?
 
Thank you. I didn't realize that the 442 cylinder was not stainless. So, no, I won't be getting anything that's could possibly rust. A 642 it will be.
 
I believe the standard 442 does not have a stainless cylinder, but the 442 pro does. The 442 pro will have the ability to accept moon clips, so that's an easy way to know if you're looking at the right one.

See the linked article.
Interestingly, the 442 Moon Clip [442 pro] also features a stainless steel cylinder rather than carbon steel. Since the entire gun is finished in matte black, that change is not readily apparent.
Click to expand...
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/smith-wesson-442-moon-clip-classic-snubby-with-a-twist/

I have a 442 Pro and like it a lot. The trigger could use some work, especially when compared to something like a model 19 (I'm looking into an apex spring set) but it will rust if you're not careful. I think in retrospect I should have gone with the 642 to get a little bit more resilient finish. They're both great guns though and I'm still very happy with my 442 Pro.
 
They do still make both without that goofy lock. Below is my current production "post-lock" 642-1.

I painted my front sight orange, so black vs silver is not really different. I do prefer the stainless aspects of the 642.

For me, I cannot own a gun with a lock.

Edmo

imagejpg3_zpsaa888e57.jpg
 
I have a 642-2 with lock, and it just isn't an issue other than making detail cleaning a little more onerous. That said, one of these days I'll buy "the plug" and swap it out.
 
I have the Pro-Series 442 and love it. The barrel and cylinder are supposedly blackened stainless, however, I have had significant rust problems on the cylinder. Its where its against the holster and tight up against my body. I'm trying to blame it on my sweat, but the rust has been pretty bad and I have tried about a half dozen different rust preventatives and it just keeps rusting.

Other than that, I love my 442 Pro-Series.
 
As mentioned both the M442 and M642 come without the ILS as do all the S&W Centennial J frame revolvers.

I owned both and kept the M442 because I liked the black over stainless look, nothing else. Both are equal IMO so buy the one you like best.

M442-2.jpg


M642-4.jpg
 
IMG_0661.JPG When I first started carrying I only bought stainless Snubs. Then I traded for a like new S&W 37. After that I got the 442 and a 36. Now I'm a fan of the blue and black Snubs. The only rust I ever saw was the cylinder releas on one of the 442s. I carry AIWB. On hot days if I let the gun lay against skin it will start to rust. I switched Holsters and use one that protects the gun from my skin. I also watch it and keep it oiled. The snubs I carry in the pocket with pocket Holster never showed rust. Even spending the winter in Florida. I always paint the front sights so I can see them better. As for the lock, I don't like the look of them and don't buy the guns with locks.
 
BSA1 said:
Another vote against the lock.

Too many documented reports of it coming on unintentionally when shooting the gun. With today's gun care products rust prevention is not a issue unless you just intend to never care for it.
Click to expand...
I have not seen any "documented" reports of the lock coming on unintentionally when shooting the gun in the past five years or so. Could you please provide some links or copies? Thanks!

Rust problems on my 442 -- please ... I carry next to my skin in one of the wettest states in the country. I've never had a rust problem on a handgun, but then, I do routine maintenance on them all ...

(Owner of a 442 without the lock, but who does own a couple recent production S&W revolvers with the lock, and never, ever experienced any problems with it)
 
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My wife and I both have 642's with the lock. She carries it as her EDC, I use mine as a BUG. I took out the lock and installed the plug, while her's still has the lock. I may get around to removing the lock on her handgun after the New Year.
 
Steve in PA said:
My wife and I both have 642's with the lock. She carries it as her EDC, I use mine as a BUG. I took out the lock and installed the plug, while her's still has the lock. I may get around to removing the lock on her handgun after the New Year.
Click to expand...

I did the exact same with my better half's 642 ,,:evil:
 
Triggernosis said:
Enough of you mention rust problems with the 442 that it's definitely off my list.
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I have been carrying my M442 in my front pocket for years now and I have never seen any rust at all. I have a few friends who carry similar J frames from S&W and no rust for them either. I would not be worried about rust and dismiss the M442 because of it.
 
Yeah, I have to wonder about those who claim they're experiencing rust problems with a 442. As I noted, I carry my baby guns next to my skin while going out and about in probably the wettest state in the union and have never seen rust on any of my J-frames, even the blued 36 or 37.

No rust even on this one, my nickel Model 10 snubby ...
 
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Yeah, I have to wonder about those who claim they're experiencing rust problems with a 442.
Click to expand...

Trust me, its happening. Maybe I got a dud but I'm leaning towards a holster issue. I carry mine IWB in a Galco King Tuk.

And I don't want to appear to be degrading the 442 because of my personal rust issue. I still carry it confidently every day and feel like its just about the perfect carry gun.
 
Old Dog said:
Yeah, I have to wonder about those who claim they're experiencing rust problems with a 442.
Click to expand...

I'm definitely getting rust, and it's not due to a lack of gun care on my part. The gun gets wiped down regularly. Now I do carry it in a belly band so it is very close and has little to no sweat protection, but it gets surface rust rather quickly. In the summer on a hot day I can have a clean gun at the beginning of the day and have surface rust on the cylinder by the time I get home and take the gun off. In fairness, it only seems to be a summer problem with humidity and high temps. I don't have the issue in the fall/winter.

Now the rust doesn't hamper function at all and I love the gun as a deep concealment type weapon, but if someone is shopping for a new gun and wondering about rust resistance, I think it's worth mentioning.

Maybe it has something to do with the pro series finish? It sounds like both Fireman and I have the 442 Pro.
 
Maybe it has something to do with the pro series finish? It sounds like both Fireman and I have the 442 Pro.
Click to expand...
We might be on to something. The pro-series is supposedly blackened stainless while the regular 442 is just blued. Mine rusts only where the cylinder presses against the holster.
 
fireman 9731 said:
We might be on to something. The pro-series is supposedly blackened stainless while the regular 442 is just blued. Mine rusts only where the cylinder presses against the holster.
Click to expand...

Yep, mine rusts on the part of the cylinder closest to my body. It never seems to rust anywhere else though... Maybe it has something to do with how they applied the finish (or maybe how much or what kind of finish) they added to the stainless cylinder?

Maybe it was a bad batch. I bought mine in maybe Februry or March of 2015, but I don't recall the actual date of manufacture. When did you pick up yours?
 
About half my guns have locks.
I forget all about them till i come across a thread like this.
I guess put me in the i dont care either way group.
 
Billyzz said:
About half my guns have locks.
I forget all about them till i come across a thread like this.
I guess put me in the i dont care either way group.
Click to expand...

+1

I always go stainless today. Don't like to have to worry about rust on a carry gun and I'm way too old to be into "Lookin' at" guns.
 
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