New Lock Free 442's!

[18DAI]

Despite allegations that the recent lock free 642's, and 37's were "parts guns" (yea, 4000 parts guns ) S&W is making lock free 442's for RSR. They show on the website but are not yet available.

So, S&W apologists who insist the lock is "here to stay", is this more "parts guns", or has S&W finally removed its head from its southern orifice?

After not buying S&W's for all those years, it is nice to be looking forward to a new S&W that can be photographed from the left side

 

[Drgong]

Really


....this is the hammerless .38 special right?

Might have to find me one for summer carry.... after I finish paying off my Model 15

 

[W.E.G.]

Very good news.

Now if all the S&W dealers would just refuse to take delivery of any of the rest of the mess that still are inflicted with the offensive orifice.

 

[Technosavant]

So far, so good, but the 442 and the 642 weren't the models that were notorious for problems with the lock. Now, if they brought forth 340s without a lock, that would be a truly great step forward.

It's still movement in the right direction. While I'm not put off by the lock, I would still prefer a different implementation than what they use.

 

[fastbolt]

Oddly enough, I'd have been more surprised if those two models (37-2's & 642-1's) were the only ones for which they had older parts stock just taking up space.

Now, while I haven't personally inspected the vaults at the factory and determined for myself what's going on, I don't have any reason to disbelieve what I was told when I called back there and asked about the 642-1's that were being shipped. The fellow casually looked up the product code and confirmed it was one for the discontinued earlier 642's (before the ILS was introduced), and told me that they were doing a lot of cleaning out of older parts stock which had been taking up space for a few years.

FWIW, I was told that when a S&W LE distributor called and tried to get one of these 642-1's directly from the factory he was told that all of them had already been shipped, there weren't any more to be had because all of the older frames had been used, but that he could probably find one from a wholesale source.

Now, while I'm disinclined to look for a factory conspiracy designed to introduce by 'stealth' new non-ILS S&W revolvers back into the marketplace ... (and I'd like to see S&W start offering the ILS as an option on new revolvers, much like is done on the M&P pistol line regarding the ILS) ... I'd also be happy if the factory would find some old stock 686/686-Plus non-ILS frames and make a run of 3" L-frames.

Clearing out some of the older production frames for 638's rated for +P, without the ILS, would be something I'd like to see, too.

 

[Shade00]

Hmm, I was seriously tempted by the 37-2... but it was really a 442 that I was looking for. I'll be keeping my eyes out for this one. I'll be looking to buy another J-frame in 2 or 3 weeks, so this might fit the bill. All of the 37-2s will certainly have dried up by then.

And hey, if the 442s are gone, I might just buy a Model 40. I've been admiring that sexy no-lock Model 40 for a while.

 

[pinkymingeo]

I notice this is, once again, the old pre-magnum frame. They must have had a warehouse full of the things.

 

[fastbolt]

I was seriously tempted by the 37-2

I know what you mean.

I'd never really been interested in owning a M37. The 642-1 was my first foray into the Airweight class. I'd previously only been interested in blue & stainless J-frames. (Yeah, well, it took me a while to realize the 3913 was a terrific little lightweight TDA pistol, too. )

However, when that earlier overseas order for the DAO-modified 37-2's was canceled, and then they were released onto the commercial market, I reconsidered. The clincher, for me, was the fact that it used older parts and didn't have the ILS, if only for some nostalgia of how they used to be made.

It turned out to be a decent little J-frame. I shoot and carry it the least of all of my J-frames, but I'm glad I picked it up and added it to my J-frame collection.

I was actually talking myself into buying a nickeled M40 when this small run of 642-1's were announced and released.

Hey, I can always get a new M40.

 

[Shade00]

You're right about that - S&W will probably keep on making those Model 40s. And I already own a 'real' Model 37 (no dash flat latch) that's a fantastic little gun. Super tight for being 50+ years old. However, I want an enclosed hammer Centennial, and while I really like the 642, I prefer the aesthetics of the 442.

 

[fastbolt]

I notice this is, once again, the old pre-magnum frame. They must have had a warehouse full of the things.

I haven't yet seen a picture of the 442's mentioned. Have you seen one?

Are they on the 442 or the 442-1 frame?

 

[fastbolt]

I prefer the aesthetics of the 442.

I can understand that ...

Blued/black finish guns look 'cleaner' sooner when cleaning them.

A friend of mine bought a 442-2, even though he could've gotten a 642-2 for a bit less money. His reason? He liked the appearance.

 

[Gator]

Rats! I wouldn't have bought that second 642 if I'd known these were coming. Oh well, the more the merrier!

 

[ugaarguy]

The no lock 642s were not parts guns; they were new production from a canceled export order. I'll ask about the RSR 442s.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, the no-lock M642 weren't parts guns even though that's what was reported. Even though the revolvers are marked 642-1 they are current made revolvers. You can tell by the new serial number and the date code on the box. The code tells you they were made in July 2008.

 

[harris]

QUOTE" The no lock 642s were not parts guns; they were new production from a canceled export order. I'll ask about the RSR 442s. "

Please keep us informed if you would be so kind

THX

 

[blindluck]

Will these no-lock 442's have current production MIM hammers and triggers? or will they be manufactured to same specs as pre-lock models?

 

[ugaarguy]

Will these no-lock 442's have current production MIM hammers and triggers? or will they be manufactured to same specs as pre-lock models?

Keep in mind that the 642 was produced from 1990-1992 on the standard J Frame (not +P rated), and then discontinued. It was reintroduced in 1996 on the +P rated J Magnum frame. The 442 was made from 1993 on, and was also offered as the 442-1 on the J Magnum frame starting in 1996. In 1997 S&W switched to MIM parts on all revolvers, making 1996 the only year of pre-MIM +P rated 642 & 442 production. Both revolvers became -2 models in 2002 with the introduction of the internal lock.

 

[blindluck]

Thanks, ugaarguy.

 

[HoosierQ]

Just bought a factory M&P9c without a lock. Not a revolver but I think Smith is headed toward locks as options maybe?

 

[Rugerlvr]

I think the Classic Series should be lock-free if anything is. Next might be the 627. 8 shots lock free. Oh yeah.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Just bought a factory M&P9c without a lock. Not a revolver but I think Smith is headed toward locks as options maybe?

Sorry but the M&P pistol was always available without the lock because LEO's would buy a service weapon with a lock that can fail. Funny thing is, S&W says there is no problem what so ever with the ILS but offer a no-lock gun in models most likely to be bought for a service weapon. I have a extremely high regard for Law Enforcement but my life and the lives of my family are just as important as their lives. (I'll stop here since this has been done, re-done and over-done many times before)

 

[StreetSweeper]

I have a extremely high regard for Law Enforcement but my life and the lives of my family are just as important as their lives.

I'm a LEO and I agree with you. I'm a Proud American Gun Owner first and LEO second....well maybe tied w/ first. I've never liked the assault weapons ban, stupid high capacity laws, locks on guns, governors on vehicles, paying .25 for buttermilk sauce at Jacks, etc. etc.

I'm glad Smith came out w/ these lock-free guns as I would also feel a little weary about using them in the line-of-duty and it goes tits up. That said I'm glad I picked-up my 642 and just placed an order for 2 442s as well. Now I just gotta go shoot the darn thing!