642 vs. 442

[neal bloom]

My wife wants to start carrying a .38 special snubby. She works in a bank and would have to remove the gun from her purse before netering the bank. She likes the look of the 442. As the 642 and 442 are basically the same gun except for the finish what would be the advantage of one over the other? Would the 642 be a better finish given the gun would be handled a lot?

 

[Tamara]

642: Alloy frame, stainless steel barrel & cylinder.
442: Alloy frame, blued carbon steel barrel & cylinder.

The 642 will obviously be more rust-resistant by nature, but my 442 has shown no rust since I've owned it despite only the most cursory of maintenance...

 

[johnbt]

I haven't had any problems with the finish on my 442 either and I don't even wipe it down regularly. Sometimes I have to leave it locked in the car in a leather holster all day. I'm very impressed that it still looks new and I bought it used.

The major advantage one way or the other is that the 632s have been on deep-discount sale everywhere.

JT

 

[JoeHatley]

My wife also has her CCW, and she works in a bank. Her carry gun is a 642. But that has more to do with the great prices on the 642, rather than a finish preferance over the 442.

With just a bit of normal maintenance, I'm sure either would serve her well.

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[Jim4003]

The 642 in my opinion would be more rust resistant but either gun would serve a person well.