642's stainless cylinder - big reason to buy over the 442?

D

DTown24

New member
OK - I know I posted a "642 or 442" thread earlier, but I want to be more specific and ask why a stainless steel barrel would be that much better than the one on the 442. As mentioned, I will be carrying 99% of the time in a bullet proof vest holster. I live in Connecticut so it can get hot for a few months in the summer. I really like the look of the 442 over the 642, but the gun will be hidden most of the time. If I go to the detective bureau then I will likely carry in a pocket or ankle. So what do the materials that the 642 is made up of over an advantage over the 442? How much durable is the 642 going to be over the 442? Thanks again
 
I'm curious to see if anybody knows the answer to your query, as I'm also in the market for a .38 snub and much prefer the dark 442 finish.

For being basically the same gun, it's weird that the 442 retails for $131 higher than the 642. :confused:
 
The 642 used to cost more, and then they put it on sale. I bought a few-months-old 442-1 a couple of years ago and haven't had any rust problems. I hate to admit it, but it stays in a leather IWB holster 24/7. This gun and a hardchromed P-32 are the only guns I've ever treated this way.

John
 
I don't why s&w's website has the high markup on the 442. I just purchased my 442 brand new 442 from a local store and it was $369. The 642 was $350 brand new.

I can't attest to the durability yet, but from being a former machinist and working with many materials there's a couple different reasons why I gravitate towards plain steel usually. It's a little easier to get the edges nice and crisp and keep them that way. It's a personal preference thing.
 
I had a 442 when they were cheaper than the 642s. I traded for a 642 as it was easier to clean. Is that a good reason? Well, it was mine.

I want a 432 now - sigh. Just because.
 
I got an e-mail back from S&W saying the only difference between the 442 and 642 is finish being black vs silver. :confused:

Which totally fails to explain why the 442 is significantly higher priced on the website, and always more at my local gun shops. Weird!
 
I got an e-mail back from S&W saying the only difference between the 442 and 642 is finish being black vs silver


The cylinder on the 642 is also stainless.
 
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