S&W 642 life expectancy?

DeathNinja said:
...their[sic] are two versions of this revolver, the all stainless steel 642, and the alloy framed 642 air weight.
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The all-stainless gun is the Model 640. See buck460XVR's post above.

All standard Model 642's are Airweights with a satin-finish stainless steel cylinder and a silver-color "faux stainless" aluminum alloy frame.
 
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Well, you could inspect it before actually buying it. Do the revolver checkout (see sticky) and particularly check for lockup, cylinder play, and end shake.
 
it's done, I bought it back and made out like a bandit because she said she doesn't own another .38. I got my revolver back, with the same Milt SParks holster I had given her, and the box and paperwork plus 500 rounds of ammo for $300. It's like I basically rented it out for $50 and a half case of ammo.
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Score!
 
I have two 642's and have been shooting them pretty regular since around 2000 when I first got them.

On average, I shoot about 100 rounds a month out of one or the other of them, and have done so since new. Mostly my "warm" 158 grain reloads, but a couple of boxes of +P a year as well.

Figure 50 rounds a month for each for about 14 years now. Both have never failed, and both are a bit sloppier than when I first got them. Ive noticed the play in the cylinders has increased a good bit, but they still seem to lock up tight just before the hammer falls.
 
I've carried the same 642 as a BUG since they were first introduced. It doesn't get shot much. Its not a fun gun for me to shoot. Its been either in an ankle holster or in a pocket for at least 40 hours a week for close to 20 years.

Its the only gun I own that I think may wear out from the outside in.
 
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