Smith & Wesson Model 442 Airweight .38 Special vs Smith & Wesson Model 642 Airweight .38 Special

These two are the same revolver in different dress. The Smith & Wesson Model 442 Airweight .38 Special and the Smith & Wesson Model 642 Airweight .38 Special share the 1.88" barrel, 6.31" overall length, 4.3" height, 1.3" width, five-round cylinder, 12 lb double-action-only trigger, aluminum alloy frame, fixed rear sight and synthetic grips. Two things separate them. Finish: matte black on the 442, matte silver on the 642. Front sight: a black ramp on the 442, an integral front on the 642. MSRP is $569 for the 442 and $539 for the 642.

Pick the Smith & Wesson Model 442 Airweight if:

• You want the all-black gun, black ramp front sight on a matte black frame
• You prefer a dark finish for pocket or appendix carry, where a bright one can show
• The $30 difference is not what decides it for you

Pick the Smith & Wesson Model 642 Airweight if:

• You want to spend $30 less ($539 vs $569)
• You want the matte silver finish

Mechanically there is nothing to choose between them: the same frame, the same 5-shot .38 Special cylinder, the same 12 lb double-action trigger and the same 1.88" barrel. Pick the finish you want and the front sight you can see, and take the $30 if the color does not matter to you.