Taurus 942 .22 Magnum 2"
Model: 2-942M021
Taurus 942 .22 Magnum 2"
Model: 2-942M021
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Taurus 942 is the budget all-steel option in the .22 Magnum snubnose category. At 23.6 oz with a carbon steel frame and an 8-shot cylinder, it is more than twice the weight of an 11.2 oz scandium-frame Smith & Wesson 351 PD and sits at the budget-tier price point in the category.
The all-steel construction is the trade and the feature. Steel adds 12+ oz over scandium, which most carry-focused buyers count as a negative but is exactly what makes magnum recoil from a snubnose more pleasant. The mass absorbs the impulse that lighter frames transmit straight to the web of the hand. The 8-shot cylinder gives you one more round than any of the S&W J-frame .22 Magnums and three more than the NAA mini revolvers. The DA/SA action with an exposed hammer means you can cock the hammer for deliberate shots — something the DAO 351C cannot do. The sights are basic (serrated ramp front, drift-adjustable rear), and the factory polymer grip is functional rather than refined.
The known limitation is fit and finish. The 942 is built to a price point and owners regularly report that trigger pulls vary unit to unit, and the cylinder release sometimes needs a break-in period. Owners commonly report the trigger smooths out noticeably after 200-300 rounds of break-in, and the steel frame stays the easiest way to absorb magnum recoil in this category — even compared to the lighter scandium-frame S&W 351 PD.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- Steel frame absorbs magnum recoil noticeably better than scandium or aluminum alternatives. Owners report the 942 is the most pleasant .22 Magnum snubnose to shoot at length.
- 8-shot cylinder is the highest-capacity .22 Magnum snubnose option, three more than the NAA mini revolvers. The lowest cost per round of capacity in the category.
- DA/SA with an exposed hammer enables both fast defensive shooting and deliberate single-action shots — the 351C is DAO only.
- Fit and finish is what you'd expect at this price. Owners regularly report trigger pulls vary between units and the cylinder release benefits from a break-in period. Reviewers note triggers smooth out meaningfully after 200-300 rounds.
- The factory polymer grip is basic — functional but not refined. Aftermarket boot grips run $20-50.
Category Rankings
How the Taurus 942 .22 Magnum 2" ranks among subcompact .22 Magnum handguns.
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Alternatives to Consider
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| NAME | BEST PRICE |
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Taurus 942 .22 Magnum 3"
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Charter Arms Pathfinder Lite .22 Magnum
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Smith & Wesson 351C .22 Magnum
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Smith & Wesson 351 PD .22 Magnum
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Ruger LCRx 1.87" .22 Magnum
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get the 2" or the 3" 942?
The 1-inch barrel difference is real and meaningful for .22 Magnum velocity — owners report the 3" picks up roughly 100-150 fps over the 2" with most defensive loads, enough to push some hollow points into reliable expansion. The 3" also extends the sight radius for slightly easier aimed fire. Buyers who pocket-carry stay with the 2"; buyers who use the gun on a trail, at a range, or as a nightstand revolver get more from the 3".
How does the trigger compare to a Ruger or Smith out of the box?
Most owners and reviewers rank it as the roughest of the three brand-new. The Taurus is heavier and grittier than a Ruger LCR's friction-reducing cam trigger and noticeably less polished than a Smith J-frame DA pull. The consistent observation across owner forums is that the 942 trigger smooths out meaningfully after 200-300 rounds — the gritty pull is mostly a break-in artifact. If a smooth trigger out of the box matters, the Ruger LCR family is the better starting point.
Does the 942 actually fit J-frame holsters?
Close, but not quite. The 942 frame is slightly larger than a Smith J-frame because of the 8-shot cylinder. Some pocket holsters designed for J-frames will work but may be tight; rigid Kydex J-frame holsters often will not fit. Several major holster makers (Galco, DeSantis) now list 942-specific options. If you're buying off-the-shelf, confirm the listing specifies "942" or "Taurus 942" rather than relying on a J-frame fit.