S&W 642-1 Airweight Pro Series ??

bigcitybill

*edit again* Well now I feel pretty dumb. After researching the SKU # (103810) I find that this is NOT Pro Series. S&W describes it simply as "642 - No internal lock".

*edit* I apologize for the large pics. I am using the same pics that will go on the auction.

I am the original buyer.

According to the S&W website, in addition to the absence of the internal lock, this "Pro Series" pistol cylinder is cut to accommodate full-moon clips.

Thanks again for all the input

I am trying to gather as much info as possible before listing an auction for this gun. This is a "no-lock" gun, DOM 2009.

In particular, I would like to know if they are still being produced, and if not, how many were made?

I am also curious about a number engraved on the crane and frame of my gun which has no correlation to the serial number. It's been suggested that it may be some sort of assembly number to keep the parts together during the finishing and assembly process, but if that's the case, why would they not use the serial number for that purpose?

Any help appreciated.

rufe-snow

If you got a 642-1 it was made between 1996 & 2002, per the S & W book.

I wouldn't be paying any attention to this "Pro Series" business. Most times it just so much promotional hype though up by the PR folks, to give potential buyers the warm and fuzzies.


EDIT #1, To make it even more confusing the "CMV" serial number prefix dates it to 2004. Obviously something is rotten in Denmark? Was it sold to you as being new old stock? Perhaps it was in storage in a S & W warehouse for years?

nmyers

The only thing that you DO need to learn is how to resize your photos to 640 x 480, or something close to that. Oversized photos are difficult for most folks to see.

Neal

EDIT: The "Classic series" revolvers do not have a lock. But, they are like lobsters: protected from their greatest natural enemy by their high price.

bigcitybill

quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
If you got a 642-1 it was made between 1996 & 2002, per the S & W book.

I wouldn't be paying any attention to this "Pro Series" business. Most times it just so much promotional hype though up by the PR folks, to give potential buyers the warm and fuzzies.


Thank you rufe but I don't think that DOM range applies. Notice the date on the envelope containing the factory test-fired case:

45er

Bigcity,

Are you original owner? If not, and though doubtful, those numbers may be from l.e. agency? Personally, if no correct answer can be gleaned here, I'd give S&W a call.

And by the way, your photos are outstanding-- clear & sharply focused, good lighting, LARGE which is nice for perhaps MOST folks like myself who can't see small stuff, hahaha. Or, maybe some of us DO need to learn take the two easy seconds to cut&paste photos onto their photo editor to re-size to their content. Eh, no biggy, me thinks. ;o)

45er

beantownshootah

Can't answer any of the above questions, but I can add the following.

A few years back (I think it was in 2010) Smith re-introduced a certain number of NO-LOCK J-frames at least in limited run. (These included 642, and other models).

Maybe this was because of grumbling from the "gun community"; not sure. Note that its State law in various places [Edit the State of Maryland] that requires the gun locks; Taurus and Ruger also have these on their revolvers.

Anyway, its entirely possible that although these guns were new manufacture, some or all of them were built on older left over pre-lock frames, possibly explaining the combination of an earlier production date with a later release date.

For what its worth the Smith "pro series" guns are basically stock guns with some upgrades. The larger revolvers have chamfered charge holes, special grips, etc. In the case of the J-frames, the "pro series" guns are the ones with no internal lock.

Edit: I should say the "pro series" J frames have no internal lock. . .they're not the "only" recent manufacture ones that don't.