Am I Missing Something???

[MLee78]

I was looking on my local gs's website earlier to check out their selection of J-frame Smith's (finally retiring my 36), and I came across 2 I'm confused about.
They are both 642's, one is listed as S&W M642 with one SKU number, the other is listed as S&W Model 642. They look identical, have the same info listed on the adds, etc. The M642 is not cut for moon clips (I called and asked as that was my first thought), and is $75 cheaper than the other one.
Is there something different between the M642 and 642 I'm not seeing - the lady at the shop said "looks like the 642 is hamerless and the M642 is not..."? If nothing major (ie refurbished/sub-contracted manufacture/etc...), I'm all for saving $75!
Anyone know the difference? Have experience with one or other?
THANKS IN ADVANCE!

 

[dwhitekc]

If you go to the S&W site and search for "642", it will list 14 different SKU's. But fundamentally they are all hammerless (technically "enclosed hammer"), airweight, 38 Special, 5-shot revolvers. What varies is finish, grips, lock or no-lock, laser or no laser, moon clips, Performance Center packages, etc.

If you know the SKU's, you can look up the differences on the S&W site.

Sounds like your LGS is confused if they claim a M642 is not hammerless.

 

[MLee78]

If you go to the S&W site and search for "642", it will list 14 different SKU's. But fundamentally they are all hammerless (technically "enclosed hammer"), airweight, 38 Special, 5-shot revolvers. What varies is finish, grips, lock or no-lock, laser or no laser, moon clips, Performance Center packages, etc.

If you know the SKU's, you can look up the differences on the S&W site.

Sounds like your LGS is confused if they claim a M642 is not hammerless.

Yeah...she's not the one I usually deal with when I go in there, lol.
Thank you for the link, I found both SKU's, the difference is the lock. Don't care for it - obtrusive...unlike the one one back of hammer on Taurus 85's years ago. Found a place with plugs for it, can order it, the APEX spring/firing pin kit in case I wanna do something like what I did with my 36, a pocket holster, box of Speer short barrel and Critical Defense, and break even with the one without the lock... I'm on my way up there soon as the dogs get done out back! Thanks so much!

 

[dwhitekc]

I'm sure you'll enjoy it. My 642 is a -1 (no lock) with moon clips. It's my go-to gun when something discreet is needed.