Smith & Wesson Model 442
- Category
- Pistol
- Barrel
- 48 mm
- Weight, empty
- 417 g
- Introduced
- 1993
About
What it is, and why it matters
The Smith & Wesson Model 442 is a lightweight, double-action-only revolver chambered in .38 Special +P, built on Smith & Wesson's compact J-frame. Introduced in 1993 as part of S&W's Airweight line, the Model 442 features an aluminum alloy frame, carbon steel cylinder, and stainless steel barrel with a matte black finish. The revolver weighs just 14.7 ounces (417g) unloaded, making it one of the lightest .38 Special revolvers available. The defining characteristic of the 442 is its fully enclosed hammer, which prevents snagging on clothing during a draw from concealment and eliminates the possibility of single-action fire, resulting in a double-action-only trigger system with approximately 10-pound (44 N) pull weight. The 1.875-inch (48mm) barrel keeps overall length to just 6.3 inches (160mm), with a height of 4.3 inches (109mm) and width of 1.3 inches (33mm). The five-shot cylinder is rated for +P ammunition, providing adequate defensive capability in the smallest practical package. Fixed sights - an integral front sight and a fixed notch rear - are designed for close-range defensive use. The rifling is right-hand twist at 1:18.75 inches (476mm) with 5 grooves. The Model 442's lineage traces back to the 1952 Airweight Centennial, making it one of the longest-running concealed carry revolver designs in production.
The J-frame revolver has been the gold standard for concealed carry since the original Chief's Special debuted in 1950. The Model 442's enclosed-hammer Centennial design was once considered niche but has become the dominant J-frame configuration as concealed carry has grown, with shooters valuing the snag-free draw over single-action capability.
The Model 442 is distinguished from the similar Model 642 primarily by finish: the 442 has a matte black finish (aluminum frame with carbon steel cylinder), while the 642 has a stainless/silver appearance. Both share identical dimensions, capacity, and mechanical operation. The 'Airweight' designation refers to the aluminum alloy frame, which reduces weight by approximately 40% compared to all-steel J-frames. The DAO trigger with enclosed hammer is the preferred configuration for pocket carry, as the smooth, snag-free profile eliminates the risk of the hammer catching on pocket lining or clothing. S&W offers variants with and without an internal lock - the no-lock versions are preferred by many carriers who consider the lock an unnecessary complication. The 442 Ultimate Carry variant features enhanced sights and grip texturing. Loaded weight estimate includes 5 rounds of .38 Special at approximately 12g each. Effective range is limited by the short sight radius and fixed sights, making the 442 primarily a close-range defensive tool. The +P rating allows use of higher-pressure .38 Special loads for improved terminal performance, though recoil is notably sharp in such a lightweight revolver.
Specification
Everything measured
IdentityWhat it is, who built it and when.
- Manufacturer
- Smith & Wesson
- Category
- Pistol
- Country
- United States
- Status
- In production
- Produced
- 1993
DimensionsAs issued, without a magazine or an optic.
- Barrel
- 48 mm
- Overall length
- 160 mm
- Height
- 109 mm
- Width
- 33 mm
- Weight, empty
- 417 g
- Weight, loaded
- 477 g
ActionHow it cycles, what trips it, and what feeds it.
- Action
- Double action
- Firing mechanism
- Double action only
- Trigger
- Double action
- Trigger pull
- 44.0 N
- Capacity
- 5
MaterialsEach swatch is the material itself, not a colour chosen to stand for it.
- Frame
- Aluminum alloy
- Barrel
- Stainless steel
- Finish
- Matte black
BallisticsFrom the service cartridge, not a handload.
- Muzzle velocity
- 264 m/s
- Muzzle energy
- 282 J
- Effective range
- 15 m
Trajectory
What the round does downrange
Solved from the muzzle figures and the bullet. The dashed rule is the effective range on the record, and the crosses are the steps the solver returned.
No load solved for this record yetThe flight path is computed from a cartridge and a bullet. This record has no ammunition filed against its chambering, so there is nothing to solve.
Features
What it has
What the record lists as fitted, drawn from the catalogue.
J frame
Airweight aluminum frame
Enclosed hammer- Snag free design
Fixed front sight
Fixed rear sight
Five shot cylinder
Plus p rated
Carbon steel cylinder
Synthetic grips
Standing
How it compares
Each figure against the firearms of the same type and cartridge that record it, or of the same type where that cartridge has too few. Positions are read to the nearest tenth.
| Measurement | This firearm | Median | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty weightAmong 25 .38 Special pistols | 417 g | 595 g | Lighter than about 90% |
| Overall lengthAmong 1,911 pistols | 160 mm | 196 mm | Shorter than about 80% |
| Barrel lengthAmong 26 .38 Special pistols | 48 mm | 51 mm | Shorter than about 80% |
| Magazine capacityAmong 26 .38 Special pistols | 5 | 5 | Holds fewer rounds than about 60% |
Its place in the rankings
Answers
Questions about the Smith & Wesson Model 442
How much does the Smith & Wesson Model 442 weigh?
The Smith & Wesson Model 442 weighs 417 g (14.7 oz) empty and 477 g (1.05 lb) loaded. It is the 4th lightest of 25 .38 Special pistols in the catalogue.
What caliber is the Smith & Wesson Model 442?
The Smith & Wesson Model 442 is chambered in .38 Special.
How many rounds does the Smith & Wesson Model 442 hold?
The Smith & Wesson Model 442 holds 5 rounds.
How long is the Smith & Wesson Model 442?
The Smith & Wesson Model 442 is 160 mm (6.30 in) long overall, with a 48 mm (1.89 in) barrel.
Who makes the Smith & Wesson Model 442?
The Smith & Wesson Model 442 is made by Smith & Wesson (United States).
When was the Smith & Wesson Model 442 introduced?
The Smith & Wesson Model 442 was introduced in 1993.
How does the Smith & Wesson Model 442 operate?
The Smith & Wesson Model 442 uses a double action, and its firing mechanism is double action only.
Compatibility
Which parts fit this firearm
Studio
Every part that mounts on this, resolved
Not a list the maker typed out: the answer comes from the mounts this firearm exposes and the interface each part needs, so it stays right when either one changes.
- Every part that mounts on any firearm in the catalogue
- Interface standards, platforms and fit overrides
- The same answers through the API and the MCP server
Requires a signed-in GunSpec account on the Studio plan. The answer is computed per part, so it is not part of the public record.
Provenance
What the record holds
Every figure above was taken from one of these pages. The confidence reflects how much of the record came from a page a claim can be checked against.
In service
- U.S. Law Enforcement (Various Departments)
- United States
- Civilian Concealed Carriers
- United States
Provenance
Confidence in this record
88%
Stockists
Where to buy
Offers link straight to the shop. GunSpec never takes the order.
No shop has listed this firearm yet
Stock and prices come from the shops themselves. If you sell this firearm, you can list it and it appears here.
List a firearmMCP
Ask an assistant about it
The same record, reached the way a person asks for it rather than the way a program does.
Ask GunSpec
Works with
Point an MCP client at GunSpec and it answers from the catalogue rather than from memory. A free key covers the read tools.
API
The call that returns this record
The same fields, in the same units, from the same endpoint the page reads.
curl --request GET \ --url 'https://api.gunspec.io/v1/firearms/smith-wesson-model-442' \ --header 'X-API-Key: your_key'{ "id": "smith-wesson-model-442", "name": "Smith & Wesson Model 442", "manufacturer": { "id": "smith-wesson", "name": "Smith & Wesson", "countryCode": "US", "foundedYear": 1852, "website": "https://www.smith-wesson.com", "logoUrl": null, "description": null, "status": null, "defunctYear": null, "stateOwned": null, "makesFirearms": null, "parentId": null, "predecessorId": null, "createdAt": "2026-02-11 23:44:40", "updatedAt": "2026-02-18 03:40:48", "version": "6e259a578cb1b21d72610d761d652c983ff25806b9e736e2db8d2938596e9202" }, "category": { "id": "pistol", "name": "Pistol", "description": "Handguns designed to be fired with one or two hands" }, "country_of_origin": "US", "year_introduced": 1993, "barrel_length_mm": 48, "weight_empty_g": 417, "action_type": "double_action"}