Are 642s and 637s

riflemike

October 21, 2009 05:31

a little beefier than the previous pre-lock versions someone told me they are due to some of the pre-lock models developing hairline crack on the frame
thanks

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  nmyers

  October 21, 2009 05:46

  Not exactly.
  
  According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Supica & Nahas, S&W upgraded both models to the beefier J-magnum frame so that they could be chambered in .357 magnum. Revision number on the magnums will be -1 & greater.
  
  Neal

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  beantownshootah

  October 21, 2009 09:36

  quote:Originally posted by riflemike
  a little beefier than the previous pre-lock versions someone told me they are due to some of the pre-lock models developing hairline crack on the frame
  thanks
  
  Nmyers has it.
  
  The pre-lock -1 and current -2 guns with locks are built on the .357 frames and are stronger than the original non-"dash" versions.
  
  The difference in the frames is apparent if you take a modern J frame gun and compare it to a older one. One quick visual clue is that the recoil shield (behind the cylinder) is extended downwards in a little "bar" on the newer model guns.
  
  You can see the extension here on the 642 on the right, behind the cylinder and above the trigger, but not on the two guns on the left:
  

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