Last week I purchased a new S&W 442. My first attempt to shoot resulted in several misfires. “Firing pin not penetrating the primer.” After cycling the revolver a couple times, it managed to sporadically shoot off the rounds. I thought it may be the ammo. The next time I took it out it fired without any issues. 100% I used different ammo and some of the same ammo I took the first time. Now today I loaded 5 rounds in it and after several misfires it managed to discharge only one round. Thankfully the box I was shooting at was not shooting back lol.

Has anyone had problems like this? My next step is going back to the gun dealer and asking if there are any known issues. But I wanted to check in with you guys first to see what you thought. In the week I’ve had her I’ve sure gotten attached

Thanks Scott

Check the main spring tightness......it is on the front strap (may be underneath the grips).

That screw should be snugged all the way down.

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On the Oak Savannah

442's don't have main springs, with a screw to tighten, at the lower front of the grip.

They have a coil hammer spring.

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NRA Instructor

Something ain't right, particularly if it is doing this with more than one brand of ammo.

Smith is very good about things like this. If you call them they will send a call tag to send it back, they'll go through it and fix or replace it, and cover shipping both ways.

442s are very reliable little guns.

Smith will make it right.

There are no known issues like that. Call Smith & Wesson and return it for repair.

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Centennial Every Day

Same here.....a 442 is a 642 is (almost) a 640....etc. Maybe some trash or mill-shaving in the firing-pin orifice...Could be lots of things, but there is certainly nothing wrong with the design of the gun. Ought to shoot like clockwork and yes....all the j-frames have coil springs.

You said it was NEW.....so I guess we can rule out Bubba the gunsmith on this one.

lol Yeah I bought it new and love the feel and looks of it.

Thanks for all the replies. I havent herd of any issues with them either. Looks like my next step is to contact S&W. I know they will do me right. I just don't know how long I can be seperated from it now.

I've never sent one to Smith myself, but most of the posts I've seen here regarding that have indicated that they were pretty fast in turn around.

My experience has been 2-3 weeks....or sooner. When you contact them, tell them it's a brand new gun and they should turn it around quickly.

....ummm...duh...sorry, brain fart

What was I thinking I guess that I have been tinkering with the N frames too much and forgot all about the little guns

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On the Oak Savannah

My wife and I both have 442 and either on has missed fired one round not matter what brand ammo we put threw them. I would send it back something is wrong.

Bought a 442 on 8-1-12. Fired about 120 rounds on 2 seperate occassions and then it started to misfire. Probably same type of problem as noted by sbachler. Sent in warranty service request to S&W. Hope to get a response shortly. Appreciate the encouraging posts.

Several years ago Smith had some get out the door with a "short" firing pin. There is a shoulder on the pin and it was about .001 or .002 to long and would not allow full travel of the pin. Replacing the pin with a known good one or removing the pin and taking a SMALL amount of material off the shoulder will cure the problem.
Or as some have already said, contact Smith and I am sure they will take care of the problem.

I replaced all of my Smith firing pins with the Apex Tactical "longer" firing pin. If you know how to remove the side plate without marring the revolver, it's a piece of cake. A self defense firearm that is unreliable MUST be fixed (either by yourself or send back to Smith).

My daily carry is a 642 and, so far, it has been 100% reliable. Just to be sure, I added the Apex firing pin (get the tactical pin)...

https://apextactical.com/store/produ....php?pid4.html

Dale53

That is not correct. There is no strain screw on a J frame. If the revolver was "pre-owned" it is likely that someone put in one of those unfortunate lightweight spring kits. Those create known failure to fire issues.

On the other hand, if it is new, S&W will send a prepaid shipping label and fix it.

It may not be a simple matter. Head space or something else could be out of spec. I would definitely let the factory take care of it as a self-defense gun has to be reliable, and my life is worth more than the short term hassle of sending the gun off to S&W.

Apex Tactical "longer" firing pin. [QUOTE=Dale53;136684704]I replaced all of my Smith firing pins with the Apex Tactical "longer" firing pin. If you know how to remove the side plate without marring the revolver, it's a piece of cake. A self defense firearm that is unreliable MUST be fixed (either by yourself or send back to Smith).

Here's my problem I ordered the apex kit hoping to cure my light hits with a longer firing pin. Except I have a model 442 and there is no cross pin inside to pull out to remove the firing pin to install a new one. Am I missing something?

What year is your 442?

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Centennial Every Day