I had a 442-1 that developed endshake after 300 rounds of 135 gr Speer +P's. is this common after so few rounds? Thanks.

Depends, how bad is the endshake? Have you measured it?

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Dick

I sent it to S&W and they repaired it. I then traded it for a new one. My current round count on my new 442 is around 30. I am afraid to shoot this one too much. Afraid of more endshake.

While most Js will handle +Ps just fine, higher intensity +Ps are obviously going to wear parts just a little faster than standard pressure rounds would. IME, most people practice with standard pressure rounds in their Js and carry +Ps, shooting them only occasionally (not to mention +Ps are more expensive). And, to add to your decision(s), there are some pretty darn good non-+P defensive loads available also.

I agree with above.
300 rounds of +Ps in an aluminum alloy gun is a little rough on the gun and not to mention rough on the shooters hands. Also +Ps in the lighter weights are rougher on a gun than 158GR +P bullets. I would use standard weight standard velocity rounds for paper punching and reserve the +Ps for defensive carry and the gun should last for a long time with no worry.

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Dick

Great (and absolutely correct) advice.

I'm curious....was your gun +P rated? Like said already Wadcutters, semi Wadcutters make for good practice with a couple cylinders of your carry load. You shouldn't be afraid to shoot your gun for fear of wearing it out.

I'm sure a couple yoke bearings would have fixed your gun, it may have been initial stress/wear that would have been okay with bushings for a long time. Many Smith and Wessons suffer end shake at some point in their use.

Not at all common.

Can I be the dumb guy and ask what endshake is and what causes it?

PRISM,
Endshake is the fore and aft movement of the cylinder. You can check by pushing on the front of the cylinder back towards the recoil shield. A small amount is acceptable. Maybe in the area of .002, I'd have to dig out the books. I believe the proper way to fix is to peen the yoke then recut so it is square. ( I think this is how it is done at the Factory). Many install shims to reduce the movement. This also works fine. Years of use and heavy rounds will evenually cause this problem.

PRISM: The only 'dumb' questions are the ones not asked. Good shooting!

Yes, but they start being dumb when they've been asked 50 times and the fifty-first guy (me) doesn't search threads to find out. ; ) But thanks!