Recently received a new model 442-1 and the barrel is misaligned, under-rotated, canted. Whatever the correct terminology is for this issue.

As a result, the gun shoots about 2 inches left at 7 yards. Not a big deal for a back up gun, I guess.

I'm wondering though how a new gun could undergo a thorough inspection and examination, including a test firing, and leave the factory with a canted barrel? The gun is very nice otherwise. Fit and finish are good, carries up, cylinder alighnment is fine, etc

I know we have discussed this "ad infinitum" here on the forum.... and that defects like this occurr among all revolver manufacturers. My question is, wouldn't it be more cost effective to check and repair this defect prior to the gun leaving the factory than having to remedy the problem by having the gun buyer return the gun for a warranty repair?

Seems a much easier solution to fix prior to sale. This would lessen the burden on Customer Service, and would help eliminate the risk of alienating what could be a "life long" buyer with a problem right out of the box.

Plan on sending it in for repair right after the Christmas break.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

If you have a Gun Smith in your area with a Barrel Wrench he should be able to fix that. Happened to me once. The Smith gave it a slight turn and that was it. Didn't charge me anything. I bought him a Coffee and we were both happy Men.

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Two Handguns every day

I have a barrel wrench.

I'm wondering why these examples are leaving the factory this way?

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

This is why as I search for revolvers I focus much more on the used market. Seems the stories about quality out of the box are unrelenting and frequent.
That said, I have a 442-2 from 4 years ago that has no such issues... so it's not 100% bad, but it sure isn't 100% good!

Yes, 2" left at 7 yds. is a big deal in my mind.

Contact S&W, and they will email you a FedEx label. From beginning to end, it took me two weeks to get mine back.
Sad commentary on a great company that once prided themselves on putting out a quality product every time.

I would chastise P. James Debney the CEO of S&W who should see reports from all departments on a regular basis, but he probably could care less as S&W stock has nearly doubled in the last 12 months and that is all the investors care about.

Your problem lies here

It's probably not cheaper to have it checked in advance due to the way the production line is setup, otherwise they'd be doing it. The average non-forum J frame purchaser is most likely just tickled if they can hit a B-27 target at 3 yds so I doubt many actually come back to get fixed. They get a deal with Fedex so shipping is minimal. They probably have different budgets, etc for their warranty department so it's probably cheaper overall to deal with it that way.
My purchased in July PC642 was off as well... 8" at 25yds. Fedex picked it up at my house and it was returned in about 2 weeks. I even checked it prior to purchase but I guess I should have looked closer.

To put it bluntly, it's very poor workmanship, plain and simple.

S&W quality control in the *******.

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John

Give it to your wife. Tell her it's a push/pull gun. Push it in till the gun disappears and then Pull the trigger till the target disappears or you can see through it. That's what I did with the last one I had like that.

Sent it back on December 18th and got it back today, Jan 12. Nothing was done.....barrel still misaligned as before.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Misaligned...within spec? Ugh. Sorry to hear. Try again, or...?

That is disappointing, to say the least. My 442-2 bought in 2013 shoots to POA with nearly everything I feed it.
I bought a '75 Colt DS that shoots 3" to the left at 21 feet. I understand Colt will take care of this even though the DS hasn't been made in decades.
S&W should make this right.

That's unfortunate.... on many levels.

If I could get another free shipping label, I'd send it back again... and again... and again. Until they do it right.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

I had a Bodygaurd .38 that I sent back last year because it constantly shot to the left. Sent it back and they claimed no issue. Sold it as soon as I got it back. I believe the barrel wasnt aligned in it.