I'm looking to buy one of the latest editions of the 442 from the Performance Shop. I'm reading elsewhere this run might have made from leftover parts from a Talo or Wyatt production run that were not up to par. Anyone have experience with the newest run with the stainless cylinder and pocket grip grip? S&W Pistol 442 Performance Center .38Spl SS Cylinder Polished Flutes 11516

I have had mine since they first hit the market in 2015 and have had zero issues with it.

I carry it pretty much daily and have fired over 1000 rounds through it.

Trigger on it is very nice but I had to ditch the grips for some Uncle Mikes Boots.

Saw them listed at a real good price and am teetering on getting another one. Just can't justify it in my mind since I already have plenty to replace it with if it is ever needed.

I have 11516 442-1 as well, build date 11/2015. Bought this March. 350 rounds through it + many snap cap shots. No problems whatever. Great smooth crisp trigger. Put Altamont Bateleur black-silver grips on it , much better control, still conceals well. I believe CDNN sports may still have some stock, good luck!

I have 2 of these "Choo-pintos." One has been very nice while the 2nd had a problem with the sideplate screws loosening under firing. This caused the action to skip: the cylinder would rotate but the hammer would not move. Tightening the screws (Loc-tite by my 'smith) solved this issue.

I'm not a fan of the DeSantis clip-grip knockoffs, but I have many RB-J grips to replace them. I found the tiny lug holding the escutcheon would also loosen under firing: loads of fun locating the lug on a dark indoor range! In 2015, they were much more expensive than they seem to be now: nothing wrong if you get a good one.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

P.S. No problem at all with the stainless parts.

CDNN was where I first found out about them, but I bought through a seller on GB b/c it was $60 cheaper.

No problems with mine. It's quite obvious it contains leftover parts from the 637 Wyatt Deep Cover. That doesn't mean they are bad or out of spec. My 442 doesn't have a felon's name on the side, an internal lock, or clear coat that can flake off. I would have liked an exposed hammer but all and all it's an improvement.

__________________
Psalm 27:2

I too have had mine for almost two years. No problems and think it’s one of the sharper looking new J frames. I put a pair of black corian Collins grips on it.
I decided I liked the look too much to carry so now it’s a more mundane 438 in my front pocket this summer.

Not a specific Performance shop problem but more aluminum frame. Those frames have a integral aluminum hammer pin that could break making the frame not repairable. The Scandium/aluminum frames have a pressed steel pins. Members have PM'd me about problems with pin breakage and S&W not honoring the warranty. Situation is the 442/642 could be had for under $325, the cheapest Scandium frame is about $550.
BE AWARE! somebody that sent in a 642 for service with this broken pin problem was denied warranty service. He was told using reloads OR foreign ammo (Magtech) voided the warranty. This was not internet rumor. I was PM'd this info
That said. Not looking to Troll. The gun looks great, many love it, the price is right, If I buy it I'll Lock Tite the side plate screws and stick to full wadcutters (my preferred load anyway) and shoot it often to stay proficient.

I tried both the 442-1 and the PC 442. I really wanted to like the PC 442... one reason being a supposedly better trigger and the fact that a local dealer sells them for dirt cheap. I mean, who wouldn't want a PC gun for the same price (roughly) as the non-PC version... right?

But the funky plastic grip on the PC 442 just didn't work for me and the trigger was no different to my feel. I let the PC 442 go and ordered a 442-1. I'm actually paying slightly more for the 442-1 as it worked out, but I'm not unhappy about it. I think I made the right decision.

I have two 442’s - neither are the PC version. This is the first time I have ever heard about the integral aluminum frame pin so I am hoping this isn’t a widespread problem. I am certainly not a machinist or S&W revolver expert – but an integral frame pin says to me that they/S&W press fitted an alu pin into the alu frame after it was machined; or the interior of the frame was milled out - minus just the pin. Neither option sounds right or correct to me ... just sayin’. I was thinking – and what to heck do I know – that they have been press-fitting a steel pin into a machined recess in the aluminum frame…

Edited to add: I saw somewhere that, at least the hammer pin, is shaped like a thick thumbtack, and it’s pressed into a recess machined into the frame. I hasten to add though, I’ve never felt the need to pull the sideplate off of either of mine.

Bought it from Tanners in PA, $325. Got to handle a couple score I bought. I think there is a significant difference in the trigger between the 442 and my 360J. I’ll give the clip grip a try. I couldn’t see a sign that a hammer or trigger pin was pressed in. It’s not in my hand because it has to be sent to my local ffl