Got my 642-1 no-lock in Dec. '08. The trigger was a little rough so I tried to smooth it out by dry fire. It seemed to get worse and now the trigger was not returning unless I pushed it back. So, some oil in through the hand slot. It seemed to be much better.

Took it to the range a couple of times and put about 250 rounds through her. All ok, I thought.

Well the oil I put in is seeping out but it's black. I think I'll pop the side plate and clean out the action and relube it.

Popped off the plate and low and behold the hammer pin that the hammer pivots on has broken away from the frame. No wonder I was having that trigger return problem when it was new. The hammer has beem totally dependent on the plate pin hole to function. The gun has been functioning fine otherwise.

Gotta call Springfield on Monday. Bummer!! I hope I get a no-lock back. That's what I bought.

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John

Bump Just wondering how common this is? Is it because the frame is aluminum and doesn't have the inherent strength to hold the stud with all the pressure put on it?

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John

I would say that the problem is pretty rare.
Just get it back to S&W for repairs and try
not to worry.


We have had 5 Airweights in this household over
the post 8 years---no problems.

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JAREDSHS
LEO(retired)

Several years ago I had a Smith with this failure. It was during the years of British rule and even though it had been fired little the repairs were entirely on my nickel. I was NOT a happy camper. I had two handguns made during that period that failed early and both of them cost me "out of pocket" plus mailing. I didn't buy another Smith until ownership changed and their policies were changed. Neither failure could have possibly been attributed to an owner. Just absolute mechanecal failures.

You are most fortunate as these days Smith will take care of the problem.

This particular problem is NOT common.

Dale53

I have a 642 that I've put close to a 1,000 rounds though without problem, it’s been a great gun. I'd send it back S&W, they'll fix it.

My 642 was made ca. 2000 and did the same thing. The hammer stud broke. Sent it to S&W and they fixed it at no charge. Even prepaid the Fed Ex charge to get it to them. I have had no problems since then.

UPDATE

I called S&W at 8:15 AM, right after they opened shop. Immediately got a nice young lady on the phone who took down my info and is sending the UPS tag right out. So far - so good.

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John

Same thing happened to me. Dry fired the heck out of it, removed the side plate...there she was!

No problem sendin' it back to S&W and gettin' it back in a reasonable time. It was an IL 642.

Sold that particular 642 awhile back and bought 5 of the no-locks 642's when they were first offered. Kept 3 in the family, sold 2 to friends for what I had in 'em..

Smoothed out all the contact points, changed the springs as well...........no stacking, reliable, perfect trigger pull and smooooooth as butter!!

Best purchase's I've made in years, especially when I doubt we'll see the no-locks again soon....if ever.

I had the same failure and was sent a used 642-1 for replacement. Both guns the cylinder stuck when opening also.

From the posts seen on the forum this is not rare at all. The single commonality seems to be that the poster always seems to say he has done a lot of dry-firing!

There is much more shock to the studs when dry-firing than when shooting since the primer is not there to absorb the shock of the hammer striking the frame.

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Even though I dry fired mine a lot, I used A-Zoom snap caps most of the time. I don't think that using the snap caps made a difference. The dang stud still broke. S&W will have had my 642 for 2 weeks, tomorrow. I expect I'll be hearing from them soon.

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John

**UPDATE**

Got a call from the smith at S&W. He said that he will swap out the frame for a new no-lock frame, which is what I had sent back for repair. He said it should ship on Monday ( I think he forgot the holiday). Anyway, about 3 weeks total for the turnaround.

EDIT: This at least shows that S&W has the no-lock frames in stock for the 642. Maybe we'll see more on the market.

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John

No question Smith Wesson will take care of you. I have the 642-2 ( with lock ). Love that gun. Had it for almost 2 years, no problems yet. Very smooth double action pull. I like it better then my 1980 vintage M 60.

Best

Bob