Have a new 442 with a little over 100 rds down the pipe - 50 wadcutters, the rest round-nose lead, all factory. During my last range session, the gun's trigger had an odd feel for a shot or two, then just locked up.
I can open the cylinder, close it, then squeeze the trgger through it's normal cycle, once. Feels fine, however it doesn't turn the cylinder. Also, after this trigger squeeze, it locks up, and I have to open the action again, to be able to pull it again. One other thing to note - when it's locked up, I can pull it back just a hair, enough to allow me to turn the cylinder.

I'll be driving it for a visit to Smith in the next few days (luckily a 35 min trip for me), but wondered if anyone knows what might be happening?

One other thing - I was pulling the trigger really slowly, in an attempt to shoot accurately, when this happened. Don't think that should matter, but...

Thanks for any input!

Have a new 442 with a little over 100 rds down the pipe - 50 wadcutters, the rest round-nose lead, all factory. During my last range session, the gun's trigger had an odd feel for a shot or two, then just locked up.
I can open the cylinder, close it, then squeeze the trgger through it's normal cycle, once. Feels fine, however it doesn't turn the cylinder. Also, after this trigger squeeze, it locks up, and I have to open the action again, to be able to pull it again. One other thing to note - when it's locked up, I can pull it back just a hair, enough to allow me to turn the cylinder.

I'll be driving it for a visit to Smith in the next few days (luckily a 35 min trip for me), but wondered if anyone knows what might be happening?

One other thing - I was pulling the trigger really slowly, in an attempt to shoot accurately, when this happened. Don't think that should matter, but...

Thanks for any input!

Sounds like the hand is broken or the pin that it pivots on.

Lead build up on the face of the cylinder, and forcing cone?

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

+1 whitecoyote

Try to isolate the problem before you take it back to S&W. I’d pull the cylinder and clean the gun first. See if there are any marks where the cylinder might have contacted the back of the barrel. With the cylinder out, you can hold the release latch back and pull the trigger a few times to see if the action feels OK. If it has the IL, insert the key and turn it a few times to make sure it’s fully in the fire position. I hope it’s just dirty and needs a clean and lube (sparingly).

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"I also cook."

"Try to isolate the problem before you take it back to S&W."

I don't think that is good advice. If you mark it, S&W may tell you that you voided your warranty. Besides its a brand new gun and as you say, you are only minutes away from S&W. Let them deal with the problem.

If you own and shoot revolvers, you need to be able to remove the cylinder and yoke for cleaning and lubrication. It's as easy as removing a slide (sometimes much easier). The yoke barrel and stud get filthy from firing and that **** shouldn‘t be left in the gun to wear on the bearing surfaces. I also find it much easier to clean the cylinder when it's off.

Use a proper fitting screwdriver and remove the front sideplate screw. Turn the gun over, carefully open the cylinder and while holding the cylinder in one hand, pull the yoke out the front.

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"I also cook."

Without going into detail, the gun is very clean, lightly lubed, not a gunk'd-up issue.
I'll try those couple function tests before bringing it back. Oh, and the IL key was fully off. Crossed my mind too, that maybe by some weird happening, it got turned on (here those tales of recoil turning it on...).

But thanks guys. I'll let you know the outcome.

Also check for a loose ejector rod. If it backs out it will bind up the cylinder.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Just wanted to update on this, to perhaps help someone else out...

Smith and Wesson replaced the "trigger torsion spring". I'll need to look at a schematic to understand just what that does. Needless to say, it works fine now.

Dropped it off in person, shipped back to me via UPS, exactly 3 weeks later. No charge for anything, of course.

Could be as simple as gunk build up under the extractor star. You mentioned shooting wadcutters. Depending on the powder used in them we used to get a lot of unburned powder under the star which can all but lock the gun up. Most competitors carried a toothbrush to do a quick wipe on the underside of the star and the recess of the cylinder where it fits.

I think JoeS is on the right track, just had the same thing happen to me on my 629 shooting some really dirty reloads.
Sometimes looking for the simple solution first does the trick.