Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > S&W-Smithing
o

Notices

S&W-Smithing Maintenance, Repair, and Enhancement of Smith & Wesson and Other Firearms.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 08-23-2018, 02:08 PM
ABPOS ABPOS is offline
Member
Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442  
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 3,650
Liked 2,227 Times in 945 Posts
Default Question about lock up.... on a 442

So, one guy has an issue with a new 442 locking up when pulling the trigger or sticking might be a better word. To not confuse things. And I suggested for him to check the lock up of the cylinder for each pull, because he wants to test fire it.

So then I grabbed my 442 and checked it for lock up on each cylinder....

Well, I'm a bit.... concerned. I get 1 cylinder that locks way early and the other 4 look and sound like the bolt is dropping right as the hammer drops....

I was like waaaaa? It's not even that old. And I don't have THAT many rounds through it. My Step Dad bought it new and didn't have that many rounds through it either. I would say less than 500.

Should I be concerned? Should the bolt / hand be dropping into the recess long before hammer drops? I thought that was the case. On my Model 19 5 cylinders do and the last one is close to the hammer dropping but still a hair before. And that one has been shot a **** ton more. At least I think it has.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 08-23-2018, 02:29 PM
ken158 ken158 is offline
Member
Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: VA
Posts: 4,656
Likes: 1,431
Liked 4,474 Times in 1,919 Posts
Default

First, put empties in the chambers for momentum, squeeze trigger as if you are shooting for real and note when cylinder locks. As long as the cylinder locks before the hammer hits, you are good. Perfect timing on every cylinder is rare... it can be done but takes proper knowledge of hand and ratchet tuning.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 08-23-2018, 02:37 PM
RMFnLA RMFnLA is offline
Member
Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442  
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 611
Likes: 488
Liked 618 Times in 281 Posts
Default

Variation from chamber to chamber is probably caused by dimension differences on the ratchet portion of the ejector star, which is advancing the cylinder at different rates for each chamber.

As long as you get lock-up before ignition you should be OK...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 08-23-2018, 04:26 PM
ABPOS ABPOS is offline
Member
Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442  
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 3,650
Liked 2,227 Times in 945 Posts
Default

OK. I think I do. It's close though.

RMFinLA. Are you the one that sent me a message? I'm not in CA, so... I'm way way east of you. Past the Mississippi. IN Wisconsin. Or as you guys say it Wesconsin. hehhehehe.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 08-28-2018, 09:00 AM
chief38's Avatar
chief38 chief38 is offline
Member
Question about lock up.... on  a 442  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 7,833
Liked 25,574 Times in 8,655 Posts
Default

In a perfect world a Smith should lock up just prior to the hammer falling while pulling the trigger slowly. That's what I look for before buying one.

Oversized Hands can usually correct the problem and are not expensive parts to purchase. They are easy to fit and install when you know what you are doing.

In the real world no one really pulls the trigger super slowly. The cylinder has more mass due to the weight of the loaded cartridges in it and tends to carry itself up. Most of the time even if the lock up is slightly late when tested in a gun store pulling super slowly, they work fine in real life applications.

But again when buying a new gun I would suggest getting one with a faster lock up if you do have a choice - the Hand does wear over time. If you feel the lock up is just to late you can bring it to a local Gun Smith or send it back to Smith for an over-sized Hand to be installed (unless you are familiar with how to do it yourself of course).
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 08-28-2018, 12:20 PM
RMFnLA RMFnLA is offline
Member
Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442 Question about lock up.... on  a 442  
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 611
Likes: 488
Liked 618 Times in 281 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ABPOS View Post
OK. I think I do. It's close though.

RMFinLA. Are you the one that sent me a message? I'm not in CA, so... I'm way way east of you. Past the Mississippi. IN Wisconsin. Or as you guys say it Wesconsin. hehhehehe.
Wasn't me.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Lock or no Lock Question Mrnurse S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 25 08-24-2015 06:01 PM
629 lock-up question bemisgt S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 2 07-04-2014 03:01 PM
No Lock versus Pre Lock value question haris1 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 36 06-08-2013 12:33 PM
m29 pre-lock question b79holmes S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 1 06-15-2012 11:36 AM
Question about lock on 325 Georgepat1 The Lounge 0 12-06-2010 03:02 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:13 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)