Brand New Model 442-1 Locking Up...

TTSH

TTSH

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Just picked up my first brand new S&W revolver in 35 years an hour ago... and it looks like it's going back to the mothership already. :( It's a Model 442-1 and it's locking up on me every few dry-fire trigger pulls. :o A little movement of the trigger and it is eventually functional again (temporarily) until a few more trigger pulls and then another lock-up. Doesn't matter if the trigger pulls are fast or slow... full (finger off trigger) release or keeping my finger on the trigger... same problem.

I had to de-burr the forcing cone a bit, but that didn't solve the problem. Can't see any dragging marks. Same problem unloaded or loaded with .38 snap caps. I'm looking for any ideas about what I might be able to try before shipping it back to S&W later this week. Any and all suggestions appreciated. Thanks. :o
 
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Check the cylinder gap with a feeler gage if you can.

I'm keeping track of these things!

Does it lock up in SA?
 
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Thanks guys. :)

yep380 said:
Is the ejector rod loose? It's reverse threaded, fwiw.
Click to expand...
Just checked. It seems to be nice and tight.

fortyshooter said:
Check the cylinder gap with a feeler gage if you can.

I'm keeping track of these things!

Does it lock up in SA?
Click to expand...
No SA on this DAO revolver. The gap appears to be very tight, but not touching after I removed a couple burrs from the forcing cone. The problem does not appear to be with the cylinder dragging, but rather with the firing mechanism if I had to guess.
 
I just had the same problem with a PC 686+ with the vent rib. It would cycle fine empty, but when loaded it would lock up solid every few shots.

On inspection, I noticed with the action at rest and the cylinder open, the hand wasn't at the bottom of the window and protruded past the recoil shield. All my other Smiths, when at rest, the hand is at the bottom of the window and even with the recoil shield. I think the problem lies there.

It went to Springfield a couple weeks ago and I'm waiting for its return. I wonder if you check yours out it will have the same problem.
 
madmikeb said:
I just had the same problem with a PC 686+ with the vent rib. It would cycle fine empty, but when loaded it would lock up solid every few shots.

On inspection, I noticed with the action at rest and the cylinder open, the hand wasn't at the bottom of the window and protruded past the recoil shield. All my other Smiths, when at rest, the hand is at the bottom of the window and even with the recoil shield. I think the problem lies there.

It went to Springfield a couple weeks ago and I'm waiting for its return. I wonder if you check yours out it will have the same problem.
Click to expand...
Interesting problem (and I hope yours comes back made right!), but I just checked and my 442-1 looks okay in that regard. Still, thank you for the suggestion. :)
 
My M69 has the hand hitting the edge of the case rim causing a very stiff action when cocking hammer. Shipping out tomorrow for Round 2 !
 
fortyshooter said:
My M69 has the hand hitting the edge of the case rim causing a very stiff action when cocking hammer. Shipping out tomorrow for Round 2 !
Click to expand...
That would do it. However, in my case, the random locking up occurs with or without the snap caps in place. :(
 
fortyshooter said:
Send it back and hopefully they make it right.
Click to expand...
I'm out of pocket until Wednesday, but I'll give the mothership a call when I can. I truly hate to send a brand new gun back for repair, but it doesn't seem I have much choice if I want a fully dependable, reliable pocket carry revolver. I won't be the first that had to do this and I surely won't be the last. :cool:

Only question is: Shoot it a box or two first? Or send it back just as I received it? :confused:
 
I hate that when a new gun has problems like this but smith is pretty good call them give them the serial # they will mail you a call tag to ship back to them so at least you do not have to pay to for shipping back to them like some gun companies. They will fix it it just one big pain to have to go through this good luck on this matter.
 
It grates that brand new guns have to go back, but now having done it myself it's not a big deal except being deprived of a matte new toy for a few weeks.

So just send it back with a clear, concise description of the symptoms.
 
Lou_the_welder said:
Try removing the grips and spraying some oil inside. Then dry firing it a bunch of times. Maybe its dry. Might work itself out?
Click to expand...
I'm thinking it might be some small internal chip or burr from the machining process. I'd like to try flushing it out (and lubing at the same time). First I should probably try hitting it with compressed air. I hate to remove the side plate and have the mothership detect that and diss me for screwing with it. :o I could get it back from warranty repair with a bill. :eek:
 
TTSH said:
I'm thinking it might be some small internal chip or burr from the machining process. I'd like to try flushing it out (and lubing at the same time). First I should probably try hitting it with compressed air. I hate to remove the side plate and have the mothership detect that and diss me for screwing with it. :o I could get it back from warranty repair with a bill. :eek:
Click to expand...
I think a can of rem oil or clp would be just as good as compressed air. If you dont want to take the side plate off, just remove the grips and you can pour drops inside the frame where you could see the spring.
They wont deny you a warranty for removing the grips or the sideplate.
I sent in a 629 with a trigger job for warranty and although it was for a canted barrel, it got shot a whole bunch of times when they had it. They didnt bother cleaning it too and sent it back fixed.
You can put oil in it. It's your gun. Just dont put grease inside. It has to be very light oil.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 
Its a nuisance to send a gun back for repair in the short run, but I think there is an advantage in doing so. It will be the first time in your revolvers life that it has been seen by someone who can be called a gunsmith. Up until that time, it has been "assembled", but not "smithed". When I sent my M66-8 back, they fixed more than I complained about. Gave me confidance that my gun was in the condition that the designers had in mind!

Best,
Rick
 
Sadly, not unknown on these little guns. Poster Armorer951 has commented often on improperly fitted hand/ratchet units on 442/642s. In any case, something not quite right inside. Don't know that I'd want to stress an improperly fitted mechanism by dry firing it. Let the factory handle it. It's a carry piece: It has to work!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
riverrat38 said:
Its a nuisance to send a gun back for repair in the short run, but I think there is an advantage in doing so. It will be the first time in your revolvers life that it has been seen by someone who can be called a gunsmith. Up until that time, it has been "assembled", but not "smithed". When I sent my M66-8 back, they fixed more than I complained about. Gave me confidance that my gun was in the condition that the designers had in mind!

Best,
Rick
Click to expand...

Must not have been the same "smith" that worked on mine!
 
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