I recently noticed that when I dry fire my 442 there are sparks that come out of the firing pin hole. Looks like somebody's flicking their Bic in there. Happens whether I have snap caps in or not. I talked to S&W yesterday and was told it's normal, but none of my other S&Ws do it. (The 442 is the only one with a frame mounted firing pin, though, so that may make a difference.)

Anybody else notice this with their gun? Any idea what causes it? The gun is only a few months old, but it's had hundreds of rounds through it, and lots more dry fire hammer drops. Do the sparks go away after a while? I just find it curious.

No direct experience but I have read online in different forums this is a common happening. I believe most people say it has to do with two different metals types striking each other.

It happens with my 642. But yes it's normal.

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GO NOLES!!!

and it does the same thing. No biggie as far as I can tell.

This comes up now and then, and yes it's normal. If it really concerns you, get some snap caps. They will cushion the fall of the firing pin and should prevent sparking.

My 642 and 442 do this and my 649 doesn't. It doesn't seem to hurt anything.....

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Tom
"Panem et Circenses"

I noticed the same thing with my 432 PD. I called the factory and they said it was normal, and not to worry about it. I asked for more "technical" information - like what causes this? - and was told "don't worry about it".

Regards,

Dave

The sparks occur whether or not I'm using (A-Zoom) snap caps.

As a sometime flintlock shooter I know that, at least in that technology, sparks are the result of tiny pieces of metal being shaved off the frizzen in a process that makes them hot enough to glow. I can't help thinking that the 442 sparks are likewise tiny pieces of metal being scraped off of either the firing pin or recoil shield. Maybe those parts are hard enough and/or the "missing" pieces are so small that even over a lifetime of shooting the dimensions won't be adversely affected.

If they say it's normal then there's nothing I can do about it. But still . . .

Some of mine do and some don't. I don't worry about it.

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Centennial Every Day

My 442 used to spark when new, but eventually stopped after it broke in. I'm guessing around 500 rounds. Not a reason for concern.