Defective 642 Airweight?

MaygerMtMan · Sep 30, 2020

A second time, is my S&W 642-2 a lemon? What can be done to fix the cylinder sticking problem? This revolver is 3 months old and has fired about 40 rounds of standard 38 Special ammo.

Problems encountered: 1) The thumbpiece fell off. 2) The extractor rubs against the frame when releasing the cylinder (see photo). The bolt is clean and extends fully forward when the thumbpiece is pushed forward.

Thank you.

Double-O-Dave · Sep 30, 2020

Hi and welcome to the Forum. Without physically examining the piece, I’d say what you have is a normal S&W J-frame. The cylinder release shouldn’t have come loose, but it does sometimes happen. Some apply Loctite or clear fingernail polish etc. on the threads to help prevent this but I just inspect /check mine frequently. Due to the design of the piece the end of the ejection rod does protrude and drags on the face of the recoil shield.

Regards,

Dave

hyena · Sep 30, 2020

I echo what Dave said. My 642 has a pronounced drag line across the recoil shield. And the thumb piece actually fell off once at the range when the screw got so loose. Luckily I found both pieces. I've been carrying my 640 Pro instead of the 642. Your post reminded me to check the screws on both. Yep - the 642 was loose again, so I snugged it up. The 640 has a drag line too, just less pronounced.

mikerjf · Sep 30, 2020

I put locktite on my screw, never fell off again.

johngalt · Sep 30, 2020

Mine also has a line there. Probably unavoidable since there is a hard steel pin dragging across soft aluminum.

vintage40s · Sep 30, 2020

MaygerMtMan said:
... is my S&W 642-2 a lemon? What can be done to fix the cylinder sticking problem? This revolver is 3 months old and has fired about 40 rounds of standard 38 Special ammo. Problems encountered: 1) The thumbpiece fell off. 2) The extractor rubs against the frame when releasing the cylinder ...

So glad to see this thread. My 642-2 is 2 months old and has fired 150 rounds of .38.
It has the same scoring on the frame. And I just checked the thumb piece screw and it was about to fall out.
So both conditions must be normal, and I will be using locktite on the screw.

Jeppo · Sep 30, 2020

Here’s a 442-1. Same gun as yours save the black finish and without the internal lock. By the way, my screw needed 1/4 turn to snug it up.

Old cop · Sep 30, 2020

I got in the practice of double checking ALL the frame screws in my J Frames after a range trip. It’s not unusual for them to loosen up a quarter turn after about 50 rounds.

HamHands · Sep 30, 2020

mikerjf said:
I put locktite on my screw, never fell off again.

Absolutely... And "Purple Loc-Tite" is made specifically for firearm Appliciations... I don't know why so many refuse to embrace this practice. It isn't the blue or red Loc-Tite Type... totally different animal and book. The "Purple" is good to go and has saved me from selling certain firearms...

L-2 · Sep 30, 2020

Post-9, thanks for the reference. I wasn't aware of Loctite's 222 purple-colored product until now.

mgriffin · Sep 30, 2020

Nice heads up! I'll be checking the screws on ALL my J Frames. Thanks!

hyena · Sep 30, 2020

HamHands said:
Absolutely... And "Purple Loc-Tite" is made specifically for firearm Appliciations... I don't know why so many refuse to embrace this practice. It isn't the blue or red Loc-Tite Type... totally different animal and book. The "Purple" is good to go and has saved me from selling certain firearms...

I did not know that. Thank you for sharing.

BillBond · Sep 30, 2020

If your gun is only 3 months old why aren't you sending it back to S&W for repairs ?

MaygerMtMan · Sep 30, 2020

BillBond said:
If your gun is only 3 months old why aren't you sending it back to S&W for repairs ?

Good question... should I?

Goldstar225 · Sep 30, 2020

MaygerMtMan said:
Good question... should I?

No, tighten the screw and use fingernail polish or locktite (NOT RED) on the threads as other have said. There is a certain level of maintenance expected of the user.

The mark on your recoil shield from the extractor is normal.

Scottrh2 · Sep 30, 2020

BillBond said:
If your gun is only 3 months old why aren't you sending it back to S&W for repairs ?

Sending it back for what? A screw that could have been checked and tightened and a rub that is normal?

BillBond · Sep 30, 2020

MaygerMtMan said:
Good question... should I?

IMO Yes.

It obviously bugs you that you are having issues with your gun.
(It would bother me)

All you have to do is call them, tell them you just bought the gun new.
They pay the shipping both ways.
It has been a couple of years since I last sent one in,
but the turn around was less than 2 weeks.

Their repair shop has never let me or anyone I know down.

Scottrh2 · Sep 30, 2020

Really? Send it back for warranty work due to a loose screw and normal wear and tear?
He posted a good question and has the answers. The owner does have the responsibility to check and maintain his weapon and now armed with the answers he most likely will do so.
What resolution could S&W offer other than to tighten a screw, check the others and return it?

ContinentalOp · Sep 30, 2020

Like many posters have said, there is nothing wrong with your gun and no reason to call S&W.

Sometimes the thumb piece comes loose. Either check it regularly (I do), or apply a tiny amount of Loctite (purple or blue is fine) to the threads inside the nut. A little goes a long way. I put a drop on a paper plate or paper towel. Then I use the end of a toothpick to get a tiny amount on the tip and apply that to the threads inside the nut. I screw it on and let it sit overnight to fully cure with the thumb piece side down to prevent any Loctite from getting into the internals.

The line is normal. There is nothing wrong with it.

This is my 642-1, which is a few years old:

And this is my 642ND, which is around 25 years old:

Obviously, if it really bothers you, contact S&W customer service. But more than likely they'll tell you it's normal. Even if they, for some reason, replace it, it'll get the line and you may or may not have to deal with a thumb piece that loosens.

Like I and many others have said, it's normal.

max503 · Sep 30, 2020

When you own a gun you are suppose to watch old Lone Ranger or Cisco Kid episodes while sitting in your easy chair and checking to make sure all the screws are tight and everything is clean. Don't you know nuthin?

Defective 642 Airweight?

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