642 SMU bundle series

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ShotPlacement

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I'm getting ready to pick up another J-frame and came across a "Lipsey's Exclusive" 642. I like the G10 handles and the sights.

The one I'm looking at has a very dull front sight, which I find unusual for a "Bright Dot Tritium Front Sight - XS Sights® green ring. It seems like it should be bright under most circumstances.

Does anyone have experience with this gun? I don't imagine it performs markedly different than most J-frame 642, other than the smoother trigger and sights.
 
Last edited:
Post 1, try searching using: "632UC" or "632 UC" .

I don't know what "SMU" is.
 
Lots of them have damaged tritium vials (S&W is supposed to send me one under warranty when they get another batch). Supposedly one of S&W's installers was fitting them with a mallet.
 
642 Ultimate Carry

I've had a 642 Ultimate Carry that I replace my older J with not long after they came out. The sights make it for me. The stocks/grips are nice as well. Definitely changes your grip. I didn't mind the old grips, but I like the higher grip. The cylinders are chamfered more. The trigger is markedly better. To me it was worth it for the sights alone. I sent a cylinder off to get fitted for moon clips at Original Precision Bullet Proof Parts. FANTASTIC JOB. Check out JDinAZ on the forum. Some amazing machine work.
 

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I purchased the gun above today and took it to the range, expecting J-frame "descendent of the Chief's Special" performance out of the box.. After 10 shots, the cylinder stuck. I was able to pull it out, put it back, and continue firing. It happened again twice more before it stuck and wouldn't open or cycle to the next round. It became a paperweight, with the trigger stuck in the aft position. An armorer came to inspect and examined the gun. He ended up taking it apart and found that there was fouling from the factory that was affecting the hammer spring.

I was obviously frustrated that a brand new, good ol' J-frame (albeit a Lipsey's Exclusive with "optimized geometry and springs for a smoother trigger pull" and "upgraded endurance package for improved performance and durability") would fail within 20 rounds.

However, after the armorer's TLC, I fired another 60 rounds of various ammo weights and specifications (including some hot, dirty .38 Special I had in my bag,) and finishing with my preferred .38 from Fort Scott, and the gun performed flawlessly.

My lesson is that ANY gun to be used for EDC, BUG, or any sort of self defense application, should be fired and tested before deploying on my hip (or pocket, bag, etc...). Manufacturing issues happen, and they are not all immediate warranty issues. These are tools and should be tested before trusted, and then carried with confidence.

It also begs the question that nagged me before purchase. Would a stock 642 have performed better? Maybe. But a tool is a tool, and I'm happy with my choice.
 
ShotPlacement said:
I purchased the gun above today and took it to the range, expecting J-frame "descendent of the Chief's Special" performance out of the box.. After 10 shots, the cylinder stuck. I was able to pull it out, put it back, and continue firing. It happened again twice more before it stuck and wouldn't open or cycle to the next round. It became a paperweight, with the trigger stuck in the aft position. An armorer came to inspect and examined the gun. He ended up taking it apart and found that there was fouling from the factory that was affecting the hammer spring….
Click to expand...

FWIW, I had the exact same thing happen with a 432UC—the trigger was locked in its rearmost position, and the hammer was fully forward—only mine happened at the gun counter, so I didn’t purchase the gun. A staff member was able to get the trigger to reset by giving the grip frame a sharp whack on his workbench, so I assumed a chip or swarf was blocking the recoil slide. I posted my experience here.

My hope is that S&W can identify the common factor, if they haven’t already, and recover from this apparent QC hiccup. I like the ideas behind these guns, and I’d like to see similar products in the future.
 
L-2 said:
Post 1, try searching using: "632UC" or "632 UC" .

I don't know what "SMU" is.
Click to expand...

I just searched, and boy, I was not happy to find that this is an already known issue.

Thank you for sending me down this trail. I've emailed Lipsey's.

And I now realize I should have just purchased a standard 642.
 
Frailer said:
FWIW, I had the exact same thing happen with a 432UC—the trigger was locked in its rearmost position, and the hammer was fully forward—only mine happened at the gun counter, so I didn’t purchase the gun. A staff member was able to get the trigger to reset by giving the grip frame a sharp whack on his workbench, so I assumed a chip or swarf was blocking the recoil slide. I posted my experience here.

My hope is that S&W can identify the common factor, if they haven’t already, and recover from this apparent QC hiccup. I like the ideas behind these guns, and I’d like to see similar products in the future.
Click to expand...

Thank you, Mark. I just did some recommended research (and saw some of your other posts).

I'm darn close to purchasing a standard 642 now, as I have tepid confidence in my brand new Lipsey's Exclusive (that I bought and shot today).

Doug
 
There's a rather detailed review of the Ultimate Carry over on THR forum. Sad to say this was not one of S&W's finest efforts overall.
 
StrawHat said:
To those of you that have had issues with the little revolver, you don’t clean a new firearm before you use it?

Kevin
Click to expand...

Personally I ensure no bore obstructions and have at it, maybe a few drops of oil on an auto.
 
ShotPlacement said:
Thank you, Mark. I just did some recommended research (and saw some of your other posts).

I'm darn close to purchasing a standard 642 now, as I have tepid confidence in my brand new Lipsey's Exclusive (that I bought and shot today).

Doug
Click to expand...
Sir, don't give up on your 642UC! The sights make it a better gun than the 642. I bought a 632UC and had a few hitches, however any new gun does not meet my requirements! Before firing, ANY new gun gets torn down and inspected, honed, and oiled and probably has a spring or two replaced to make the trigger to my liking!
jcelect
 
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