Model 642

thickage · #1 03-24-2013, 03:27 PM

Took my brand new Model 642 to the range today. Within 20 shots, I heard, "Click" with no "bang." Next shot, click and bang. Next shot, click and no bang. Inspected rounds, saw dimples on those that fired, no dimples in the other two. Kept firing and eventually those same rounds went off.

However, I'm a bit leery that something's wrong here. Basically, 23 of 25 rounds went bang as expected, but two didn't. I'm sure the barrel rotated and went to the next round (I saw dimple, no dimple, dimple, no dimple upon inspection).

What could this be? The ammo was cheap, but I didn't see any striker markings on those misfires.

DonD · #2 03-24-2013, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thickage

I'm sure the barrel rotated and went to the next round (I saw dimple, no dimple, dimple, no dimple upon inspection).

What could this be? The ammo was cheap, but I didn't see any striker markings on those misfires.

Don't really want to be the nomeclature police here but revolver barrels don't rotate and it's a firing pin not a striker.

As to what is wrong, I'm sure some revolver gurus will have some useful thoughts. Don

Dale53 · #3 03-24-2013, 04:29 PM

thickage;
There is no way for me to truly know what the problem is without examination of the revolver. You may simply have a bad batch of ammo. Or, you could have a problem. I have done a lot of my own work on my revolvers and have a Certified S&W Pistolsmith on call, if it is something that I can't handle.

My daily carry is a Smith 642 and the only thing I have done to it was to disable the "lock" and replaced the firing pin with an Apex Tactical long firing pin (pin is actually the same length but it extends further from the breech face) for more reliable ignition.

I suggest you call Smith and explain the problem. My understanding is that they will install an "extra length" firing pin on request. Of course, the revolver will have to go back. Right now they are covered up with service requests and service may not be as fast as you would hope.

Good luck to you.
Dale53

thickage · #4 03-24-2013, 05:42 PM

DonDouche "Don't really want to be... but" - You truly seemed to hate to point out semantics.

Dale53 - Thank you for actually taking the time to craft a reply. I will consider the Apex Tactical firing pin, but I'll give S&W a call in the interim. Thanks again.