442 Canted Barrel?

[cirkuit]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I ended up calling S&W, and it's on its way to be repaired. Hopefully it will come back aligned correctly.

 

[gnystrom]

Last Saturday I brought in my 340pd for a "shootoff with a customer. Range from 75'-150' strong hand only. With just a small amount of practice, I was surprised at the solid results. I wish I had pictures but suffice to say I would not want to have been downrange at any of those distances.
When I purchase a firearm I expect my barrel, frame, and sight to be in proper alignment.

 

[zzclancy]

Exactly

I bought a 442-1 Pro Series two+ years ago that has a similar cant. It's been back to the factory twice and it's still canted. I finally gave up trying to get them to remedy the error. They don't consider it out of spec, and apparently, some degree of cant (or "can't") is now acceptable.

Put this on your quality inspection checklist if you are considering purchasing a new one.

I inspect new firearms just same as I do a used one before I purchase. Today's workmanship just isn't what it once was with a few exceptions, high end customs. That's why they come with the high price.

I have passed on many revolvers with canted barrels. Why should you buy a revolver to send it back to get it fixed? Within specs???

 

[zzclancy]

Understand

Exactly, not to mention, it's not a target gun, it's a SD gun... if ever used it would be within 15-20ft at the furthest.. and to be honest.. I don't think there would even be time to "aim through the sights" .. I always practice double tap, point and shoot at the range.. cause I expect that to be the case should the need arise to protect myself.

I understand the comments but why is this quality control acceptable? None of my old S&Ws have this problem.

 

[turbo38gn]

I understand the comments but why is this quality control acceptable? None of my old S&Ws have this problem.

Did I say it was acceptable ........ no

As for old S&W never having a problem... not true ... maybe none of yours, but I can tell you they were not perfect either. I live 10 minutes from S&W, have friends and relatives that worked there in the "old days" ... they were not perfect.

 

[pittpa]

Search for term 'canted' yielded 21,000 results here. Yikes.
A shooter at my club had a new Taurus that shot left for both of us. Canted barrel.
Hope smith makes it "right" for you.

 

[zzclancy]

Not personal

Did I say it was acceptable ........ no

As for old S&W never having a problem... not true ... maybe none of yours, but I can tell you they were not perfect either. I live 10 minutes from S&W, have friends and relatives that worked there in the "old days" ... they were not perfect.

My comments were not to be taken personal.

It was a rhetorical question?

Canted barrels seem to be the new normal. If I were the CEO this problem would be unacceptable to me. As a customer it's unacceptable to me to have to send a new purchase back to the factory to fix what is clearly visible lack of quality control.

I should have been clear that many of my old S&W revolvers have pinned barrels. I have some that are not pinned barrels and appear to be of high quality. The blue finishes are a beautiful high luster blue.

I'm a huge S&W revolver fan I think the quality of old isn't there.

I'm willing to pay more for that quality.

 

[turbo38gn]

I agree wholeheartedly ZZ, thank you. I habe many older revolvers, the blueing is spectacular on most, can say canted barrels is not a problem. I have many of the newer revolvers as well, can only say one of them, a 629PC V-comp is the only one I noticed has an unmistakable cant to it. But ... it shot great, so I ain't changing it! Heck, I could bring it over to my favorite local gun shop run by an ex S&W gunsmith, he could have it taken care of ... but ... maybe someday.. but not today..

Love to see some pics of them old beauties..

 

[Sol-Invictus]

More canted barrels than straight on the light snubs. Often if you look it is hard to find a straight one. Don't get me started on DCU issues with new guns.

Sent from my SM-T520 using Tapatalk

 

[GeoJelly]

I checked my bought-new 442 and the barrel is slightly canted on it too. But, everything else is near-perfect: lockup, carry-up, finish, yoke retention, and B/C gap. I think, but I'm not sure, that there is a relationship between tight yoke retention and the barrels on both of my 442's being slightly over-turned into the frame (if they are screwed in clockwise as viewed from the front - I assume so but I don't know). The slight rotation of the barrel past BDC, I think, allows for tighter retention of the cylinder ... I think ... maybe ...

 

[iPac]

This is inexcusable for a revolver intended for a defense firearm. Send it back.
I have a '75 Colt DS with the same issue. Golf ball size groups at seven yards but POI is three inches to the left.
My '13 442-2 is dead on at seven yards with bullet weights from 130-158 grains. Very pleased and it is the gun I carry off duty when a belt gun is not an option.

I have a '68 Detective Special that has a front sight slightly to the left. Which is why I always claim gun production errors really picked up in the '60s and has gotten steadily worse to present day. You can see the change in manufacturing systems over this time.

Anyway, my '68 DS is a self defense 38spl snubby. I don't really use the sights so it makes no difference in my ability to hit what I'm aiming at.