442 Canted Barrel?

[cirkuit]

I just picked up a 442 this week. At the range I noticed I was always hitting left. I never had this problem with a Taurus 605 snubbie I owned, and I'm spot on accurate with my GP100 in double action, so I'm not sure if it's the shooter or the gun. Attached is a photo of the front sight. Does it look canted? I'm not sure if this is normal and whether a slight misalignment like this would affect accuracy. I was typicaly about .5" - 1" left at 7 yards, even when from a bench rest. I don't want to go through all the effort of sending it out to Smith and Wesson if they are just going to tell me it's within spec and return it to me.

 

[Nacho Man]

Looks like your fs is slightly to the right.
Probably explains why ur hitting to the left

 

[APS]

Just verify that you are not jerking the trigger with some dry fire. Once that's verified then shoot it at 25yds, put some bigger grips on if you have them. When I had to send my 642 and 340 M&P in for clocked barrels they seemed to accept the 8" off @25yds as reason for them to fix it. I also told them I had it verified by the guy that wins all the local PPC matches. He also shot it and got the same results as me.

 

[cirkuit]

Just verify that you are not jerking the trigger with some dry fire. Once that's verified then shoot it at 25yds, put some bigger grips on if you have them. When I had to send my 642 and 340 M&P in for clocked barrels they seemed to accept the 8" off @25yds as reason for them to fix it. I also told them I had it verified by the guy that wins all the local PPC matches. He also shot it and got the same results as me.

I wondered that at first as well, so I shot it from a bench rest and shot 50 rounds at various distances. I had the same result; everything was left of center. Historically I've been more accurate with snub noses than even some of my auto loaders, so I started to think it was the gun on in this case (although this by far has the heaviest trigger of any J frame I've used). I only could shoot point of aim at ~4-5 yards, but that's likely too close to notice sights being off. My concern is that if I send it into S&W they'll tell me it's within spec and send it back without perfect alignment. I don't want to waste the time if that's going to be the result.

 

[Joe4d]

send it back, QC wont get better till we make warranty work more expensive than decent QC, even if they do nothing those fedex labels aint free

 

[Coaltminer]

442 Canted Barrel

Yes, it looks like it is slightly right where it meets the frame. I'd send it back, not quite center, not tightened enough? Don't do it yourself. I had a 4" 10 that shot 6" left at 20 yds. Filed front sight on the right to center it. Have had several 10's and they all shot center, including the 10-5, 2".

 

[Protocall_Design]

The front sight is a bit to the right, which would cause it to shoot left. The factory may say it is in spec., but turning the barrel to center the sight would fix the problem.

 

[Arquebus357]

That's not just a little off, it's way off. Just line the gutter up with the sight. I'd send it back . There's no way that is in spec.

Good luck

 

[Kframerbluvr]

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.

 

[mmn]

That's not just a little off, it's way off. Just line the gutter up with the sight. I'd send it back . There's no way that is in spec.

Good luck

This ^. If you look at the gutter and the serrated rail they are way out of alignment. Plus the front site looks misaligned to the barrel.

 

[Coaltminer]

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 had a Cobra from the mid-seventies, same issue, left but also high with 158 gr. I tightened the barrel, moving front sight a tad left, switched to 110 gr. bullets, dead on. Laser sighted at the factory, as advertised? I don't think so!

 

[S&WsRsweet]

Ok this is probabaly going to get me kickedoff the forum or something but years ago I was sort of a gun nerd and hung out with the fella that did all the work on the local police revolvers and did their reloads for range practice . The guys would sometimes have a gun that the sights needed " adjusting " a little left or right . These were fixed sighted revolvers . So all he did was had a big lead block he would lay a piece of leather over it and just take that gun and whop it on that lead block a couple of times until he got it shooting straight or straight to the officers eyes at least .Im not trying to say you should do this but I have done it to a couple of fixed sighted revolvers and it works fine for me your results may vary .I have a 638-3 that shoots straight as an arrow so they are putting out some good guns also sorry you are having a problem but the fix is easy and worse case you can send it to S&W anyway.

 

[armorer951]

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.

 

[gnystrom]

The barrel needs to be tightened a bit. Contact S&W ask if you can send e-mail them your picture and work from there. If they tell you it looks OK to them, I would find a gunsmith that will take the few minutes required to tighten it the 1/16" it looks like it needs. Back and forth to S&W will drive you nuts. Sorry about your hassle. I've been there.

 

[Hithev]

Provided that the camera lens and the gun are properly aligned, it actually seems that the front sight is not centered.
The red lines drawn on the original shot might help judging

 

[GeoJelly]

I just checked my 442 no-lock, which I bought used, and sure enough it is canted a little bit. That said, it has CT laser grips on it so the canted barrel is no problemo. That said 2, I would have no probs if it were shooting up to an inch left at seven yards, that's still close to center-of-mass on the typical scum bag...

 

[mmn]

I just checked my 442 no-lock, which I bought used, and sure enough it is canted a little bit. That said, it has CT laser grips on it so the canted barrel is no problemo. That said 2, I would have no probs if it were shooting up to an inch left at seven yards, that's still close to center-of-mass on the typical scum bag...

That's kinda where I'm at too. At the distance this thing will ever get used, accurate sighting isn't going to be an issue...!

 

[turbo38gn]

That's kinda where I'm at too. At the distance this thing will ever get used, accurate sighting isn't going to be an issue...!

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.

 

[Fchewy]

What if you want to target shoot at any distance? hitting anything at distance is hard enough with a J frame, If they are going to put a sight on a revolver they ought to be able to put it on straight....they make guns and if they can't do it right just leave it off, used to be a time when American Made meant something now China probably put's out better quality.

 

[turbo38gn]

What if you want to target shoot at any distance? hitting anything at distance is hard enough with a J frame, If they are going to put a sight on a revolver they ought to be able to put it on straight....they make guns and if they can't do it right just leave it off, used to be a time when American Made meant something now China probably put's out better quality.

I'm not saying it is ok, just pointing out what the gun was designed for ...

 

[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 ...