442 not so impressed

Just thought of something;

Now follow along here and, if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me.

The problems may be related and due to a mere loose sideplate screw: If the (forward) sideplate screw is loose, the cylinder does not hold 'tight'. This might be reflected by the front of the cylinder scaping the forcing cone. Another result is a 'harder' trigger pull. It's possible that, regardless of cylinder position, by the time you get to that 5th shot, you can't pull the trigger at all - even though it may have been rubbing the forcing cone the whole time.

It's easy to check, oh, be sure to use a properly sized screwdriver so you don't 'booger up' the screw.

Again, feel free to correct me if I'm technically incorrect.
 
Send it to S&W and/or sell it and buy the Ruger you really wanted.

The extra length on the Ruger is a slight issue for me as the length/depth of pockets is an important factor in pocket carry.

Good luck.
 
Thanks for all the great replies I read them all and have looked the gun over....it sounds like it needs a trip to S&W. It's sure doesn't make me warm for more new production S&Ws.
I'll be sure to add any information after my call to S&W.

Best wishes to you all.

Bob
 
I bought a 442 last Monday. I'll agree with the trigger being alot to be desired. I've dry fired mine about 500 times and it seems to be a little better. My trigger finger sure is stronger. I go to pull the trigger on my lcr and it feels like a hair trigger.

Sent from a NSA phone
 
I had a 625 years ago that would bind up on one charge hole. I was able to determine it was the same one every time. I placed blue masking tape on the cylinder on either side of the top strap when it was clocked right and ready to bind. I could still pull the trigger and rotate the cylinder with the tape in place, and I could tell exactly when it was going to bind.

I sent it off to a warranty repair shop with an explanation of the placement of the tape and when it would bind. I don't know what they did to fix it, but it works fine now.

Bill
 
Bad luck but guns give you trouble sometimes. I just had to sent my Ruger LC9, which I love, back to Ruger because it stopped working right. It got there on the 3rd and is going to be back on the 11th.

It almost sounds like the trigger or hammer pin has broken loose. That happened to a buddy of mine's brand new 642. Smith took care of it. It may be the ejector rod is bent. I bet Smith will take care of it.

It is hard to claim the new guns are equal to the older ones quality wise. I have seen some pretty bad ones in the past too though.
 
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Well, the gun is back and I can not tell the difference in trigger pull. They must use lawyers to "fix" these guns. Oh well, I guess I will spend MORE money now to make the gun work well enough so it won't have an off-the-scale trigger pull. I have not even gone out back to try the gun to see if its still binding.

This is absolutely the final straw with S&W. I'm never going to buy another gun from them. Ever. I'm done. I won't recommend them either...not even to folks I don't like.

Man, I have had a safe full of S&Ws...oh well, live and learn.

So moving on...to make the gun work like it should i need.....a Wilson Combat main spring....or an Apex kit....or....

Time to figure out what to do.

I'm happy so many of you are happy with your 442s...sorry others are having/had problems.

Bob
 
attn Von Fatman

Since S&W did not provide satisfaction, before selling the gun, I might take it to a qualified local 'smith for an inspection to see if he can divine the problem. No way would I 'kitchen-table' the gun with parts kits. See what a local smith tells you. Let us know with a 'like', please. Best wishes.
 
Send it back to S&W on their dime. Some here say they will make it right. Maybe even on the second attempt. ;)

When it comes back, trade it in on a nice LCR. :) Good luck! Regards 18DAI
 
VonFatman said:
They must use lawyers to "fix" these guns. I have not even gone out back to try the gun to see if its still binding.

This is absolutely the final straw with S&W.
Click to expand...

Really? Now you are going to disparage both gunsmiths and lawyers? All because the trigger pull is not as light as you would like?

Your original issue was with binding. You have not even checked to see if that problem was fixed.

You understand that an action job is not part of any warranty work, don't you? Did you actually request or pay for an action job?
 
My 442 has been fine, give S&W a chance to fix it.
 
I agree with 18DAI. Send it back again and make them do their job. I have had three 442s over the years and my various friends all have 442s/642s of differing vintages. With the exception of the finish issue on the frames of recent 642s, all were/are excellent little guns. I have never even seen one with a terrible trigger. Generally, they are pretty good compared to a standard Chief's Special.

I am sorry you are having so much trouble with yours. Hope you can get it straightened up to your satisfaction. :)
 
I have quite a few rounds through my 642 and it still doesn't register on a pull gauge....and I think it's perfect. I would guess about 13-14 lb trigger pull. I personally wouldn't want a light trigger on a cc gun that is riding in my pocket. If you want a super light trigger look up a 1911. Hopefully your binding issue is taken care of and you can love your J frame the way so many others do.
 
Got the gun out back tonite. As I suspected (the gun still has an excessively hard and building pull AFTER it's return from SAW) the gun still binds on the fifth round....it's just weird.

It's funny how some folks read so much into the posts...some folks need to read the posts for what they are and try not to take offense....it's pretty common knowledge that the legal world has made it very difficult to build anything that might hurt someone....from autos to jet skis. And since the reply suggests I'm out after gunsmiths too....all I can say is reading is an acquired skill both on Forums and at S&W.

'Action Job'.....jeesh....who said anything about an action job....come on! Read before you get your panties in a wad!

I'm not going to send it back to S&W again. They apparently did not take time to read the detailed description of the guns issues which I sent in with the gun (attached to the gun with a zip-tie) because nothing was done...the 'paperwork' that accompanied the gun when it was returned gave no information. None. How is the customer to know that the servicing center took notice of concerns when they do not even offer a few words describing the 'work' that was 'done' ? Heck, even the local shade-tree mechanics communicate better than that!

I will get it to a competent gunsmith for a look-see.

Bob
 
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You paid good money for the gun. Keep sending it back on their dime until it's right. Try a phone call after they receive it this time and ask for a supervisor.
 
Don't let them off the hook. Call, ask to speak with a supervisor, and send it back again.

I have had the experience of speaking with one S&W rep,, getting an answer that didn't make sense, and speaking to someone else later who was more savvy and getting a more satisfactory answer. Don't give up; there are folks at S&W who still care.
 
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I agree with the others. Don't get angry and give up. Just hold their feet to the fire and make them fix it. The binding issue is not acceptable.

Now, regarding the trigger pull, that is different. The J-frame triggers have always been heavy. You may consider it a design flaw or a safety feature. The triggers tend to smooth out a bit over time, but still require a stiff pull. Many consider the factory action job an essential part of their carry strategy and budget; others are okay with the heavy trigger.

One solution is to sell the 442 and get the LCR. I had an LCR-22 and hated the trigger. It felt like a tinkertoy or a stapler and I hated the annoying rattle of the transfer bar.
 
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