442 UC specs

BRHP

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Going to inspect the 442 UC I ordered. As well as fit and finish I'm taking snap caps for trigger feel and feeler gauges for barrel cylinder and headspace. Don't know what I'm looking for on the last 2 because my Model 40 has .005 barrel/cylinder and .009 headspace and my 640-1 PC Pro Series has .009 barrel/cylinder and .016 headspace. Any advice? I know the newer guns have the frame mounted firing pin and the 640 is 357 mag but I don't know if that's why there is the difference. What should I be looking for on the 442?
 
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That would be an extensive list.... on the UC, here's some starters:

1. Dead tritium front sight
2. Canted barrel shroud
3. Mis-drilled and installed front sight (canted)
4. Large frame/yoke gap
5. Lazy trigger return

Factory allowable b/c gap has been 0.012" for several years now. Personally, I would not accept a factory new revolver over 0.008". Bring a .38 range rod to check bore/cylinder alignment.
 
Yes I've already seen posts on the forum for 1,2,4 and5. My 640 Pro had to go back for # 5(and four other things). S&W did correct everything. Well, almost. Trigger pull was 14.7lbs. as delivered and 12lbs. when it returned. Not the 10lbs. advertised, but 1/2lb. lighter than my Model 40. I think Lipsey's did a great job designing these guns. I did see a post somewhere recently-a guy said he got one in 2025 with no problems and a 9.5lb. trigger! Thanks for the reply.
 
Can someone explain and post a pic of the #4 problem please. I know what the others mean, thanks...
 
Can someone explain and post a pic of the #4 problem please. I know what the others mean, thanks...
Something like this:

x4GCE8S.jpeg


( from https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/big-gap-between-frame-yoke-on-j-frame.117514/ )

As long as the cylinder is and remains aligned with the barrel at lockup, it isn't an actual problem, it's just a cosmetic thing. Some people are more sensitive about it than others. It seems pretty common (or at least not uncommon) with modern S&Ws and is often seen as lack of attention to detail by S&W... but it doesn't have any practical effect (which is probably why S&W doesn't care how it looks). It also isn't specific to S&W revolvers - Ruger revolvers also tend to have a bit of a gap between the yoke and frame (also without dire consequence).
 
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I'd be most worried about a clocked barrel. All the other problems can (and will most likely) be fixed with a trip back to the mothership if need be. Clocked barrels, however, are permanent in my experience.

A Smith with non-adjustable sights and a clocked barrel = you are going to miss anything smaller than 4 inches at 15 yards unless you employ Kentucky windage and write it down. The UCs have adjustable windage though, so maybe a clocked barrel isn't such a big deal?

Chances are that your pistol will need to go back for something or other. That's just part of the Smith and Wesson hobby these days. I wouldn't stress about it. If I buy a new model I always buy two. That way you can shoot one while the other is being repaired, and vice versa.

All that said, I did buy four identical PC pistols lately and all four are good-to-go. Maybe things are changing for the better in QC. Let's hope!
 
First report on new 442UC. Fit and finish on visual inspection very good. Front sight glows good in the dark and is tight and straight. Front and rear sights are both centered off the flat sides of the frame within .003". Trigger pull out of the box 11.4lbs. Trigger resets everytime no matter how slow I release it. Barrel/cylinder gap-.008" not snug but .009" is no go. A small chip from some machining operation came out of the hand window and lodged in a pocket of the ratchet after about 15 dry fires. That didn't allow the hand to rotate the cylinder on that chamber. Removal of side plate revealed a little more debris but no chips the size of the first`. So far I'm happy with the purchase. Haven't found any Speer Gold Dots local yet to fire it.
 
First report on new 442UC. Fit and finish on visual inspection very good. Front sight glows good in the dark and is tight and straight. Front and rear sights are both centered off the flat sides of the frame within .003". Trigger pull out of the box 11.4lbs. Trigger resets everytime no matter how slow I release it. Barrel/cylinder gap-.008" not snug but .009" is no go. A small chip from some machining operation came out of the hand window and lodged in a pocket of the ratchet after about 15 dry fires. That didn't allow the hand to rotate the cylinder on that chamber. Removal of side plate revealed a little more debris but no chips the size of the first`. So far I'm happy with the purchase. Haven't found any Speer Gold Dots local yet to fire it.
Good to hear. Let us know when you get a chance to verify that POA = POI. I have a pair of 442UCs and have only shot one so far. It was a tack driver! Very tight groups at 15 yards and easy A-zone hits at 25.
 
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