442UC Joining the "Cool Kids"

[gunnertwo]

Picked up a 442UC yesterday, mostly pleased but... The face of the cylinder is scuffed up and it has a significant drag line. The worst is a space between the crane and the frame. Lock up is good and trigger is as expected. Very happy with the VZ grips and how they feel. Love the sights! Anxious to get it to the range.

G2

 

[Model 15-4ever]

There is absolutely nothing "cool" about the "Ultimate" series, unless you enjoy being part of a marketing shill campaign featuring sub-quality products.

 

[gunnertwo]

I'll have to disagree (unless it shoots like ****).

Here's info:

Wholesale Firearms / Shooting Sports Distributor - Exclusive Firearms - Handguns, Shotguns, Rifles, Silencers, Shooting Sports Accessories - Lipseys.com

G2

 

[BarryinIN]

I just joined the club also. I got a 642UC on the 4th. It was the first one I had seen locally, and oddly I thought, it was used (but not used).

I love the sights and the grips.

The improved action didn’t seem much changed to me. I dry fired it around 500 times then lubed it, which helped, but it still isn’t as good as what I had expected. But then, I am comparing it to the 442 I’ve been carrying and shooting for 25 years, which I guess has smoothed out a bit.

The beveled cylinder face could have been more beveled and rounded, I think. Something similar to the Ruger WC GP-100s would be nice. But I guess what is done is better than no beveling.

It took some close looking to see the chamber mouth chamfering, but that is a small change anyway. I haven’t tried loading any blunt or sharp-edged bullets with a speedloader yet to see if it helps, but I’m not much of a speedloader/J-frame kind of guy.

But I love the sights and grips.
Those will probably be worth the extra cost to me.

I shot it a little yesterday. Very little, 15 rounds, as I had two other recent purchases plus some others to shoot. I mostly shot the UC to get it shot.
The shorter backstops are under re-construction at my club, so I only had the 25-yard berm. That’s a loooong way for me to be shooting a DA snub, but it had to be shot.

The first cylinder full was with a handload of the ancient standard of Bullseye and swaged 148 grain wadcutter. Just getting a feel for the gun. I used a B-8C (25 yd timed and rapid) bullseye center target. I sent them way to the right, but four of the five would have fit in the 10-ring! The fifth opened it up to 7-ring size.
I like these sights and grips.

Next, I shot two cylinders of 135 +P Gold Dots, standing, at an IDPA target. Not fast, but definitely not slow. Six of the ten were good hits. I will claim the other four. A little work should make that 10/10.
Happily, the POI seemed to be POA with this ammo as I’ve been reading.

For a little comparison, I was mostly shooting S&W model 12s of which I am a big fan. I always shoot these Airweight K frame snubs better than Js with equal effort (or less), which should go without saying. On this day, the gap closed up a lot. I didn’t really think about this until I was through or I might have done some more comparing.
I will still choose a 12 over a J-frame whenever possible, but as I said, this one has potential to make it a real battle.

 

[Baxter6551]

I would seriously consider selling some other j frames to obtain one of these if I wasn’t reading the horror stories on the forum about the quality or lack thereof. The lack of quality control at S&W is sad based on the postings I’ve seen here. Others have said Lipseys should be double checking these before they are shipped and I agree. It’s their name on the line also.

 

[scott53]

I've been carrying S&W J-Frames in the summer since 1981. I've owned a lot of different models and shoot them well and train with them often. I bought a 442UC in March and a 642UC for my wife in May. No problems with either one. This is the revolver I would have designed 40 years ago. The UCs have sights you can see, a trigger you can manage and stocks that fit an adult human hand. Best J-frame ever. My best friend owns the local gun shop. He has given me the opportunity to examine every one he has gotten in. None have had any of the problems I have read about on this forum. Thank you S&W for getting this one right!

The UCs will not be a limited production models. The cost of the forging die for this new frame is very high. S&W will make this a regular production model.

 

[jcelect]

I've been carrying S&W J-Frames in the summer since 1981. I've owned a lot of different models and shoot them well and train with them often. I bought a 442UC in March and a 642UC for my wife in May. No problems with either one. This is the revolver I would have designed 40 years ago. The UCs have sights you can see, a trigger you can manage and stocks that fit an adult human hand. Best J-frame ever. My best friend owns the local gun shop. He has given me the opportunity to examine every one he has gotten in. None have had any of the problems I have read about on this forum. Thank you S&W for getting this one right!

The UCs will not be a limited production models. The cost of the forging die for this new frame is very high. S&W will make this a regular production model.

The factory did not need to make new tooling for the frame on the UC guns! The sight configuration is in the S&W line up right now, the 640 Pro Series. the change is in the barrel configuration. I agree these sights are well worth the extra cost. The grips do not fit ALL adults hands, but none of the J frame grips fit my hands and that is why Curt Harlow makes all my J frame grips!

 

[Dump1567]

I picked-up the 432UC a couple of weeks ago. No QC issues like others I've seen. My trigger was horrible. The grips feel good but weigh a ton for a LW gun. And probably aren't the best choice for pocket carry due to size and weight.

I really wanted a .32 H&R for the extra round, but IMO, I don't think these are worth the $700+ price tag in a .38 Spl. A 442/642 with paint on the front sight will get you 90% there for about $300 less. That opinion is based on what I think most people will use a sub 2" J frame for. A close range, get away from trouble gun. I'm not sure how much benefit the sights will have in that type of use?

There's nothing wrong with spending the extra money if this is something someone really wants, but when comparing it to a 442/642, I'm not really seeing the value increase.

 

[Mercury]

I never even shot my 432. It's back as S&W with a frame-yoke gap a little worse than yours and the cylinder wouldn't latch or unlatch smoothly.

Yours looks as though the front of the cylinder is scraping against the back of the forcing cone maybe due to a bent yoke? It needs to go back.

 

[NY-1]

That cylinder scuffing and yoke fit are unacceptable for a new gun IMO. I'd personally get in touch with S&W and look into sending it back for repair. What's going on with S&W quality control these days? I've had better luck with new Taurus guns lately.

 

[TRK@]

You should see my brand new unfired 351c. Its a mess.

 

[scott53]

You are of course correct on the rear sight cut for the 640 Pro Series. The UCs have a cut at the front of the frame for the barrel shroud that is the reason for a new forging die. I've owned a 640 Pro Series for many years. Great revolver.

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

My 442 was out of time on two chambers out of the box, had a loose ejector rod, and a terrible trigger. It was gone for a whole month while S&W replaced the hammer, ejector rod, and repaired the yoke. The gunsmith must’ve adjusted the action as well. So far it’s been 100%.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I purchased a 432UC and mine is just fine. I have owned several J frames over the years and think this is one of the best designed snubs ever.

 

[CH4]

There is absolutely nothing "cool" about the "Ultimate" series, unless you enjoy being part of a marketing shill campaign featuring sub-quality products.

Tread lightly, bashing can get you time on the beach… I am currently under supervised probation.

That said, I like em

 

[Dutch87]

I've been carrying S&W J-Frames in the summer since 1981. I've owned a lot of different models and shoot them well and train with them often. I bought a 442UC in March and a 642UC for my wife in May. No problems with either one. This is the revolver I would have designed 40 years ago. The UCs have sights you can see, a trigger you can manage and stocks that fit an adult human hand. Best J-frame ever. My best friend owns the local gun shop. He has given me the opportunity to examine every one he has gotten in. None have had any of the problems I have read about on this forum. Thank you S&W for getting this one right!

The UCs will not be a limited production models. The cost of the forging die for this new frame is very high. S&W will make this a regular production model.

Very interesting