Airweight 442 problems

[61938]

I am new to this Forum and searched the archieves before posting the following. My 442 ,new 11/09 has 3 problems, two of which I consider serious. The first is that its shoots 3" left of point of aim at 10 yards off bags . The second problem is that if a second group of the same ammo is fired within 1 or 2 minutes that group will disperse to 6" while the first group was 1 1/2 " or less. It does this with Speer 125 Gold Dot Duty ammo and 158 gr. Horn. Xtp's over 4.4 gr. of Titegroup.Cooling it between groups for several minutes makes the problem go away.I strongly suspect this has to do with the steel barrel in the alum barrel housing. The final problem is that it shoots low by 2 inches or so. I have contacted S&W and have a return shipping label headed to me
I was wondering if my expierences were an isolated case or is it more prevalent.

 

[PeterCartwright]

I mean absolutely no offense (because I struggle with this from time to time): Is it possible that you're flinching? (I'm not accusing, I'm asking). Low and left is the classic symptom for right handers.

PC

 

[cpt137]

I would try off hand and them some one you know that shoots a lot try the same. Mine will keep 3 inches at 25 yards all day long. I like rests for rifles but not handguns. Mine also shoots poa with 158 which the are geared for and low with 130. I also notice some days I shoot a little right and some a little left.

 

[daa9mm]

Change your grips to the larger finger groove type, either wood or rubber.
It should make a huge difference in POI and group size.

 

[32sgteot]

I had a 340PD that the barrel was so far off to the left even at 7 yds the round were almost 6-8 inches off POA. It went back to S&W, was returned to me within 2 weeks. When it came back not perfect but 99% better than when new. Explanation was retorque and sight adjust ??

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

I don't mean to insult or belittle. I don't know your experience level.

The gun as poor sights, and a heavy trigger, I'd blame this for the bullets going all over. Also, the gun kicks harder than most. You must keep a firm & consistant grip on them little grips or it will print the paper like a shot gun.

I have 2 442s and when I shoot mine they print to the right. I lightened the trigger some but it is what it is. I believe the gun to be twisting in my hand.
They are meant to be a little pocket gun for very close range. This is acceptable accuracy for what it is.

 

[ADP3]

Have you had anyone else fire your revolver to see if they are getting the same results? I just got back from the range with my 642 and new 442. At 15 yds offhand my biggest groups ran 4" and windage and elevation were right where they should be. My load was 148 gr. HBWC's and 2.8 grains of Bullseye. You may want to let someone else try it out before shipping it back to Smith.

Best Regards,

ADP3

 

[Dogguy]

The 442 has a solid steel barrel, not steel within an aluminum shroud like some of the Airlite models.

I'm right handed and, with S&W J-frames, I have a tendency to shoot low/left unless I concentrate on the trigger and avoid flinching. Combine this with the short sight radius and poor visibility of the J-frames and I find it to be tough to get a decent grouping on a target even at close range. I have improved my odds with larger grips, a glass-smooth action job from a first-class gunsmith and recognizing that I'm no expert marksman and the gun is not a target pistol--it's a 21st Century equivalent of a riverboat derringer. Some people can wring out the full potential of the little guns but I'm not one of them.

 

[61938]

I would sincerely like to apologise to this Forum for cluttering it up with my post. Appearently I was wrong about the barrel being lined.So be it. As to ammunition I have tried the 148/2.8 Bullseye load and it shoots low and left off hand at 7 to 10 yards. The gun has a Wolff hammer spring and a Pachmeyer gripper grip and is a pleasure to shoot. As for my profiency I have won the CA 1985 5 gun aggregate rimfire piston championship ,2 NRA National Championships in rim fire pistol silhouette including a 3 gun Aggerate in 1990 which included revolver. I probably have 4000 rounds down range shooting 44 Magnums but I am sure this does not qualify me to respond to the experts on this Forum.
It is interesting that I was the problem and not the firearm. I should get some one eles to shoot it etc. What about the 2nd group dispersion ???
Anyone even give that a thought?? So my good experts, AMF, I am history.

 

[srgvaz]

I would sincerely like to apologise to this Forum for cluttering it up with my post. Appearently I was wrong about the barrel being lined.So be it. As to ammunition I have tried the 148/2.8 Bullseye load and it shoots low and left off hand at 7 to 10 yards. The gun has a Wolff hammer spring and a Pachmeyer gripper grip and is a pleasure to shoot. As for my profiency I have won the CA 1985 5 gun aggregate rimfire piston championship ,2 NRA National Championships in rim fire pistol silhouette including a 3 gun Aggerate in 1990 which included revolver. I probably have 4000 rounds down range shooting 44 Magnums but I am sure this does not qualify me to respond to the experts on this Forum.
It is interesting that I was the problem and not the firearm. I should get some one eles to shoot it etc. What about the 2nd group dispersion ???
Anyone even give that a thought?? So my good experts, AMF, I am history.

...good luck with your match grade 442?

 

[Match10]

I shall try not to take offense.... Don't feel bad... I have significantly more experience shooting than you, and I do the same thing when I do not concentrate on my 642.

What you are experiencing, though you won't admit it, is classic 442/642 trigger pull characteristics for a right handed shooter. Adjust your boogerhook for correct position, and try not to anticipate the tendency to "push" the muzzle to the left. Settle down and practise, practise, practise. A good trigger job may help you with your aim....

 

[VictorLouis]

What about the 2nd group dispersion ???
Anyone even give that a thought?? So my good experts, AMF, I am history.

As a matter of fact, I did. However, since you've seen fit to be so rude, why bother?

If, OTOH, you want to come back like a man and post an apology for jumping down our collective throats, we'll move on.

 

[sipowicz]

As for my profiency I have won the CA 1985 5 gun aggregate rimfire piston championship ,2 NRA National Championships in rim fire pistol silhouette including a 3 gun Aggerate in 1990 which included revolver.

Sounds like you have trouble when shooting just one gun. Bring 4 others to the range, shoot them, then see if your 442 group improves.

 

[gerald mcdonald]

I would sincerely like to apologise to this Forum for cluttering it up with my post. Appearently I was wrong about the barrel being lined.So be it. As to ammunition I have tried the 148/2.8 Bullseye load and it shoots low and left off hand at 7 to 10 yards. The gun has a Wolff hammer spring and a Pachmeyer gripper grip and is a pleasure to shoot. As for my profiency I have won the CA 1985 5 gun aggregate rimfire piston championship ,2 NRA National Championships in rim fire pistol silhouette including a 3 gun Aggerate in 1990 which included revolver. I probably have 4000 rounds down range shooting 44 Magnums but I am sure this does not qualify me to respond to the experts on this Forum.
It is interesting that I was the problem and not the firearm. I should get some one eles to shoot it etc. What about the 2nd group dispersion ???
Anyone even give that a thought?? So my good experts, AMF, I am history.

Do you realize what your saying here. Your a 2 time national champ (not regional or state but national) , you have competed with the best of the best and topped them, you have 4000 rounds down range with a 44 mag and your on an internet forum asking if your gun has a problem.

I'm no champ at anything but shootin the bull, but I've put enough lead down range that I dont need to ask if the gun has a problem, I've spent enough time behind the sights to know my own limitations and faults and know when a handgun is the problem and when I'm the problem.

So my suggestion is ask these guys an honest question, you will get an honest answer.

 

[Wayne M]

Being history is the correct answer to the problem.

 

[CCV]

Send the revolver back to S&W and ask for their assistance.

 

[large_orange_drink]

Wow, just wow...I have been around firearms for over 40 years now and I learn somthing new every day. I've been on this forum a short time now, and everyone seems very nice and the advice I've seen, from the experts to the novice, give me new things to think about.

From everything that you told us so far, especially considering your vast experience as a champion shooter 30 years ago, it sounds like you have a gun problem, especially since you are still having problems even though you were bagging this short barreled, self defense revolver from ten yards, like the expert rimfire marksman that you are.

Send it back and give us an update.

 

[sipowicz]

Agreed. Let the experts deal with it. I sent my toilet seat back to the manufacturer after I peed on it in the middle of the night....I sure couldn't figure out what the heck was wrong with it.

 

[ADP3]

I wish I was a "rimfire piston champion" but I am not. No insults were intended but the easiest way to find out if it is the gun and not you is to have someone with experience with DA snubbies to shoot it and see if their results match with yours. You may want to try "staging" (pulling the trigger until the cylinder bolt engages -you'll feel/hear a little "click"- and then adjusting your sight picture for the last take-up on the trigger) the trigger as you shoot for groups.

You may not mind entrusting your handguns to FedEx and UPS but I would rather not unless it's absolutely necessary. If there really is something wrong with it by all means ship it back to Smith, but do yourself a favor and rule out the human factor first. The majority of the time that's where the problem lies. In your situation of course this may not be the case.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[686fan]

Agreed. Let the experts deal with it. I sent my toilet seat back to the manufacturer after I peed on it in the middle of the night....I sure couldn't figure out what the heck was wrong with it.

Sipowicz, I had to send my toilet seat back for the same reason. The manufacturer told me there was nothing wrong with the seat. They said it was "operator error". Obviously my aim with a handgun isn't all that getting worse.

 

[vytoland]

I would sincerely like to apologise to this Forum for cluttering it up with my post. Appearently I was wrong about the barrel being lined.So be it. As to ammunition I have tried the 148/2.8 Bullseye load and it shoots low and left off hand at 7 to 10 yards. The gun has a Wolff hammer spring and a Pachmeyer gripper grip and is a pleasure to shoot. As for my profiency I have won the CA 1985 5 gun aggregate rimfire piston championship ,2 NRA National Championships in rim fire pistol silhouette including a 3 gun Aggerate in 1990 which included revolver. I probably have 4000 rounds down range shooting 44 Magnums but I am sure this does not qualify me to respond to the experts on this Forum.
It is interesting that I was the problem and not the firearm. I should get some one eles to shoot it etc. What about the 2nd group dispersion ???
Anyone even give that a thought?? So my good experts, AMF, I am history.

all praise and honor to the master....................now, maybe, we can activate history and CLOSE this thread.

 

[alde]

I would sincerely like to apologise to this Forum for cluttering it up with my post. Appearently I was wrong about the barrel being lined.So be it. As to ammunition I have tried the 148/2.8 Bullseye load and it shoots low and left off hand at 7 to 10 yards. The gun has a Wolff hammer spring and a Pachmeyer gripper grip and is a pleasure to shoot. As for my profiency I have won the CA 1985 5 gun aggregate rimfire piston championship ,2 NRA National Championships in rim fire pistol silhouette including a 3 gun Aggerate in 1990 which included revolver. I probably have 4000 rounds down range shooting 44 Magnums but I am sure this does not qualify me to respond to the experts on this Forum.
It is interesting that I was the problem and not the firearm. I should get some one eles to shoot it etc. What about the 2nd group dispersion ???
Anyone even give that a thought?? So my good experts, AMF, I am history.

What an (|).