My new 442 airweight

[Edmo]

Another vote for Mika's pocket holsters. I was starting to carry my 442 in one when I discovered the frame crack. The 642-1 that is replacing it will ride in either Mika pocket or IWB holster depending on the situation.

I keep reading about these frame cracks... Did I choose poorly with my 642?

Edmo

 

[GaryS]

I keep reading about these frame cracks... Did I choose poorly with my 642?

Edmo

It seems to be hit or miss. My 442 was a very early production (Sept 1993) on the original J frame Airweight. I never noticed the crack until about two months ago when I read the thread on this forum and decided to take a look. Look up the thread "The dreaded frame crack" and you'll see mine and other stories.

The good news is that S&W will stand behind the revolvers. In my case the bad news was that they don't make the non "J Magnum" frames any longer and so I couldn't get it repaired, it had to be replaced. If your 642 should crack, what they are likely to do is replace the frame and barrel and transfer the rest of your parts over to the new frame.

So, the bottom line is even if something does happen S&W will stand behind it.

So, I would say no, you didn't chose poorly because you bought a product by a company that will repair or replace your 642 if the need arises.

 

[Edmo]

It seems to be hit or miss. My 442 was a very early production (Sept 1993) on the original J frame Airweight. I never noticed the crack until about two months ago when I read the thread on this forum and decided to take a look. Look up the thread "The dreaded frame crack" and you'll see mine and other stories.

The good news is that S&W will stand behind the revolvers. In my case the bad news was that they don't make the non "J Magnum" frames any longer and so I couldn't get it repaired, it had to be replaced. If your 642 should crack, what they are likely to do is replace the frame and barrel and transfer the rest of your parts over to the new frame.

So, the bottom line is even if something does happen S&W will stand behind it.

So, I would say no, you didn't chose poorly because you bought a product by a company that will repair or replace your 642 if the need arises.

Good on S&W for fully standing behind their products... Bad on S&W for continuing to sell a gun which apparently has a design issue. Have they made efforts to fix the problem which causes the cracks?

One day an owner of an Airweight J-model might need to bet his/her life on it. If it is me, I don't want to have to wonder if my gun has a cracked frame and if it will affect the outcome. Functionality in a self-defense firearm is something I don't take that lightly!

I do like my little 642, but I check the "crack area" every time I come back from the range.

Edmo

 

[photoman]

I keep reading about these frame cracks... Did I choose poorly with my 642?

Edmo

Not unless you plan on buying 10000 of them.