The Definitive Model 40/42 Thread

[los]

Thanks los. The issue I have with the back-strap safety is it has to be gripped just right, at least on mine, or the trigger won't pull. It puts a little bit of doubt as to whether it would perform in a situation it may / could be needed.

Your 40 looks great as stock or with the stags.

Thanks, golfer.

Have you considered adding a T-Grip to enhance and obtain a firmer grip?

 

[flgolfer29]

Thanks, golfer.

Have you considered adding a T-Grip to enhance and obtain a firmer grip?

My original intent was to add the T-Grip even before I received the gun. With the T-Grip are the fingers that grip it crammed under the trigger guard?

Now the rest of the story. When I took possession of the 40 it had lots of handling marks, finger prints, oil, etc.., so I went ahead and cleaned it. I used Hopps #9 to run through the barrel and cylinder holes. Obviously, not thinking clearly I rubbed the side plates with the Hopps to clean off oily residue. This particular model has the shiney blued finish. The finish is no longer shiney, I'm very distraught !!

Based on what others have posted, I'm going shortly to get some non-abrasive wax to try and bring back the shine.

Any thoughts ???

thanks,
Joe

 

[29aholic]

My original intent was to add the T-Grip even before I received the gun. With the T-Grip are the fingers that grip it crammed under the trigger guard?

Now the rest of the story. When I took possession of the 40 it had lots of handling marks, finger prints, oil, etc.., so I went ahead and cleaned it. I used Hopps #9 to run through the barrel and cylinder holes. Obviously, not thinking clearly I rubbed the side plates with the Hopps to clean off oily residue. This particular model has the shiney blued finish. The finish is no longer shiney, I'm very distraught !!

Based on what others have posted, I'm going shortly to get some non-abrasive wax to try and bring back the shine.

Any thoughts ???

thanks,
Joe

Joe
unless you have big meaty hands the T-grip is perfect for these guns. I added mine for the same reason, it helps in disengaging the grip safety.
Go to wally world and get you a can of Johnson's Paste Wax (~$5.00) clean all of the Hoppe's residue off the gun, you might try scalding hot water, and wax the gun like you would a car. Apply the wax and let it haze over, then wipe off with a clean soft cloth. The shine will come back.

 

[los]

Try a very small (just a thin dab) of Mothers aluminum polish. Rub it on gently and take it off and buff lightly with a soft cotton rag.

That should restore the lustrous blue finish.

AMENDED.... or follow 29s recommendation as stated above..

 

[flgolfer29]

Thanks Curtis & los. I'm headed to Wally world right now and try bringing back that lustrous blue finish.

Maybe, I'll be able to find a t-grip at the gun show this weekend and give it a try.

Thanks, again !
joe

 

[Thunderball]

I'd say mine has a precise solid fit. What's your definition of a "large gap"?

I can see the front of the cylinder through the gap between the yoke and frame!

I sent some pictures to S&W at the e-mail address on their website to see what they think.

I am work right now and cannot post any pictures. But when I get home this evening I will put a few up.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Here's my Model 40-1, shipped in November, 2007 (fired case dated 11/01/07) and purchased new by me 1/26/08. I added the grip adapter to give more purchase on the grip safety, which is fairly stout to compress. Serial number is DBJ90XX. It would appear that the 40-1 series was therefore introduced in 2007, not 2008 as stated in the original post.

 

[los]

I can see the front of the cylinder through the gap between the yoke and frame!

I sent some pictures to S&W at the e-mail address on their website to see what they think.

I am work right now and cannot post any pictures. But when I get home this evening I will put a few up.

Please post a few pics when you can.

I'm relatively new to the world of revolvers so I can't give you an opinion based on experience. I will say that of the many hundreds of photos of M40s I've seen and uploaded to my computer, none demonstrate a gap large enough to look unusual.

Let us know what Smith advices.

 

[los]

Here's my Model 40-1, shipped in November, 2007 (fired case dated 11/01/07) and purchased new by me 1/26/08. I added the grip adapter to give more purchase on the grip safety, which is fairly stout to compress. Serial number is DBJ90XX. It would appear that the 40-1 series was therefore introduced in 2007, not 2008 as stated in the original post.

My grip safety compresses fairly easily for me. I ordered the T-Grip because my hands are a tad saskatchewan and the factory stocks were a little thin. I recently purchased a set of Stags from a fellow member and after receiving them I was really glad I ordered the t-grip, as the stags are thinner than the factory stocks.

FYI, my 40-1 was shipped out if the factory in June/2009.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Just as a matter of historical interest, here's some pics of an original Centennial instruction sheet. I can't find a date on it, so your guess is as good as mine. Probably before 1957, as there is no reference to "Model 40."

 

[los]

Hello, Paladin. Thanks for posting the vintage instruction sheet.

I thought this illustration was pretty nice..

Here's a few close-up photos of my 40's mechanism. I was very surprised to see that the parts didn't contain lube or oil. Not even at the friction and pivoting points. So I lubed and oiled it a little before the side plate was replaced.

 

[TLflag]

Model 40

I have three model 40's. One #3562 is new in the red box; 4 screw; flat latch; matching grips; blue: another #5536 is 4 screw; flat latch; matching grips; blue: the other is L3978 new in the box; 3 screw; matching grips; nickel.

 

[Dakota Iron]

Jeeez no wonder I can" find one of these. Nice thread, this is why this board is so popular.

 

[Thunderball]

Frame / yoke gap

 

[los]

Looks like a [QC] fitment issue. When did you first notice the gap?

Does the crane/cylinder produce solid lock-up?

 

[Thunderball]

Noticed it last time I shot and cleaned it about 3 weeks ago. I sent pictures off to S&W. Haven't heard back.

It locks up and shoots fine.

I got the other 2 out of the safe last night and gave them a quick look and they seem to be ok.

 

[los]

BTW, Paladin..NICE T-Grip..!!

Is that the #1 ? I'm assuming it's the miror polished finish..?

I called Tyler MFG and placed my order last week. Spoke to the company manager, Brian. Really nice gentleman. We shared good conversation and he assured me that the tgrip would be made and shipped shortly.

 

[los]

Noticed it last time I shot and cleaned it about 3 weeks ago. I sent pictures off to S&W. Haven't heard back.

It locks up and shoots fine.

The gap probably looks much worse in the photos. I'm hopeful that S&W will see it as a [cosmetic] fitment issue and not something that compromises the structural integrity of the handgun.

 

[PALADIN85020]

BTW, Paladin..NICE T-Grip..!!

Is that the #1 ? I'm assuming it's the miror polished finish..?

I called Tyler MFG and placed my order last week. Spoke to the company manager, Brian. Really nice gentleman. We shared good conversation and he assured me that the tgrip would be made and shipped shortly.

I dunno about the number. I bought it used off of eBay based on the photo that was posted. I have ordered T-grips directly from Tyler in recent years and had problems. I ordered a black one for a Colt Detective Special. When it finally arrived, it had a paint run on one side. I sent it back, and they sent me another one which had the same exact problem. I sent that one back, and finally got one that was presentable. I explained to them that I wanted to photograph the gun with the adapter for an article in the Blue Press (November, 2008 issue) and that what they had sent so far was not exactly photogenic. Third time was a charm. They were very apologetic, but it appears their QC was spotty. Hope you get a good one.

John

 

[los]

I have three model 40's. One #3562 is new in the red box; 4 screw; flat latch; matching grips; blue: another #5536 is 4 screw; flat latch; matching grips; blue: the other is L3978 new in the box; 3 screw; matching grips; nickel.

Nice vintage collection, in deed.

Are any "lettered"? If so, please provide shipping dates and I'll add the info to the Time Line.

Thanks..!