What parts wear out or break in Airweight J-Frames?

[dr. K]

In my experience whether they were bought in the '70s or in 2014, J-Frames are incredibly reliable firearms. Any machine can have parts that wear or break... we don't fuss too much about needing to replace a worn timing belt or an original spark plug in a car, because everyone knows those things need replacing now and then. And even there, the cost is in the labor. In my experience, even the most heavily used J's if they're taken care of, there's no one part you should need to anticipate replacing. If something does end up breaking, and you're the original buyer, Smith will take care of it on their dime. Worst case scenario? You're out a few bucks and 15 minutes on YouTube to take care of it yourself. Say that for the parts and labor on that car you depend on every single day.

Get it, shoot it, enjoy it, take care of it, and in the unlikely event that it needs service, you can cross that bridge when you get to it.

 

[federali]

Extractor Rods & cylinder Dogs

Extractor rods are known to get bent on larger frame revolvers but this would be difficult to do on a J frame as so little of the rod is unsupported. However, replacing the rod is very easy for a gunsmith/armorer, not so for the uninitiated.

With reasonable care, a J frame will last several lifetimes as most are carried much and shot little. I've seen where the cylinder dog (cylinder advance) eventually wears out and needs to be replaced on heavily used wheel guns. I've never seen this on a J frame.

 

[ADP3]

My remedy is not only a few spare parts on hand but an extra gun (or three). One of my 442's is a range gun. It's the one that gets shot all the time. Another is my carry gun. It's had several hundred rounds through it, but it's role is as a carry gun. When it gets shot these days it's just to burn the carry ammo so fresh ammo can be loaded. Then there are the backups in case one of the primary guns has to go in for work or gets stolen. The only concern I have these days is finding enough powder to keep them fed.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[Bat Guano]

Bought my wife an Airweight J in 1977. In the mid-80s I put a bunch of +P+ Treasury Loads through it which knocked it out of time. Sent it back to S&W where it was fixed. Needless to say I backed off a little, to wadcutters and standard velocity stuff. Well, except for the FBI rounds for carry...

The M37 has somewhere north of 1000 rounds through it. My 442 has more. Both have considerable finish wear from years of carry, but zero issues otherwise. Have never had the sideplate off the 442.

My alarm clock finally died last night, so I guess it's all relative.

 

[Groo01]

What parts break or wear out on J-Frame Airweights?

I have broken Transfer bar safeties, but what other parts break.

Can you buy a transfer bar safety or is this a return to S&W customer service case and are most breakdowns returns these days?

Groo here
What wears out first???
Your Hand !!!!!!!

 

[gwpercle]

Carry two if you are that concerned about malfunctions.
Is three enough is six too many? Depends on paranoia level

 

[wolverine]

Afternoon Practical;

I have a 442 that probably has well over 3000 round through it & maybe half as many dry fires.

I had to shim the hammer & trigger a while back as it was getting lots of side play in both.

Trigger pin shows a LOT of wear on it (would probably be even worse if I hadn't lightened the trigger pull years ago)

It has now gotten to the point that it won't make lock up on 2 cyl positions at very slow trigger pull so I would imagine both the hand & ratchet are worn.
(still locks up on fast trigger pull)

Cylinder notches also show a lot of wear & peening but it still holds cylinder lock once the lock drops in.

Was a nice little pocket gun when I got it, just made to be carried more than shot & at times I have shot it more than carried it.