Earlier this summer, I found some unusual wear on the hammer nose bushing of my S&W model 442-2. It started as minor deformation at or about the viewer’s 3:00 position (shooter’s 9:00) in the photo below. As it was causing no issues at the time, I elected to watch it as it progressively increased to what you see pictured.
In early August, I shot 94 rounds through this 442 during an IDPA match. After the match, I noted all new deformation at 6:00 on the bushing. There also seemed to be a faint crack developing across it, but I was unable to capture it in the photo.
This gun is serial number DCU####, in service since ~04/2011, and has fired 1,819 rounds to date.
L/R View
Fast response from my S&W LE rep got a call tag to me quickly (8/11) and I shipped the gun to MA. I heard back from the factory on or about 08/27 and learned the gun was not repairable. Staff in MA requested an FFL for shipment of a replacement, which was transmitted with receipt confirmed on 08/29. Noting that the gun was a no-lock 442, a replacement without a lock was specifically requested. Status checks to MA thereafter on 09/08 and 09/22 have gone unanswered.
As I await that response and replacement, does anyone have any theories on causality? Is it a simple part quality anomaly, or are there other visible indications of a larger issue with this particular frame? Armorer inspection revealed all else to be in spec, with no excess play or other problem. A check of a couple dozen other Js shows no similar wear patterns. That includes a 642 BUG at ~2k rounds (documented), and others with higher counts (reported). I do perceive some greater visible wear compared to some of those others, but that’s subjective.
All thoughts appreciated.
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Originally Posted by warpedcamshaft
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