S&W 442 Failure (Update - Replacement Rcvd)

[williejc]

Looking at my 30 year old M37, I see one bushing that's crimped into the aluminum frame. Your picture reveals two bushings: the smaller recoil bushing with firing pin hole and the larger bushing pressed and probably crimped into the frame. If the smaller bushing is punched out for replacement, then the larger bushing might be loosened. In any case, replacing the larger bushing would require reaming to accept a new one cleanly. Not enough room is present. The aluminum frame likely dictates the procedure.

So, I see a smaller bushing crimped into a larger one, and this larger bushing is pressed and crimped into the frame itself.

[Kilroy]

So if the original gun had sentimental value, would they return it?

[Horseman45]

Any updates on the 442?

[ST911]

Any updates on the 442?

Still waiting. As of the 15th, I was supposed to see it mid-week 20th-24th.

On the upside, the 642 pictured earlier in the thread is getting all my snub work and runs without issue.

[ST911]

Replacement is here.



SW 442-1, sku #150544, ser# CWZ####, born 10/31/2014

The good: Gun is sans lock as requested, a true no-lock and not a factory plugged variant. This gun has an extremely smooth trigger, one of the best I've seen on a NIB J-frame in recent years. Prior to its arrival, I had dug out a spare Apex kit, but will leave it alone for the time being see what more a little dry fire polish will do. I took it to the range and fired 50rds of AE 130gr FMJ and 50rds of Fed RTP 130 FMJ, no issues. The gun shot POA/POI at 7 and 10yd small bullseyes, and stayed on a head at 15yds and high chest at 25yds. That's good enough for now.

The bad: The left stock panel doesn't have enough relief for a speed loader to align and cartridges to feed. Every reload attempt with Safariland Comp 1 and HKS loaders resulted in rounds hanging and much fussing to get the gun back in play. A replacement set will be mandatory for my purposes. Further, the stock screw is a hex head instead of a slotted screw, adding another tool to the range kit.

The timeline:
8/3-8/8, misc comms with LE rep
8/11, call tag received from factory and gun shipped
8/27, contact from factory, gun unrepairable, need FFL for replacement
8/29, FFL sent
9/8, status check requested - no response
9/22, status check requested - no response
10/15, status check requested, replacement allocated, should receive 10/20-10/24
11/3, status check requested, gun is shipping that day, tracking number provided
11/5, gun delivered

[T2C]

It's good to know that it only took 3 months for Smith & Wesson to act on your request.

[SeriousStudent]

What grips will you put on the replacement?

[ST911]

What grips will you put on the replacement?

My utilitarian and aesthetic sides are in conflict. Looking at various Spegel and Eagle (SS) minimalist boot grips. In the interim, I'm going to have to hunt down or cannibalize a set of old UM/Hogue polymer Spegel cuts.

[mkmckinley]

To be fair they probably had to waiit for the next batch of no-locks to be produced.

[SeriousStudent]

Those Secret Service grips are great, I used to have a rosewood pair.