I want a 442 with no lock and a night sight--how do I get there? [Archive]

View Full Version : I want a 442 with no lock and a night sight--how do I get there?

The Dumb Gun Collector

10-23-11, 16:46

Hey guys,

I am thinking about picking up a companion gun for my 442. I need to get another 442 without a lock but I want to get a night sight. Is this possible? Is there enough meat in the front sight to get one in there?

ImBroke

10-23-11, 18:57

I think that tooltech gunsite will do it but their new website doesn't have any pics. I believe it's a really tiny tube and probably won't center in the rear notch.

Sam

10-23-11, 19:26

Crimson Trace 405 is better than any night sight.

Eliakim

10-23-11, 20:35

Try a S&W 340 M&P and remove the silly lock.:shout:

It comes with a nice big tritium front sight. Shoot .38 specials even though it is chambered for .357 mag

David Thomas

10-23-11, 20:36

the 340 can be found without the lock and with rear U notch and XS up front. very similar to the 442

I like the Crimson Trace LG-105 the best.

jb7304

10-25-11, 17:25

I recently had a night sight installed on my no lock 442. The work was done by Mark Hartshorne who owns Pinnacle High Performance. He did a great job and I'm extremely happy with his work.

http://www.pinnacle-guns.com/index.asp

Jake'sDad

10-25-11, 22:37

XS can install one on for you as well.

http://www.xssights.com/index.php?nID=specialty&cID=Specialty%20Products&pID=specialty&sID=gunsmithing

jmoore

10-25-11, 22:40

sjc3081

10-26-11, 01:10

http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/catalog/smith_wesson_basic_packages.html
ck out the j frame package. "

ewenit

10-26-11, 15:46

*Starts ramble*

+1 on the M&P 340. If you can get one without the lock do so. Mine had the lock (it was used and the deal was too good to pass up) and it was very easy to purchase "the plug" and remove it.

I very much understand you not wanting that cursed thing in the first place though. Not only for the chance of accidental engagement but also what it stands for.

As for the night sight on a 442 I don't see why it couldn't be done. I mean people have gold beads put into the sight I couldn't imagine why it couldn't be done with a tritium insert.

*Completes ramble* :lazy2:

Anyways I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor and hope you keep us posted. :D

Sam

10-27-11, 06:27

Greg:
If you really want it bad enough, you can get Hamilton Bowen to do a rear and front sight for your J frame. Here you go:

http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/catalog/smith_wesson_basic_packages.html

usmcvet

11-09-11, 06:14

I bought the first 340PD I saw right after they came out. It has an XS big dot front sight I installed. I dont see an issue with the standard rear grove, it works for me.

usmcvet

11-09-11, 06:21

http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/catalog/smith_wesson_basic_packages.html

I just checked out their website. Very nice work. Much better than mine done at home on the coffee table.

usmcvet

11-09-11, 11:49

I've carried JFrames for the last 20 years. Great little guns. The day I saw this 340PD in the gun shop my 642 came out of my pocket, I traded it in and left with the 340PD. Wish I kept the 642 but needed it to fund the little magnum.

I tried to get some good shots of the XS big dot tritium sight on my 340PD.

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab160/usmcvet0331/Snapbucket/CEDF1457-orig.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab160/usmcvet0331/Snapbucket/DBFA3666-orig.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab160/usmcvet0331/Snapbucket/A8DCC36B-orig.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab160/usmcvet0331/Snapbucket/BFA12519-orig.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab160/usmcvet0331/Snapbucket/9A141971-orig.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab160/usmcvet0331/Snapbucket/61811640-orig.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab160/usmcvet0331/Snapbucket/EDC5897F-orig.jpg

Hizzie

11-10-11, 08:42

S&W 642 customized by Don Williams of The Action Works.

Work completed:

Install custom night sight regulated for 158gr +P LSWCHP
Radius and polish trigger face
"Duty" action job and tune for proper timing
Chamfer charge holes
Stipple back strap
Fit set of Craig Spegel "Centennial" boot grips

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae322/strangler366/Guns%204%20Sale/DSCN1324.jpg

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae322/strangler366/Guns%204%20Sale/DSCN1329.jpg

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae322/strangler366/Guns%204%20Sale/RSCN1340.jpg

http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae322/strangler366/Guns%204%20Sale/RSCN1344.jpg

Hope that helps.

jp0319

11-10-11, 10:00

Hizzie

11-10-11, 10:19

If you don't mind me asking how much was that work? I would love to get that done to my wife's airweight.

JP

I don't mind the asking and wish I had an answer. IIRC the work was done in 2003 and my records are all in storage. It appears Don is still in business and accepting work. http://theactionworks.com/

ImBroke

11-10-11, 12:49

That looks nice. When the front sight is centered in the rear notch, is the tritium visible or do you have to shoot out of the notch to see the tritium?

Hizzie

11-13-11, 20:21

That looks nice. When the front sight is centered in the rear notch, is the tritium visible or do you have to shoot out of the notch to see the tritium?

You shoot out of the notch. Kinda like --O-- With the tritium dot just between the uprights of the rear notch. Really fast and 50' groups can be covered with a paper plate.

Alaskapopo

11-24-11, 23:16

Crimson Trace 405 is better than any night sight.

Except in the day light. I have given up on Crimson trace after going through two grips for my 1911. The switches go bad fairly quick. I had one on a 442 I had and it did not give me issues but I did not shoot that gun much either. Also the laser is fairly quick indoors and at low light outside but it sucks in normal lightling conditions. The big dot night sight on my 340 M&P is easy to use in all conditions.
Pat
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g299/355sigfan/Revolvers/Smith340.jpg

usmcvet

11-25-11, 00:43

I took the lasers out of my Glocks. Both times I've qualified this year I wore my sunglasses. Both times I accidentally engaged my laser and was teased by my officers for cheating. :DBoth times I was unable to see the laser.

RDak

12-01-11, 05:28

I'm sure many of you know but to those who don't, the IL of a S&W is easily removed and if you want to make it more cosmetically pleasing, buy "The Plug" from Bullseye Smith at the S&W forums.

It costs $26, including shipping, and will install in less than 30 minutes.

If you don't want to buy the Plug, just grind off the nub on the lock flag and reinstall.

Very easy fixes to the stupid IL.

ETA: http://smith-wessonforum.com/accessories-misc-sale-trade/143299-fs-plug.html

jhs1969

12-03-11, 10:48

Get whatever you want - then simply remove the lock. I did so on a model 22 (admitedly, a bigger & easier to work on rev). Replaced everything with what is called "the plug". Can be obtained on the S&W forum for a few bucks. Well worth the peace of mind!

john

I was going to start a new thread but thought I'd ask here first. I will pick up a "lock" 642 from a buddy tomorrow, does anyone have a link or can recommend a manual to walk me through the "de-locking" procedure? Next, what exactly is the "plug" and how do I find one? I tried the link provided later in this thread but could not get there.

usmcvet

12-03-11, 17:10

I watched a good tutorial on youtube on this a while back. I think this is the same one.

http://youtu.be/RVPYgohVCNM

RDak

12-04-11, 09:00

I'm sorry OP, I didn't realize you have to be a member to get to my link about the plug.

Here's the basic info:

Want to sell a replacement for the lock "The PLUG". Comes in three sizes - "J" & "K/L/N" and "X" and three colors- stainless (bright or brush), bare steel (Apply your own finish)and Delrin Black (This will match the new blue and the finish on the 300 series guns. The PLUG is $26 each, which includes a pin to hold it inplace. Plugs will be shipped within 10 days after I get the order. You can pay by PayPal at this E-mail Address: Wjohnwitt@aol.com or mail a check to:

John Whitt
P.O.Box 1305
Scott Depot, WV 25560

Please state frame size and color when you order.

Here is a movie that was made by a forum member on how to tear down your gun to remove the lock. The plug comes in a plastic bag that you can put the locks parts in to store.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/redirec...%3DRVPYgohVCNM

You would order the J framed size and in the blued finish.

The video linked by usmcvet above is an excellent one.

ETA: Another important thing to have is the proper screwdriver set so you don bugger up the screws:

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=413/Product/S-W-SCREWDRIVER

If you already have a set of hollow ground screwdrivers you probably won't need the set but it might be something you want anyways.

jhs1969

12-04-11, 23:40

I watched a good tutorial on youtube on this a while back. I think this is the same one.

http://youtu.be/RVPYgohVCNM

Thanks for the link, picked it up ealier today and "de-locked" tonight. Pretty simple process, the video walks you through it quite well. I had planned on getting a new no-lock 442 but a buddy offered his 642 for nearly $200 cheaper than a new one, couldn't say no.:happy:

RDak

12-05-11, 05:26

Glad the video worked for you. It is easy.

Now get the plug!! :)

ColdDeadHands

12-08-11, 10:47

Hizzie

12-08-11, 12:29

Another vote for the 340PD. Just do the math...642 $340 + Sight installation ~ $250, For that money you can almost buy a new 340PD ($656 @ G&R). The only downside is that if you already have holsters for the 642 they might not fit your 340.

$250!!!?????

Who quoted you that price? IIRC mine cost under $100. If I had not been limited to 38+P I would have gone with a 640. IMHO those 2oz (between 642 & 340) are really noticable when shooting. I'd rather touch off 125gr Magnums in the 640 than 158gr+P's in the 642. I consider myself rather recoil tolerant but flyweight guns and +P's are no fun.

ColdDeadHands

12-08-11, 13:23

$250!!!?????

Who quoted you that price? IIRC mine cost under $100. If I had not been limited to 38+P I would have gone with a 640. IMHO those 2oz (between 642 & 340) are really noticable when shooting. I'd rather touch off 125gr Magnums in the 640 than 158gr+P's in the 642. I consider myself rather recoil tolerant but flyweight guns and +P's are no fun.

All depends if you have to ship the firearm - 2 way shipping is easily 110 bucks, add the sight installation to that and you get up there fast.
I think Cylinder & Slide do the XS Bigdot sight install for $120 irc. I've shot 38 Special +P ammo in my 642 and really don't think it's bad. Granted, I wouldn't want to use that combo in a high round count class but then I wouldn't want to use any revolver in a class.

jp0319

12-14-11, 01:55

Another vote for the 340, I just snagged one an M&P 340 from my dealer in the states. Had him put it on layaway for me to pick up when I get home on leave in March. Already has the XS night sight. Going to order the Apex Trigger kit, VZ grips, a couple 5-Star speed loaders, and a Kramer pocket holster and be done.

JP