New S&W 642...A Little Bummed

Take it to a good gunsmith and get the front site adjusted so it shoots on target. If I remember right (big 'if), I think the front site would need to be filed down a bit to put the gun on target.

If you shorten the front sight, you'll raise the point of impact.

I have a nickeled Model 21 .44 Special. It would not eject. I traced the problem to nickel build-up in the chamber mouths. A few minutes with a file sorted it, but I do not understand how this gun could have passed inspection. The gun also leaded badly, which was due to .427" ball end diameters with a .431" bore. Also fixed, but also disappointing.

I bought a Model 22 TR in .45 Auto. Case heads drag on the recoil shield to the point that the gun cannot be cycled double action. This will be fixed under warranty -- there is warranty repair shop within driving distance -- but again I do not understand how this gun could have made it out of inspection.

I am still a fan of S&W and intend to buy more, but it seems to me that they need to step up their quality control a bit, especially considering how much they are charging these days.

At 7 yards (21 feet) I would expect the trjectory to be going up, as the sights are usually regulated to shoot to point-of-aim at 20 yards. Be that as it may, changing ammunition might bring the shots closer to where you want them without altering the gun. Do some experimenting.

To add: If I did decide to alter the revolver, I wouldn't weld up the sight. A better way would be to remove the front sight and mill a dovetail in the rib. A dovetail-style sight could be installed that had a higher blade, and the base driven in the dovetail to correct for windage (if that was necessary). You could zero any load you wanted to use, at any distance.

Dunno

I took my new 642 to the range on Friday and was all over the target at 7 yds. I was using 130 grn ammo and really wasn't used to the trigger. My groups did tighten towards the end of the session but by then I was out of ammo.

Today I'm going back with 150 rds, this time of 158 gr standard pressure stuff (likely Monarch from Academy - my M85 likes it). I'll concentrate more on trigger pull and sight picture.

I wouldn't panic or consider altering the revolver for awhile - took me 400-500 rounds through my M85 before I had it dialed in to 3-4" grps center of target at 7 yds.

I have alot of respect for how tough it is to master a snubby and this one being smaller and lighter and brand new will take some getting used to. Great excuse for range time and ammo expense tho'

If the new one is no lock then am I correct in assuming that it's used? If so it's possible that a former owner had the front sight shortened.

What is the difference in the trigger pull between them? If the no lock has a lighter pull than the one with the lock that could explain the difference. That extra trigger weight could be causing the barrel to drop a touch when fired. It only takes a smidge for a 3" difference.

I'd contact S&W to see what options they can offer.

I'd send it back to S&W and have them make it right.

You were shooting at night. That could be the problem. Low light. Try it in the daytime and maybe different ammo before you do anything drastic.

First I would try different types of ammo. Some guns like one weight while other like another. I would NOT file or add anything without first trying different ammo. Some guns need some breaking in on the rifling, when it smooths out, it changes the point of impact. Glock are know for this. Many shoot to the left when new then smooth out and shoot to point of impact. My Colts where made in the 50's and 60's when 158 lead was what they sighted these guns in for, but both my guns shoot 125 Nyclads with tight groups and to point of impact.

I hope we don't start to see lots of QC issues with these no-lock guns. I have read that S/W basically bolted up a bunch of their old stock parts to make them...

Let's hope this is an outlier and not a trend.

Nod

Yeah - I put another 150 rds of 158 gr standard pressure through mine today. Seems to shoot 2-3 inches to the left and about 3 inches high BUT concentrating can deliver some 4" grps at 7 yrds POA. Takes some concentrating though.

Hope I''m still (at 270 yds total) in the dial in phase of this revolver. I've got two boxes of my carry load (BB Standard pressure .38's - a VERY accurate load) arriving for testing and 1000 rds of Ga Arms 158 gr +P round on order. As well by next weekend, I'll probably be shooting with some Secret Service grips I ordered from Eagle Grips.

If improvement in minimal then I might even try some Pachmayer Concealment Grips, which I have on both my SP 101 and my M85, with excellent results. If those don't work, then i'll be bummed out.

This revolver is just too easy to carry not to give a rigorous dial in period, but eventually you have to face reality. It would be ironic if I went back to my M85 or SP 101 for carry - those two revolvers I have absolute confidence in my ability to be accurate with.

Old Fuff said :changing ammunition might bring the shots closer to where you want them without altering the gun. Do some experimenting.

Click to expand...

cocojo said: First I would try different types of ammo. Some guns like one weight while other like another.

Click to expand...

IMO, "Old Fuff" and "cocojo" gave you the correct advise before you do anything else. Look for the simple solution first!!

Don

At 7 yards (21 feet) I would expect the trjectory to be going up, as the sights are usually regulated to shoot to point-of-aim at 20 yards. Be that as it may, changing ammunition might bring the shots closer to where you want them without altering the gun. Do some experimenting.

Click to expand...

I don't think that trajectory would be that extreme, but different ammo might help. It seems like you are on the right track.

HB

STOP~!

My suggestion is- DO NOT SELL ANY PERSONAL FIREARMS RIGHT NOW~!

The political race is "up in the air" at best; and NO ONE can clearly see
the outcome of the November Presidential election. If anything, we need
to be buying more firearms and stockpiling plenty of ammunition~!

There is NO excuse for a brand new Smith to be shooting like that. If I was you I would dump that POS ASAP!






Just send it to me and I will get rid of it for you.....


I would have loved to have gotten my hands on one of those. I would do what I needed to do to get it shooting to POA. Your idea of shooting one and carrying the other sounds perfect.

weisse52, run, do not walk, to FBMG in Draper. As of this morning, they had 2 of the no-lock 642's available.

btw Phydeaux, Crimson Trace grips would solve your aiming problem...

Thanks. On my way to FBMG! I was looking for an excuse anyway.

I recently purchased a 642 for my wife's CCW (when I can finally convince her to take the classes). Shooting GD 125 LEO ammo it shoots on once you get used to the trigger which is very heavy. I have A CT sight on it and it really helped in dry firing this heavy trigger. I plan to send it off to lessen the the trigger pull. I wanted the DAO but this puppy has heavy trigger pull.

Turk

So, wiesse, did you get one?