John Wayne
Member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2007
- Messages
- 1,133
I have a S&W 442 Airweight in .38 Special. I bought this gun new about a year ago and it has about 1,200 rounds through it (this is a pretty accurate figure, +/- 20). Recently, I've noticed that the cylinder has been developing a progressively worse case of endshake--there is still very little side-to-side play, but the cylinder moves forward when I push it.
So far, this has not affected the trigger pull, and the cylinder hasn't seized up. It does, on occasion, scrape the forcing cone when dry firing (even when the cylinder face is clean).
I got this gun to replace a Kel-Tec P3AT, which was unreliable. The Airweight has proved 100% reliable and accurate for a gun its size, but I'm wondering how much life it has left in it. I had a model 10 with a similar problem, that eventually got so bad the cylinder would bind in mid-trigger squeeze. Not something I want to happen with a carry gun.
Most of the rounds through this gun have been "target" level handloads, using Trail Boss Powder. Approximately 400 of the rounds were factory, 150 of which were +P. The gun is +P rated (stamped on the barrel). I know some people say these guns are meant to be "carried a lot and shot a little," but I try to practice as much as possible with my carry gun. I have auto pistols with 3k + rounds through them that haven't even had springs changed yet, but I've had three revolvers (1 Taurus, 2 S&W) that had timing/cylinder related problems, which leaves me wondering if a sub-compact auto would be a better replacement for the 442. I know some people that carry Airweights also have a steel variant they use for practice, but I cannot (financially) afford to have two guns that do the same thing.
I'm not really sure what to do though, as you can tell by the poll. Up to this point I was really happy with the gun, enjoy shooting it, shoot it well, and it carries more easily than just about anything else I've tried in its price range. If there's an option I've missed, please post your thoughts.
So far, this has not affected the trigger pull, and the cylinder hasn't seized up. It does, on occasion, scrape the forcing cone when dry firing (even when the cylinder face is clean).
I got this gun to replace a Kel-Tec P3AT, which was unreliable. The Airweight has proved 100% reliable and accurate for a gun its size, but I'm wondering how much life it has left in it. I had a model 10 with a similar problem, that eventually got so bad the cylinder would bind in mid-trigger squeeze. Not something I want to happen with a carry gun.
Most of the rounds through this gun have been "target" level handloads, using Trail Boss Powder. Approximately 400 of the rounds were factory, 150 of which were +P. The gun is +P rated (stamped on the barrel). I know some people say these guns are meant to be "carried a lot and shot a little," but I try to practice as much as possible with my carry gun. I have auto pistols with 3k + rounds through them that haven't even had springs changed yet, but I've had three revolvers (1 Taurus, 2 S&W) that had timing/cylinder related problems, which leaves me wondering if a sub-compact auto would be a better replacement for the 442. I know some people that carry Airweights also have a steel variant they use for practice, but I cannot (financially) afford to have two guns that do the same thing.
I'm not really sure what to do though, as you can tell by the poll. Up to this point I was really happy with the gun, enjoy shooting it, shoot it well, and it carries more easily than just about anything else I've tried in its price range. If there's an option I've missed, please post your thoughts.
Last edited: