Carry Gun Dilemma

[John Wayne]

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.

 

[Hardtarget]

Send it for repair. You liked/wanted the gun when you bought it. You'll like it better when its fixed. Well...thats what I would do.

Mark

 

[easyg]

Yep. Send it back to S&W now, before it gets worse and poses a danger to yourself or anyone else shooting it.

 

[carbuncle]

Send it in, S&W will take care of you.

 

[TeamPrecisionIT]

If you haven't dealt with S&W customer service, you are in for a treat. Seriously, they are top shelf when it comes to CS and you will not be disappointed. And somehow you will end up with something free for your troubles.

Damian

 

[devildog32713]

Not a huge fan of revolvers, I would reccomend a Glock 26 subcompact, just a personal choice, if you like your carry gun to be smaller, A Ruger LCP is a superb firearm.

 

[frankt]

Call S&W, they will send you a link to download a free shipping label and Fed-Ex will pick up the gun at your door if you want.
S&W will make it right or replace it.

 

[John Wayne]

Well, the thing is that I know the gun didn't have an endshake problem when I bought it. I specifically checked to make sure everything was good and tight. A 1200 round life seems way too short--and my previous experience with revolvers is starting to make me believe that they are of a less robust design than modern autos.


On a side note, what is S&W's policy regarding the internal lock? Like, if it were to be, say, missing when sent in for repair Will that prevent them from doing any warranty-related work they would have done otherwise?

 

[IlikeSA]

Send it to them, then trade it to get the subcompact semi-auto you want or switch to another brand revolver.

 

[seattleshooter]

For whatever people think of S&W, their customer service is incredible. They will send you a Fed-Ex mailing label (for free); you drop it off and it usually takes 1 to 2 weeks and it's delivered back to you door step (you have to sign for it).

 

[Haifisch]

If you haven't dealt with S&W customer service, you are in for a treat. Seriously, they are top shelf when it comes to CS and you will not be disappointed. And somehow you will end up with something free for your troubles.

Damian

That's because they get a Lot of Practice.

 

[dogrunner]

Don't worry about it, hell fire, I have a M/19 that I bought used, had the factory refinish it, carried it as a duty gun for way over twenty, and even tho it's had way, way over 50M thru it, still shoots well.

That 19 has end shake and there is notable side movement on lockup, still the accuracy is STILL there, and to this day I would STILL trust it with my life.

By the way, bought that gun from a pawn shop in 1966!

 

[Old Guy]

S&W has a life time warranty does it not? Contact them and send it back. It can not wear out. I am not a fan of revolvers, I like hand guns with a lot of bullets.

But, something that can go in your pants pocket, that you can have your hand on as you walk down the street, seems like a good idea to me.

 

[chieftain]

I carry my lightweights and shoot my all steel "J" frames. The all steel frame J frame I shoot is my 649 in stainless.

Sort of like the old "Swede" used to recommend for agents/LEO's carrying Colts. Shoot, practice and train with an all steel Government model, carry a Lightweight Commander and shoot it a few times a year to assure function.

I have tried to follow this old "Gun man's" gem of experience. Even if a steel analog is not available, get a second one to shoot, and keep one to carry. I do this with steel guns too.

If I am going to carry a gun to potentially to fight with, I get a second copy. Get them both through my own "certification" program. That way if my primary carry goes down or is not available, I have an analog replacement. The concept is to keep one reasonably unfired yet tested, so the one I carry will usually only have a few rounds through it five to ten thousand rounds. The shooter is the one that will get the big numbers. 25, 50 thousand plus rounds.

That's how I keep my carry 642 from shooting itself apart. I like the unique capability the 642 and 638 give me. (I have both models and in the case of the "Bodyguard" family almost all of the earlier variants too) The ability To shoot through a pocket, and/or from out of the sleeping bag or under the blankets. Nothing else offers that kind of reliable capability.

Just the way I learned and worked it out. It worked for me. I started carrying for business back in 1966, long enough to see, different approaches work or not.

Good luck with your journey.

Fred