Is my 442 barrel stripped?! Please help

[6Gunslinger]

I just picked up my new 442 (transfer to local FFL) and upon closely inspecting the barrel where it attaches to the frame I'm seeing some filings like when you strip a bolt. See pics. The barrel doesn't have a gap and looks to be straight... I'm guessing they assemble these after finishing the parts individually? could this just be where the finish came off a little bit and it wasn't cleaned up? It's a no lock model and was hard to find so while I want to make sure it's a 100% safe before firing, it'll be a bummer if I have to send it back or in to S&W. You guys are the experts, whatdaya think? Fingers are crossed that's it normal, but I'm doubting it....

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It's hard to see in those pictures. What did the dealer say about it?

BTW, not to worry if you need to send it back to S&W. The no lock Centennial frame is a regular catalog item so the frames are in stock if yours needs to be replaced.

 

[Fremmer]

I think you're just seeing some excess shavings from manufacturing. Clean it up and tell us how she looks.
And i can see lands in your bore, so the barrels not stripped.

 

[6Gunslinger]

Thanks guys. I actually had to go back down to the shop to fill my DL# in on one of the forms, so I got to ask their armor about it and he said about the same thing, cleaned it up for me and put some more bluing on it which was very cool and now it looks fine. I'm sure it's ok, he just said to check for any signs of separation after firing. I feel much better now, but thanks, nice to know S&W would take care of it and that they have no lock frames now.

What is it that you said you can see in the barrel?

Thanks again for the responses, will update after the next range visit! Too bad it's probably gonna rain again tomorrow.

 

[Robert B]

Just shavings.

I have owned five aluminun or scandium J frames. Four of them came with one shiny shaving where the bbl screws into the frame. Cosmetic only. I removed the shaving each time, and the guns were all shooting fine. Can't be a problem if most of the J frames that are alloy have this. Enjoy that 442 no lock. I have one, and it's one of my favorite CCW guns.

 

[Fremmer]

I was referring to the lands, the raised rifling inside your barrel. If the barrel were stripped or messed up, I would expect to see gouges or nicks or something else wrong, but what little bore i can see from the pic looks fine.
Although the bore has nothing to do with the barrel stripping off...

 

[6Gunslinger]

Thanks Robert, very comforting to hear that! Fremmer thanks, I didn't know that term, learn something new everyday.

Yeah, it's cool that S&W test fire these, so you know it's not gonna blow up! Do all manufacturers do this? Maybe it's law and I don't realize... in any case, glad they do. Weather is letting up, I just may be able to enjoy this baby today, we'll see...

 

[Fremmer]

The first time I removed the bolt on my new remington 700 rifle I had to clean up shavings, too. Shoots great.

 

[Jaymo]

Gotta love paying high dollar prices for a gun and finding flaws.

 

[Jim K]

Just another happy internet gun buyer. I won't ask how much you saved, but if you had bought that gun at your local dealer, he would be helping you with your questions if you had any. I can't tell, but that line looks almost like clear thread locker (Loc Tite or similar) and that thought raises all kinds of interesting possibilities, like a stripped barrel glued in and the gun peddled quick to some suck... I mean astute bargain seeker, like you.

Jim

 

[stealth]

My no-lock didn't have any shavings.

But your pictures of the beautiful unfired 442 had me thinking "I should get another one!", although I have no idea why.. I already HAVE one.

By the way, They seem to get even better as you use them. The more time goes by the more I appreciate mine for what it is.

Anyway, Pretty gun!

BTW: No locks arent rare anymore, If anything I've seen them increase in number the past few years. Good on ya S&W, wised up.

PS To Jim K: I also bought mine from the Internet, obviously from a reputable dealer.

 

[Armed012002]

Welcome to the club.

I've owned a 686, 642, 442, M&P full size, and M&P compact and every one of them had cosmetic defects.

Smith & Wesson fixed every one of them too, but it's nevertheless annoying when you buy five guns and send five back to the factory because their quality assurance people are asleep behind the wheel.

 

[skt239]

My 637's hammer cracked after my first range trip. I sent it back to S&W and for some reason they changed the hammer and the frame. I wasn't given an explanation but it got fixed and I haven't had any problems since.

 

[buck460XVR]

Gotta love paying high dollar prices for a gun and finding flaws.

I dunno.....approximately $375 for a quality DA revolver with a lifetime warranty doesn't seem like "high dollar" to me. Especially when it comes with S&W's customer service. Compare it to Ruger's offering in a lightweight snubby .38 special and you pay another $50 and get no warranty whatsoever.

 

[sixgunner455]

That barrel is a crush-fit, so I'd expect to see something there showing that it was actually pushed into the frame. I think my 642 still has a bit of a shaving there, and I've been carrying and shooting it for 8 years.

 

[Fremmer]

By the way, that's a cool little gun, congrats!

 

[nickn10]

My new 438 has that same shiny ring where the barrel joins the frame. I didn't notice it until when I was cleaning it after firing about 50 +P rounds through it. I thought I was going to have to chase the barrel down range if it blew off! Anyway I have shot it a bunch more since then and I'm glad to hear this a common on these models. It sure is a fun gun to shoot.

 

[ATW525]

Last 442 i saw in a display case had the same ring. I was looking to buy one at the time and I ended buying a Beretta Nano instead, because I decided I didn't want to take a chance on it.

 

[Fremmer]

So the ring Might be normal or irrelevant.

 

[Seven High]

What does crush fit mean?