As an owner of a 442 "Pro" (aka "Moonclip") already... I can see where this might interest a lot of folks on PF. I somehow doubt that PF alone could pull the numbers to get S&W to do a custom or semi-custom batch of guns. Having a batch done up by a smith may be more realistic, but getting everyone to agree to a "standard" is probably going to be hard.
My dream snubby probably goes something like the previously mentioned ideas: pinned or dovetailed front sight, some kind of improved rear sight, ~2.5" tube and a longer extractor stroke to go with it, .357 chamber (I mean, the guns are really mostly sized for .357 already, and options are good, and so are 170gr Keith SWC's...), Airlight or scandium doesn't matter that much to me, but I'd like to have the lanyard pin/loop that the scandium guns have. Going the the scandium style frame with the stronger stainless pins for the guts makes sense to me. Trigger work.... meh, I'll shoot it a bunch, just stick a slightly lighter spring kit in there to start with ( Apex, Wilson Combat, whatever). Corrosion resistant finishes (PVD etc) on components would be nice.
I'm agnostic on them being cut for moon clips: I carry my current Pro with a clip in the gun, but use strips/Comp-I's for reloads. The clipped cartridges in the gun do make admin loading/unloading easier, and may possibly improve extraction from the gun. The clips are expensive from TK, and I don't know of any other sources for them. Clip fit varies significantly brand to brand on the brass, and even type to type. RA38B with nickle cases fits my blued TK clips loosely... 130gr WWB ball is very tight on the same clips. They make brand/brass specific clips, but they all seem pretty fragile to me. A bent clip can tie up the cylinder. If clips could be had for half of TK's current price structure, I'd be more inclined to desire it as a feature.
My Pro had to go back to S&W after I found it shooting pretty far left. Close inspection revealed that the barrel was clocked to the right of center. Not much "Pro" about that. I have been contemplating selling my 442 and finding an M&P340 lately...
The above in red but I’ll default to the majority rule as long as it doesn’t get too cost prohibitive.
I wouldn’t mind seeing a 640 with a .38Spl cylinder and a traditional style barrel from a 642 someday again too, ala 640 no dash.
What about something unique like the 40-1/42-1 Classics from a few years back but with the ability to pin the safety like the originals which wasn’t on the Classics.
Last edited by cathellsk; 09-09-2018 at 10:33 PM.
The yoke on my M&P 340 was mismachined and had to be replaced before I ever shot it. When it came back, they'd allowed beavers to chew on the ratchet. Fortunately, they sent me a new extractor free of charge.
The 640 Pro I bought went back to the factory (I didn't transfer it) along with a bunch of other stock that online dealer had because the yoke thrust surface hadn't been finished to fit in the frame when closed.
I assume crown correction will be required on any new S&W revolver.
There's almost nothing you could tell me you'd seen on a new S&W that I wouldn't believe.
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Not another dime.
Yeah, I've seen your pictures. Horrible. I will say that S&W turned my 442 around fairly quickly, and it does shoot a lot closer to the sights than it did before. There is a reason I'm hunting for an old 60-10 vs buying a new 3" Model 60 with a soul leaking hole... and it isn't JUST the hole. I'm not a revolver guru at all, but it's sad that they seem to place final QC of a lifesaving device into the hands of the end user these days.
1.) 442 preferred, but a 642 would be okay.
2.) Factory rear is fine. Tritium front.
3.) 158gr LSWC
4.) 25 yards
5.) Yes on the action work.
6.) 1 gun for sure.
7.) Chamfer the cylinders.
Just checked and 642 no-lock SKU 103810A is showing on the California roster, pending verification of availability that means I'm in.
1) Base gun - 642
2) Sight preferences - anything easy to see, I'm happy with the setup on my M&P 340
3) Ammo preference - 148 HBWC
4) Zero distance - 15yds
5) Action Work (Yes/No) - Yes
6) Quantity of Guns - 1
7) Additional things you might want (dehorn/chamfer/end shake correction, etc) - Chamfer cylinders, crown barrel
Last edited by Salamander; 09-10-2018 at 12:15 AM.
Yes. Yes you are. Thanks for collating all this. So then:
1) Base gun 442/642, no lock. I own a 642 that works
2) Sight preferences 43c/351c front/rear, but with tritium on the front, if possible from our smith of choice (SOC)
3) Ammo preference 148 wadcutter will get me close enough to Kentucky
4) Zero distance anything from 15-25, as others note.
5) Action Work (Yes/No) hell yes
6) Quantity of Guns 1 for sure, maybe 2 depending on final specs. If we can send our guns, two for sure, since I’m not short on J-frames
7) Additional things you might want (dehorn/chamfer/end shake correction, etc). if we get sights and a trigger via action hone (a good duty tune will take into account endshake and timing corrections, etc), I’ll sit down and take "yes" for an answer. If there’s cylinder chamber chamfering consensus, I’ll still take "yes" for an answer... stock grips, as you note, we will all install our own—including the Taurus grip queers
Last edited by Totem Polar; 09-10-2018 at 12:55 AM.
I'm not going down the debate rabbit hole regarding candidates for our next president in 2024, but I am truly and completely tired of this particular asshole.
-1911nut