Sparks during dry fire?

[Flexmoney]

I saw this on another forum, looking for input. I thought I'd post it here.

On a local CCW forum, I happened to mention that I had just picked up a new 442. A guy PM'ed me and said that he had just bought one as well and that when he dry-fired it he was seeing a spark. I told him he might want to call S&W since that sounded weird (mine doesn't do it and I've never heard of that happening). He e-mailed S&W and got a reply back saying that it was normal.

Anyway, I told him I'd ask around...

this was the reply he got back from Smith:

...

Hello, the firing pin is and bushing are Titanium and they will spark, this is normal.

PG

???

[CJDOUBLETAP]

huh? Doesn't sound normal to me...

[Bill Nesbitt]

We have an AirLite that sparks. Reminds me of an old Buck Rogers ray gun.

[nashvillebill]

My 625-8 will do it sometimes.

[MikeFoley]

My 442 did this every dryfire for years. At some point it stopped. The sparks are coming from the firing pin riding part of the flash hole in the breach face, and are not an issue. I am guessing mine eventually wore down one or both parts and stopped hitting with enough friction to spark.

[Flexmoney]

We have an AirLite that sparks. Reminds me of an old Buck Rogers ray gun.

Toy gun is what I thought of too.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone.

[Bill Nesbitt]

Remember when the flint in your Zippo wore out and it didn't work anymore?

I hope that doesn't happen to my revolver.

[MikeFoley]

Remember when the flint in your Zippo wore out and it didn't work anymore?

I hope that doesn't happen to my revolver.

Bill, unless you are going totally retro and carrying a flintlock pistol, you have nothing to worry about. But knowing you revolver guys....

Edited December 18, 2009 by fomeister

[spanky]

My 642 does that.

[Chris Keen]

I used to have a 642 that did it as well. Titanium is just naturally sparky that way!!

[Flexmoney]

Those guns sound d-d-d-dangerous !!

[lcambre]

Maybe they should have a warning written on the barrel to not dry fire while filling your car with gas.

[Carmoney]

......or chew spearmint Lifesavers!

[P.E. Kelley]

I am amazed that S&W missed the "survival fire starter" marketing point!

Patrick

[calishootr]

a friend had a 'jet' comp that was made out of Ti, and he was using AA#7 and man.....the light show out ofthatthing was impressive, always wanted to measure the comp baffle erosion, but he sold it long ago, so ifthe firing pin insert is made of Ti, dont know why you wouldnt getthe same result???? tho from the friction generated by the firing pin is a lil scary....

[Duane Thomas]

Advertisement:

"Why carry a gun and a cigarette lighter when you can just carry a Smith & Wesson Model 642?"

[Xd357]

My m640 does this no big deal. For those who can't see it try it with the lights off.

[adweisbe]

My 642 did this and then stopped after a brazillion dry fires.

[Loose Brass]

This is the first I have heard of this. It does seem a bit odd though.

My 642 does not spark. It probably wouldn't bother me if it did. It seems quite functional

[jmorris]

Sounds like a feature “Space aged primerless ignition”. Hey, it sounds better than “flint lock”.

Edited December 21, 2009 by jmorris

[Rather-B-Huntin]

Curiosity got the best of me. Had to try this with my 638. Went into the next room, turned out the lights, pulled the trigger, and a BIG spark about three feet long came out of the barrel. And it was accompanied by a very disturbing KA-BOOM. Are you supposed to unload the gun before trying this????

[Flexmoney]

I dunno...try it again!