Smith & Wesson Centennial

Smith & Wesson Centennial

Concealment Smith & Wesson 642 with Crimson Trace grips
Type Revolver
Place of origin  USA
Production history
Manufacturer Smith & Wesson
Produced 1952
Variants Models 40, 442 and 642
Specifications
Barrel length 2 in (51 mm), 3 in (76 mm)
Cartridge .22 LR, .22 Magnum, .32 H&R Magnum, .38 Special +P, .357 Magnum, 9×19mm, .356 TSW
Action Double Action Only (DAO) revolver, fully enclosed hammer
Feed system cylinder
Sights Fixed sights, front and rear

S&W Centennial is a family of revolvers made by Smith & Wesson on the "J-Frame". Depending upon caliber, the cylinder holds either 5 (9mm, .38 spl, .357 magnum), 6 (.32 magnum), 7 (.22 magnum), or 8 (.22 LR), cartridges. Centennials feature a fully enclosed (internal) hammer, which makes them Double Action Only (DAO) firearms. Like all other "J-frame" Smith & Wesson revolvers, they have a swing-out cylinder. Centennial models have been made in different versions like PD "Personal Defense", LS "Lady Smith", and M&P "Military & Police"

History

The original Centennial model was introduced in 1952, and was named for the company's 100th anniversary.[1]

Models

Model 40 and 42

The Smith & Wesson Model 40 originally debuted as the Centennial in 1952 and was renamed the Model 40 in 1957. The Model 40 is chambered in .38 special and has a five-round capacity. It is a snub-nose revolver with a 1 7/8-inch barrel. It is built on Smith & Wesson's J-frame and weighs 21 oz. empty.[2] The revolver was made with a grip safety as some shooters could not get used to the idea of firing a revolver without cocking the hammer.[3]

Smith & Wesson reintroduced this model in 2007 as a collector's piece with some models featuring a case hardened finish by Doug Turnbull.[4]

The Model 42 came out in 1952 as the Airweight Centennial but was changed in 1957 to the Model 42. The gun was the same design as the Model 40 except the frame was made of an aluminum alloy, resulting in a lower weight than the Model 40. The Model 42 was discontinued in 1974.[1]

Model 640

A Smith & Wesson Model 642 revolver with an open cylinder and ergonomic rosewood grips

The Model 640 revolver has been in production since 1990 and was chambered for .38 Special. It was fitted with a standard barrel of 1-7/8 inch length. The second model had a slightly heavier and longer barrel of 2-1/8 inch length. A 3" barreled version was offered until 1993, when it was dropped from production.[5] In 1996 S&W began chambering the 640 in .357 Magnum. Because of the power of the .357 magnum cartridge, the frame is strengthened just in front of the cylinder release on those models.[6]

Model 442 and 642

The 442 has an aluminum frame and blued carbon steel cylinder. The 642 has an aluminum frame and stainless steel cylinder.

Model 940

In 1993 S&W introduced the Model 940, similar in appearance to the 640, but chambered in 9mm Luger. In 1996 the 940 was dropped from production.[6]

Model 340 and 342

In 2001 a Scandium framed version was introduced in .357 Magnum designated as the Model 340. This revolver weighs 10.9 ounces.[2] The model M&P 342 was introduced in 2001 as a special run of revolvers that are identical to a Model 340 but chambered only for .38 Special +P due to some police departments ammunition restrictions.[2]

Design limitations (Scandium Versions)

There is a prohibition against using ammunition with bullet weight less than 120 grains (7.8 g) due to the risk of frame erosion from powder that is still burning after too rapid exit of the light projectile. Another warning in the owner's manual is that recoil may pull the cases of unfired rounds in the cylinder rearward with enough force to unseat the bullets causing the cylinder to jam. It has been said that accuracy is compromised in these types of ultra-light revolvers since the barrel is a steel sleeve liner rather than a single solid piece of steel.[3]

The light weight metals that make it ideal for concealed carry mean that there is very little mass to absorb recoil. The effect is that the revolver tends to recoil in the shooter's hand more so than handguns made of traditional materials. This can affect accuracy and means the shooter takes longer to bring the firearm back on line for a second shot.

References

  1. 1 2 Boorman, Dean K. (2002). The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms. Globe Pequot. p. 39. ISBN 978-1-58574-721-4.
  2. 1 2 3 Supica, Jim; Richard Nahas (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (3 ed.). F+W Media, Inc. p. 151. ISBN 978-0-89689-293-4.
  3. 1 2 Ayoob, Massad (2007). The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery (6 ed.). Gun Digest Books. pp. 14–15. ISBN 978-0-89689-525-6.
  4. ↑ Ayoob, Massad (2008). The Gun Digest Book Of Concealed Carry. Gun Digest Books. pp. 37–38. ISBN 978-0-89689-611-6.
  5. ↑ Ayoob, Massad (2010). Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. Gun Digest Books. pp. 218–220. ISBN 978-1-4402-0825-6.
  6. 1 2 Hartink, A.E. (2003). The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books, Inc. p. 225. ISBN 978-0-7858-1871-7.
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