Just a thought: Does it make sense to provide the same warranty for alloy framed revolvers as steel? As Kernel Crittenden mentioned yesterday, alloy framed revolvers are a different animal. Personally, I believe it was an engineering mistake for S&W to manufacture alloy guns to essentially the same dimensions and contours of the steel counterparts. They had to be significantly weaker and more prone to wear over the long haul. They should have beefed up the design and/or used steel inserts on contact points where appropriate.

Why they didn't? My guess is that S&W assumed most buyers of small alloy framed revolvers would not shoot them all that much, so it would not be a big problem. Basically, the aluminum frame guns were given the same warranties as the steel guns while hoping they would sit in sock drawers.