I keep reading comments and stories on this and other forum's about lightweight/alloy guns from S&W that seem to fail, sometimes catastrophically after shooting for a while.

I am still trying to decide on a S&W 325pd- I would be buying this as a lightweight back up/alternative to a Glock 21-

My question is; how concerned should I be about the issue of failure on lightweight guns?

I wonder if the accounts I read represent a miniscule portion of actual guns sold and in use, or if there really is an issue with these guns.

I would like to obtain one, but I don't want to spend $800 only to have a likely explosion on my hands, (no pun intended)

On the other hand, it would add a new dimension of excitement to the shooting sports...

Thanks in advance for the replies!

SLYK

I have had a number of lightweight S&W revolvers over many years and have never had any "failures" with any of them. I have a 325PD 2.5" that has had lots of rounds through it over the last 6 years and has had no problems of any kind. Other than heavy recoil, I have found little difference between the LW guns and the all steel. I have found the thick cylinder of the N Frame 325 to be harder to conceal than a flat auto but it does duty for me when I want to carry a lightweight .45 acp.

I've had zero trouble with my 360J and it's been rechambered to 9x23. I've fired all kinds of 9mm plus a bunch of .38 Super and a handful of 9x23 Winchester without hiccup.

I have a friend with M&P 340 and he hasn't had any problems either.

I have quite a few Scandium framed revolvers at the moment.

The one with the most ammunition through it is my 340PD. We have put at least 5,000 Remington 158 grain JSP 357 Magnums through it with zero trouble.

The other revolvers include a 360, 5" 327, 327 Night Guard, 2" 327, a 386PD, a 357PD and two 2" 625s. These eight other scandium framed revolvers have probably had 5,000 - 6,000 rounds total through all of them combined. All ammunition is full power for the cartridge that they are chambered for. These eight revolvers also perform as expected.

Scandium revolvers are mechanical devices. No company will ever produce 100% perfect firearms 100% of the time. There is always going to be a lemon out there. While none of us wants to get the lemon, however the factories do take care of things.

Go and but it in confidence. You have much better odds of getting a Great firearm than if you bought a lottery ticket.

JMO , But I have both a 342PD and 340PD and both have treated me well , I shoot and carry my 340PD everyday. Great Guns

I own the little 442 and it's always with me. I love the little bug.

__________________
NRA Benefactor Member

Like everything else on the inter-net, things get blown out of proportion.
Get one, you will like it.

My hand hurts just reading that.

No problems with my 325PD, but I changed to a C&S long firing pin and neutered the lock. I have close to 1000 rounds through it, just shot it this afternoon, the recoil is really not that bad. Today I shot 200 gr. hollow points from www.MasterCast.net If I had to do it again I would consider the 325 NG. I had already changed my sights on the PD before the NG came out and there may be an advantage to the stainless cylinder with little increase in weight.