Model 642 and S&W Customer Service Report

[jimmyj]

Hi:
In reference to my Model 642 that started showing black pin size spots on the frame and progessed to a black rash that was spreading over the frame.
Contacted S&W Customer Service on Wednesday 11/17/2010 at 9am and explained to "Paul" the problem. At 9:20am I received a shipping label via E-mail.
At 6:30pm Fed-X picked up the packaged Model 642.
On Friday 11/19/2010 at 9:00am Fed-X delivered the Model 642 to S&W.
On 11/27/2010 I received a letter from S&W that stated that the Model 642 would be returned in 3-4 weeks.
Today at 12:15 S&W Rep Jeff Whitehouse telephoned and said the Model 642 would be returned with a new frame.
S&W will ship next week to my FFL.
The Model 642 was sent in with a "No Lock" frame. It will be interesting to see if the new frame will have a "Lock"?
This is the second "J" Frame that was sent in for "Black Marks" and had to have a new frame! The first was a Model 638 "No LocK" and now a Model 642. The Model 638 was returned with the "Lock".
Interesting that I have two Glock Model 23s that had a "Frame Recall". When returned Glock shipped directly to my residence.
I asked "Jeff" what was wrong with the Model 642 frame and black rash and He said he did not know?
Has anyone else had the "Black Rash" on Their Airweight "J" frames?
Jimmy

[Old cop]

I have a new 638 and have owned several airweight J's, but never heard of this. Please keep us posted . . .

[bennettfam]

Maybe you should insist on no IL on the new frame. They should be able to accommodate that since they are selling no lock 642s currently. That is, IF it is a concern for you. It would be for me.

[jimmyj]

Back To Top

[Andyd]

Glock could send the gun with the frame recall directly back to you since they used the same serial number, plus the digit 1, for the "frame upgrade".

S&W replaced the frame on my 22A with a frame that had the same serial number and could ship it back directly to me.

[ladder13]

I sent a Colt SAA back to them because of poor sight mounting on the barrel. They corrected that but sent bak the gun with a ding in the topstrap. I called them , they had me return it, and they replaced the whole gun. The new gun had a different serial number, but they shipped it directly to me anyway.
Same thing with Sig about 15 years ago. The frame rails separated from the gun, they shipped a new frame with different serial number.

[hdfinder47]

I had to send my 642 (IL) back for a frame refinish after about 1-2 years of daily carry. They refinished the frame and returned gun looking ANIB. After several more years of daily carry the "black plague" returned and the finish has also come off in a few spots on the back strap. Thinking about sending it back again or just retiring it and buying a 442.

[InTheWoods]

What are you folks using to clean your 642s with?

[jimmyj]

Hi:
Contacted S&W Customer Service this afternoon for a "Up Date" on my Model 642. Has had a new frame (No IL) installed and is being shipped to my local FFL. Spoke to three different S&W Reps concerning the "Black Rash". No one knew what the cause might be? I received the same "Run Around" two years ago with the same "Rash" with a Model 638 that S&W replaced the frame on.
Normal bore cleaner in the bore and chambers for cleaning and Rem Oil on the exterior.
Jimmy

[jimmyj]

Hi, AndyD:
The Glock issue for with two unfired NIB (2) Model 23 .40cal. that had a factory frame recall. The Glocks had consective serial numbers. One was discovered with a cracked slide? When returned one had a different serial number than the slide and barrel. The second had three different serial numbers (frame, slide, and barrel). I contacted the Glock President and he had me return the two Glocks and in turn I was sent two NIB Model 23 .40s with consective serial numbers. These transactions were from me to Glock and from Glock to me.
Glock Customer Service is A#1.
Jimmy