|
|
06-04-2013, 07:33 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 78
Likes: 32
Liked 31 Times in 18 Posts
|
|
642 Bites The Dust
Looks like my 642 "Power Port" gave up the ghost with a crack down the frame under the barrel. Glad I payed attention before lugging it to the range. Picked up a satin nickel 442-1, I need a working snub gun!
Got a shipping label from S&W and I'm guessing I'll get an outright replacement (would they bother moving the parts to a new frame?). If I do, wonder if I would have any leeway to choose from the current lineup?
|
06-04-2013, 07:35 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 534
Likes: 418
Liked 419 Times in 171 Posts
|
|
wow.... seeing this more and more, I feel the need to regularly check my Air Lite frames now
|
06-04-2013, 08:07 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Boston, MA USA
Posts: 388
Likes: 532
Liked 128 Times in 57 Posts
|
|
Wow! That's crazy! I would imagine they'll replace the whole gun.
|
06-04-2013, 08:27 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 11,067
Liked 18,499 Times in 4,231 Posts
|
|
After S&W inspects your gun, I'm sure they'll replace it.
You'll need to give them your FFL's info so they can send you a replacment.
New frame = new Serial Number - needs to go through an FFL.
|
06-04-2013, 09:09 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Independence, OH, USA
Posts: 6,911
Likes: 28,790
Liked 7,157 Times in 2,578 Posts
|
|
Was it shot a lot of times? Larry
|
06-04-2013, 10:27 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 307
Likes: 212
Liked 203 Times in 92 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by NZshooter
wow.... seeing this more and more, I feel the need to regularly check my Air Lite frames now
|
You are not the only one. The growing frequency of these reports really inspires confidence.
|
06-04-2013, 10:32 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 30,691
Likes: 57,544
Liked 52,812 Times in 16,465 Posts
|
|
Been there, got a new gun.
__________________
GOA/SAF
|
06-04-2013, 10:33 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,907
Likes: 3,513
Liked 6,728 Times in 2,620 Posts
|
|
If you can, just ask for an ordinary 642, rather than power port. These cracks typically result from over torquing the barrel upon installation, not from shooting.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-04-2013, 11:04 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Western WA
Posts: 3,165
Likes: 3,819
Liked 3,347 Times in 1,395 Posts
|
|
Thanks for posting this. It reminds those of us with alloy J-Frames to keep a close watch on them. Glad you checked it before shooting it.
__________________
AL
Pax Per Potens
|
06-04-2013, 11:06 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 436
Likes: 103
Liked 305 Times in 118 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hillbilly77
After S&W inspects your gun, I'm sure they'll replace it.
You'll need to give them your FFL's info so they can send you a replacment.
New frame = new Serial Number - needs to go through an FFL.
|
I hope they pay the transfer and background check fees, too, then.
|
06-05-2013, 01:05 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: western Washington
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 1
Liked 763 Times in 454 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by alde
.... Glad you checked it before shooting it.
|
If S&W will replace it, great. But what if it's an older and/ior second-hand gun which they decline to replace? Does it have to be junked or turned into a wall-hanger? I've asked before, and never gotten an affirmative response-- has anyone had one of these cracked frames fail upon shooting the gun? All the revolvers I've ever seen that failed blew the top strap and/or cylinder- never seen one that blew the barrel off. While the cracked frame is a bummer, is it really a catastrophic failure waiting to happen? I wonder how many have been shot (and for how many rounds) before the owner noticed the crack?
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-05-2013, 02:05 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Western WA
Posts: 3,165
Likes: 3,819
Liked 3,347 Times in 1,395 Posts
|
|
HotRod,
I am willing to bet they would replace an older gun (or one bought used) with a crack like that for liability reasons. An injury could be blamed on a manufacturing flaw and that could open the flood gates to all kinds of problems for the company. It's much easier and cheaper to replace the gun.
__________________
AL
Pax Per Potens
|
06-05-2013, 02:36 AM
|
SWCA Member Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 5,062
Likes: 739
Liked 3,271 Times in 1,282 Posts
|
|
"You'll need to give them your FFL's info so they can send you a replacment. New frame = new Serial Number - needs to go through an FFL."
Not necessarily. Mine cracked like that and S&W FedExed the replacement 642 directly to my house.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-05-2013, 03:21 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 547
Likes: 100
Liked 441 Times in 147 Posts
|
|
I have heard of some companies returning a replacement gun to its owner directly (different serial number) and not going thru another transfer.
If the gun is in for repair and scrapped a replacement is being returned to the original owner, it's not a new transfer. This seems to vary by manufacturer and state. In any event the returned gun would be logged as destroyed and the replacement serial number logged. Hopefully you get it back directly without the added cost or hassle of a new transfer.
__________________
NRA Certified Instructor & RSO
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-05-2013, 06:22 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: NW PA
Posts: 897
Likes: 343
Liked 446 Times in 240 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BUFF
"You'll need to give them your FFL's info so they can send you a replacment. New frame = new Serial Number - needs to go through an FFL."
Not necessarily. Mine cracked like that and S&W FedExed the replacement 642 directly to my house.
|
Perhaps it depends upon your state laws? In PA with certain exceptions a transfer such as this does require a FFL. S&W called me on the phone and asked for my nearest FFL when they shipped my replacement 642.
__________________
Marty 4513TSW 13-1 642 60-10
|
06-05-2013, 08:41 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 434
Likes: 193
Liked 212 Times in 85 Posts
|
|
Are these older 642's that are cracking? Did S&W address the issue in production?
|
06-05-2013, 11:05 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 30,691
Likes: 57,544
Liked 52,812 Times in 16,465 Posts
|
|
There's ZERO cost if the gun needs to go thru an FFL. S&W even paid my transfer fee after I sent them the FFL's invoice.
__________________
GOA/SAF
|
06-05-2013, 11:55 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: (outside) Charleston, SC
Posts: 30,906
Likes: 41,494
Liked 29,147 Times in 13,778 Posts
|
|
I'll not be buying
I'm just going to pretend that the airweight line doesn't exist and stick to steel guns.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-05-2013, 01:24 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Dixie County Florida
Posts: 52
Likes: 22
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
Been there done that, mine was a 637, I had them send me a 649, cost a little more, but its STEEL...
|
06-05-2013, 02:05 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: western Washington
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 1
Liked 763 Times in 454 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by alde
I am willing to bet they would replace an older gun (or one bought used) with a crack like that for liability reasons.....
|
You would think so, esp if it was a modern (post 2000 for example) gun. But I seem to recall someone posting not long ago about S&W declining to fix or replace their gun since he was not the original owner.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-05-2013, 03:38 PM
|
Absent Comrade
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 19,336
Likes: 53,737
Liked 38,386 Times in 11,801 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rwsmith
I'm just going to pretend that the airweight line doesn't exist and stick to steel guns.
|
I made that decision a long time ago.
__________________
Oh well, what the hell.
|
06-05-2013, 03:58 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 731
Likes: 64
Liked 817 Times in 358 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martya
Perhaps it depends upon your state laws?
|
Correct.
In California new serial number = new gun = shipping to FFL = DROS fees =10 day waiting period.
Bill
|
06-06-2013, 07:22 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 78
Likes: 32
Liked 31 Times in 18 Posts
|
|
I don't think I got past 1000 rounds on this one. I'm going to drop it off at the nearest FedEx World Service Center tomorrow. Will wait for S&W's response.
"FedEx requires that you verbally inform the receiving FedEx employee that a package contains a firearm."
Should be fun.
|
06-06-2013, 08:26 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,185
Likes: 11,067
Liked 18,499 Times in 4,231 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gto364ci
"FedEx requires that you verbally inform the receiving FedEx employee that a package contains a firearm."
Should be fun.
|
I've shipped back to S&W twice via FedEx, and in the case of getting the same gun back, it comes directly to your door.
Haven't had a single problem with shipping.
|
06-06-2013, 11:03 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Augusta, Maine, USA
Posts: 535
Likes: 16
Liked 57 Times in 26 Posts
|
|
I had a problem with a new 637 several years ago. after a couple
trips back to the factory, they gave me full credit and I selected a different model. It was a bit more expensive but I just paid the difference. I've always found SW customer service to be outstanding.
__________________
... ed ...
|
06-06-2013, 11:17 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 307
Likes: 212
Liked 203 Times in 92 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by hotrod150
You would think so, esp if it was a modern (post 2000 for example) gun. But I seem to recall someone posting not long ago about S&W declining to fix or replace their gun since he was not the original owner.
|
You are correct. I remember the same post. From the pictures in the post the gun looked in very good shape. But because the owner was honest and admitted he was not the original owner, Smith would not replace the gun.
|
06-06-2013, 11:17 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,652
Likes: 1,457
Liked 1,489 Times in 570 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by gto364ci
I don't think I got past 1000 rounds on this one. I'm going to drop it off at the nearest FedEx World Service Center tomorrow. Will wait for S&W's response.
"FedEx requires that you verbally inform the receiving FedEx employee that a package contains a firearm."
Should be fun.
|
When I inform, I say "the package contains an unloaded firearm." Emphasis on unloaded when I say it aloud, and since it precedes firearm in the sentence it takes the edge off any uneasiness, in my experience.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|