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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 10-30-2016, 11:21 AM
Stopsign32v Stopsign32v is offline
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Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking?  
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Default Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking?

Well I've located a nice J frame internal hammer pistol, however it is a pre magnum J frame Airweight. What is the danger of these frames cracking?
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Old 10-30-2016, 03:05 PM
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Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking?  
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Since that model won't take a "magnum" round, there is very little danger of a frame cracking.
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Old 10-30-2016, 03:20 PM
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Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking?  
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There is a small but not zero chance, usually thought to be caused most frequently by an overtorqued barrel at assembly. After this it has been known to occur but not predictably.
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Old 10-30-2016, 05:19 PM
BUFF BUFF is offline
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Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking?  
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My made-and-bought-in 1991 Model 642 had the frame crack where they do if they do, just below where the rear of the barrel screws into the frame. It took 20 years and an awful lot of shooting, much of it Plus-P, before it cracked during a qualification shoot. The crack didn't affect function, I discovered it cleaning the gun afterward.

S&W replaced the gun with their then-current version of it at absolutely no cost to me. Quickly, too. Their lifetime warranty means what they say.

I believe that the advantage of light weight in this sort of gun makes the small risk of frame cracks very bearable.
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Old 10-30-2016, 05:31 PM
Stopsign32v Stopsign32v is offline
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Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murphydog View Post
There is a small but not zero chance, usually thought to be caused most frequently by an overtorqued barrel at assembly. After this it has been known to occur but not predictably.
Do they usually crack at the same area? If so, where is it?
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Old 10-30-2016, 05:43 PM
M29since14 M29since14 is offline
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Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BUFF View Post
...I believe that the advantage of light weight in this sort of gun makes the small risk of frame cracks very bearable.
I always felt the same way. The OP might consider that steel-frame guns crack too. I've had two steel guns crack and no alloy S&Ws, so far. I have had one Colt alloy frame crack - a late sixties Commander. Things can and do go ugly sometimes.

As Buff said, they crack through the barrel threads directly below the barrel, in the yoke cut in the frame.

Last edited by M29since14; 10-30-2016 at 05:45 PM.
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Old 10-31-2016, 03:36 PM
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Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking?  
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The forum has a search function. The icon is near the top of the page. Many of the questions you ask have already been asked and answered many time before. Use of the search function will get you the information you want, with photos, without making somebody type out answers again and again.
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Old 10-31-2016, 03:38 PM
Stopsign32v Stopsign32v is offline
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Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking? Any concerns for a pre J frame magnum frame cracking?  
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Quote:
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The forum has a search function. The icon is near the top of the page. Many of the questions you ask have already been asked and answered many time before. Use of the search function will get you the information you want, with photos, without making somebody type out answers again and again.
If you could, please post up some links that you find on this topic. Reason I say is because I ALWAYS search first then ask, even do a Google search. Thanks for your help...err...comment. The only thing I found was you saying yours cracked 20 YEARS after you bought it.

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Originally Posted by BUFF View Post
I bought one just a bit older than yours (BKA1072) when they first came out in 1991. To my mind, it is the perfect small concealed carry revolver. I carried mine just about constantly and shot it quite a bit. The frame cracked this spring. It was like losing a good friend. I already had a spare on hand, and S&W replaced my old one with a current production gun. I won't be without one. Or, two.
With that said, 1 find to me doesn't = a concern. Thus me asking in this thread.

Also I would like to add that even if there were threads on this topic, information could have changed from 2008 information.

Last edited by Stopsign32v; 10-31-2016 at 03:44 PM.
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