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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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  #1  
Old 04-01-2009, 03:38 PM
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Hi:
Am I reading wrong or are the majority of mechanical problems are with the "J" frames light weight (Air Weight) Revolvers.
Thanks,
Jimmy
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Old 04-01-2009, 03:38 PM
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Hi:
Am I reading wrong or are the majority of mechanical problems are with the "J" frames light weight (Air Weight) Revolvers.
Thanks,
Jimmy
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  #3  
Old 04-01-2009, 03:54 PM
Glock 'em down Glock 'em down is offline
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I personally think that the Smith & Wesson Airweights are to be carried a lot and shot often.

The all steel models should be carried a lot and shot MORE!
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Old 04-01-2009, 04:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by jimmyj:
Hi:
Am I reading wrong or are the majority of mechanical problems are with the "J" frames light weight (Air Weight) Revolvers.
Thanks,
Jimmy

Don't know about mechanical problems, but frame cracking or stretching are certainly more likely with lightweight guns. Airweight. I think the Scandium frames are quite a bit tougher, but recoil is grim.

T-Star
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Old 04-01-2009, 05:06 PM
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man, I hope not as I have 3 airweights and want to get some use out of them.
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Old 04-01-2009, 05:43 PM
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My philosophy is shoot them till they break, fix them or buy more and start the process over again and again.
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Old 04-01-2009, 06:12 PM
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I have fired about 2,500 std pressure range loads from my Airweight 637. I enjoyed it very little. I have also fired a few dozen +p rounds. I enjoyed none of them. In fact, I fired five of Cor Bon's 115gr JHP +p (no longer offered, thank goodness), and swore I never would do that again. The remaining 15 cartridges are now delegated to my 686+.

My point is twofold: Airweights kick hard, even with range loads; and mine is still in near-mint shape. Most of the cracked frames came early in the production cycle. And S&W has the best customer service in the business. You break a 6xx snubby, and they will either repair or replace it, free. Including shipping both ways.

Cordially, Jack
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Old 04-02-2009, 07:33 AM
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JayDubaya
I think you mean Corbon 115 +P+.
They were like a 110 grain 357.
Both in performance and recoil.
They still make a 110 +P that
I shot in my 340 PD, when I first got it.
The recoil was way less than Speer GDSB +P.
It is currently loaded with BB 125 +P's.

My 442 is from 1994 and I've never had
a problem with +P's. It's loaded with
BB Standard Pressure 158's.
I believe quality control used to be much better...in everything.
I don't know when the lifetime warranty started.
Maybe they didn't need one when quality control
was better and so many guns weren't produced.
My nickel 49 from 1984 and my 640 (38) from 1992
and my nickel 442 from 1994 still look like new,
while the finish on my 340 PD,
has worn off on the edge above the rear top strap
3 times. Smith refinished it twice and finally
replaced it with a new gun and the same thing happened.
Might be better to get an older J Frame that was rarely used.
There are probably a bunch of them out there.
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  #9  
Old 04-02-2009, 08:53 AM
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I bought this 642-1 NEW in October of 1997...shoot it often, carry it daily, never any problems.



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  #10  
Old 04-02-2009, 09:37 AM
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I've been on the fence about picking up a air weight. I've always liked the 442/642 concept.

I have two model 60's (one in .38, one in .357). Yeah, they might be a little heavy when carried in the pocket (which I don't often do), but that little bit of heft sure helps with recoil.
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Old 04-02-2009, 03:14 PM
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The 642 with wadcutters is a whole lotta fun to shoot and makes a good self defense weapon. I've had a dozen or so J frames, most of the Airweights, and never any mechanical problems.

I tend to shoot my guns a lot. Usually 200-300 rounds a session per gun. The 642 I use daily has about 1000 rounds through it, mostly +P, with no problems at all.

With that said, my hands...well...they hurt after 100 or so rounds of +P so I've had to cut back and shoot mostly standard pressure rounds for practice.
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Old 04-02-2009, 03:20 PM
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I have a 637 and it is a great gun. Shoots to point of aim out to 10 yards. Most accurate snubby I have ever owned (and I've owned about a dozen).
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Old 04-02-2009, 04:34 PM
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Coach22 said: "I think you mean Corbon 115 +P+.
They were like a 110 grain 357. Both in performance and recoil."

Actually, my original post was wrong. I still have the box. It is labelled thus:

38 Special +P
110gr JHP (NOT 115gr)
Velocity 1250fps Energy 382ft/lbs

I was told that the 110gr bullets were made by Rainier, and that the weapon used for the ballistics was a snubby. 1250fps and 382ft/lbs is very hot from a snubby. I do not encourage anyone to fire these from an Airweight. But, as I stated in my previous post, Cor Bon no longer sells this load, which I purchased seven years ago.

Cordially, Jack
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  #14  
Old 04-02-2009, 05:13 PM
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The CorBon 110gr JHP+P uses a Sierra bullet and is still very much available. Most of the actual chrono numbers I've seen show it to run around 1200 to 1250 out of a 4" barrel. I use them in my 642 and 637 along with the 110gr DPX load.
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  #15  
Old 04-02-2009, 05:54 PM
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I have a 342 and it shows no signs of falling apart.
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Old 04-02-2009, 06:05 PM
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It's in my front pocket as I write . . . my "always" gun . . . a 1971 vintage Model 37 no dash.

I carried a steel Model 36 before that, but once you then stick an Airweight in your pocket you will not go back!

The Airweights are fantastic CCW revolvers!

Under stress and when you need it to save your life, I assure you that you will neither feel the kick or hear it even go off very much!

15 oz. of utter reliability! BTW, I got rid of the Uncle Mike's "rubbers" I'd gotten for this gun and replaced it with a Tyler T-grip and a pair of Grashorn's awesome Elk Stags . . . and I actually feel it is more comfortable to shoot than with the rubbers!!!

A firm, high grip and you are good to go . . . both with regular loads and +P. Yes, I've shot +P in this one, though I feel that the standard loads will do just fine, thank you!



T.
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  #17  
Old 04-02-2009, 06:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally posted by jimmyj:
Hi:
Am I reading wrong or are the majority of mechanical problems are with the "J" frames light weight (Air Weight) Revolvers.
Thanks,
Jimmy
What "mechanical problems" are you referring to?
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Old 04-05-2009, 06:45 PM
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I alternate carry of three different J-frames. Two of them are "lites". Not a single problem with any of the three with hundreds of rounds through each of them. One is a M&P340, one is a 340PD and one is the 640-9. No problems, no glitches, just shoot and carry. Sure, they may show some wear, but no mechanical hiccups. And, they have the feared IL.
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Old 04-05-2009, 09:30 PM
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I carried a 70's era Model 38 Bodyguard for a few years with no problems. Got a 1995 Model 442 that I've carried and shot now for 14 years with no problems.
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Old 04-06-2009, 07:12 PM
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Tom Turner - That has got to be the finest looking J-frame I've seen in a long time. Since you carry it, how do you keep the blue finish so pristine?
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  #21  
Old 04-11-2009, 08:57 AM
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Quote:
Hi:
Am I reading wrong or are the majority of mechanical problems are with the "J" frames light weight (Air Weight) Revolvers.
Thanks,
Jimmy
My experience has been quite different from most of the positive responses on this forum. Based on Smith and Wesson's reputation and rave reviews about its customer service, I bought a Smith & Wesson 637 on March 9, 2009. I was able to fire about 70 rounds a week later. Every 5th or 6th round went click instead of bang. This happened with both S & B and Magtech ammo. As best I could tell, the firing pin was hitting too lightly. In addition, a pin in front of the extractor rod was so loose that it had almost vibrated out. I could move it with my finger.

I called Customer Service on March 17 and was instructed to send the revolver back. The customer service representative did not ask me for an email address, so it took six days for the shipping labels to arrive by mail. Then two more days for it to be shipped to S&W. They have now had my gun for over two weeks. Most of the Customer Service Representatives have been unable or unwilling to tell me what is being done, how long it will take, etc. However, the person I spoke to yesterday did take some time to find out that it would be another week or week and a half before my gun would be returned. Yesterday, my gun dealer said this is unusual for S&W and he would call them. No word back from him. An email I sent to S&W yesterday expressing my frustration has not been answered.

Apparently, my problems are not unique. The problem of the pin being loose is discussed here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/e...00143/m/76910315/p/1 Some are advocating crimping or bending the pin to keep it in place. A local gun dealer told me that they have had other Smith and Wesson J frames that have misfired recently, perhaps due to defective firing pins.

Now for some speculation: One Customer Service representative did tell me that the S&W Warranty Center has been unusually busy with the recent interest in handguns. This implies that more guns are being sold, which in turn implies that more guns are being produced. If enough guns are being produced that it is putting a strain on the Warranty Center, is Quality Control also being stretched too thin?

Steve
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  #22  
Old 04-11-2009, 09:09 AM
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My heart bleeds for them
If they cant handle the influx of extra guns being made and warrantee repairs, HIRE MORE PEOPLE! Pretty simple solution to me.
I have been waiting on a model 37 hammer for almost 3 months! They told me it was in stock when I ordered it.

P.S. It is pretty sad that I have had to replace all of my firing pins with Apex pins, because you cant trust S&Ws new pins.

You can always FAX a letter to the President if you want some action. It was the only thing that worked for me.
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  #23  
Old 04-11-2009, 12:30 PM
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I've fired thousands of rounds through Airweight J frames, the oldest being made in 1996 and the newest being made in 2008. Not a single problem with firing pins.
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Old 04-11-2009, 12:39 PM
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I can't speak for others, or their personal experiences? We own 2 342PD's. My Wife's has had only about 500 out of it since 01'. Mine has had 10 times that many, better than half of which were +P. No materials or workmanship issues on either. In fact the only trouble is that mine looks like Hell from almost daily carry. Mine is more accurate the my Wife's, hers has a better trigger.
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Old 04-11-2009, 02:13 PM
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My 340PD has some gas cutting from just 10 rds of 110 gr magnums, just like S&W says. But I've fired several hundred of the Speer 135 +P with no problems. Did you perhaps fire some 110's too?
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  #26  
Old 04-11-2009, 02:43 PM
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Hi:
Sounds like the selling end is going so well that customer service is lacking.
Being serious, We all might want to steer away from the "NEW" and consider "Pre-Owned" or other "Manufacters" )Ruger, Taurus, Colt).
Jimmy
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Old 04-17-2009, 08:26 AM
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Quote:
Originally posted by Bacon:
Tom Turner - That has got to be the finest looking J-frame I've seen in a long time. Since you carry it, how do you keep the blue finish so pristine?
I was thinking the same thing. Please, Tom. Please, let us know your secret. Thank you.
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Old 04-17-2009, 04:49 PM
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I have a model 37 dating back to the late 1980's and it has seen many rounds through it over the years with absoluetely no problems.
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Old 04-17-2009, 04:59 PM
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Great looking revolver there, Tom!

Makes my 442 no-dash with rubber grips look like ****.
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  #30  
Old 04-18-2009, 09:33 AM
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In follow-up of my 637 problem, S&W has agreed to refund my money.
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