What was the problem with the cylinders of the affected Model 624s that made them subject to recall? I guess I was asleep when this episode was going on.

It seems improbable that a low-pressure round like the .44 Special would be worrisome in any N-frame cylinder, even if made of steel only a little better than the average tin can.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

What was the problem with the cylinders of the affected Model 624s that made them subject to recall? I guess I was asleep when this episode was going on.

It seems improbable that a low-pressure round like the .44 Special would be worrisome in any N-frame cylinder, even if made of steel only a little better than the average tin can.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

I have two 624's. I became concerned about the recall and telephoned S&W. I learned that through an error, the wrong kind of steel was used in some 624 cylinders. They have a serial number range but no specific serial numbers. One of mine was in the range but the box was marked when they were checked out "OK". Fortunately, I had the box (I had bought it new) and it was marked so I was in the clear. The other one was outside the serial number range involved.

When you call, have the serial numbers of your gun or guns in hand and they can tell you right away if you have a problem.

Good luck!

Dale53

In November, 2006, even though I had provided the serial number, AHBXXXX, Smith still had me send in MY Model 624 for examination. They sent a UPS mailing label and picked the tab for shipping both ways. I had to pay absolutely zero, zip, nada!

If you send yours to them, I suggest you keep whatever documentation so that you can share it with any prospective future owners.

I just went through this two days ago...

I bought a used 4" 624 on Wednesday evening, but could not finalize it until Thursday morning since my "instant" background check was not so instant. On Wednesday evening, I was searching for info. on the 624 on the net and discovered the recall issue. I called the shop first thing on Thursday morning and got the serial number (AHBXXXX). I then called S&W and they said the gun WAS in the recall period. The issue is that a steel supplier sent S&W the wrong type of stainless for the cylinders and any 624 made from 01 JAN to 08 JUN 1985 could have a problem. Without digging deeper, S&W said they could not tell me if my specific gun had been checked by magnafluxing, but all guns that were checked and OK had a "F" stamped on the back cylinder face between two of the chambers. I called my shop back found out that my gun had a "F", so I am good to go. When I picked-up the gun, I took the grips off, and grips were dated 17 FEB 1985 .

Hunter

The problem was reported in the October 1985 issue of Shooting Times magazine by Skeeter Skelton in his "Hipshots" column. I have a few that have the red "C" in red circle stamp on the box, this is how the factory marked the box when the gun was sent back and passed the test. The gun was not marked in any way to show it passed the test, not a very good way to do it IMO but that's how it is done. I have several that were acquired without a box, with these I emailed S&W and was emailed back that they were manufactured after the time of the recall and were good to go.
I have scanned the original article from the 1985 ST article along with a S&W forum post originally from 3/3/07, I carry copies of these with me when "shopping" for reference along with serial numbers of guns I know to be good. Hope this helps.




Keith

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kbgrips.com

That is a direct contradiction to the information I got from S&W yesterday.

They SPECIFICALLY stated that if you have an "F" on the cylinder, your gun has been checked and is good to go...

.455_Hunter, A verbal contradiction from a large company is no surprise. May I ask if you mentioned the stamped letter"F" on the cylinder, or did the person on the line bring it up. I've emailed more than once to check a 624 and have never been told that the gun was stamped. I'm pretty sure the information in the 1985 article was just a quote of what had been released from S&W at the time. I find it doubtful that they would mark the guns but then not tell anyone in a press release but mention the red stamp on the box. The reproduced forum post from 3/3/07 was from a person who had also contacted S&W and was given the same information. I don't think I've ever seen a 624 without the "F" stamp, I've always assumed it was done as a way to make sure stainless parts did not end up with carbon steel parts during manufacture, I believe this practice is/was common at S&W. Others on the forum are very knowledgeable on stamps and seemingly insignificant marks and could possibly give you a better answer, I would ask Doc44, your search for answers will probably
end there.

Keith

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kbgrips.com

I guess I will be calling S%W back on Monday morning...

I have already bought 170 rounds of .44 Special. The gun better be OK.

I looked at that 624 at Green Mt Guns and almost jumped on it last week. Even if it is a recalled gun you don't have to send it back. It's seen a few rounds down range and as long as you keep your handloads safe and sane I would expect to never have a problem.

As far as the "F" stamp. It seems they are saying guns that were sent back were stamped to show they passed the test. I have never heard of this in 20 years of reading everything about the 624 including the original recall notice. Common understanding has always been that the "C" stamped on the box was the only signal that the gun was checked and safe. Only fairly recently has this "F" stamp notion come up.

I wonder if the "F" stamp was used DURING original production after the problems were corrected to keep track of what cylinders were safe. That would seem to make sense and explain why most 624s have that particular mark. However my 1987 686 has a "V" stamped on the cylinder, so it may just be some kind of manufacturing mark, and have nothing to do with the recall.

Bis45: Thank you for taking the time to scan that info and attach it to your post. I printed it out to have. I remember when Skeeter published that article (I wish I had saved all of copies of Shooting Times!).

How did you know it was the GM gun?

Yes, the gun has definitely sent a few down range, so its probably just fine. However, I will let S&W run a detailed serial number check just for s**ts and grins.

The "F" thing is confusing. I had my dad check his 1980's 649 and it had a "V" on the cylinder face, just like your 686.

Who knows???

Not many 24/624s get by me!

As far as the recall a few points:
-I kept close track of the 624 back in the '80s and never saw an official recall notice or advertisement like they had a few years later on the 686. The only notification that I know of was to Skeeter Skelton which he then included in his Hipshots column in 1985 (reproduced above). Considering the 629 (a high pressure magnum!) was part of the recall S&W must not have thought the improper steel posed much of a danger to have not published the notice all over the place. The steel must have been close enough in spec for them not to be very concerned. It sounds like it was just a CYA recall rather than some GREAT SAFETY HAZARD.
-Most S&W customer service reps know little or nothing about the recall, only Kate Fredette seems to have the straight poop. Even Roy Jinks has put forth information that contradicts what was in the Skeeter article, saying there was no steel problem. As far as I'm concerned the low-key "recall" was really a non event.
-I would not send a gun back that has been shot safely in the past. There are too few of the beautiful 624s out there as it is.
-The above is just conjecture on my part so do you own due diligence.

Good luck with your 624, don't try to load it as a magnum, and I think you will be very happy with it.

If there is a concern with the material properties of this steel (too low a ductility, for example) you CANNOT say that because you have fired X rounds safely then you can fire X + Infinity rounds safely. Even with "safe and sane" handloads.

The effect of cyclical stresses on metals is cumulative and one day it may just let go in your hands after X + Y "safe" reloads or factory loads.

I received the same information about the "F" stamp on the cylinder face of 624s at least 5 or 6 years ago and remember information posted on other forums as well, perhaps The Firing Line. It is interesting that it is not more common knowledge. However, my gun is just beyond the recall range so I don't know if that was a modification of all 624s within the recall range after testing or during manufacture, thus the "F" was a post-discovery modification, and they merely marked the boxes of the ones recalled from dealers rather than restamped the cylinder.

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" I said, good DAY! "

This morning I e-mailed "[email protected]" my serial number and left Kate a voice mail.

We will see what happens...

Thanks, .455.

I have a 4" 624 that is in the range and that has the "F" stamp on the rear of the cylinder. I bought the gun w/o a box so I would definitely would like to know if that stamp "clears" the gun.

I too have just emailed the factory to find out if mine is one of the recalled guns or not. On one hand, I hope it is, but on the other hand, I hope it's not. Kind of one of those weird can't win, can't lose things.

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Si vis pacem, para bellum

.455_Hunter, did you ever get a call or email reply from S&W to clear up the confusion on the recall.

Keith

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kbgrips.com

Nothing yet...

Email from Kate today...

Since the original box is unavailable (the guy I bought the gun from does not have it), I guess I will send it off the S&W next week. She included a FedEx charge number as well to cover the shipment. So much for the "F" thing I guess.

The saga continues...

.455_Hunter, thanks for the update and sorry about your needing to send the gun back to be checked. This actually gets more confusing to me with each contact with S&W, bringing more questions to mind, such as, kf emails you and states that you guns serial number falls in the range of affected guns and if you do not have the original box with a red C on it you should return it to be checked. This should only need to be done if your gun is in the range and has never been back to be checked, hopefully S&W keeps a list of guns they actually checked and look at that before telling you to send yours back. Her email to you makes it sound like without the original box they have no way to check if it's ever been back, this makes no sense to me. You might also ask if the cylinder would happen to fail can you have the gun back minus the cylinder, possibly having a cylinder from another gun fit to that frame.

Keith

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kbgrips.com

Kate emailed me back today, and mine was shipped after the dates in question.

bis45, the only stainless cylinders in 44 that they have at the factory are for 44 mag. In theory, it's a good idea, but the forcing cone will have to be shortened for the cylinder to clear the breach of the barrel. You'd think that they could make a new cylinder in the performance cylinder if needed, but that doesn't seem to be an option the factory wants to consider.

__________________
Si vis pacem, para bellum

I'm in the same boat. I bought a 624 within the suspect range and without a box. It has the "F" on the cylinder. I asked whether it may have been previously checked, but the response was that they (S & W)keep no records of which particular serial numbers have been checked!

Marking the box (of all things!) with a "C" was bad enough, but to find out they don't even keep a list of guns that have been back to be checked is just plain crazy. To keep testing the same guns over and over is such a waste. I don't know why they haven't come up with a mark (kind of like the "M" on the L frame recall of the same period) so that we can identify safe guns before we buy them.

With the invention of computers, and software like Excel, there is no reason that they shouldn't have a database.

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Si vis pacem, para bellum

Got the e-mail from Kate today...my 624 was shipped 6-13-85 #AHB 8148 and is in the recall range. I don't have the box so I'm "supposed" to Fed Ex it to S&W...OH NOOOOOOOOOO

Bought mine new in 1986.
Ser #AHBxxxx, box has a red C,cylinder has a F.

Doesn't the "F" on the back of the cylinder mean that it has been tested and passed?

__________________
ken
SWCA #1959

I first reported that one of my 624's was "OK" and the other was outside the serial number range. However, I was looking at both of the original boxes and BOTH of my 624's (4" and 6") have the "Red C" on the end of the box. So, both of mine have been checked and are "OK".

Since this is a "recall" it seems to me that Smith owes an owner of a potentially defective revolver a free shipping label. I would CERTAINLY ask for one. It is costly for a "civilian" to send a handgun back to the factory.

HEY! S&W, it's YOUR mistake...

FWIW
Dale53

S&W is paying to Fed Ex My 624 via Priority overnight service to them and back to me...But what happens if they check your cylinder and its a bad one??? Kate says my 624 was shipped 6/14/85 I thought the bad ones ended 6/8/85. My cylinder has the "F" stamped on it but I don't think that means anything...

Kitt, your date of 6/8/85 is/was/might be correct. This only seems to get worse as time goes on. Perhaps they found a larger problem than they thought they had. In emails and phone calls to S&W on several occasions I've never been told of any stamp marking checked guns. All mine have an "F" stamp, I can't remember ever seeing one without it. I would not send a 624 back to them at this point, I would stick it back in the safe and hope it gets sorted out some day. I have several 66s and they all have a "V" stamped on the cylinder in the same way as the 624s have an "F". I think I'll email S&W to see what the new story is.

Keith

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kbgrips.com

I would just send S&W the cylinder if I sent it in at all. If the cylinder is defective, they won't return your M-624, just offer you a new, current gun.

If your cylinder proves to be bad and they won't return it, you can chase down a Model 629 cylinder and have a good gunsmith lathe down the front of it until it fits your existing frame/barrel and yoke. Or, find a Model 627 cylinder and have it rechambered. Admittedly, the -627 cylinder will be harder to find.

S&W needs to step up on this issue and have their Performance Center guys knock out some .44 Special cylinders for these revolvers. Perhaps it would have an impact if we started a petition here and banded the 624 owners together.

I don't currently own a 624, but it's my Grail Gun. I can't see buying one unless it has the box with the magic circled "C". This said, if I had one, I'd gladly pay the Performance Center a few bucks to have them make a rececessed cylinder.

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NRA Life Member

+1...that's what I would do in this situation!

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ken
SWCA #1959

Straight quote from Kate at S&W-

The 624 is not a grail gun for me- I bought the one in question on a whim. If they send me a new 4" 629, I guess I will be happy.

My brother bought this 624 brand new and its been in his closet over 20 years and he never fired it.I had to do some serious talking to get him to sell it to me! The #18 inspection sticker is still on the bottom of the grips...I really don't want a new 629...but I don't want to think the cylinder might fail on the 624 either.

I've been following this thread with great interest, since I've been looking for a S&W 624 4" for quite awhile. But it's hard to find one that has some indication that the gun has been checked out and found free of the defective cylinder or the date of manufacture or serial number is outside of the range of potential cylinder. Gun auction boards and gun shows simply do not afford an opportunity to check out the cylinder with S&W. I really don't want to spend the serious money for a 624 only to find out there is a big risk using it, losing it if I send it to S&W, or stowing it indefinitely waiting for a S&W to provide a replacement cylinder, which seems unlikely to happen.

Suggestions? There is a big gun show this weekend and a 624 just might be offered. More than likely, it will not have the box. Really appreciate the OP's question and any help.

As an alternative to sending your gun to S&W and losing it, is there an independent and trustworthy business that can MPI/Magnaflux the cylinders for you?

That might work, but only if they know the specifications/parameters necessary. Is it simply a matter of voids, improper and spotty heat treating, something else? Only S&W could reliably determine if there was an issue based on their test procedures. I like the idea of just sending the cylinder back, especially if it is of a concern. Offering a whole new gun is mighty generous of them, especially since a lot of 624s were likely acquired on the secondary market and used hard already. If you like one of the new guns, and the free IL doesn't bother you.... . I don't think you can buy an old Ford Escort Molotov on Wheels and expect a new car, now, can you?

I'm just glad the serial number of my LH 3" is in the ALWXXXX range!

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" I said, good DAY! "

My 624's have been inspected and are "OK
.

However, if they were NOT, I wouldn't hesitate a New York minute to send it back to Smith and have them check it out.

No amount of scrutiny by anyone else is likely to give you a proper answer (the Steel specs were incorrect and your first failure may be catastrophic).

If Smith had my revolver and stated they couldn't return it, I would readily accept something like a .44 Magnum Mountain Gun. I would be happy with that as a replacement if there were no other options. It's not a perfect world and Smith is doing the best they can, in my view, if they offer to replace a defective gun.

I really have enjoyed my 624's and will continue to do so but it is not the end all and be all...

Dale53

Speaking of "inspection passed" 624s, I found one today: 4" with original box ("C" stamped) and papers. It has some ejector rod bind, but times and locks up well and has no other issues.

Email me if you're interested and I'll put you in touch with the dealer.

Price is $625 delivered to your FFL.

Email sent. Thanks.

Thank you for the heads-up Wayne. E-mail sent!

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NRA Life Member

Replies emailed to both of you.

My 624 went back to S&W today.

Let's see what happens...

.455_Hunter I sent my 624 back to S&W today... S&W says it should be back in about two weeks.

Got a letter from S&W saying they have receieved my revolver it should be returned in 2-3 weeks and they gave me the customer support center phone number & ext. #. Life goes on...

Adding to the proverbial list of "Things We Will Never Know," it would be interesting to know what percentage of these guns fail the test. I realize the information effectively would be worthless, but still, interesting.

I have yet to decide what to do with my 624. I don't use it a lot, but would hate to retire it.

I have a 4" 624 with the AHC prefix, which falls into the recall. I got it without the box so I don't know if its been back to S&W and been checked. Furthermore, I don't care! I shoot it at least 100 rounds a week!

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ken
SWCA #1959