New Final update-S&W Model 439 needs fix!!

tjtoolbox · #1 11-16-2015, 02:03 PM

Purchased a S&W Model 439 from a local guy. I went to Field Strip it and when the slide slid off so did part of the frame right behind the mag opening go flying with some springs. I managed to get it back together to get the slide on and cycle it.
My question is , Is it repairable because it has broken from the main frame or is the gun JUNK an should be split up for parts.
I think it will shoot with no problem but I could not field strip it to clean it and what about reselling it as a complete gun. Paid $400.00 for it.
All comments and suggestions welcome.

TTSH · #2 11-16-2015, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjtoolbox

All comments and suggestions welcome.

Pullman Arms in Worcester, MA does microwelding. While I am no fan of their sales operation, I might consider bringing a damaged frame to them for evaluation and possible repair.

* Gunsmithing Services

357larry · #3 11-16-2015, 03:12 PM

Yes, photos would help. It sounds like the backstrap came off, but that should not have anything to do with the slide removal. There is a pin that holds the backstrap in place. Pictures would be a great help.

tjtoolbox · #4 11-16-2015, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armorer951

A photograph or two of the internals and damaged area would help members on the forum access the problem.

I do not want to take the slide off because it was a nightmare to get it back together. My camera will not take a clear picture of the break.
When you rack the slide and the mag is not in the gun the part that is broken is just below the firing pin in the slide, it houses the firing pin safety lever and sear release lever.
This is about all that I can tell you. I do believe that it is a part of the frame that is broken.

tjtoolbox · #5 11-19-2015, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjtoolbox

I do not want to take the slide off because it was a nightmare to get it back together. My camera will not take a clear picture of the break.
When you rack the slide and the mag is not in the gun the part that is broken is just below the firing pin in the slide, it houses the firing pin safety lever and sear release lever.
This is about all that I can tell you. I do believe that it is a part of the frame that is broken.

Added Pictures of the break in the mag. well.
Is it fixable or should I part it out as Parts?

Muss Muggins · #6 11-25-2015, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjtoolbox

Still looking for some advice with all the S&W guys.

Like others have said, I'm gonna have to see this thing better before I can render even an uninformed guess. I can't even begin to figure it out from those pics. Really need one of just the frame with the slide off . . .

lrrifleman · #7 11-25-2015, 04:43 PM

Honestly, I would go after the person that sold you this 439. In my opinion, that pistol was abused to some degree to cause that frame failure. The seller obviously deceived you at the time of sale.

That being said, you could contact Smith and Wesson to see if they could replace or repair the frame. If Smith doesn't want to touch this, you could start looking for another 439 frame, or a 39 or 639 frame.

tjtoolbox · #8 12-07-2015, 07:19 PM

UP date, the seller has taken the gun to a Gunsmith to look over the repair needed to fix the gun. Hope that it is repairable to shoot. I do like the gun and if it can be fixed than I will keep it.

tjtoolbox · #9 02-28-2016, 01:45 PM

New Update on the 439. I had to get it back from the seller because he ran into problems and lost his LTC. Now I am stuck with a gun that is in pieces. Looking for some Good advice. Should I Sell it for parts or see if S&W can fix it?
All comments Welcome

clang444 · #10 02-28-2016, 03:23 PM

Since the gun is in pieces - why not post a couple pics of the broken area. The previous pics don't really help much.

Still not sure why the seller did not refund you your money. He stuck you with a broken gun.

tjtoolbox · #11 02-28-2016, 04:26 PM

He was trying to get the gun fixed until he lost his LTC , I was working with him to get the problem under control.

Quote:

Originally Posted by clang444

Since the gun is in pieces - why not post a couple pics of the broken area. The previous pics don't really help much.

Still not sure why the seller did not refund you your money. He stuck you with a broken gun.

JohnHL · #12 02-29-2016, 02:51 PM

Looking at your pictures, I can definitely see that your frame is broken.
That little section between the frame levers is where the disconnector lives.
i don't know how it was broken but possibly dropping the pistol on its hammer while the slide was removed allowing the hammer to impact this area weakened by all the machine cuts.
I don't know how this can be repaired because I don't think a welder could get at it.
Finding a stripped frame is like finding a winning lottery ticket.
I don't think S&W will offer to replace it although you could ask.
In my opinion, it is probably a parts gun now.

Sorry.

John

tjtoolbox · #13 02-29-2016, 06:55 PM

Thanks for your reply. I was told that if I sent a broken gun to S&W and it could not be fixed that they would issue me a gun of similar value. Don't know how true that is. I am very temped to strip the frame of all the parts and sell it as a package to cut me losses. Frame is junk and I don't if S&W has another 439 kicking around in their parts dept.
Has any one ever got a new gun because theirs could not be fixed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnHL

Looking at your pictures, I can definitely see that your frame is broken.
That little section between the frame levers is where the disconnector lives.
i don't know how it was broken but possibly dropping the pistol on its hammer while the slide was removed allowing the hammer to impact this area weakened by all the machine cuts.
I don't know how this can be repaired because I don't think a welder could get at it.
Finding a stripped frame is like finding a winning lottery ticket.
I don't think S&W will offer to replace it although you could ask.
In my opinion, it is probably a parts gun now.

Sorry.

John

JohnHL · #14 03-01-2016, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjtoolbox

Thanks for your reply. I was told that if I sent a broken gun to S&W and it could not be fixed that they would issue me a gun of similar value. Don't know how true that is. I am very temped to strip the frame of all the parts and sell it as a package to cut me losses. Frame is junk and I don't if S&W has another 439 kicking around in their parts dept.
Has any one ever got a new gun because theirs could not be fixed?

I, too have heard stories of S&W exchanging a broken, out of production pistol for a newer model when the broken pistol was under warranty.
I don't think our old 2nd gen Model 439's would qualify as S&W initiated its "Lifetime Warranty" policy with the introduction of the 3rd gen models.
You can call and ask them. If they are interested in examining or repairing it they will send you a call tag.

Good luck.

John

tjtoolbox · #15 03-04-2016, 06:48 PM

Contacted S&W and they sent a Shipping label, sent the gun back today.
Will see what they have to say.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnHL

I, too have heard stories of S&W exchanging a broken, out of production pistol for a newer model when the broken pistol was under warranty.
I don't think our old 2nd gen Model 439's would qualify as S&W initiated its "Lifetime Warranty" policy with the introduction of the 3rd gen models.
You can call and ask them. If they are interested in examining or repairing it they will send you a call tag.

Good luck.

John

JohnHL · #16 03-04-2016, 11:24 PM

Keep us posted.

John

Tired Gunsmith · #17 03-07-2016, 04:53 PM

Our experience with S&W only goes back to 1948.
Through the years we had sent in messes that some of our customers created.
The factory bent over backwards to help.
I believe that they still really believe in customer service.

tjtoolbox · #18 04-06-2016, 06:25 PM

S&W contacted me yesterday and the Frame for the 439 is not repairable or can be replaced. They are sending it back to me. I am going to strip the frame of all it's parts and sell it on the S&W Forum under Parts for sale. I would like to recoup some of my loss on the purchase. I will have pictures and Value at the listing.
End of my story.

TTSH · #19 04-06-2016, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjtoolbox

S&W contacted me yesterday and the Frame for the 439 is not repairable or can be replaced. They are sending it back to me. I am going to strip the frame of all it's parts and sell it on the S&W Forum under Parts for sale. I would like to recoup some of my loss on the purchase. I will have pictures and Value at the listing.
End of my story.

Did S&W CS offer you any sort of "deal" on a new plastic wonder gun?

We all know that sort of thing has happened in the past... but we also know that not all of the "deals" are created equal (nor should they be).

Anyway, hope you come out of it okay. I'll be interested to see what you post for sale.

tjtoolbox · #20 04-06-2016, 07:41 PM

S&W did not offer a deal to compensate on the broken 439. I asked what a new shield would be , my cost, $369.00 and they would destroy the 439. So I would loose a $400.00 gun and pay them another $369.00 for a replacement. $769.00 for a 9mm? Not me. I will take the gun back , sell it for parts to try to tecoup some money at a loss. I will keep the frame because it has the Serial No. on it and it is Registered to me in Ma.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTSH

Did S&W CS offer you any sort of "deal" on a new plastic wonder gun?

We all know that sort of thing has happened in the past... but we also know that not all of the "deals" are created equal (nor should they be).

Anyway, hope you come out of it okay. I'll be interested to see what you post for sale.

TTSH · #21 04-06-2016, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjtoolbox

S&W did not offer a deal to compensate on the broken 439. I asked what a new shield would be , my cost, $369.00 and they would destroy the 439. So I would loose a $400.00 gun and pay them another $369.00 for a replacement. $769.00 for a 9mm? Not me. I will take the gun back , sell it for parts to try to recoup some money at a loss. I will keep the frame because it has the Serial No. on it and it is Registered to me in Ma.

Ouch.

That's no deal at all.

It's too bad you have no recourse to the seller. That was a lot of money to pay for a pistol with a worthless frame.

++++++++

ETA: Can you put it back together again and make it work long enough to do a Boston buy-back thing?

That's $200 in your pocket and documentation that the gun is out of your hands and name. Think about it.

tjtoolbox · #22 04-07-2016, 05:56 PM

The gun cannot be put back together, I all ready tried. As far as a Gun buy back, I don't think that is good for me. Will sell on the Forum as a Parts Listing minus the frame. I will keep the frame with my Ma. Paperwork, it is junk now doesn't fire without all it's parts, just a hunk of metal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTSH

Ouch.

That's no deal at all.

It's too bad you have no recourse to the seller. That was a lot of money to pay for a pistol with a worthless frame.

++++++++

ETA: Can you put it back together again and make it work long enough to do a Boston buy-back thing?

That's $200 in your pocket and documentation that the gun is out of your hands and name. Think about it.

Camster · #23 04-07-2016, 06:39 PM

Isn't it easier to surrender the frame to the police,clear your paperwork,and not worry about it?
I just don't understand your reasoning and math with saying that 769 is too much to have in a 9mm.You'd have 369 in a new gun.Period.What you spent on the used gun,is another matter.Water under the bridge,over the dam,whatever-just a write off.It has nothing to do with S&W or another gun.

tjtoolbox · #24 04-07-2016, 07:08 PM

To me it is a loss of $400.00. Would you give up $400.00 for Junk?
I may turn in the frame to the LE only to get rid of the Paperwork.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camster

Isn't it easier to surrender the frame to the police,clear your paperwork,and not worry about it?
I just don't understand your reasoning and math with saying that 769 is too much to have in a 9mm.You'd have 369 in a new gun.Period.What you spent on the used gun,is another matter.Water under the bridge,over the dam,whatever-just a write off.It has nothing to do with S&W or another gun.

shawn mccarver · #25 04-07-2016, 08:12 PM

Did you ask S&W if they had to have the entire gun back? What if they gave you the $369.00 deal on a new Shield, and you got to keep your parts? In other words, send them only the frame to destroy.

TTSH · #26 04-07-2016, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawn mccarver

What if they gave you the $369.00 deal on a new Shield, and you got to keep your parts?

Where is the advantage in that?

He is getting back the damaged gun in its entirety anyway... and can go out and buy a brand new Shield from any decent MA dealer for $369 (or less, assuming a little diligent price shopping). My own Shield cost me just $299+Tax but that deal has since gone away.

tjtoolbox · #27 04-09-2016, 01:42 PM

I could not make a deal with S&W. Gun was not repairable or would they compensate me with a New gun by their warenty of replacement, NO !!
So I will sell ALL the Parts minus the Frame.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawn mccarver

Did you ask S&W if they had to have the entire gun back? What if they gave you the $369.00 deal on a new Shield, and you got to keep your parts? In other words, send them only the frame to destroy.

tjtoolbox · #28 04-14-2016, 05:36 PM

Well Gents, received the 439 back today from the S&W factory. I have already torn it down to the bare frame. I will be taking pictures and doing a listing in the Forum Parts for Sale this Weekend.
Guess this is the final chapter for my S&W 439.