Hello. Just received a new 629 performance center and shot 12 180 gr. practice rounds. Upon inspection, it almost looks like a crack to me under the top strap but no indication of it on the side of the top strap. Could this just be rough machining marks? On a side note , is the forcing cone cut Acceptable. What do you think? Thanks

Id take it to a gunsmith and have them magnaflux it if your worried about it. Someone with more knowledge will chime in soon.

I don't think it is a crack. I would send it back to S&W if it bothers you that much before I would ever let anyone else have a go at it.

That looks like a crack not a machining mark. Send that pic to S&W for them to decide if it needs returned or not.

The larger mark in the photo doesn't appear to have very sharp edges, and appears to have discernible ends, which would also be out of character for a crack. Also, if it were caused by stress, that's a weird place for it to "appear".
Have you been able to look at it under magnification?

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Haven't looked under real magnification. Agreed that the mark looks jagged and rough then connects to a fine line. If it's not a high stress area then I'm not as worried but I may just send the picture to S@W to ease my mind.

Does that very thin mark that runs to the edge of the top strap on the bottom also appear on the side of the top strap? It's hard to tell in the photo.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

No. It stops just before the side of the strap.

I copied and enlarged your pic and I'm no gunsmith but that looks problematic to me. It looks like that deep gouge has a hairline crack that runs to the edge. When you blow it up it looks like it goes through the topstrap. Not to be a buzzkill but I'd send it to S&W to get their opinion. In any case that erosion is only going to get worse.

I didn't think about it eroding the gap more. Good point. Weird that it is a new revolver. I will post update of the outcome after the holidays. Thanks

I have to agree with Jingles, under magnification that does appear to be either a scratch or crack coming out of that inclusion. I think a trip home for your new pistol is in order.

Maybe this will help:

629WEB.jpg

My opinion - contact S&W.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Rub some dirt on it.

Looks like a gouge and a trailing scratch, to me.

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Just Say No - To Social Media

Well, I couldn't wait another month to shoot it so I lightly polished the fine line as best as I could reach. Turns out it was a scratch. There is still that nasty gouge looking thing but I'll keep a watch on it. Thanks for the replies. Sorry, Dont know how to do the small pictures

Looks a lot like a flaw or crack to me. Some dye penetrant would tell you for sure. Should be able to get it on line or maybe a good welding supply. Won't harm the metal at all. You spray the red dye on the suspect piece and then wipe off the excess with a rag, then spray on the developer. If there is a crack the developer will suck the dye out of the crack leaving a red line. It all cleans off with solvent.

Or you could call S&W and explain maybe even email the above photoa.

Just an update. I sent the 629 competitor per SAW request on the 3rd of January and the reported back today that the frame has to be replaced. They told me it could be another 6 weeks. Not to happy to say the least, but it will be a long wait for my new revolver. Thanks for the replies.

Somebody in the QC department shouldn't be sitting down for a week letting a gun out like that.

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Release the Kraken

I agree but I'll bet that their posterior[if they can trace it to an individual] will more than likely stay intact!

QC Dept? I've never had the impression that the guns got a final look over by any inspector prior to shipment.Each guy on the line does his particular operation,passes it on to the next guy,and at the end of the line,it gets fired a few times and goes into a box.I've had far too many that shouldn't have been shipped.I don't understand the economics of being so good about having them returned,considering shop time and shipping expense.It seems better to me to be more critical before they are turned loose into the world.

Are there any circumstances where Smith and Wesson will issue a refund from anyones experience. I could have a new one in 2days vs in their possession for 3 months.

Guess not..Lol.