Cracked the Frame on my 4006TSW CHP (Final Update)

[hammy5150]

It's not like they can go to their vaults and pull a new 4006TSW off a rack to send him.

If he's being offered a new "comparable" model as a straight across replacement, for a Used pistol he bought, that's not exactly a bad deal.

What would please you? Being told that the Used gun you bought is not only a Discontinued model, but that you're not entitled to anything because you're not the Original Owner?

Being offered a discount for a current production gun wouldn't be unfair, and being offered a no-cost replacement for the Secondhand gun is a pretty good deal, all things considered.

Honestly for me personally? Just weld the cracked frame back together, send it back to me and tell me I'll take full responsibility if it catastrophically fails on me. Living in California anyway it's not like they'd be able to transfer a new production replacement to me, let alone another 4006TSW they dig out of a vault somewhere so I'd pretty much only be able to get a CA approved Shield back.

 

[Trooper224]

Honestly for me personally? Just weld the cracked frame back together, send it back to me and tell me I'll take full responsibility if it catastrophically fails on me. Living in California anyway it's not like they'd be able to transfer a new production replacement to me, let alone another 4006TSW they dig out of a vault somewhere so I'd pretty much only be able to get a CA approved Shield back.

You need to wake up bro, you're dreaming.

 

[Fastbolt]

Honestly for me personally? Just weld the cracked frame back together, send it back to me and tell me I'll take full responsibility if it catastrophically fails on me. Living in California anyway it's not like they'd be able to transfer a new production replacement to me, let alone another 4006TSW they dig out of a vault somewhere so I'd pretty much only be able to get a CA approved Shield back.

Damn. I didn't see that you were here in CA. I'm in the same boat, FWIW. Now that I can no longer use the peace officer exemption to buy off-roster handguns, I'd have to choose from among their CA Roster Approved handguns if one of mine were to become unrepairable. Unless you were willing to settle for a Shield 40 (original configuration), or one of their revolvers, you'd be left on the outside looking in. Sigh.

Personally, I'd take a long look at one of their revolvers, but then I'm a longtime revolver guy.

Not sure the company would want to create needless exposure to liability to make some unusual repair if they thought a catastrophic failure might occur. Sometimes those waivers aren't worth the paper upon which they're printed, if they reach a court room (and then there's the court of public opinion if someone is injured or killed with one of their products). I'd be very, very surprised if they offered to weld/repair a cracked stainless frame.

Best of luck to you. Let us know what happens.

 

[hammy5150]

Damn. I didn't see that you were here in CA. I'm in the same boat, FWIW. Now that I can no longer use the peace officer exemption to buy off-roster handguns, I'd have to choose from among their CA Roster Approved handguns if one of mine were to become unrepairable. Unless you were willing to settle for a Shield 40 (original configuration), or one of their revolvers, you'd be left on the outside looking in. Sigh.

Personally, I'd take a long look at one of their revolvers, but then I'm a longtime revolver guy.

Not sure the company would want to create needless exposure to liability to make some unusual repair if they thought a catastrophic failure might occur. Sometimes those waivers aren't worth the paper upon which they're printed, if they reach a court room (and then there's the court of public opinion if someone is injured or killed with one of their products). I'd be very, very surprised if they offered to weld/repair a cracked stainless frame.

Best of luck to you. Let us know what happens.

Luckily for OP he doesn't live here and can still pick up another one for pennies. Meanwhile we're both still on the outside looking in as previously cheap surplus 4006s dry up and eventually go for what they probably cost new

 

[Trooper224]

Luckily for OP he doesn't live here and can still pick up another one for pennies. Meanwhile we're both still on the outside looking in as previously cheap surplus 4006s dry up and eventually go for what they probably cost new

At a gun show Sunday, I saw a minty early production 4006 for $700, so you're not far off.

 

[waffles]

I sent a 351C back because it was very hard to eject spent cases. Got an email that it was "unrepairable" and they would be sending me a new one. No word on what was unrepairable, just that the gunsmith had noted that.

I pushed the envelope a bit and asked for a no lock version even though the one I sent in had the lock. They sent me a no lock and all I had to do was pay the transfer fee.

Wouldn't mind that. I've got no offer yet and I've called a few times since receiving it, being told that CS was aware and would be calling me. Going on a month of that of answer so far.

 

[Steve912]

Honestly for me personally? Just weld the cracked frame back together, send it back to me and tell me I'll take full responsibility if it catastrophically fails on me.

Aside from the liability aspect ("you sent my client back a pistol
that you knew was defective and unsafe, and could cause the
grievous injury he has sustained, due to your reckless
negligence..."), they may not have the equipment to actually do
that type of welding/weld in the constrained area of damage.

Hope it works out well for you...

 

[Racer X]

The potential problem with the warranty is that it extends to the original purchaser. The gun being marked CHP, screams that the current owner is not the original purchaser. That said, from what I’ve read here and my own experience, it depends on who you talk to in C S the phase of the moon, day of the week, etc as to the response you’ll get.

It was your dad's service weapon, right?

Sentimental value is incalculable.

 

[Fastbolt]

Luckily for OP he doesn't live here and can still pick up another one for pennies. Meanwhile we're both still on the outside looking in as previously cheap surplus 4006s dry up and eventually go for what they probably cost new

Well, to be fair, I could've bought a little-used or a remaining NIB 4006TSW duty weapon, produced the same year as the CHP guns, but with the riveted rail, when we were given the opportunity to buy a previous duty weapon a while back. (Ours were ordered with Trijicon NS and spurred hammer, and with standard decock/manual safety.) Instead, I bought a 3913TSW I'd briefly carried as an issued weapon. I'd hand-selected it from the armory, being one of the few remaining NIB/never-issued models, over the issued 4513TSW I'd been carrying at the time, and over the available 4566TSW & 4006TSW guns in inventory. Ours were offered to us for the same low cost as the CHP had offered their officers the opportunity to purchase a previous duty weapon, which is to say a deal hard to pass up. (We still had to pay the FFL transfer and sales tax, of course.)

The reason I didn't buy a 4566TSW or 4006TSW when they were available for that single-time purchase was simply because they were too damned heavy, and large, and nowadays I look for size and weight conducive to carry, not just for a fun range gun. (Same reason I turned in my issued 4566TSW for a compact aluminum-framed duty weapon in my plainclothes assignment.)

 

[DAOTSWGUY]

Well guys not the turn out I hoped for but it was what I expected. First off I want to say dealing with smith and wesson Cs was **** they are rude people and never keep to their word (can’t tell you how many times I heard we have it back and will be calling you next week). To keep it short they came to the conclusion that it was fine when it left the factory and it was my fault. They offered me a discount on a M&P 40 2.0…. I decided I rather have the broken pistol than a discounted M&P. Oh well I already replaced it and got a 4566TSW WVSP in the time since it was gone so I guess I will live. Thanks for all your guys suggestions though this process!

 

[Racer X]

" To keep it short they came to the conclusion that it was fine when it left the factory and it was my fault"

Except what about the countless pistols and revolvers that were fine when they left the factory, and were sent right back because they weren't?

That could be welded. I showed the pics to my partner's brother, a master welder. Said no big deal. Would need a few passes on a mill to bring the welds back to original dimensions. His dad could have done it, and run the mill too.

 

[Chubbs103]

Well guys not the turn out I hoped for but it was what I expected.

It is unfortunate and unnecessary that they were rude to you. It is worth keeping in mind, this pistol was not eligible for warranty coverage. Like you, I would have tried all the same.

 

[rosewood]

That sure stinks that they aren't going to fix or replace it with another 4006. However, since it is a discontinued model, they may not have a frame to replace it with. How much of a discount did they say they would give you on the M&P? Personally I think they should have just sent you a replacement M&P free of charge. Granted it is no where near equivalent to a 4006, but if they don't have them...

If it was "your fault", I ask where is the external damage that would be required to crack a frame. That is clearly a manufacturing defect to me.

Rosewood

 

[stansdds]

That's the issue with discontinued firearms. Once the supply of spare parts is exhausted, there are no repairs/replacements, so a cracked receiver means the death of a discontinued pistol.

 

[captain92]

I would look into having one of the expert welders mentioned throughout the thread take care of it. Then shoot standard non-+P
ammo, keep the recoil springs changed and drive on shooting it as
a range gun only however.

 

[ACEd]

Welding Stainless can be a challenge. There are many variations in composition and depending on the specific stainless composition welding may not be acceptable.

And, as to the liability if something went wrong and hurt someone, I would not want to think about either your liability or that of the person doing the welding.

I can understand the disappointment, but I dont think it was ever realistic to expect SW to repair or replace the frame of a gun that has been out of production as long as these have, not withstanding the issue of it being a used (and possibly abused) gun before you got it.

In reality, I think the only reasonable option from their perspective was to offer a replacement or a discount on a replacement with a current production unit.

That does not excuse their rudeness or failure to follow through on their promises to get back to you or the long delays in response to the problem with your gun.

But, bottom line, my recommendation would be to set it aside and move forward with the replacements you have procured.


Best, Ed

 

[toddstang]

Lifetime warranty is about 5 years to S&W

 

[hammy5150]

I've also picked up a 4006TSW over the course of this thread and now I'm a bit concerned about it. I've known that .40 is tough on guns not specifically designed for it and at the end of the day a 4006 is still a beefed up 5906 but I always figured they were built tougher than that. Has anyone else been unlucky enough to get frame cracks on their 4006s TSW or not?

 

[DAOTSWGUY]

That sure stinks that they aren't going to fix or replace it with another 4006. However, since it is a discontinued model, they may not have a frame to replace it with. How much of a discount did they say they would give you on the M&P? Personally I think they should have just sent you a replacement M&P free of charge. Granted it is no where near equivalent to a 4006, but if they don't have them...

If it was "your fault", I ask where is the external damage that would be required to crack a frame. That is clearly a manufacturing defect to me.

Rosewood

It would have been 407.32… the last M&P 40 I bought was like new with 3 mags was $200… no thanks S&W I will keep my paperweight

 

[Steve912]

That's the issue with discontinued firearms. Once the supply of spare parts is exhausted, there are no repairs/replacements, so a cracked receiver means the death of a discontinued pistol.

That, and buying second hand. We know going into it, we have
no warranty.

But fortunately, OP has offer from friend of an "expert welder"
who says rewelding the frame would be a piece of cake. Sounds
like a fast, cheap solution. Looking forward to seeing the
results.