UPDATE; POST 62 MODEL 67 BARREL DEPARTED ON 3RD SHOT

[rct269]

"But after a life time of wrenching I developed a pretty well calibrated arm." (Steelslaver)

That brought back memories that brought tears to my eyes------from laughing!

I spent eleven years of my misspent youth racing sports cars. As was the case with most of those involved, I didn't have the megabucks required for a store bought race car, but I had the desire---never mind I didn't know which end of a wrench to hold onto. A manageable investment in books for the knowledge, and the tools to make it happen got me started----that, and the very good fortune to stumble upon a guru to guide the way.

My guru was one of those older than dirt, been there and done that types who didn't laugh out loud at my dumb questions----just smiled a little.

These gurus also have a "well calibrated arm"----and those are good for laughs every now and then. One such episode came when I'd taken a new friend to meet my guru----who was in the process of assembling an engine.

That process involves applying EXACT tightening torque to damn near every threaded fastener involved---and our guru was using a "breaker bar"---a long wrench handle with no torque measuring capabilities whatsoever!! My new friend was AGAST!!!! "Don't you use a torque wrench?!!" "What's that?" replied the guru. "I have one in the car, I'll show you." Having done that, the guru feigned amazement, and asked for a demonstration on the bolt he'd just tightened. The demonstration showed the torque applied to be EXACTLY that required------by a "well calibrated arm".

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Jim Watson]

You sure about that? Lewis Grizzard was somewhat anti-gun.

Yes, the tone of the column that he wrote about it made me realize that he was anti-gun. For others, not himself.

 

[rct269]

On the other hand, getting shot in the butt just might tend to make anybody "anti-gun"-----or at least a little bit leery!

Although I managed to shoot myself in the foot once. All that did was to make me feel dumb---for a little while at least.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Maybe he got hold of a 38 S&W New Departure.

Joking aside. Glad no one was hurt on that one!

 

[Muley Gil]

Yes, the tone of the column that he wrote about it made me realize that he was anti-gun. For others, not himself.

Was that in one of his columns for the Atlanta Constitution?

 

[Jim Watson]

I think so, but it has been a long time.

 

[BigDogBoogie]

Wow! Glad no one was hurt and I'm interested to find out what S&W decides to do with this gun.

I've only heard of such a thing occurring one time that I recall. A friend took his brand new Taurus Judge to the range for the first time and it launched the barrel down range in the first few shots.

Luckily no one was injured in that incident either.

 

[Shibadog]

So with the first two rounds fired, the bullets failed to impact the target, the the third round fired produced heavy recoil and the barrel parted company with the frame? My guess is first two rounds were grossly under-powered, either insufficient or missing powder charge or the powder did not burn correctly and lodged two bullets in the barrel. The third round was a fully functional round or maybe had a bit more powder than the previous two and the barrel with bullets stuck proved to be the part that vented the excessive pressure. Now I gotta ask, factory ammo or someone's reloads?

My first thought as well

 

[50 target]

Model 67 Barrel Departed on 3rd Shot

UPDATE---OF SORTS
My friend called Smith & Wesson to inquire on the progress the examination of the gun. He had not heard anything from them even though he was told he would get a notice when it was received but he never received one.

He was told that it was currently in their metallurgy department and no date when they would be completed with it.

The wait continues.

 

[gnappi]

Leaving it as is would have made a good "gambler's" belly gun

 

[GypsmJim]

If it were me and S&W offered me anything for it, in exchange for a new model, I would take it.

Personally, if I had the barrel replaced I think I would flinch every time I pulled the trigger, waiting for the barrel to launch again.

I'm 75 as well, and I have no time to worry about a gun.

 

[Bloodhound]

UPDATE---OF SORTS
My friend called Smith & Wesson to inquire on the progress the examination of the gun. He had not heard anything from them even though he was told he would get a notice when it was received but he never received one.

He was told that it was currently in their metallurgy department and no date when they would be completed with it.

The wait continues.

Thank you for the update

 

[50 target]

A thought. But then again my friend doesn't know when to hold'em or when to fold'em. LOL

 

[Green Frog]

Leaving it as is would have made a good "gambler's" belly gun

It would have been a little awkward with the ejector rod hanging out in the breeze, doncha think?

I’ve only owned one Model 67, now long gone, but it was a good solid gun. I find myself in full agreement that there has to have been some sort of stress crack, probably due to over torquing. It’s probably too late now, but rather than sending a 50 year old gun back to the factory, I would have just sought out another barrel on the secondary market and either changed it out myself or had a gunsmith do it for me.

That metal fatigue seems to have been limited to the barrel only (based on the description of how it broke off) so I wouldn’t hesitate to put another barrel on that frame. That’s just me though, YMMV.

Froggie

 

[jpage]

Well, on the brighter side, no one was hurt and K Frame snubbies are big bucks !

 

[50 target]

He could always write an article about self defense ammo velocity in a revolver with no barrel. BUT I believe that's been done.Would be interesting though.

Will update when I know.

Hope everyone affected by this storm has heat. I am in middle Alabama and has been snowing since 12:30pm EST today.

 

[mtgianni]

We warmed up from a high of 4 to a balmy 35 degrees yesterday. Thanks for the concern with temps.

 

[epj]

I spent a time working in a processing plant that had a corrosive environment in places. I was the maintenance manager for years. Anyway, I saw steel, of various types that looked like it had been cut off with a lathe. 4-6” in diameter 1018, 1045, 4140, 4150, and other stuff. I’m no metallurgical student, but I’m told inner granular corrosion was the culprit. These shafts flexed just a smidge each time they turned. Barrel hopefully doesn’t turn. Can’t say if this is at all related.

 

[sceva]

I spent a time working in a processing plant that had a corrosive environment in places. I was the maintenance manager for years. Anyway, I saw steel, of various types that looked like it had been cut off with a lathe. 4-6” in diameter 1018, 1045, 4140, 4150, and other stuff. I’m no metallurgical student, but I’m told inner granular corrosion was the culprit. These shafts flexed just a smidge each time they turned. Barrel hopefully doesn’t turn. Can’t say if this is at all related.

InterGranular corrosion is a real thing. If it gets bad enough a crack will form then propagate across the grain boundary .

I don't think that is what causes the S&W barrels to separate though. I suspect over-torquing causing a high stress area that fractures over time.

 

[AJ]

Will be interesting to see what the analysis has to say.