Sigh, well one of my favorite smith and wessons has developed a crack under the barrel....I have heard about this happening to others but never thought it would happen to me.

I emailed Smith but since I am not the original owner I am doubtful they can/will be able to do anything for me.

Does anyone have any advice? I really love this gun...

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S&W has always been more than fair with me. I hope they will offer something that appeals to you and that allows you to carry on with a comparable model. Obviously, the frame on your gun is toast, so that is probably the end of the whole kit and kaboodle.

My own first airweight Chief must be from about that era, too. I don't shoot it often and haven't for some time, but for many years we were inseparable. It has a small boatload of wadcutters to its credit, but I did not shoot a lot of heavier loads in it. Those always went through the steel gun that was its brother. It's about due for the annual wipe down and inspection. I hope it doesn't end up like that.

Edit to correct my dyslexic reading... My gun is probably from the 67-68 era. I managed to reverse the numbers in your title in my mind when I was writing.

I know how you feel. My bodyguard looked like a twin to yours. Mine was made before the lifetime warranty was implemented. I had just bought mine used and didn't know to check for a cracked frame. Education is expensive. Smith gave me a new one at a reduced price but I had to eat the expense of the first one. I only got to put about 10 rounds through it.

On a happier note I did come across a Model 49 all steel so I still have a Bodyguard in the stable.

How common is this? I have a 1973 version that might have 10 rounds thru it, and this concerns me.

It is cracked in the same spot as the others that have been posted. Check "The dreaded frame crack" by forum member ladder13. Two others found cracks also. I would think Smith will take care of you. They have great customer service.

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2 Timothy 1:7

Thanks for all the feedback....I will remain hopeful and keep you updated as to how it turns out.

Yipes! This has me worried. My pre model 38 Bodyguard Airweight does not show evidence of this. But, how common is it? Now I am concerned about using the gun and it is a favorite of mine. I have no idea how many rounds may have gone thourgh it but will only use light loads.

That alumimum under the barrel is not all that thick. I suppose one way to look at it is -- everything is a compromise: you trade weight for longevity. And these light guns tend to last years -- often many years and many thousands of rounds -- before they crack, so seems a fair trade.

I heard back from Smith. No go on any repair, although I already expected as much. Rep informed me the warranty on that model and year was only for 1 year. That said he said to ship the gun to them and they would most likely authorize a discount on a new smith purchase.

I will update when I have a final resolution, in the meantime I will continue to enjoy my other Smiths.

Personally, I would not send your gun to S&W.
You are going to have to pay shipping and they will probably keep your gun and offer next to nothing on new one.
Your grips, parts and even cracked frame can all be parted and and sold separately. Frame will have to be sold thru FFL just like a gun but some grip guys will buy them for a "jig".
This same senerio has come up many times on this Forum and the broken airweights prior to the 1989 Lifetime warranty are not covered by S&W.
Only offering a suggestion, but think you will be money ahead in the long run (doing it yourself).
Good Luck


Check these out:

Model 38 Frame Crack - Can It Be Fixed?

Replacing cracked frame on old Model 37-no dash

VM is right. That's what I would do in this situation - part it out.

You've been handed a lemon so make lemonade!

GF

My 1983 vintage Model 38 has this crack. Its a night stand gun loaded with Glaser safety rounds. What's the chances of it blowin up if its ever fired?

I don't think you'll get anyone to give you an answer for liability reasons. I would love to take on of the cracked Airweights, mount it in a Ransom rest and shoot the snot out of it to see what happens.

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Centennial Every Day

An update: Well its taken a while for me to post an update but as promised here it goes.

Upon sending the gun to Smith it took a month or so for me to get a response, they where really backed up. When I heard back from them they told me it was in fact un-repairable but that warranty wanted to take a look at it. They also informed me that the original gun only had a one year warranty, but they may give me a discount.

A few weeks later I get a call from one of their warranty guys and he informed me they where shipping me a brand new gun model 438. A few weeks later and we are now in possession of a brand new model 438!

All I can say is this is why all but one of my hand guns are Smiths and will continue to be Smith's...they have a customer for life!

Good to hear it!

Thanks for the update.

Glad to hear S&W did right by you.

If I can ask, did this develop with just standard pressure loads?

Estimated round count before it was noticed?

I just picked up a late fifties Model 38 flat latch Airweight that I want to shoot with standard pressure loads and am just wondering at what point I should be concerned. The gun is used but not much.

Anybody know if the Model 49 had any similar issues? I'm lusting over one of those as well.

parisofthewest

This is very cool and am Happy that you didn't listen to me and S&W proved me wrong.
I hope that others that have been turned down in the past see this thread.
Thanks for posting update!

Thats a great ending. How about a picture of the new one?

My understanding is that there is a suspicion that the reason for the cracks in the alloy frame isn't necessarily from shooting, but from over-torquing the barrel when it was screwed in at the factory. The stress crack starts, then when the gun is fired, the crack comes through to the point where it is visible.

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Georgia On My Mind

"My understanding is that there is a suspicion that the reason for the cracks in the alloy frame isn't necessarily from shooting, but from over-torquing the barrel when it was screwed in at the factory. The stress crack starts, then when the gun is fired, the crack comes through to the point where it is visible. "

So, an older pined barrel should no have that problem then?

"So, an older pinned barrel should not have that problem then?"

I have seen pinned barrel Airweights with the crack, as well. Even with the barrel pin, the barrel is torqued down on the frame with some force. If you remove the pin, it is still often quite a task to unscrew the barrel.

The original poster's gun has a pinned barrel, for example.

I gather these are all "J" frame guns? How about the "K" frames? I've got a Model 12 on layaway that I'll have to check closely before I take delivery on it. I might never shoot it, but I'm curious to know about it.

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John 3:16 .

I only shoot and carry standard pressure rounds in my older Smiths. Federal Nyclads and Hornady 158 XTP are fine.

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Loyalty Above All.. but Honor

Remember this?
+P Through a Model 12: THE TEST...is done!!!!

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Georgia On My Mind

These same cracks have also occurred with newer model lightweight J frames. From what I've seen in posts on this forum, S&W has replaced the guns at no cost to the owner.