638-3 crack

[rusty68]

I have a 638-3 airweight that has seen some use. After shooting today, I noticed a small hairline crack at the bottom of the window where the hand rests. I have emailed S&W (was on hold for 15 minutes, figure an email they can get to it when they get to it) about it to see what they think/see if it needs repair/replacement.
What do you all think? I don't think the gun will stop working or anything, but more likely than not if I keep shooting it the crack will become bigger and a failure may happen.

Also I've noticed frame wear under the barrel where the ring on the yoke is making an indentation on the frame. Doesn't seem to affect back and forth movement of the cylinder at all, but it seems to have been more noticable lately. I mentioned in the email, figured I'd mention it here too, see what y'all think.

[mod34]

Hey Rusty, there isn't any "thinking" about that one. Get a shipping label from SW and get that out to them. The crack isn't abundantly obvious in your image (could just be my eyes, or my relatively suboptimal monitor), but when there is a crack where there shouldn't be one, it has to go back.

[armorer951]

Three or four years ago, I emailed them a question about the frame battering you are seeing under the barrel extension. It's caused by the yoke moving forward during recoil, after overcoming the spring tension in the new yoke retention screw.

They characterized the damage in the photos I sent them as "normal".....and the example I sent was much worse than yours. The resulting peening damage by the yoke is more evident on alloy frames.

[colt_saa]

I think I see the crack you are referring to.

You are far better off hanging on the phone for 20 or 30 minutes than waiting for an E-mail response.

So CALL Them and send it in

[GeoJelly]

Rusty - Sorry to hear about the possible frame crack - I also cannot see it with my monitor. I've seen it mentioned here many times before - those Airweights are best for prolly 96% carry and 4% shooting. I have two 637's - and I'm wearing one out now carrying it most mornings when I walk. Well, not really wearing it out since I'm pocket-carrying it which should cause very minimal wear & tear. Statement of the obvious follows: I shoot my 640 and SP-101's when I want to go to the range with a snubby. The Airweights are test-fired only and not often.

[Lou_the_welder]

The yoke batter looks kinda normal. I have some with more pronounced marks.
The crack is interesting tho. I would send it in for that.

[pharmer]

I don't know, looks like they "squared" the "hand window track." I looked at one of my 642-1's and it is exactly the same. Joe

[oink]

I don't think it looks any different from my 640 no dash and it isn't cracked.

[jjfitch]

With the cylinder open, pull the thumb piece rearward and pull the trigger to see the operation of the hand.

That "crack" looks like the hand in "park"!

Please report back with your finding....'s

[haywood]

I looked at mine and at your picture. I’m having a tough time seeing Much of a difference. I’d take it to a gunsmith first and get his opinion.

[ispcapt]

The "crack" at the hand slot is normal for J frames. It's cut in at the factory. My 49, 649, and 63 all have that small notch.
Also, they all have the same mark at the yoke. The 49 has been shot the most and with a lot of +P ammo. You can just barely feel a slight indent.
Those are all steel frame J frames so I would expect an alloy to have just a bit more wear. As long as there's no excessive end shake where you are having light primer strikes and misfires I wouldn't worry about it. It's all normal.

[rusty68]

With the cylinder open, pull the thumb piece rearward and pull the trigger to see the operation of the hand.

That "crack" looks like the hand in "park"!

Please report back with your finding....'s

Yes, I did that when I first discovered it is not a part of the hand.

[rusty68]

I think there maybe some confusion at what part of the photograph I'm referring to (which I apologize for the quality, my phone didn't want to focus when put closer to the gun).

It's the small black line that starts from the bottom (in the photos perspective) of the hand window/cutout. If you look closer at the enhance photo Lou_the_welder put up, following the small dark line from right to left, it ventures upward slightly. So it is most definitely a crack.

We shall see what S&W says. I'm in no rush. It's a backup piece and I have other ones that can take it's place in the meantime.

[GerSan69]

Well, I concur with "send it back." I took a photo of that area on my 638-3, and no mark/crack/scratch like yours. I also took a photo for comparison of my 640, again nothing. The 638 is the dirtier one, BTW.

[rusty68]

Thanks for the comparison pic GerSan69. No crack on either. I'm assuming that once I get a return email/call they'll send me a label

[Lou_the_welder]

Here's a pic of what the hand looks like , when its peeping out the "window". In a black contrast so others may see...
The hand is the triangular silver part here.
For comparison.

[3rdgeargrndrr]

Originally Posted by GerSan69

Well, I concur with "send it back." I took a photo of that area on my 638-3, and no mark/crack/scratch like yours. I also took a photo for comparison of my 640, again nothing. The 638 is the dirtier one, BTW.

Your 638 picture upsets my OCD very much

[jjfitch]

OK, The comparison pic does show what the window should look like without the crack.

S&W will replace the frame if it doesn't meet their Q/C.

I had a frame replaced by S&W for a "window issue" 20+ years ago. What was weird was it was shipped directly back to me with a new serial number different from the original!

Smiles,

[bearman49709]

Originally Posted by jjfitch

OK, The comparison pic does show what the window should look like without the crack.

S&W will replace the frame if it doesn't meet their Q/C.

I had a frame replaced by S&W for a "window issue" 20+ years ago. What was weird was it was shipped directly back to me with a new serial number different from the original!

Smiles,

Not "weird" at all., ATF allows that when it is a direct replacement of a firearm.

[max503]

To me the crack is obvious and I would be sending that puppy back to S&W.
I'll be checking mine as soon as I've had my coffee and the sun comes up and I put my pants on.

[Dragon 1]

Rusty are you talking about under the forcing cone That’s a scratch I have the same thing on my 340 PD sent it back SW said there was nothing wrong normal wear. Especially the black finish aluminum/scandium guns you can see it a lot worse because the silver showers through the unworn finish. Most of the time if they crack the crack is right under the barrel right above the yolk.

[Dragon 1]

I’m sorry my man I was talking about the picture to the right but the picture to the left looks like a chip or crack from the picture. The one on the right Pic is normal wear. Yes the one on the left it looks like a crack or chip let them send you a call tag to send back at least you have peace of mind either way.

[tenntex32]

Every time you goobers post cracks in your J-framed revolvers I run to check my 642 and the wife's 638. Stop it!!!!!!

My 642 does not have the crack at the lower hand window, similar to the OP's example. Unfortunately the spousal unit is not home at the moment so I am unable check her 638.

Dale

[rusty68]

UPDATE: S&W respond to my email today, which was nice because on the website it said it could take 3-5 days. They also said it was hard to see from my photo, but said that if what I showed them was a crack to send it right in.

So I shall be printing the label they sent me and sending it out tomorrow.

[tenntex32]

I just looked the wife's 638 over real good and no issues there either. To be perfectly honest we don't run thousands of rounds a year out of our Airweights though.

I have seen more J-frame Airweight examples with cracks and other issues than I really care to see. Maybe some folks are really running them through the ringer. (?)

Dale

[EMS6260]

My Model 38 circa 1975 or so with thousands of rounds through it doesn't have a crack. It's been fed +P and standard.38 for 45 years no crack. I'd ship that back to Springfield.