3rd gen recall - Grips problem? (Solved)

[m1976]

I read that in the past Smith & Wesson 3rd gen had a recall concerning the grips. The new grips can be identified by a dimple on the bottom of the grip, next to the large opening.

For more details please check:
Firearm Recalls and Safety Warnings- FirearmsID.com

I'm not sure how this dimple looks like and appreciate if someone could upload a picture of it.

I added a picture of my 3914 grips, do I need to replace it?

Thanks

[grif684]

The grips that were recalled don't have the dimple, which is small and directly in front of the "D" shaped mainspring plunger access hole. It appears your grip does not have the dimple. I have a 5906 that had the recalled grip, and was indeed cracked around the grip pin, I called S&W and gave them my serial number, and they sent me a replacement grip, no charge.

[grif684]

On the left is the no dimple recalled grip, you can see the crack towards the top right in the pic, the right grip is the dimpled replacement, the dimple is clearly visible just forward of the mainspring plunger access hole....

[m1976]

Thank you , I've just ordered new grip from Brownells

[ispcapt]

[Comrad]

Happy to find the dimple on my 6906. The first thing I did when I got it was unzip the bag and watch as it hit the concrete floor. I was horrified but never found a mark on it. I just checked for the dimple and I can see where it hit the ground, right on the bottom of the grip next to the dimple. I can testify that the replacement grips can take a hit.

[18DAI]

Wow....I hadn't thought about that grip recall in many years. Wasn't that like 22 years ago?

I'm surprised the old grips are still out there! Regards 18DAI

[scwv67]

Would S&W still do a warranty replacement at this time?

[losingle]

MMM no dimple on my 6906 --Tried s&w website. Don't see a contact for questions? And Brownells don't carry 6906 grips. out of luck..

[johnchamp]

my 6906 has the dimple im all set

[Big Mike]

Interesting...my 4043 straight back grips have the dimple, my 4044 curve grips don't.

[SW5906]

scwv67 they replaced mine under warranty about 6 mos ago.my wife called for me. she said they wanted to know how i knew about it. she did not know i seen it here.thanks to the people here.

[m1976]

losingle

Brownells has the grips in stock.
Check the link:

http://www.brownells.com/handgun-par...prod14655.aspx

[Maddog 521]

I got a new grip from S&W about a year ago. They also asked me how I knew about the recall. I said right here also.

[scwv67]

Just looked at mine and the grips have the divot.

[remat457]

S&W recently warranty replaced the grip on one of my 1006 that didn't have it replaced yet.

[losingle]

Just called S&W customer service on 6906 grips, they honored the recall. Fyi, recall was in 1990, 23 years ago, I have a 6906 1990 mfg'd date. How many companys around these day that would do that. Or even be around.

[corgiS&W]

I, too, called S&W today about replacement grips for my 5906, shipped in March 1989. CS said "Wow, that was a long time ago. I'll have to see if we still have any." Came back, took my name and address and SN; said they'd be here in a week or two. You can't beat that.

Originally Posted by losingle

Just called S&W customer service on 6906 grips, they honored the recall. Fyi, recall was in 1990, 23 years ago, I have a 6906 1990 mfg'd date. How many companys around these day that would do that. Or even be around.

[dewcrew8]

Thanks for the post! Never new about the recall, checked my smiths and 6906 was cracked the 5906 was good but both need replaceing under the recall. Never would have looked .thanks guys:mad! both bought new when thay can out

[dewcrew8]

Thanks for the post! Never new about the recall, checked my smiths and 6906 was cracked the 5906 was good but both need replaceing under the recall. Never would have looked .thanks guys

[shawn mccarver]

Originally Posted by m1976

I read that in the past Smith & Wesson 3rd gen had a recall concerning the grips. The new grips can be identified by a dimple on the bottom of the grip, next to the large opening.

For more details please check:
Firearm Recalls and Safety Warnings- FirearmsID.com

I'm not sure how this dimple looks like and appreciate if someone could upload a picture of it.

I added a picture of my 3914 grips, do I need to replace it?

Thanks

Perhaps it is my old eyes. It looks like there is a punch mark, but I think it is in the wrong place. I would get them replaced, if S&W still has the grip for your pistol.

[scwv67]

Did this apply to all 3rd gens with the factory grip? I looked at an early no dash 4506 with square trigger guard yesterday, and out of curiosity I looked to see if it had a dimple. It didn't.

[m1976]

Models Affected:

3904, 3906, 3913, 3913LS, 3914, 3914LS, 1006, 1066, 4506, 4516, 4516-1, 5903, 5904, 5906, 5946, 6904, 6906 & 6946

Regards

[corgiS&W]

The new grips arrived today, just 15 days after I called CS. That is good service for a 22 year old recall.

Now to figure out which way to drive the pin out

Originally Posted by corgiS&W

I, too, called S&W today about replacement grips for my 5906, shipped in March 1989. CS said "Wow, that was a long time ago. I'll have to see if we still have any." Came back, took my name and address and SN; said they'd be here in a week or two. You can't beat that.

[D Rock]

Glad you got the grips, that is good service.

Pin goes either way, no problem.


Dave

[corgiS&W]

Originally Posted by D Rock

Glad you got the grips, that is good service.

Pin goes either way, no problem.


Dave

Got it. Thanks. Only took about 10 minutes. The only obvious difference is the dimple. I wonder what else was modified. The polymer?

[D Rock]

Scroll down here, I think it's the sixth notice down.
Firearm Recalls and Safety Warnings- FirearmsID.com

I've seen quite a few that have never been replaced and have seen hard use in competition a few years back. Probably one of those CYA lawyer things. Still you wouldn't want it to happen and as you know, it's a simple fix.

Dave

[corgiS&W]

Originally Posted by D Rock

Scroll down here, I think it's the sixth notice down.
Firearm Recalls and Safety Warnings- FirearmsID.com

I've seen quite a few that have never been replaced and have seen hard use in competition a few years back. Probably one of those CYA lawyer things. Still you wouldn't want it to happen and as you know, it's a simple fix.

Dave

Thanks Dave. I figured it had to be a material problem. I feel better with having the new grips. Now, back to the range.

[S&W500 MAG]

Thanks for the heads up on the recall. I have a 3904 ser#TCU57XX.I have no dimple on the grips. Could mine by chance have been made after the recall?

[D Rock]

Wishful thinking, but I kind of doubt it.

Why not just contact S&W and find out for sure. You may even get a free set of grips out of it.

Dave

[Syspila]

Hey Folks,

Thanks to this thread, I got my 5906 grips replaced. It is an early version with the squared triggerguard. Anyway, I bought it used back in the mid 90's and new it had a crack on the plastic grips just as I had read on here in early April. I called S & W and they sent replacement grips right out. I got them today and now the gun looks brand new! It has always been an easy shooter too!

[Syspila]

Hey Folks, I just got my cracked 5906 grips replaced. I have had the gun since the early 90's and it serves me well. Never a misfire. Thanks to this thread, I contacted S & W. They sent the new grips within 2 wks. No charge!

[D Rock]

Boy S&W really comes thru.

Dave

[nll401]

Thought I'd provide a 2016 update.

I just called S&W about my recently purchased 6906. It has the pre-recall grips. They checked and no longer have the post-recall grips for this model.

And it's only been 20 years since being manufactured!

Will have to look for other suppliers.

[D Rock]

Originally Posted by nll401

Thought I'd provide a 2016 update.

I just called S&W about my recently purchased 6906. It has the pre-recall grips. They checked and no longer have the post-recall grips for this model.

And it's only been 20 years since being manufactured!

Will have to look for other suppliers.

Brownells still has them for the 6906, 19.99
Grip : GRIP | Brownells

I got a couple of sets for 3913 a few months ago when S&W didn't have them. I wonder if S&W has sent those older parts to outside retailers.

Dave

[Fastbolt]

You can try calling back and checking with another customer service rep sometime. FWIW, I've been told the new parts system was designed to maximize tracking M&P's, AR's & revolvers, and the 3rd gen info is harder to access.

BTW, it's not like you're asking for a factory grip for a longtime obsolete gun, as the same grips are used on the 4013TSW. Those are still in use by agencies. The ones we just replaced (with new plastic guns) were new production from the middle 2000's, and the CHP was still using some limited numbers of 4013TSW's until recently (might still have some not yet replaced, but I didn't hear the details).

They may not be making orders of replacement grips for commercial parts sales, but they probably still make limited orders for repair use. I don't know for certain whether the grips are made by the same plastic manufacturer that S&W has used for many years (and recently bought the company, in the last year or so), as they use any number of vendors.

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by D Rock

Brownells still has them for the 6906, 19.99
Grip : GRIP | Brownells

Same from MidwayUSA. $18.99 + Shipping. "Available"!

Smith & Wesson Factory Grips Curved S&W 4013TSW 4053TSW 4056TSW 6904

[TAROMAN]

My 5904 was in recently for the 3rd Generation Action Package.
Went in wearing the old type grip, returned with the same.
Was it worth the time/money?
Probably not, though the trigger and action do seem a tiny bit nicer.
Anyhow, threw away the old grip and went with a new walnut one.

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by Fastbolt

You can try calling back and checking with another customer service rep sometime.

This is the other option to try. S&W is famous for the wide "diversity" of responses you can get from different CS reps.

On any given hour of any given day, you could score a new post-recall set... or be told they are all gone... or be told that the recall is no longer in effect and that you'd have to buy the replacement grips... or like me in one very unusual case: You could be sent a badly worn and distressed (cracked & chipped) used 3rd Gen grip for a different 3rd Gen than the one inquired about. And here is the icing on the cake: It was a pre-recall grip that had been amateurishly made into a post-recall grip with a soldering iron. No, I swear to God that I'm not making that up!

[opaul]

The S&W forum guys are the best. Centuries of collective knowledge. Now about that forcing cone thing.

[jsbethel]

Last year, I sent S&W a gray 3913LS grip to be replaced under the recall with a black grip which they indicated was in stock. They sent me what appeared to be a used pre-recall black grip without the dimple! I sent it back with thanks but that I wished to have a correct post-recall grip. They eventually got it right.

I had four pre-recall grips replaced last year. They all came from a warehouse in KY.

[85V65Sabre]

To the top

[CrewDog]

Re Trouble installing new OEM grips on recalled 5946.

Hey Gang,

I just helped an old neighbor install, new from S&W Recall, grips on his 1st year production and not even "Broke-In" 5946. We has a hell of a time getting the grips on until I realized the metal hammer spring cap was "canting and jamming" on the interior of the housing when upward pressure was applied. I fixed the problem by using a 3/8" wide strip of plastic cut from an old membership card as a shim to straighten out the cap as it was moving up. Once I got the grip moving properly I eased out the plastic "shim". We must have worked on this for an hour before we got her put together!! ... and the Air was Blue!! Some people have mentioned that their hammer spring cap is made of plastic ... we now know why!
I also installed a 16# Wolff spring that helped the pull considerably ... now if he will just get the damn thing broken in ;-)