The first thing before a new Model 12 could be built is to discover the real reason the frame lunette sometimes cracks. I can tell you two reasons that are not the reason!
First: Excessive torque installing the barrels. Unknown to many people Air weight barrels
are not retained by torque as barrels in steel frame guns. The barrels are secured with Green Loc-Tite, "Sleeve Mount" The barrels can actually be installed finger-tight in the frame with the Loc-Tite product securing the threads.
The frames
do not crack during proof-firing. Proof pressure is ca, 28,000 PSI, far above any commercial even +P factory load!
In my personal experience I have inadvertently fired .38 Special ammunition in a Model 12 that probably exceeded .357 Magnum pressure, with
no damage to the revolver.
That was a
minimum starting load listed in a well known reloading manual! The load was
supposed to be standard pressure! It was around 200 rounds that were fired, not just a single round
!!
What does cause the cracking? Who really knows! Possibly it is improper heat-treating leaving the frames too brittle in some guns. Possibly something so simple as dropping one of the guns with a brittle frame causing the lunette to crack! Certainly there is one of the many aero-space aluminum alloys used for highly stressed aircraft and spacecraft parts which would be adequate to correct the problem!
If anyone knows the
real reason for Air Weight frames cracking in service I would be very happy to hear this information! Up until there has only been conjecture which reasons are easily dis-proved, see above!
Once the real reason is discovered only a change in frame alloy and/or heat treat specifications should allow S&W to build a durable Model 12.