3913 cracked frame - can it be welded?

[rrockefe]

I have a 3913 that has a crack in the frame near the slide stop rear opening. It runs forward and up to the top of the frame rail. I've heard of the possibility of aluminum alloy being welded. Anybody have anything to offer as to the possibilities. (already checked out the S&W repair options...none)

Thanks for any help offered.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Contact Grayguns, Inc. I saw a post by Bruce Gray on the sigforum.com where he said he could fix a Sig that had such type damage.

 

[Crazy K38]

Call S&W first see what they can do for you, they have notoriously the best C/S

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Would require a TIG welder & expertise in using it & finishing afterwards
I wouldn't be afraid of using Bruce Gray as suggested above, He's a Master Gunsmith..
I too would try an contact S&W, They might send a shipping label out to you & repair it for FREE?? I would try this first..
Good Luck!!
Gary/Hk

 

[CALREB]

Usually S/W will replace frame,I think now they can even laser etch your old serial # on the new frame.Please let us know how they respond, Thanks Bob

 

[G.T. Smith]

You must first determine the alloy used in manufacture, then the crack must be beveled to form a V-groove joint. Then it can be tig welded using the correct filler rod that is compatible with the base metal. I would then machine it back to original dimensions. If possible it is always good to leave (some) reinforcement on the face of the weld. Should be as good as new.
Probably the same process Gray uses, I hope this helps. I tig welded aluminum alloys, stainless steel, and carbon steel for the dept. of transportation for about 20 yrs. It CAN be repaired by someone with the proper knowledge and technique.
Hope everything works out for ya,
Peace,
gordon

 

[tomcatt51]

Some aluminum alloys are not considered weldable, unfortunately this includes the high strength 7000 series (like 7075) that is frequently used for frames. If you had a steel frame you'd have a better chance. See if S&W will replace the frame.

 

[banjopkr]

3913 Frame Weld

To answer your ?, yes it can be welded,any aluminum can be welded,but will it hold up is the ?,I am a 32 yr Tig welder with a ton of gun welding under my belt,Charles Danner is a long time customer of mine and over the years we have welded a great variety of guns,with that said if S&W will replace it by all means it will be better.

 

[rrockefe]

Thanks for the replies. I have e-mailed Mr Gray and am awaiting his response. I did discuss with S&W right away when I discovered the crack. They would offer nothing but sympathy. I even questioned them about frame replacement. No help there, either. This was a cop trade-in and they just won't touch them.

 

[WR Moore]

Did you by any chance ask S&W what it would cost you to replace the frame? Now it could be that they simply don't have any unserialed frames remaining in that model series, but frame replacement used to be possible, if sometimes costly. That way you could do a cost comparison between new vs repair with the possibility that the repair might not work out (no slight intended against any of the craftsmen mentioned, sometimes stuff happens.)

 

[rrockefe]

Thanks for the replies. I have e-mailed Mr Gray and am awaiting his response. I did discuss with S&W right away when I discovered the crack. They would offer nothing but sympathy. I even questioned them about frame replacement. No help there, either. This was a cop trade-in and they just won't touch them.

FWIW Mr Gray says he cannot weld these frames. I may try S&W again.

 

[customizedcreationz]

I agree with the statement made by the other's on Tig welding. I have been Tig welding for quite some time and know exactly what they are talking about.

Anything can be welded. But the end result is not as impressive in some types of materials and situations as explained as well.

I would be curious to see a picture of the crack.

What I would say is at worse case right now if SW wont replace it or sell a replacement frame, then what do you have to hurt by welding it and trying it.

Shoot me a picture of it, I am curious to see what it looks like anyways...

[email protected]

Good luck
Todd

 

[tomcatt51]

I guess my question is: Does the crack actually make any difference? It's not nice that it cracked but is it cracked in a spot that matters? May be a shoot it and forget about it situation.

 

[customizedcreationz]

The problem I would see with a crack, is it was caused by stress , improper casting or machining etc.

If it was bad in that area, it might be bad in others. If it cracked that area and its left cracked , it may stress another area and is that area going to be the one that blows up in your hand one day ?

I know the likeness of that happening might be slim. But is it a chance your willing to take ?

If you can post a picture of it ( or like I said earlier email me it if you can't post it ) I would like to see the crack location.

 

[Ernie]

Is this a common failure in the 3913 ? I have been searching for one for some time, but had not heard of cracked frames as a possible problem.

 

[rrockefe]

The problem I would see with a crack, is it was caused by stress , improper casting or machining etc.

If it was bad in that area, it might be bad in others. If it cracked that area and its left cracked , it may stress another area and is that area going to be the one that blows up in your hand one day ?

I know the likeness of that happening might be slim. But is it a chance your willing to take ?

If you can post a picture of it ( or like I said earlier email me it if you can't post it ) I would like to see the crack location.

I wouldn't want anyone too jump to conclusions on this crack as to the cause. I know I dropped it on a tile floor once when cleaning it. I couldn't find any problem at the time, but I also can't rule out that as the cause. It was a few weeks later that I discovered it. I will try to get a good picture of it and send it to you. I do appreciate your interest.

 

[customizedcreationz]

Got the email and pictures.

That is a dozy of a crack. I would say its time to look for something else. Thats not in a good area.

 

[tomcatt51]

Is it a postable pic?

 

[Culina]

It's real hard to weld small aluminum parts like that for a couple of different reasons which makes me think replacing the frame may be the way to go.

 

[rrockefe]

I received Customcreationz assessment via e-mail and I assume its a very reasonable one. I agree and will continue to look for an option to replace the frame, although that's not too viable either. S&W said they had none available.

Thanks for all your input.