624 recall info in S&W Forum

[Dave_n]

I happily purchased a 624 from one of the SW Forum members knowing that the SN fell in the series where there were some questions as to cylinders. Before I did so, I was prowling through the forum (1980s onwards) in the last couple of weeks and came across a very informative posting, relatively recently, that quoted Roy Jinks as saying that the "problem was over length cylinder borings that could chamber the 44 magnum". A later posting, (I think in the same thread) stated that since Roy Jinks was the "Revolver Foreman" at the time (equivalent to VP for revolvers at S&W) he certainly knew what he was talking about. My "search foo" must have deserted me on my return from a business trip as I can no longer find that thread.

If anyone ("Buff" might have been one of the posters from memory), can point me to the thread(s) I would be very grateful. I will not be returning the 624 to S&W for checking as I have no desire for the modern version, and will only use medium range 0.44 Special loads with lead heads (I reload so can tailor as desired). Thanks Dave_n

 

[Capttjk1]

I have a 624 that I bought about 6 months ago. I have the original box with mine. The only way to know if the gun was sent back to S&W to be checked per the recall is if you have the original box and it has a red stamped "C" with a circle around it on the box. They did not stamp the guns in any way that were sent in for inspection due to the recall and S&W did not keep any records as to which guns were sent in or not. Luckily, my 624 came with the original box and it did have the red circle "C" stamped on the label that shows the serial number, model number, ect. I learned of the recall after I bought the gun. I contacted S&W and they told me that if the box was stamped, it had been sent in and it either passed inspection or the cylinder was replaced. Mine was good to go.

I was told that the problem was that S&W had used stainless steel on some of these cylinders that ended up not being up to their standards for strength. A few cylinders cracked and that led to the recall.

This is what the S&W rep told me a few months ago. Hope this helps.

 

[BUFF]

There's a 'search' icon at the top of the page. Use it to search for "Roy Jinks revolver foreman" and the thread you are looking for is in the results that come up. It wasn't me who pointed out Roy's statement in that thread but I had read the same thing that Jinks stated on the S&WCA part of this site. Mr. Jinks certainly ought to know what the deal was.

Sorry I can't post a direct link to the thread you seek but I am pretty close to computer illiterate when using this site!

 

[Dave_n]

Many thanks indeed Buff. This was the thread that I remembered. The cylinder does chamber my 44 mag hand loads which use an odd bullet that is half metal coated, with a lead hollow point so it is not the conventional head for a 44 Mag. I will only use my 44 special hand loads in this 624. It also passed the inspection method listed by the first poster in the "Roy Jinks Revolver Foreman" search. Again, many thanks. Dave_n

 

[Dave_n]

The initial post in the series when you do the search suggested by Buff is by S&W 38 on 02-03-2016. I now have it printed off and stored. Dave_n

 

[75Vette]

See if this one helps.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...eE2ZbitID3Jge_hEA&sig2=Yw9kBcpOafW1BsWq1oW3xw

 

[lebomm]

Dave n;
Just FYI, the front end of the CARTRIDGE carries the BULLET. The "head" is the end of the CARTRIDGE CASE that contains the primer (hence the term "headstamp).
Not shouting w/the caps, just used for emphasis.
Hope this, too, helps.

Larry