642 Bites The Dust

[gto364ci]

Looks like my 642 "Power Port" gave up the ghost with a crack down the frame under the barrel. Glad I payed attention before lugging it to the range. Picked up a satin nickel 442-1, I need a working snub gun!

Got a shipping label from S&W and I'm guessing I'll get an outright replacement (would they bother moving the parts to a new frame?). If I do, wonder if I would have any leeway to choose from the current lineup?

 

[NZshooter]

wow.... seeing this more and more, I feel the need to regularly check my Air Lite frames now

 

[Pants]

Wow! That's crazy! I would imagine they'll replace the whole gun.

 

[Hillbilly77]

After S&W inspects your gun, I'm sure they'll replace it.
You'll need to give them your FFL's info so they can send you a replacment.
New frame = new Serial Number - needs to go through an FFL.

 

[Jebus35745]

Was it shot a lot of times? Larry

 

[Smokin' Iron]

wow.... seeing this more and more, I feel the need to regularly check my Air Lite frames now

You are not the only one. The growing frequency of these reports really inspires confidence.

 

[ladder13]

Been there, got a new gun.

 

[shawn mccarver]

If you can, just ask for an ordinary 642, rather than power port. These cracks typically result from over torquing the barrel upon installation, not from shooting.

 

[alde]

Thanks for posting this. It reminds those of us with alloy J-Frames to keep a close watch on them. Glad you checked it before shooting it.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

After S&W inspects your gun, I'm sure they'll replace it.
You'll need to give them your FFL's info so they can send you a replacment.
New frame = new Serial Number - needs to go through an FFL.

I hope they pay the transfer and background check fees, too, then.

 

[hotrod150]

.... Glad you checked it before shooting it.

If S&W will replace it, great. But what if it's an older and/ior second-hand gun which they decline to replace? Does it have to be junked or turned into a wall-hanger? I've asked before, and never gotten an affirmative response-- has anyone had one of these cracked frames fail upon shooting the gun? All the revolvers I've ever seen that failed blew the top strap and/or cylinder- never seen one that blew the barrel off. While the cracked frame is a bummer, is it really a catastrophic failure waiting to happen? I wonder how many have been shot (and for how many rounds) before the owner noticed the crack?

 

[alde]

HotRod,

I am willing to bet they would replace an older gun (or one bought used) with a crack like that for liability reasons. An injury could be blamed on a manufacturing flaw and that could open the flood gates to all kinds of problems for the company. It's much easier and cheaper to replace the gun.

 

[BUFF]

"You'll need to give them your FFL's info so they can send you a replacment. New frame = new Serial Number - needs to go through an FFL."

Not necessarily. Mine cracked like that and S&W FedExed the replacement 642 directly to my house.

 

[cal50]

I have heard of some companies returning a replacement gun to its owner directly (different serial number) and not going thru another transfer.
If the gun is in for repair and scrapped a replacement is being returned to the original owner, it's not a new transfer. This seems to vary by manufacturer and state. In any event the returned gun would be logged as destroyed and the replacement serial number logged. Hopefully you get it back directly without the added cost or hassle of a new transfer.

 

[Martya]

"You'll need to give them your FFL's info so they can send you a replacment. New frame = new Serial Number - needs to go through an FFL."

Not necessarily. Mine cracked like that and S&W FedExed the replacement 642 directly to my house.

Perhaps it depends upon your state laws? In PA with certain exceptions a transfer such as this does require a FFL. S&W called me on the phone and asked for my nearest FFL when they shipped my replacement 642.

 

[MikeyB]

Are these older 642's that are cracking? Did S&W address the issue in production?

 

[ladder13]

There's ZERO cost if the gun needs to go thru an FFL. S&W even paid my transfer fee after I sent them the FFL's invoice.

 

[rwsmith]

I'll not be buying

I'm just going to pretend that the airweight line doesn't exist and stick to steel guns.

 

[308]

Been there done that, mine was a 637, I had them send me a 649, cost a little more, but its STEEL...

 

[hotrod150]

I am willing to bet they would replace an older gun (or one bought used) with a crack like that for liability reasons.....

You would think so, esp if it was a modern (post 2000 for example) gun. But I seem to recall someone posting not long ago about S&W declining to fix or replace their gun since he was not the original owner.

 

[shouldazagged]

I'm just going to pretend that the airweight line doesn't exist and stick to steel guns.

I made that decision a long time ago.

 

[CA Escapee]

Perhaps it depends upon your state laws?

Correct.

In California new serial number = new gun = shipping to FFL = DROS fees =10 day waiting period.

Bill

 

[gto364ci]

I don't think I got past 1000 rounds on this one. I'm going to drop it off at the nearest FedEx World Service Center tomorrow. Will wait for S&W's response.

"FedEx requires that you verbally inform the receiving FedEx employee that a package contains a firearm."

Should be fun.

 

[Hillbilly77]

"FedEx requires that you verbally inform the receiving FedEx employee that a package contains a firearm."

Should be fun.

I've shipped back to S&W twice via FedEx, and in the case of getting the same gun back, it comes directly to your door.
Haven't had a single problem with shipping.

 

[raveneap]

I had a problem with a new 637 several years ago. after a couple
trips back to the factory, they gave me full credit and I selected a different model. It was a bit more expensive but I just paid the difference. I've always found SW customer service to be outstanding.

 

[Smokin' Iron]

You would think so, esp if it was a modern (post 2000 for example) gun. But I seem to recall someone posting not long ago about S&W declining to fix or replace their gun since he was not the original owner.

You are correct. I remember the same post. From the pictures in the post the gun looked in very good shape. But because the owner was honest and admitted he was not the original owner, Smith would not replace the gun.

 

[Waywatcher]

I don't think I got past 1000 rounds on this one. I'm going to drop it off at the nearest FedEx World Service Center tomorrow. Will wait for S&W's response.

"FedEx requires that you verbally inform the receiving FedEx employee that a package contains a firearm."

Should be fun.

When I inform, I say "the package contains an unloaded firearm." Emphasis on unloaded when I say it aloud, and since it precedes firearm in the sentence it takes the edge off any uneasiness, in my experience.