Airweight frame CRACK???

[Maximumbob54]

OMG

Someone please tell me this isn't what it looks like:

I stripped the clear cote off and this was hiding under it. I'm in shock right now. I'm not the original buyer of this gun. Am I hosed or is this a repair item?

 

[giddyupsut]

My friend...that appears fractured.

 

[Broker50]

Looks cracked to me. If they go by the letter of the warranty, you're hosed. But, if the warranty card wasn't mailed in, you might just get lucky.

 

[tekarra]

It is a crack alright. Hopefully S&W will stand behind their product.

 

[snubbiefan]

With my old eyes and when I zoom in on it...it gets too fuzzy to tell, but it looks strange in that the line appears to run out to the end of the frame and take a 90-degree angle across the base of the barrel. Looks like a crack, but I wonder why it "takes a left" out on the barrel.

As far as your warranty goes. I think if you call Smith and ask them to run the number....they may not be able to find it in the database and tell who it belonged to originally. I think they will take your word for it if they can't prove otherwise and repair it under warranty. The warranty card is mostly used to gather personal information so people can send you junk mail. It's a hit-or-miss proposition as to whether-or-not they know who the original owner is. I trust you....I am SURE it was you.

I have two air lite's and neither of mine look like that, but then....I have not tried to strip the clear coat off either. Hopefully...Smith won't take issue with that, but it may be a good excuse if they choose to.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I sent them an email. We shall see. I understand they are under no obligation so I will resist the urge for a tantrum. But this is my first gun to ever go bad in a serious way. I am so bummed right now.

 

[longrangedog]

Unfortunately you are correct. I had a Mod 38 with a similar crack in the same location. The crack in my Smith was a little wider than yours. I sent mine back to S&W for evaluation. They confirmed the frame was cracked and returned the grips. Several weeks later they replaced it with a new 638. If your revolver is still under warranty they will do the same for you. If it is not under warranty they will not return your cracked frame revolver- just the grips.

No mention was ever made of warranty cards. The manufacture date is the determining factor. If it was made after their commitment to replace or repair defective products you're good. I THINK that was around 1992 but I'm not positive. Good Luck!!!

 

[snubbiefan]

Don't be too bummed yet dude. I am telling you what I was told by a rep. If they cannot find the serial number in the database and "prove" it was purchased by John Doe....they will take your word for it. Just don't get on their case....be nice....and if all else fails, just be honest with them. I would be betting they will take care of it, but the stripping of the coating would bother me a bit. Their database is not all that correct and updated. I had the numbers ran on my Smiths and they had NOTHING in the database under the serial numbers and told me they would take my word for it that I was the original purchaser.

PS: I believe the lifetime warranty to the original purchaser was placed in effect on guns made after 1989.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Serial is cjd8567. No way is it as old as '89. The only reason I stripped the frame is the clear coat was coming off all over it. It had spots where it looked like tiny snail trails were eating through it. I had wanted to take it and have it either Duracoated or maybe Ceracoated. I had even thought about Brownell's Alumahide. Not thinking of those options any more.

 

[snubbiefan]

I will not mention this particular "other company" by name, nor do I intend for this to be meant as any sort of racial, or ethnic slur. But, when I have had to call this "other company" there is a definite accent in the voice and I have a hard time speaking with and understanding some of these people at this "other company".

EVERY TIME I have ever contacted Smith...I have always been able to communicate in plain English and they have always acted like they were not doing me a big favor by taking my call, could answer my question without putting me on hold to go ask somebody who may know the answer, were very willing to help me, and did so in a very professional manner. Be nice to them and they will be very nice to you.

 

[Maximumbob54]

If I do send it to them does it need the ILS put back in???

 

[Erich]

My 38-2 cracked - S&W said that the barrel had been improperly screwed in and replaced the gun. No muss, no fuss.

I have no idea what they'd want you to do with the lock - I personally wouldn't bother to reinstall it, as the frame is now junk anyway.

 

[jessegpresley]

I will not mention this particular "other company" by name, nor do I intend for this to be meant as any sort of racial, or ethnic slur. But, when I have had to call this "other company" there is a definite accent in the voice and I have a hard time speaking with and understanding some of these people at this "other company".

Accents are sexy. Not everyone is lucky enough to be born in America. I bet most of the crooks on Wall St speak perfect English; accent means nothing. Seeing you live in the great state of Mississippi,you might just have an accent that some people in other states might have a little trouble understanding at times.

S&W overtorqued the barrels on a large number of the 625-10 PC snub noses and cracked the frame. Sounds like this happens on occasion with the scandium frames.

 

[Fkimble]

Funny in the first pic the crack takes a turn and it you follow it, it appears to run out away from the frame, almost like it was a real thin thread sticking out.

 

[snubbiefan]

I would install the lock before I sent it home.

 

[mc5aw]

I would bet that removing the IL (and returning the pistol without the IL) invalidates any type of warranty you might be entitled to.

 

[6pack]

I would install the lock before I sent it home.

This.

I would bet that removing the IL (and returning the pistol without the IL) invalidates any type of warranty you might be entitled to.

And this.





Disclaimer: I have no experience with returning guns to S&W, however both these statements seem to be good tips that may help you reach a solid resolution. Good luck.

 

[Detective_Special]

crack?

Great advice, definitely return the gun in it's original condition ie. ILS installed. I've had excellent service from S&W and I'm confident that if anything can be done, they will do their best to solve your problem. Good luck

 

[twogunjay]

Here's the deal. I sent a 360 back to Smith with the same issue. I ordered it in new for myself (I'm an FFL), removed the lock (replaced with "the plug"), exchanged springs, action job, etc. Around 100-120 rounds into shooting (.38 specials only), I noticed a crack appearing which was very easy to spot on my black finish. I contacted Smith and Wessson and they sent me a return label. The gun went back to them and a week later, they sent me a new gun. The problem was action job, springs, and "the plug" went out the window. They didn't care that I did those things to it and it did NOT invalidate the warranty-as many folks claim. They simply will not return those items to you. So, here is the kicker. You will have to provide them with a copy of a local dealer's FFL. The replacement gun must ship to a dealer due to it having a new serial number. In terms of you being the second owner, I don't see that as being an issue. In all of our dealings with S&W and guns sent back over the years, they have never once asked about original receipt, ownership, etc. Good luck with the repair!

 

[twogunjay]

On a follow-up note.... Smith knows that airweights are difficult to work with when it comes to the barrel and installing it. Interestingly enough, I had a customer who's new airweight began to shed the finish around month six of ownership. It wasn't holster wear as the finish was actually flaking off. We contacted Smith and they said, "too bad." They will not refinish nor do they warranty finish on their airweights because the barrel cannot be disassembled and reassembled on an airweight frame without cracking the frame. Kind of interesting.....