Airweight frame CRACK???

[kahoy]

Cracked frame

S&W took care of mine (not original purchaser) free of charge and paid the shipping both ways. So don't worry they are customer 1. Call them and tell them you are not the original purchaser, and that you have discovered the dreaded crack (most are in the same place), and they will take care of you, like they did for me. Be honest.

 

[ladder13]

To me, it would be a blessing, I'd tell them to exchange that gun for a no-lock 442 or 642. Unless of course, if you want a hammer on a J frame.

 

[DC7]

I found a similar crack on a still-NIB 442 that I purchased from the previous owner. When I contacted S&W about it, they never asked whether I was the original owner--they simply gave me instructions to return it for a free replacement. They even paid shipping both ways. My only cost was a transfer fee from my local FFL, because the replacement had a different serial number and therefore had to be transferred through a dealer.

 

[Erich]

Hmph. I don't believe that's the case under federal law, anyhow, and it's not how they replaced mine: they sent me the new gun (new SN) directly to me.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Hmph. I don't believe that's the case under federal law, anyhow, and it's not how they replaced mine: they sent me the new gun (new SN) directly to me.

C*** sent a replacement to me directly, not even the same model, in 1987 or 1988, and I doubt that the law has changed since then.

 

[ladder13]

Hmph. I don't believe that's the case under federal law, anyhow, and it's not how they replaced mine: they sent me the new gun (new SN) directly to me.

Both Colt and Sig sent me new replacement guns directly, both had new serial numbers.

 

[32dgrz]

Had the same thing on mine I bought from a friend. Sent it to Smith and they sent me a new on N/C

 

[Maximumbob54]

Since I'm on pins and needles over this... What was the response time from initial contact? I sent the email last Friday night. I know it's unrealistic to think I would have a reply this morning but should I wait what? A week? Two? When should i follow up with a phone call? Or should I? I'm a wreck over this. It would be different if I was monkeying around with red hot reloads or something stupid that was my fault. And it bugs me that I couldn't see this since the coating hid it. Not cool.

 

[snubbiefan]

I would just call them. You may mention you sent an e-mail, but I called them today to send a revolver back due to a re-call and they e-mailed me the shipping label. Call them....somebody will answer once you work through the menu...I think 7 is the choice you need to make.

 

[Maximumbob54]

That is what I thought. I will call them tomorrow when it is more business friendly hours. I just wasn't sure if I would seem pushy trying to call so soon after I sent the email. I should have just waited and called in the first place. Thank you.

 

[Erich]

IIRC, when I had my issue, S&W customer service talked to me right when I called them - I got an email address from the customer service guy and emailed him the pix. He then got me a return label right away - I had the new gun in hand within a fortnight.

 

[roar]

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.....

This isn't true. My 442 has had two different barrels installed on it by the factory and the frame hasn't cracked at all.

 

[Sonny Crocket]

I had a 442-2 no lock (one of the first ones that were still marked -2, later ones are marked -1 now) that was sent back to the factory for some warranty repair. I asked them if they could smooth out some rough edges on the end of the barrel near the crown from where it took a fall once. They replaced the barrel instead of polishing the marks out. Same frame came back to me because the scratches it also had from the fall were still there. Its fine, no cracks.

 

[photoman]

Interesting info regarding the barrel replacements. Last I heard, S&W was not very receptive to the idea of changing barrels on the Airweights. When were these barrel changes done?

 

[roar]

Just this past month for the second one, and then maybe a year or two ago for the first one after I first bought the revolver. The first time I sent the gun back because the barrel crown was pretty ugly, and they just replaced the barrel instead of recrowning it. The second time, they replaced the barrel without me asking them to, after it was sent in for endshake repair.

 

[Maximumbob54]

As an update, they just emailed me a Fed-Ex prepaid label. This is the first step in feeling better so far. I hope it keeps going. Should I mail it with the stock on it or take them off? I had put it all back to stock configuration with the Uncle Mikes on it. I have to admit that if they fix me up on this I may just have to go buy a new 442 as my way of saying thank you to them.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I'll wager you don't strip the Clear Cote off the next one

 

[Sonny Crocket]

Interesting info regarding the barrel replacements. Last I heard, S&W was not very receptive to the idea of changing barrels on the Airweights. When were these barrel changes done?

My 442 was rebarreled late last year.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I'll wager you don't strip the Clear Cote off the next one

Are you trying to say that ignorance is the bliss that holds together Airweights???

 

[snubbiefan]

I looked at all mine REAL close. I did not see any cracks and and I sure as he!! am not touching the clear-coat.