Are These Lines on my N-Frames -- Normal or Early Stress Cracks?

[bronco_buster]

So I was about to pack up my 625JM (625-8) to be sent in for evaluation of what I'm concerned may be some sort of stress crack or metallurgical issue, then my 627-5 Performance Center returned from warranty work, and now I'm not so sure...The 627PC returned and when I compare it to the 625, the "lines" appear to be present on both pistols. I'm hoping to get some expert opinions, or at least have some other owners check their pistols and give me some reassurance that I don't have any frame issues going on with the pistols. I really don't want to send the 625 if this is blatantly normal.

Basically I never noticed the lines in the frame of either pistol, then I googled "Kabooms" in the 625 and found some reports. I really can't remember why I even looked. I think I was trying to figure out if more than 45 ACP / Auto Rim could be fired out of the pistol. Of course, on a subsequent cleaning, after a range session, I get hypochondriacal, and begin to worry because I found something that's either new or something that I just didn't notice before. I called Smith and Wesson, they promptly issued a return label for the pistol.

I'm thinking since the lines are present on both pistols...it has to be some sort of machining mark and not a stress crack...If anyone wants to comment, I'm looking for opinions. Like I said my PC just got back from warranty service on the barrel, and they apparently had no issues with the frame's appearance.

Send it back or keep shooting? That is the question.

Thanks for any insight!!





627 Performance Center

 

[bgrafsr]

Normal. Nothing to worry about.

 

[kamloops67]

look like polishing marks to me ?? get your buddy to shoot it for a while just to be sure though.

 

[WR Moore]

Depends upon what you're referring to. In picture 3, there's what appears to be a crack at about the midpoint of the frame boss where the barrel threads in. Runs from the front of the boss slightly upward. Might be other things, including a lube smear.

The item immediately underneath the frame rib is a machine mark.

 

[bronco_buster]

Depends upon what you're referring to. In picture 3, there's what appears to be a crack at about the midpoint of the frame boss where the barrel threads in. Runs from the front of the boss slightly upward. Might be other things, including a lube smear.

The item immediately underneath the frame rib is a machine mark.

I'm referring to the "machine mark" the "crack" that you point out is a shiny scratch that the camera made look more obvious than it is in real life...But you sir...have some EAGLE EYES!! I didn't even notice that mark until you pointed it out. LOL.

 

[Macinaw]

Usually cracks develop under the barrel. This is my 617.

 

[Macinaw]

If it is going to crack it will be under the barrel. This is the thinnest part of the frame.

 

[bgrafsr]

Usually cracks develop under the barrel. This is my 617.

Ouch........

 

[Macinaw]

Ouch........

S&W took care of it. I had a new one in less than 15 days!

 

[ridgewalker]

Macinaw, how does a 22 develop a crack like that?

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Macinaw, how does a 22 develop a crack like that?

That looks like a crack from over-torqueing. Where the crack appears is the thinnest part of the frame. The crack can start inside the part and spread outward with repeated stressing (such as shooting the gun).

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

That looks like a crack from over-torqueing. Where the crack appears is the thinnest part of the frame. The crack can start inside the part and spread outward with repeated stressing (such as shooting the gun).

Is this something I should be looking for on my Smith revolvers? I never knew they cracked there.

James

 

[Maximumbob54]

Is this something I should be looking for on my Smith revolvers? I never knew they cracked there.

James

It's pretty rare in steel but the aluminum frames seem to have the worst reputation for it.

 

[Macinaw]

Macinaw, how does a 22 develop a crack like that?

I don't know. I used it in Steel Challenge competition for about two years. When I shoot it at the range for fun I shoot about 200 or more rounds within about a half and hour. It heats up really hot. I don't know if this could be a factor.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Is this something I should be looking for on my Smith revolvers? I never knew they cracked there.

James, I have never seen a crack like that on a steel S&W and I have seen some mighty ratty Smiths (I have worked in the retail gun industry and had my own FFL at various times).

But I have seen similar cracks when inspecting older aircraft parts. Notice that the crack is right where the radius takes a sharp turn, a stress point. It looks like a part that has been bent beyond its design tolerance or has had excessive torque applied to it. I do not see how this could happen on a frame but there is the crack bigger than life.

There are some well-known Smith cracking problems (the M19 forcing cone, the M12 frame) but this looks like a one-time problem.

 

[Gunsnwater]

I'm referring to the "machine mark" the "crack" that you point out is a shiny scratch that the camera made look more obvious than it is in real life...But you sir...have some EAGLE EYES!! I didn't even notice that mark until you pointed it out. LOL.

Funny how the camera picks up things. It looks like a crack to me. All the other stuff is forging and machining marks, nothing to worry about. That scratch sure does look like a crack. Like everybody said cracks are from screwing in a too tight barrel unsupported. Cracks from shooting are forcing cone cracks not frame. 45 acp is not going to crack anything IMHO