Crack or scratch in new 629?

[American1776]

You say you bought a "new" M629, and haven't fired it yet. The area of interest I really can't tell with the photo and my eyesight, but for a "new" gun, it sure has a distinct and well established turn line on the cylinder.

I bought it new from my LGS whom I've bought from for years.

It had the two carbon marks on the cylinder face from factory test firing.

 

[steelslaver]

BTW you could turn the cylinder so that flute is out of the way and then holster and re holster the gun a bunch of times and see if any other similar marks appear.

Are either test firing mark next to the flute in question?

Another point that place on the cylinder is far from its thinnest or weakest point

 

[American1776]

BTW you could turn the cylinder so that flute is out of the way and then holster and re holster the gun a bunch of times and see if any other similar marks appear.

Are either test firing mark next to the flute in question?

Another point that place on the cylinder is far from its thinnest or weakest point

Yes, I've tried that. I can't seem to repeat that mark.

The more I look at it, and consider the esteemed opinions of the members here, the more I think it's a crack in the steel.

I sent the pictures, with a detailed note, to S&W today. I'll post updates as they occur.

 

[AlHunt]

Yes, I've tried that. I can't seem to repeat that mark.

Yep, if you can't make it happen again, it needs further investigation. Either your own dye penetrant test or ... send it back, however much any of us would hate the idea. I'd probably try Steelslaver's dyed kerosene idea above. It seems simple enough.

 

[torizus]

Kinda hard to believe that a premier firearm manufacturer would pass such an obvious flaw at the QC level.
Particularly after the 624 recall of the 80's.
This would give rise to the end user scratch theory which is easily fixed.

Recent trends across all industries does appear to take a "let the consumer" determine quality control combined with all the other issues today affecting production. However, a firearm, especially large caliber, should lean towards a high level of certainty which could only be assessed by the manufacturer.

I think you have nothing to lose by a moderate attempt to clean it up as suggested in several posts and re-assess if the results allow..
May be even possible to only return the cylinder or cylinder & yoke to possibly expedite the issue and/or convenience on your part.

Good luck either way, you have a fine gun.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Tis but a scratch. No it's not. Yes it is. No it's not...it's just a flesh wound....
Keep us posted

 

[Dieseltech56]

I was first expecting this thread to be a picture of the side plate seam. Then I glanced at the pic, said that's a scratch and backed out of the thread. Now I'm back reading the comments so I took another look at the first picture and I'm stunned. It really does look like a crack or a flaw in the metal. Does the "crack" extend into the cylinder face?

 

[rd97]

Don't take a chance. I have had to send three new revolvers back. Two for obvious things that should have been caught. They will make it right.

 

[cinnwalt]

65,000 PSI rating, definitely not worth the risk of permanent injury compared to waiting 12 weeks, even though 12 weeks is horrible. Good luck with it.

 

[Ruger 13]

Looks like a scratch to me. Try some Flitz. I have the same gun that I carry quite a bit.

 

[steelslaver]

If it is a crack it will not polish out

 

[OLDSTER]

If you're worried that it might be a crack, perform your own "dye penetrant" crack test. Mix up a solution of water and blue food coloring ( medium dark). Use a Q-tip and apply a liberal amount of the solution along the line of the "crack". If it is, in fact, a crack, the blue solution will seep into the crack, and show darker than the surrounding solution. Just a little trick we would use occasionally when I was still employed.

 

[Johnnu2]

Tis but a scratch. No it's not. Yes it is. No it's not...it's just a flesh wound....
Keep us posted

+1

message board says i need to lengthen this message to 10+ characters..here are about 60+....

 

[jrm53]

Send it back and say your attorney recomends that it would be best if S&W takes care of it for liability purposes. It looks like a crack to me. Jeff

 

[VikingDude]

Does it feel like a crack when you run your fingernail over it?

 

[steelslaver]

I don't think he will need to mention an attorney. No way S&W will return it with a cracked cylinder. Just the possibility of one of their new guns with a cracked cylinder must keep their liability staff awake at night already.

 

[American1776]

Update: I received two emails from S&W indicating they will send me a prepaid label. Still haven't received it.

One would think a possible cracked cylinder on a 44 magnum would merit immediate action. I suppose not.

 

[hemiram]

Looks like a scratch to me, but it's better to be safe than sorry, I saw a Python blow up about 40 years ago and it wasn't pretty. He wasn't sure the cracked cylinder was cracked, until he shot it, and then he was sure. Painfully sure.

 

[Tytan01]

That looks like a crack to me.

 

[Tytan01]

Update: I received two emails from S&W indicating they will send me a prepaid label. Still haven't received it.

One would think a possible cracked cylinder on a 44 magnum would merit immediate action. I suppose not.

Oh....if you only knew......

I have the story of my foul experience with S&W's repair department posted elsewhere so I won't bore you here but suffice it to say....I'd could of taken the S&W repair course myself...went on a vacation to the Bahamas, trained for a marathon, run that marathon, get out of shape eating several weeks worth of KFC, then RE-TAKE the S&W repair course because I had forgotten everything I learned AND THEN repaired my gun in less time then it took S&W to do the work.