Cracked Frame On Brand New J Frame Model 60

[337vegasstrong]

Well, this is a lesson that has me really annoyed. Hopefully everyone can learn from this as well as offer me some emotional support... sniff sniff... lol

I transferred a brand new Model 60 3" from a retailer online and picked it up today from my local FFL. I did my usual inspection before proceeding with the transfer. I'm a very meticulous person (usually) when it comes to this. Everything seemed to look good so I proceeded with the transfer. After getting home with a new firearm, the first thing I always do is clean it before heading to the range. Of course, this time around I missed what I call a "glaringly obvious giant humongous unsightly depressingly huge" crack in the frame. It's just above the serial number below the barrel. I have no idea how I could have missed it at my FFL.

I immediately called S&W since it was too late to get any recourse from the online retailer. Their customer service was great and emailed me a prepaid return label and I sent it back to them today. I'm confident they'll take care of me, but I'm hoping it won't take too long. I'm expecting at least 4-6 weeks turnaround time and I feel like that's what I get for not inspecting it more thoroughly.

Anyone with experience here think they'll repair the crack or dump the frame and send a whole new gun? Any words of encouragement for my broken spirit would be great. I just feel so dumb for missing the crack. Words of advice to all, inspect transferred firearms with a fine tooth comb!

 

[murphydog]

Yikes! The usual culprit for this is an overtorqued barrel. They will not try to repair it but will ship you a new gun. Sorry for your troubles.

 

[rickflst]

I feel your pain. New gun and it is bad. Hope they give you a whole new one.

 

[jimbo728]

That is a terrible crack. Im glad you caught it before shooting it. Im sure S&W will make you happy. Good luck. Right now Im going to check my 3" 60-3 just in case.
Jim

 

[S&WOkie]

Wow! That sure is dirty for a brand new gun.

 

[Wrangler Rich]

Pretty grubby for a new firearm.... Good news is you will probably receive a new replacement..

WR

 

[337vegasstrong]

Wow! That sure is dirty for a brand new gun.

The cylinder only had signs of being fired from two of the chambers so I'm pretty sure it was only test fired and then sent out. I guess some manufacturers don't clean them much after test firing.

 

[337vegasstrong]

Yikes! The usual culprit for this is an overtorqued barrel. They will not try to repair it but will ship you a new gun. Sorry for your troubles.

This is what customer service also said (probably over torqued). I wonder how common it is...?

Thanks everyone. Your replies definitely help me feel better!

 

[M29since14]

If that's the worst gun buying boo-boo you ever make, you're in good shape. The replacement will come in soon enough and if your new 3-inch Model 60 is like mine, you'll love it. Advanced congratulations on your new revolver.

 

[337vegasstrong]

If that's the worst gun buying boo-boo you ever make, you're in good shape. The replacement will come in soon enough and if your new 3-inch Model 60 is like mine, you'll love it. Advanced congratulations on your new revolver.

I will surely try my best to keep my boo-boos to a minimum! Thanks

 

[armorer951]

Wow....I can't imagine. I guess this sort of verifies my suspicions that thorough, hands-on final inspections are a thing of the past.

 

[colt_saa]

That is the common place for a frame to crack, It has been going on for 60+ years

It is EXtremely uncommon for a steel frame to crack in that location

98% of the frames that crack are the Aluminum Alloy frames or the Scandium Alloy frames

For a company that has delivered about 6 million firearms in the last 5 years of record keeping (reports are usually 2 years behind) we really do not hear about a lot of cracked frames.

 

[337vegasstrong]

Wow....I can't imagine. I guess this sort of verifies my suspicions that thorough, hands-on final inspections are a thing of the past.

I'm hoping that this is an extremely isolated incident. Honestly, I was more upset with myself for not seeing it before accepting the transfer than I was at the quality control. But if it is an isolated case, how S&W handles "making it right" will be just as, if not more important than quality control.

 

[stansdds]

Wow! That' not even a hairline crack, but a pretty impressive crack. How did that leave the mother ship?

 

[slabside2]

I should be surprised at this but unfortunately I'm not. How in the hell could S+W let that gun leave the factory like that. The person who does the final inspection should be fired!

 

[ladder13]

The Earth is still spinning. Return the gun and get a new one, simple.

They replaced mine and paid the transfer fee.

 

[337vegasstrong]

The Earth is still spinning. Return the gun and get a new one, simple.

They replaced mine and paid the transfer fee.

Looks like an alloy frame, correct? Was yours cracked from the factory like mine?

 

[ladder13]

Looks like an alloy frame, correct? Was yours cracked from the factory like mine?

Alloy, yes.
I bought it used from a well respected forum member who said he never noticed it, so who knows.
In any event, I received as you will, a new frame at minimum and likely a whole new gun.
This issue has gone on for decades with Model 12's, 38's. I'm sure the crack is harder to see on blue guns.

S&W will pay your transfer fee. You'll need a new serial number and FFL involvement.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...that's not a crack...


...that's a CRACK !!! ...

 

[SuperMan]

Was that a 60-10 or a 60-15?

I have seen many, too many, cracked aluminum framed guns but never a steel frame. I've owned a 42 which cracked, a 38 which cracked and had a 642 that I sold before it cracked...and I why I now own a Ruger LCR...no cracks....

Bob