Cracked Frame On Brand New J Frame Model 60

[GaryS]

I haven't read through the whole thread, so forgive me if I'm being redundant.

The only surprise here is that it's a Model 60. I had this happen on an early 442 and it appears to be fairly common with those.

In my case, because it was an early gun and the frame design had changed, S&W opted to replace the gun at no charge.

In your case they might do the same, or they might replace the frame and stamp the original serial number on it. That's what I was told they do with newer guns built on the "J Magnum" frame.

In my case, it only took a couple of weeks to get the new gun in, and that was only because I insisted they replace my pre lock 442 with a no lock 642.

It's annoying, but S&W will make you whole one way or the other.

 

[dogdoc]

Any mass produced item can and will have defects. Just look at my new pickup truck! Rare when you consider the number produced and remember people report negative experiences but usually not positive. I had guns from the 1970s and 1980s that had problems as well. Nothing new and as long as they make it right, no big deal

 

[337vegasstrong]

**UPDATE**

I finally heard back from S&W customer service today. They have deemed my Model 60 to be UNREPAIRABLE and are sending me a brand new replacement (to my FFL) under warranty at no charge. I am grateful things are going smoothly so far. Once I have the new replacement in hand, I'll report back to you all whether the new one is in acceptable condition.

I would like to give a warm thank you to all of you for responding and offering your perspectives and words of support. It has helped me tremendously. Also, thanks to the forum admin for providing such a wonderful tool for our firearms community. Everyone be safe out there!

 

[gman51]

Some people are just to darn picky about minor things.
Just kidding. I figured you would will be getting a complete new gun.

As far as missing a problem before signing the transfer...I have been there and done that. In my case I believe the seller knew the barrel had been ringed and he just hoped I wouldn't notice it. It could be the seller hadn't seen it either. Well I didn't see the ringed barrel till I stripped it for refinishing. It is around a 1957 Colt 32 spl revolver so no I will not be getting any help from Colt and it was way to long after transfer for the seller to make it right.
Yep look over any gun with a fine eye not just eyeballing it before signing transfer. Out of three transfer glitches I only caught one. One was supposed to have an extra mag but didn't and the seller said he sent it but the LGS doing the transfer said it wasn't in the box. I think my LGS screwed me not the seller. My LGS didn't know where the box was. I don't do any business with him any longer. The one I caught was missing the set of chokes for a shotgun. I am real careful now on any gun transfer.

 

[ABPOS]

I wonder if your gun said hello to my gun. Mine is there now too. Maybe they had hospital beds next to each other. I'm pretty sure mine is going to have the same fate as yours and not make it and be turned into parts.

I got an email last wednesday say they are processing it, but haven't heard yet. I think I'm gonna call tomorrow or Friday to see what's up. I'm trying to be patient. LOL.

 

[337vegasstrong]

I wonder if your gun said hello to my gun. Mine is there now too. Maybe they had hospital beds next to each other. I'm pretty sure mine is going to have the same fate as yours and not make it and be turned into parts.

I got an email last wednesday say they are processing it, but haven't heard yet. I think I'm gonna call tomorrow or Friday to see what's up. I'm trying to be patient. LOL.

I doubt my gun even got a bed. Probably went straight to the morgue.

I tried my best to not think about how long it would take. That helps make the time go by faster.

 

[pasound]

Never seen that before, but good to know it could happen. I own a couple of 60's from that vintage. Thanks everyone!

 

[murphydog]

I am pleasantly unsurprised by the factory's response; they are doing right by you.

My guess is they will do whatever they do to broken frames (recycle?), and keep the rest of the parts for replacements. Please let us know how the new gun looks, and if it has the same SN.

 

[337vegasstrong]

I am pleasantly unsurprised by the factory's response; they are doing right by you.

My guess is they will do whatever they do to broken frames (recycle?), and keep the rest of the parts for replacements. Please let us know how the new gun looks, and if it has the same SN.

My understanding is that the reason it has to go through my local FFL is because it will have a new serial number. If it had the same serial number, S&W could send it directly back to me. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[Bobafett]

My understanding is that the reason it has to go through my local FFL is because it will have a new serial number. If it had the same serial number, S&W could send it directly back to me. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

I personally have had replacement pistols sent directly to me by Springfield Armoury (no FFL involvement), as warranty replacement with different serial number.

Glocks on the other hand I have had to go thru the FFL because of the new serial number

(edit: yes I have had 4 broken Glocks)

 

[Bobafett]

You know, it may also have to do with the difference of your FFL shipping the gun back vs. you shipping it back on your own.

 

[337vegasstrong]

You know, it may also have to do with the difference of your FFL shipping the gun back vs. you shipping it back on your own.

I shipped the gun directly to S&W and they are shipping back to me through my FFL.

 

[ladder13]

S&W will not ship directly to you if serial number is changed, at least not for me. Company policy?
When my Sig P226 was replaced in the late 80's, the new gun was sent direct to me with new serial number.
Could be manufacturer specific.

 

[ABPOS]

Might be the difference in laws now???? I didn't think they'd send it back straight to me either.

 

[AZretired]

I sent my 65-2 back for a timing issue a few years back and it was sent directly back to me and I would think this would still be the way it would be done as long the serial number hasn't changed. Things are a lot stricter in recent years so replacements have to sent through an FFL.

 

[HamHands]

On the other hand, they could've said, "What is this thing...? How does it work? I've never tried one of these old-fashioned...what's it called? Re-vol-ver...?"

In all honesty... that is probably more likely than not. Someone has fired this little Revo more than twice. The amount of gun powder/blast debris on the crane, top strap, and around the forcing cone is excessive. Even shooting the dirtiest of garbage ammo... which is always something "chinese" ... like everything else "they" make... One couldn't possibly fire 2 rounds that could make such a mess. I'm not alluding to the OP as I nor anyone else here is saying he did anything wrong at all. But someone put more than a cylinder full thru this puppy and probably was something that was too HOT for this alloy frame.

 

[337vegasstrong]

In all honesty... that is probably more likely than not. Someone has fired this little Revo more than twice. The amount of gun powder/blast debris on the crane, top strap, and around the forcing cone is excessive. Even shooting the dirtiest of garbage ammo... which is always something "chinese" ... like everything else "they" make... One couldn't possibly fire 2 rounds that could make such a mess. I'm not alluding to the OP as I nor anyone else here is saying he did anything wrong at all. But someone put more than a cylinder full thru this puppy and probably was something that was too HOT for this alloy frame.

It's a model 60 so it's a steel frame and not aluminum alloy. And I, sure as sh*t, didn't fire a single round through it. At this point, knowing that I'm getting a brand new firearm, I've long given up trying to figure out how or when it cracked. But trust me, I've played out all possible scenarios in my head as have most everyone in this thread. Getting a brand new gun DIRECTLY from the factory sure has a much different "feel" even though it's totally psychological. The wait has been killing me...

 

[337vegasstrong]

**FINALLY!**

22 days later I have received a brand new Model 60-15. Picked it up today at my FFL (didn't have to fill out a new 4473). There is NO crack on this one and it has a new serial number. I will be heading to the range tomorrow

Thanks again to all of you. Big hug from me!

 

[ladder13]

Looks great, have a good time with it.

 

[ABPOS]

Ooooh that looks really nice. I know what you mean about the wait. Which day did you send yours in?