Cracked frame on model 38

[DWalt]

You read more about such failures with the Model 12 snubby. I have seen three cracked M12s personally, all cracked in the same place. I have not seen a definitive reason for this, but many believe that it is the result of over-tightening of the barrel at the factory. I am not so sure that's the reason, but it is a possible reason. I cannot imagine it is a dangerous condition, but it is possible that the barrel may go flying off somewhere downrange, although I don't know of that ever happening. Repairable? Definitely not. You have a paperweight. Or at best, a parts donor gun.

This is the principal reason I will not consider buying any alloy framed S&W. I don't trust them, never had one, never will. I'll stick with steel.

 

[pj151]

S&W will certainly replace it. I had a pristine nickeled 38 that had the same crack appear. They gave me a 638 as a replacement. This was about 3-4 years ago.

 

[captainjohnsofd]

Last summer I discovered a crack in the same place on my M-37. S&W requested it be sent back. After examining it they replaced it under guarantee with a brand new M-637. I am happy.

 

[CZU]

I have a nickel 37 that is cracked, I wonder if they would replace it but not with another 37 variant. I would be more interested in a 351C.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I have a nickel 37 that is cracked, I wonder if they would replace it but not with another 37 variant. I would be more interested in a 351C.

You'll get a list of options for even replacement, and a dollar value for credit. I recently replaced a cracked 637 with a 442, even swap. That 351C stickers higher than a 37, so you'll get credit towards the price if that's what you want . . .

 

[RVRSMITH]

Cracked receiver

Are these cracks caused by metal imperfections, overpowered cartridges, over torquing barrel, or magic?

Chiefbob81 it can very well be some of the issues stated.
During the manufacturing process the frames "recievers" are heat treated, beneath the barrel portion of the frame becomes a little more brittle due to how thin it is. Now add a heat, kenetic energy and a slight misaligned cylinder, if you fire a round into the forcing cone again and again where those thin threads are it can and will eventually fail, and as others have stated you absolutly should retire the frame.

 

[steelslaver]

Another thing that may add to the problem is that the coefficient of expansion for steel and aluminum is not the same. Gun warming up and cooling causes the barrel and frame to expand and contract at different rates causing stress. Aluminum work hardens much faster than steel.

 

[steelslaver]

It would be interesting to take an air weight with "the crack" remove the barrel, coat threads with Belsona, an industrial 2 part metal epoxie, then shoot it to see when it failed. Might be surprised by how long it lasts, but I could never really trust it. But, let me ask this.. If it fired once would it be as trustworthy as one without the crack that may well crack on the very next shot fired???

I picked up a very nice alloy pre model 38 and have never fired it. I guess it is my safe queen.

 

[27 Man]

Update:I called S&W this morning and explained my situation to Josh. He told me to send them the gun and they would evaluate it and either repair or replace it. He sent me instructions on how to send it along with a FedEx mailing label. Should they decide to replace it, would I have to go through a FFL or could they FedEx it to me as they would with a repaired gun? Didn't think to ask at the time. Also, is anyone aware if a 638 is available without a lock like the 642 and 637 are? Turnaround time is about 90 days.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

If you really think its a paperweight and want to sell it for paperweight price, PM me.

I have long suspected these guns were cracked from the factory and will provide years of service in their cracked condition. I'd love to prove it by shooting one until (presumably) nothing happens.

...if you ever do experiment...please post the results as I have the same feeling you do...

...frame has stress relieved itself and will continue on with the recommended ammo...

 

[donpolly]

My S&W model 38 Airweight Bodyguard .38 Special J frame cracked, too.
Called S&W, and they said it could not be fixed, shot, nor replaced.
Our Holstein hardware store in Whitesburg, KY sold more S&W revolvers than any store in the U.S., but I will never buy another one!
S&W should have accepted responsibility, and recalled these defective revolvers before someone got maimed or killed!

 

[stansdds]

 

[Yaworski]

You are forgetting about Flex Glue

It will fix anything

I've seen demonstrations of glues to bond metal where the bond is stronger than the metal.

 

[SuperMan]

Have one just like it...in the same condition. It was one of the Michigan State Police backup guns with the blue frame and stainless cylinder.

Carried a 50s vintage 42 for many years as a backup gun to the holster duty weapon...it also cracked...

That is two out of the four J-frame Airweight .38s that I have owned that have cracked...the other two went down the road before they did do. Only two J .38s I have now are a 60-1 2" with adjustable sights and a 649-2...

No more for me...

...and I wonder...have I missed something in that I have never seen or heard of a J-frame alloy .22 like a 43 or 317 cracking... I have owned several of both and zero issues...

Somewhere I read a long time ago that the life expectancy of an alloy frame .38 J-frame was 300 rounds...anyone else ever hear that...

Bob

 

[kraynky]

I suppose that I am fortunate, that I am on my 3rd Airweight model 638 with no issues. One was lost in a divorce with few miles on it, so we won't count that one. The 1st one from the mid 90's fired a few hundred rounds, and was carried a lot, for maybe 10 years. It got sold maybe 15 years ago while I was in a stupid state of mind.

I searched a good while to find another 638 no dash to replace it, and have a lot of 148 gr wadcutters through it since. No problems with any of them. But I don't hot rod them either.

I've always been of a mind that a wadcutter was a good defensive round, and pretty much stuck to them. With a few +p's along the way for grins.

I like these little Airweight revolvers.

 

[Chubbs103]

Somewhere I read a long time ago that the life expectancy of an alloy frame .38 J-frame was 300 rounds...anyone else ever hear that...

Bob

I'll probably put 200 through my 442 this weekend. One of many such weekends.

Most have been 148 HBWCs, but I have a couple thousand rounds of all flavors through mine so far.

I will admit, every time one of these threads come up, I go search for a crack. If I find one, I'll call S&W and see what the say.

 

[SuperMan]

Because the 642/442/Centennials snubbies are the only ones without the IL, they would be the only one I would buy. Crack one of them and at least S&W gives one back the same kind of gun.

My problem is I just rarely carry a snubbie so have no real need for a light weight .38. A friend pocket carries a 442 if he has pants on so it is perfect for him. For a pocket gun I've gone to a Kahr P380 or PM9 that just fits in my pocket better than a revolver...

 

[max503]

I'm having issues with a 638. It is on its second trip back to S&W. Not a crack but they said it is unshootable and it is only 5 years old. Wish me luck.

 

[MG34/bar]

I own and carry all three types of J frames, steel (60-3), light weight (642), and air-weight (342). Have had the 60 since 1988 and have thousands of rounds through it. Have had the 342 no-lock since 2001 and have at least 1500 rounds through that one. Only used the 642 about four years with 400-500 rounds through it. Only crack in any was a crack in the yoke barrel of the 342, which the factory fixed and returned very rapidly.

 

[GaryS]

In April of 2012 I sent my 1993 vintage 442 with Satin Nickle finish back to the factory for the same reason. There was an ongoing thread about it back then and I found the crack on examination after reading that thread.

About a week after I sent it back I got a call from CS informing me that the gun was unrepairable because it was built on the pre magnum J frame. They offered me the choice of a 442 in black or a 642 as the 442 was no longer offered with the Satin Nickle finish.

I opted for the 642 and since my original gun had no IL requested a non IL replacement. The CS rep told me that there might be a delay as they made the non IL guns in batches. I gave them the FFL info and about two weeks later I was notified by the FFL that the gun was waiting for me.

I believe that the cracked frames on the J frame guns are covered by the lifetime warranty and this is the first time I've ever heard of someone being told it wouldn't be covered.

I'd call back and try again. CS has been inconsistent of late, it's sort of like a roulette wheel.