Cracked Frame?! (pics inside)

[munsterrr]

So a few weeks ago I was having a problem at the range when rounds were not cycling properly(winchester). Decided to put it off to the side until i would be able to try new ammo to see how it would behave. In between range visits, I did a basic clean and lube. replaced buffer spring spacer. Nothing too crazy.

Went to the range yesterday and ran into the same problems with Federal. Took it apart this morning to give it a good scrubbing and upon taking off the grips.....Here we are.

It has been in a case since day one of bringing it home. Never been dropped. Goes from case to bench to table for cleaning.


Guess you get what you pay for. Off to call S&W in the A.M. to see what can be done

 

[GANGNAM]

lol

it iz what it iz

 

[Fastbolt]

I'd be inclined to first suspect an ammunition "over-pressure event". There's been at least one listed recall of .22LR ammunition in recent years.

Buy it new or used (if you don't mind stating on a public forum)?

If used, it might be possible the previous owner had an "over-pressure event".

I'd not be surprised if S&W offered to replace at least the frame, if not the entire pistol. Wouldn't hurt to ask.

 

[metrotps]

I'd be inclined to first suspect an ammunition "over-pressure event". There's been at least one listed recall of .22LR ammunition in recent years.

Buy it new or used (if you don't mind stating on a public forum)?

If used, it might be possible the previous owner had an "over-pressure event".

I'd not be surprised if S&W offered to replace at least the frame, if not the entire pistol. Wouldn't hurt to ask.

A good and longtime friend has a 6906 that he shot around 250,000 rounds through. The frame cracked and he sent it back to S&W. For $250 they replaced just about every part of the gun and returned it to his FFL. New frame S/N required the FFL 01 transfer. I would contact the service department and see what they say IMHO.

 

[BillyMagg]

So a few weeks ago I was having a problem at the range when rounds were not cycling properly(winchester). Decided to put it off to the side until i would be able to try new ammo to see how it would behave. In between range visits, I did a basic clean and lube. replaced buffer spring spacer. Nothing too crazy.

Went to the range yesterday and ran into the same problems with Federal. Took it apart this morning to give it a good scrubbing and upon taking off the grips.....Here we are.

It has been in a case since day one of bringing it home. Never been dropped. Goes from case to bench to table for cleaning.


Guess you get what you pay for. Off to call S&W in the A.M. to see what can be done

Its a bad casting, probably has something to do with those pin holes and a stress fracture. S&W will prolly replace your frame, any cast part with airvoids or overstress will stress fracture in a similar manner, I'd put my money on Smith and Wesson making it right. Billy

 

[Fastbolt]

Sure, they could examine the gun gun and decide a bad casting was responsible ... and then make it right.

A "bad casting" would be my second thought.

 

[munsterrr]

Bought it brand new back in May. Put a good amount of rounds through it.

 

[shawn mccarver]

So a few weeks ago I was having a problem at the range when rounds were not cycling properly(winchester). Decided to put it off to the side until i would be able to try new ammo to see how it would behave. In between range visits, I did a basic clean and lube. replaced buffer spring spacer. Nothing too crazy.

Went to the range yesterday and ran into the same problems with Federal. Took it apart this morning to give it a good scrubbing and upon taking off the grips.....Here we are.

It has been in a case since day one of bringing it home. Never been dropped. Goes from case to bench to table for cleaning.


Guess you get what you pay for. Off to call S&W in the A.M. to see what can be done

I believe this is a very rare thing with any S&W. I bet they will take care of you, unless they find evidence of something that voids their very excellent warranty service. Good luck.

 

[munsterrr]

I believe this is a very rare thing with any S&W. I bet they will take care of you, unless they find evidence of something that voids their very excellent warranty service. Good luck.

Man. I'm hoping that common use does not void a warranty. Cross fingers.


I emailed them and will call first thing in the AM to see what can be done. Will update.

 

[handgunner356]

It has been noted here before, same place. The guns were repaired or replaced by S&W. Call and have them and they will send you a pickup tag.

 

[munsterrr]

Called them this morning. They are sending out a return box. Guess it will be far and few between updates but will do as soon as i hear anything.

 

[munsterrr]

Bump for updates/question.

They sent me a prepaid packing slip and I dropped it off at fedex(Northern Va) Monday evening. They signed for and received it yesterday.

From your guys/gals past experiences with faulty weapons. What is the turn around time to receive a replaced/repaired weapon?

 

[Fastbolt]

Depends.

Bear in mind they shut down for a couple of weeks at the end of the year, usually reopening sometime in the first week of the new year.

 

[munsterrr]

Depends.

Bear in mind they shut down for a couple of weeks at the end of the year, usually reopening sometime in the first week of the new year.

Damn. Guess I will call them to get a rough estimate.

 

[RobsTV]

Bump for updates/question.

They sent me a prepaid packing slip and I dropped it off at fedex(Northern Va) Monday evening. They signed for and received it yesterday.

From your guys/gals past experiences with faulty weapons. What is the turn around time to receive a replaced/repaired weapon?

I have had 3 different warranty repairs performed by S&W in 2012 on 2 different guns. Longest took 10 days for S&W 500 frame. Shortest, a new Shield took 4 days for them to repair mag drop issue, replace front sight blade with taller, adjust read sights and a factory trigger job. All repairs perfect. I did find that you need to call them after 10 days, otherwise it might sit on a shelf for a while waiting to be shipped back.

 

[munsterrr]

Called them on Friday and they said "late January"....Guess the holiday season has already kicked in for them.

Not the happiest person having to wait over a month to have this issue corrected. Considering making a move after this.

 

[SMSgt]

That ain't cracked--that's broken!

 

[Rock185]

munsterrr, what are those frames made of, zinc? I've seen cracked Colt and SIG aluminum alloy frames, but they didn't look just flat broken like that...

 

[BillyMagg]

munsterrr, what are those frames made of, zinc? I've seen cracked Colt and SIG aluminum alloy frames, but they didn't look just flat broken like that...

You would be right there sir, the new Walther P22s and Sig Mosquitos have similar issues with their zinc slides, dumb to make hard parts out of pot metal IMHO. Billy

As they say garbage in-garbage out!

 

[FishyOne]

Called them on Friday and they said "late January"....Guess the holiday season has already kicked in for them.

Not the happiest person having to wait over a month to have this issue corrected. Considering making a move after this.

"late January" is likely a worst case scenario. I sent a revolver in for warranty service last summer and had it back within 2 weeks. They had it in-house for repair less than 5 business days.

 

[FTG-05]

Called them on Friday and they said "late January"....Guess the holiday season has already kicked in for them.

Not the happiest person having to wait over a month to have this issue corrected. Considering making a move after this.

If you wanted it back sooner, why did it take from Nov. 26 to Dec. 13 for you to send it back?

When I sent my 329PD in for a frame replacement, they e-mailed me the return label within one day of my telephone call and/or e-mail. Then it was up to me to get it packed and sent via UPS, which was the same day I received the label.

It took them less than two weeks to replace the frame and send it back to me via my local FFL.

Good luck!

 

[munsterrr]

If you wanted it back sooner, why did it take from Nov. 26 to Dec. 13 for you to send it back?

When I sent my 329PD in for a frame replacement, they e-mailed me the return label within one day of my telephone call and/or e-mail. Then it was up to me to get it packed and sent via UPS, which was the same day I received the label.

It took them less than two weeks to replace the frame and send it back to me via my local FFL.

Good luck!

It actually took a while to get the return label. I had called and emailed and put in the request form online. I mailed out the weapon ~4 days after I received it.


I realized I am being silly in assuming that I should have a replacement ASAP. I just need to learn to be patient and YES. You get what you pay for. Time to put more money into my "fun gun"

 

[FTG-05]

Ok. Them not e-mailing it sooner may have been just another sign that they are getting backlogged. I wouldn't sweat the late Jan. estimate, though, I bet they beat it by quite a bit.

Good luck!