Just got a call from S&W about my model 37. As was expected, they said it was not fixable and offered to replace it with a 637. It will be a couple of week before I can pick it up at my FFL but I am pleased and very impressed with how S&W has handled this.
My model 37's serial number is in the AYTXXXX range and I believe that puts it manufacture date around 1988. This appears to confirm Photoman44 earlier post. Also, I did tell S&W that I was not the original owner. Regardless, I will be getting a new 637 within a few weeks. I'm happy, even if it does have the lock and MIM parts.
Before I bought my model 37, I looked very closely for cracks and did not find any indication. There was no subterfuge by the seller. And I always cleaned and checked the frame after each trip to the range. When the crack appeared I was shooting mild reloads with Hornady swaged 148 gr HBWC.
If only my computer and car had the same customer service policy! But it is a smart policy on S&W's behalf. They are replacing a product with a known defect with a brand new, equivalent product that has a MSRP for around $350. Nowadays that is a drop in the bucket when it comes to either advertising or legal fees. In my mind, this small investment they made to make one customer happy (me) is money better spent than any put towards ads or special promos. Word of mouth endorsement is the best kind. Plus it is great to see that somebody at a corporate level is making sense for once instead of just trying to bass the buck. I suspect that S&W will be around for along time. They certainly did good by me.
John
My model 37's serial number is in the AYTXXXX range and I believe that puts it manufacture date around 1988. This appears to confirm Photoman44 earlier post. Also, I did tell S&W that I was not the original owner. Regardless, I will be getting a new 637 within a few weeks. I'm happy, even if it does have the lock and MIM parts.
Before I bought my model 37, I looked very closely for cracks and did not find any indication. There was no subterfuge by the seller. And I always cleaned and checked the frame after each trip to the range. When the crack appeared I was shooting mild reloads with Hornady swaged 148 gr HBWC.
If only my computer and car had the same customer service policy! But it is a smart policy on S&W's behalf. They are replacing a product with a known defect with a brand new, equivalent product that has a MSRP for around $350. Nowadays that is a drop in the bucket when it comes to either advertising or legal fees. In my mind, this small investment they made to make one customer happy (me) is money better spent than any put towards ads or special promos. Word of mouth endorsement is the best kind. Plus it is great to see that somebody at a corporate level is making sense for once instead of just trying to bass the buck. I suspect that S&W will be around for along time. They certainly did good by me.
John
