Cracked frame?

[redhawk444]

Until this morning, I was blissfully unaware of the propensity of the aluminum framed J frames to crack under the barrel.

I got my 442 out for a look-see and this is what I saw. Is this what we are dreading to see?

 

[What the]

It's hard to be certain but it does look like a stress crack to the frame. Someone that's had first hand experience will be along shortly that will know more about your gun. If you can catch a fingernail in it chances are it's cracked.

 

[HAGEN]

J Frame Issues

The Issues are not Isolated to the Airweights.

I have a Old Model J Frame sold to me by a FFL Gunsmith
in Eastern NC with a Cracked Frame when I Purchased the Gun.
Apparenty he had Stripped the Gun and did a Nice Paint Job on
it using something to fill the Crack and I was Fool Enough to Fall for the Scam.
Please Note:
We have several J Frames in the Family with No Issues.
These were all purchased New or Old New Guns, Purchased
from Honest Folks.
Hagen

 

[s&wchad]

Yes, that's a crack. 442's are all covered under the Lifetime Service Policy (post Feb., 1989). Contact S&W for a return shipping label: Warranty Repair Shipping Form - Smith & Wesson

 

[redhawk444]

OK, thanks for the information.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

That's a crack. No doubt about it. I just sent a model 37 back to S&W with the same issue. Call their service department at 1-800-331-0852 and simply tell them you have a cracked alloy J-frame. When asked, I told them I was not original owner of my 37. It was also made just before the lifetime warranty policy came out. They still emailed me a prepaid shipping label for Fed-Ex Express with instructions on how to proceed. Took a day or two to get the email. Called Fed-Ex yesterday and they picked it up at my home within 5 hours.
My 37 developed the crack after the last time I took it out. From what I've heard from others, S&W is very proactive in getting these cracked J-frames taken care of or replaced. They are not taking the Ford Pinto route of denial on this issue. The potential safety and liability issues are too much for them to ignore. I hope to hear from S&W by the end of next week and will keep you posted on developments.
John

 

[jframe]

I'm waiting on shipping info to send in my one-year-only produced Model 042 with a very similar issue to the one in the original post. I hope it's not a crack, but it sure looks like the one in the pics above. My biggest question is: how can S&W replace this relatively rare gun with something equivalent?

 

[Andy Taylor]

I'm waiting on shipping info to send in my one-year-only produced Model 042 with a very similar issue to the one in the original post. I hope it's not a crack, but it sure looks like the one in the pics above. My biggest question is: how can S&W replace this relatively rare gun with something equivalent?

The simple answer is, they can't. If it needs replacement, you will be offered something from the current line up.

 

[photoman]

Bummer....

 

[flagaman1950]

Hagn - don't feel too bad about the dupe. I am experienced in watching out for that type stuff and had one just slip by me as well. Bought it frim an individual at a gunshow. A friend asked if I thought the guy that sold it knew it. My answer, "Of course he did!"

If the cracked frame is on a gun that is "too old" they will not offer to replace it for free, but they will shoot you a good price if you want to buy a new one with the lock. I told them to send it back. I will do some "repair" and shoot wadcutters in it.

 

[jframe]

I guess I can assume that since the Model 042's were made in 1992-93, that it will be covered under the Lifetime Service Policy, then?

 

[Fred_P]

Same problem in stainless

I stumbled on this thread today.

Last night I discovered almost exactly the same crack in my 632-1 stainless j-frame (.327 Federal Magnum). The crack is full length (from the base of the ejector rod shroud to the forcing cone) and far more "open". Obviously, it's not limited to alloy frames.

It has only 150 rounds put through it during the 6 months since I bought it new. I already requested a RMA to send it back under warranty.

Fred

 

[photoman]

I guess I can assume that since the Model 042's were made in 1992-93, that it will be covered under the Lifetime Service Policy, then?

"Pistols and revolvers bearing a serial number beginning with three letters followed by four numbers are covered under Smith & Wesson's Limited Lifetime Warranty."

This is from the LSG website (local S&W warranty repair station).

 

[Maximumbob54]

Mine took two weeks for the full round trip. They seem to put the barrels into frames but then they reuse all your existing parts. Don't fret, they will make it right. I insist they seem to just screw the barrel in too tight. If they set it too tight then it cracks at some point and they will fix it on their dime.

 

[ar15ed]

i think you have hit the nail on the head. it isn't really a by-product of the aluminum being to "soft" or "weak". it is just a problem across-the-board of the barrels being too tight.

 

[s&wchad]

"Pistols and revolvers bearing a serial number beginning with three letters followed by four numbers are covered under Smith & Wesson's Limited Lifetime Warranty."

This is from the LSG website (local S&W warranty repair station).

According to S&W, the Lifetime Service Policy covers guns made after Feb., 1989. The three letter prefix started around 1982. The policy is explained here: Warranty Repair Shipping Form - Smith & Wesson

 

[kris]

The simple answer is, they can't. If it needs replacement, you will be offered something from the current line up.

As was the case with my no dash 442. They had frames in stock but would not reuse my serial number. They didnt tell me this until after I sent it in and they wouldnt send it back to me cracked.
Since the no dash has been deemed unsafe in California I couldnt have a different serial number sent to me, and I didnt want a 442 with a lock. They offered me anything else out of the catalog as long as I covered any price difference if it was more expensive. Ended up with a nice 3" model 60 for a little over $100.


k.

 

[Muley Gil]

Get a little dab of JB Weld..............

 

[BUFF]

I bought my first Model 642 in 1991, when they first came out. I shot the dickens out of it. It went everywhere with me, being my warm weather off-duty gun and my year-round back-up gun. I always felt it was the perfect 5 shot .38, corrosion resistant, light for carry yet enough weight to deal with Plus-P, S&W reliability and quality.

I got the same type of crack in the frame earlier this summer. It cracked sometime during a box of 50 at the range. I found the crack cleaning it the next day.

S&W sent me a shipping label. A few days later, they sent a letter confirming they had received it and gave me a work order number. About a week later a customer service rep called, said the gun wasn't fixable and found me a current production version in inventory. She confirmed my address. I got my replacement Model 642-1 about a week after that.

S&W did not use my old parts on the new gun. The new gun has a different serial number. They also sent the gun directly to my house.

I know that S&W sometimes sends the replacement guns to the owner's FFL of choice, instead of directly to the owner. I don't know why. I assume they send it to who or what entity shipped them the broken gun, or perhaps it varies as a matter of the individual's state law.

One way or another, S&W will do their best to make you whole.

 

[jframe]

Update on my Model 042. S&W called today; it's indeed a cracked frame. Since it's a one year only production gun, they obviously couldn't replace it exactly. The man in customer service asked me what j frame I would like to replace it, and I ended up picking a no lock 442. The gun is being shipped to an FFL; they wouldn't ship it back to my house. He also informed me that it may take a month or so; these guns are on backorder. No problem; I just wanted a no lock gun of some sort to replace it. S&W customer service was EXTREMELY fast and efficient in my opinion. I sent the gun out on their dime on Friday, and he called me at lunch today, and immediately arranged a replacement. Pretty awesome, considering I bought it secondhand. Now, if I can just maintain patience waiting on it to get here! I think the cracked frame comes from overtorqueing barrels; my 1996 production 642-1 has no such issues, and the friend I got it from shot it WAY more than I have. Biggest issue now is whether to keep my very slick 642-1 and the no lock 442, or sell the 442 for something different. Either way, I really can't say enough about S&W's customer service so far in this little ordeal.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

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.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Photoman44 View Post
"Pistols and revolvers bearing a serial number beginning with three letters followed by four numbers are covered under Smith & Wesson's Limited Lifetime Warranty."

This is from the LSG website (local S&W warranty repair station).
According to S&W, the Lifetime Service Policy covers guns made after Feb., 1989. The three letter prefix started around 1982. The policy is explained here: Warranty Repair Shipping Form - Smith & Wesson

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

 

[photoman]

That's good news John! You'll like that 637. Very handy guns.

 

[jframe]

Reviving an old thread, but I got my no lock 442 from S&W today. Gun is really nice, and I like it, but I just don't know whether to keep it, or try to trade for something in a steel frame, since I carry a 642-1 every day. I really want to brag on S&W customer service. Took a while to get this one, but I knew it was on backorder to begin with, so it was not a big deal at all. I can't think of a better reason to buy from a reputable company such as S&W versus OTHER revolver manufacturers that have developed a somewhat spotty reputation for service. Great company, great guns, and a great overall experience in handling a disappointing situation. I STILL wish I had that 042 back!

 

[supremo3rd]

Good day my friends. I'm from the Philippines and have the same problem with my Smith&Wesson37/637 which i inherited from my father. I was about to have it licensed and registered under my name when i noticed a crack on the frame underneath the barrel. Do you think Smith and Wesson USA would and could extend to me their Limited Lifetime Warranty? I would highly appreciate it if you could relay my query. Thank You very much. have a great day!

 

[Tyrod]

Good day my friends. I'm from the Philippines and have the same problem with my Smith&Wesson37/637 which i inherited from my father. I was about to have it licensed and registered under my name when i noticed a crack on the frame underneath the barrel. Do you think Smith and Wesson USA would and could extend to me their Limited Lifetime Warranty? I would highly appreciate it if you could relay my query. Thank You very much. have a great day!

If S&W has some sort of corporate presence in the PI, then they would be the folks to direct your question to.

On the other hand, I have heard that some of these frame cracks have been repaired by welding. Obviously, this would require a very skilled craftsman. Most likely one that is experienced in the aerospace or nuclear power industries and not your run of the mill gunsmith. Then, the gun would prolly need to be rehardened to original specs. I really don't know how they do that to ordinance aluminum.

If it were me. I know some guys that are capable of doing the this sort of microwelding on aluminum, I'd install the barrel the olde way of less torque and a pin. It would be economical for me because the welding would only cost a sixpack or a fifth of Jack. The rest I could do myself. The rehardening I'd have to farm out. I'm sure having to pay someone of the appropriate skill level would prolly cost much more than the gun is worth.

 

[supremo3rd]

Thanks Tyrod