Just got a 659 and noticed a broken-off bit of metal in inner slide by extractor

[akentisa]

Bought a 659 on GunBroker, graded "NRA 'Very Good Condition'" from a reputable gun shop. Put about 250 rounds through it then stripped it for a cleaning, and afterward noticed this little strip of metal in the channel of the slide had just peeled loose!! I was amazed that a steel pistol with the reputation of being built like a tank could would just fall apart like this. With the touch of a finger, the metal strip broke off. Now there is a gouged out space next to the extractor, within the inner rail of the slide.

1. HOW could this possibly have happened? I have to assume it was already like this before I owned it. Simply metal fatigue from being heavily used? Hard to believe when it's in such good condition. Faulty machining? Did the previous owner shoot some kind of hot handloaded cartridges with it?

2. Does this missing bit of metal make any functional or safety difference at all?

 

[stansdds]

Oh no! Your Model 659 is now rendered to junk status. The seller will not take it back 'cause you broke it, so to ease your pain, just put it in a plain brown box and send it to me for ... uhhhhh... "disposal".

Seriously now, that little sliver of steel is, as you can see, incredibly thin. I'm guessing your pistol is not the first to suffer this issue as S&W milled away this little sliver in the third gen pistols.

What I am not sure about is how you should go about remedying this situation. I'm thinking just grabbing the sliver and yanking it off is going to leave sharp edges and sharp edges are stress risers where cracks can start. I'd say contact S&W or find a gunsmith who is familiar with these pistols. Our own member, BMCM, would be a great gunsmith to contact and since it's only the slide, shipping should not be a federal issue.

 

[akentisa]

OK so I just went down a rabbit hole and googled every picture I could find of 659 slides for sale, and looked at the photo showing the inner slide rails. ALL OF THEM seem to have this EXACT issue. See attached pictures - four completely different slides.

Our own member, BMCM, would be a great gunsmith to contact and since it's only the slide, shipping should not be a federal issue.

How can I reach him? Thanks.

 

[akentisa]

And looking at a Youtube video of a 659 owner demonstrating disassembly, even HIS slide has the same piece of metal missing. And that pistol looks like it just came out of the S&W factory yesterday.

 

[jsbethel]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...en-business.html?highlight=bmcm+open+business

 

[JohnHL]

Bought a 659 on GunBroker, graded "NRA 'Very Good Condition'" from a reputable gun shop. Put about 250 rounds through it then stripped it for a cleaning, and afterward noticed this little strip of metal in the channel of the slide had just peeled loose!! I was amazed that a steel pistol with the reputation of being built like a tank could would just fall apart like this. With the touch of a finger, the metal strip broke off. Now there is a gouged out space next to the extractor, within the inner rail of the slide.

1. HOW could this possibly have happened? I have to assume it was already like this before I owned it. Simply metal fatigue from being heavily used? Hard to believe when it's in such good condition. Faulty machining? Did the previous owner shoot some kind of hot handloaded cartridges with it?

2. Does this missing bit of metal make any functional or safety difference at all?

Welcome to the Forum!

This is NOT a defect and S&W is well aware of it.

This is a result of the manufacturing/machining process has been documented on many occasions.

You are in good company.

Enjoy your 659.

I sure enjoy mine.

John

 

[adrianolsen]

Ok, it's called flashing. Like they said, just metal left in the slide during milling. So, to remove it. Take a screwdriver and hammer and break it through, then tap the slide till the piece falls out