Lew Horton 624

[ab7wh]

Product recall return...should I?

I emailed S&W re the 624 recall and discovered my revolver is one of those affected. My contact assured me that they have the necessary parts to handle the recall and, "to the best of my knowledge" they have never been unable to fix a revolver sent in for that recall. The S&W representative seems very sincere but I wonder what other's experience has been with current recalls/repairs of the 624's. Tentatively, I plan on sending my 624 in but would value opinions of those on this very useful forum. Thanks in advance for your responses!

 

[toroflow1]

I myself would NOT send mine in. Too big a chance of them keeping it and giving you a new *** MIM and lock gun as a replacement.

 

[Hondo44]

Call one more time and see if you get the same assurance from someone else.

 

[ab7wh]

May be a none-issue

Thanks to forum member "JT" whose post referred me to "The Gun FAQ's" that provides clarification on which 624's may have been tested. Upon closer review I spotted a post from 10-24-2008 by "prefer wheelguns" titled "re. the .44 recall of 85'-86'" that includes a photo of a cylinder that passed re-inspection. The marks left by the hardness tester are identical to those marks on my revolver's cylinder. So, unless someone has a differing opinion, I believe my gun has already "passed muster".

 

[Nemo288]

I have 4 guns from this era that all have the red C on the box.
They all have a noticeable annealing on the front of the cylinder.
Not sure if this helps but it is data.

---
Nemo

 

[Nemo288]

Thanks to forum member "JT" whose post referred me to "The Gun FAQ's" that provides clarification on which 624's may have been tested. Upon closer review I spotted a post from 10-24-2008 by "prefer wheelguns" titled "re. the .44 recall of 85'-86'" that includes a photo of a cylinder that passed re-inspection. The marks left by the hardness tester are identical to those marks on my revolver's cylinder. So, unless someone has a differing opinion, I believe my gun has already "passed muster".

I have been trying to use search and due to my lack of expertise
cannot find that post.

Can you please post the URL? Thanks. I have never heard of the testing marks.

Notice that each one of these has darkening at the front of
the cylinder. Hard to make out on a couple.
And no, it's not due to shooting. This is annealing.
They are all "Red C" guns. They all shoot straight and true.

---
Nemo

 

[Hondo44]

I have 4 guns from this era that all have the red C on the box.
They all have a noticeable annealing on the front of the cylinder.
Not sure if this helps but it is data.

---
Nemo

Hi Nemo,

There was a 'V' stamped on the rear face of the cylinder.

I see what you meant by "noticeable annealing"; yes discoloration. Your pictures posted while I was writing.
Thanks,

 

[Hondo44]

Thanks to forum member "JT" whose post referred me to "The Gun FAQ's" that provides clarification on which 624's may have been tested. Upon closer review I spotted a post from 10-24-2008 by "prefer wheelguns" titled "re. the .44 recall of 85'-86'" that includes a photo of a cylinder that passed re-inspection. The marks left by the hardness tester are identical to those marks on my revolver's cylinder. So, unless someone has a differing opinion, I believe my gun has already "passed muster".

Yes, great ending! My gun was not in the range but has an 'F' stamped on rear face of cylinder. Probably routine inspector's mark.

 

[Kevin G]

Top pic is my 624 w/Left Handed 624 holster. I got the gun w/box (red "C") and papers several years ago for $560, knew even then it was a very good price.
Bottom pic is 624 along w/little brother 657. I traded a spare 6.5" 624 for little brother and was pleased. .44spl's & .41mag's ring my bell big time.
Although I've got the finger grip combats and they look really nice on them, they just don't fit my hand. Houges work better for me.
Kevin

 

[ab7wh]

Not quite the end of the story

Thanks and a "Tip O' The Hat" to Hondo44 for the suggestion to call S&W to confirm my first email response from S&W customer service. My second contact (by phone) was very helpful and we exchanged several phone calls to develop the following information:

He checked my revolver's serial number and verified it was affected by the "product warning" (Not Recall!). However, he could not find information that indicated which revolvers had been returned and checked for the potential cylinder defects. He also spoke with another employee who had been involved with the 1980's 624/629 returns who said the "V" marks on the back of the cylinders had nothing to do with the metallurgy testing. He offered to send me a prepaid FedEx shipping label so I could return it for inspection. My first attempt to obtain a shipping label via their website was rebuffed because the serial number was "not recognized as valid in our computer system". At this point I asked if they had 624 cylinders in the event mine needed to be replaced. He asked if I might not return the revolver if they didn't; I suggested I might not. After doing some more checking, he discovered that S&W did not have replacement 624 cylinders, counter to the earlier email response from another Customer Service representative, but suggested they could install a blue Model 24 cylinder (which they had in stock). If I wanted the blue cylinder, should it be necessary, I would need to enclose a note to that effect with the revolver when I returned it.

So, there you have it. It doesn't sound like there were very many 624's with defective cylinders and mine probably is okay (it's been fired), but............. My second contact was very helpful and, I think, truthful, but who knows what would happen once it gets back to Springfield. Once again, your comments and advice are welcomed.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

ALU prefix... I will let the experts figure out the first of 100 question...

Giz, mine's like yours ALU00xx(below the 50 mark). Yet not engraved 1 of 100. Ordered and bought new when they were first announced.