Model 624 Recall and "F" stamp

[thedane]

I recently purchased a Model 624 with a 3" barrel. I subsequently found out there was a product recall. I e-mailed S&W and was told my revolver was involved in the recall. If the box label was stamped with a red "C", I was OK. I asked about the "F" stamp on the rear of the cylinder, that I had read on this forum, indicated that the revolver had been through the recall. I was told that it was only the "C". My box doesn't have the label.

I then called Customer Service and talked to "Mel" and was told the stamped "F" indicated that my revolver had been through the recall. I asked if he was absolutely sure, and he said "yes".

My revolver is stamped with an "F". I guess I'm OK.

Has anyone seen any official S&W documentation on this issue?

Sorry if this is redundant.

 

[Charles]

Not really what you're asking, but...

If that's the same Mel I dealt with about 5 years ago, I'd take his word. He's good people. I was trying to find an out-of-production part (a rear sight that was the old length, but with the new rounded front for a 625-5 Classic) and was told they were out of stock, sorry, no dice. About a week later Mel called me up and had one for me that he had scrounged from one of the repair guys' stuff boxes. That's customer service right there.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I copied this from the FAQ section of the 1981-present forum. You can go there to read the entire post.

If a handgun in the recalled range has already been returned to the factory for testing, a red letter “C” that is circled will be stamped on the box label, indicating that the gun passed re-inspection. No marks are made on the cylinder of checked guns, only the red “C” in the circle stamped on the box label.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Don't send it back!!!

Whatever you think or hear on this forum, don't send your gun back to S&W. They no longer have any replacement cylinders and they won't send your gun back to you because it might be unsafe. Either keep it and shoot with mild .44 Special loads or sell it as is. That's way better than S&W scrapping it.

Your problem with calling S&W and getting various answers is a well-known situation. S&W almost went under during the Clinton years and most of the bright, motivated, experienced workers left. They are booming now and hiring whomever they can get. Some of the people on the phone will flat tell you wrong either because they don't know the answer or don't give a damn.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Whatever you think or hear on this forum, don't send your gun back to S&W. They no longer have any replacement cylinders and they won't send your gun back to you because it might be unsafe. Either keep it and shoot with mild .44 Special loads or sell it as is. That's way better than S&W scrapping it.

Your problem with calling S&W and getting various answers is a well-known situation. S&W almost went under during the Clinton years and most of the bright, motivated, experienced workers left. They are booming now and hiring whomever they can get. Some of the people on the phone will flat tell you wrong either because they don't know the answer or don't give a damn.

This is right on the money!!!!
I forgot to put the "do not return" warning in my post. I usually don't, but did this time and am glad S&WIowegan did.

 

[Sharf]

I bought a 624 earlier this year and had similar facts; I did not have the box, so did not know whether the gun was previously checked, and the cylinder had a "F" stamp. I was told that the gun still had to be checked. The F stamp is not a valid check marking. Also S & W has not kept records of the guns actually checked, so they can not match up your serial number to confirm it may previously have been sent for testing.

Fortunately, mine passed and I'm more comfortable knowing that than just shooting lighter loads.

Steve

 

[thedane]

After talking to Mel at Customer Service, I got another e-mail from S&W:

"dan- send the gun in for exam the f stamp does not denote the cylinder was checked
2100 roosevelt ave
springfield ma 01104"

I then asked about getting a return label and got:

"dan- the labels are for warranty guns not used"

So recalled guns are not under warranty???

If the "F" stamp doesn't have anything to do with the recall, what does it mean????

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Whatever you do, don't send it in unless you are willing to give it up and take a different gun in exchange, if yours fails the test. One with a lock and mim parts at that.

You should be able to get an idea if yours was affected by the serial number range posted in the FAQ's at the top of the 1981-present forum.

 

[CactusCapt]

My 624 is in the recall range. I bought it at a show in the late '80s, no box or papers. No F on the cylinder. It is NOT going back to S&W. I have shot it for years with mild to medium loads and will continue to do so. Were I you I would not send the pistol back--just accept that it may have limits and press on.

 

[mayuhm]

How about sending just the cylinder?

 

[bubbajoe45]

. . . Also S & W has not kept records of the guns actually checked, so they can not match up your serial number to confirm it may previously have been sent for testing. . .

Unbelievable! Surely they would keep records of the ones they had already checked? Seems like they open themselves up to further liabilty this way. I would think they would want to know and have statistics on how many were sent in and how many were still floating around. I was lucky - mine was post recall (ALW).

 

[thedane]

It's hard to believe that someone on their help desk says that the "F" definitely means it was checked and another person reading e-mails says the red "C" on the box is the only thing that matters. What does the "F" mean if it isn't related to the recall? They stamp "N" on the rear of Nickel revolvers or they used to. It seems that someone should know.

Maybe I should just go to the range wrapped in Kevlar...

 

[Keith Brown]

The stamped letter F on the rear of the cylinder has nothing to do with the recall, this is what I've been told on the phone and in emails, I had a number of 624s and am pretty sure all had the F stamp, the three I presently own have the stamp for sure, two have boxes with the red circle and the one without box was not part of the recall. My guess is that the F stamp is part of the assembly process, my 66s have the letter V in the same place. It could also have been done to keep someone from trying to polish and blue stainless parts. I got no response on the phone when I mentioned I thought it was poor practice to mark a box and not the cylinder, the letters "OK" came to mind as a really simple solution. Based on what I would get in trade if the cylinder failed I would not send one back, not sure just what I would do with it but maybe a modified cylinder from a 629 would work.

Keith

 

[S&WIowegan]

What the F?

I checked my records, boxes and safes and I have 6 of the 624s of which 3 came in their original box. All three boxes have the circled C. All six of the 624s have the stamped F on the breech end of the cylinder. I think Keith Brown is correct when he suggests the F is an assembly number. I did not bother to search for the thread that gives the serial number range for guns in the recall. I think thedane should do that for his gun.

I do know I fired my first two 624s before I even knew of the recall and the guns and my hands are still intact. IIRC, the stainless steel used in some of the cylinders didn't meet specs. It's not clear that automatically means the guns will blow up. I expect if you shoot standard .44 Specials and no "magnumized' loads a la Keith you'll be fine. If that's not an acceptable risk sell the gun. If you send the gun or just the cylinder to S&W you will NOT get them back!!!

 

[thedane]

I really appreciate all of your input! I already checked the serial number with S&W and according to them it is one of the serial numbers to be recalled and tested. It appears that they don't make the 624s anymore and don't have any cylinders. If the cylinder doesn't pass the test, I guess the gun is gone.

I wonder if there are some independent engineers that could test the cylinder for me?

I could get a blue or nickel cylinder...

If I send it back, I would want a commitment from S&W indicating what they will do to compensate me if it fails.

I don't really like the idea of wondering whether my light loads might eventually blow up the cylinder. I also like shooting some heavier loads.

I guess I'll think about it some more...

 

[Keith Brown]

I had this saved, it was posted originally by another forum member. I carry a copy of this with me to shows and have a list on the back of guns known to be good with either a red circle box stamp or known to have been checked.

Keith

 

[butchkent]

For what it's worth, my 624, 3" is a no dash, ALB prefix and has a F stamp on the cylinder. S&W has said that the SN is not involved in the recall.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I appreciate your concern about safety. There is no easy answer here.....you can't have your cake and eat it too. I doubt an independent engineer would know what specifications to test for nor would he/she want the liability. Just sell this gun and buy a 24-3 of the same vintage. they are all fine and prettier too!

 

[whelenshooter]

If the original cylinder failed, I don't see why they couldn't fit a cylinder from a current production Model 24 or Model 21 to your 624. It would give you a two-toned gun, but at least it would be shootable. If they put the same finish on the blued cylinder that they put on the early production non-stainless hammers and triggers for the Model 66, it would even match to a certain extent. What am I missing here? Why wouldn't this be an option?

 

[Hang-Fire Hank]

ALB Prefix

For what it's worth, my 624, 3" is a no dash, ALB prefix and has a F stamp on the cylinder. S&W has said that the SN is not involved in the recall.

Butch, that can't be correct. I have a no dash, ALB36xx. I bought it with the matching serial numbered box & it DOES have the Red circled "C" on it. Double-check your prefix and be advised accordingly.

Respectfully,
H-F Hank
NRA Bene
USAF Vet