Eventually there will be problems but not immediate ones. I had a Model 38 with the crack, didn't notice it for who knows how many rounds. Eventually decided to see what happened after firing it via string for a couple boxes, the barrel rotated in the frame noticeably but it still fired. Not sure how long that would be the case for and I'd sure be concerned about trying it.
My S&W 357PD has "The Crack" (Update 5-12-21, post 46)
- Thread starter scout II
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Eventually there will be problems but not immediate ones. I had a Model 38 with the crack, didn't notice it for who knows how many rounds. Eventually decided to see what happened after firing it via string for a couple boxes, the barrel rotated in the frame noticeably but it still fired. Not sure how long that would be the case for and I'd sure be concerned about trying it.
Not to hijack but like lotsa others, I like big-bore snubbies.
The 625-10/-11's are among the snubbiest but since they're alloy frame, I just created my own from a 1917 and 625-10 barrel.
Groups very well at SD distance (10 yds). Here it is after being RBed to K size. Pic is a repost and sorry for any thread drift but having an alloy frame crack before, just another thing not to be as concerned about.
Hopefully factory can resolve even if using 329 frame. Keep us posted.
The 625-10/-11's are among the snubbiest but since they're alloy frame, I just created my own from a 1917 and 625-10 barrel.
Groups very well at SD distance (10 yds). Here it is after being RBed to K size. Pic is a repost and sorry for any thread drift but having an alloy frame crack before, just another thing not to be as concerned about.
Hopefully factory can resolve even if using 329 frame. Keep us posted.
lawandorder
Member
Steel, always steel.
Here's what a full crack looks like on a 642. Smith gave me a new gun and even paid my transfer fee as it required a new serial #.
Since these have cracked with 32s and 38s, a 45 will not be exempt
What you have to realize is that for every cracked one that makes itself known on the Internet, there are many tens of thousands of happy customers that have no crack
The odds of any single frame cracking is very low
I would never let this issue stop me from buying an alloy gun.
We currently own and my family shoots 4 Aluminium alloy Smith & Wesson revolvers and 8 Scandium framed Smith & Wesson revolvers
We will deal with any of them ever developing a crack if and when that happens
I have 2 325s and no problems, guys have fired thousands of 44 mag rounds from 329s and they kept on working with no problems. Ya, steel is better. it is also heavier. If I fire 24 rounds a month from my carry 325, that is 288 rounds a year and in 20 years when I am 90 a total of 2,880. I have steel guns for firing a bunch of rounds at the range.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I try to keep everything real by having it steel. I think they thin the alloy way too much in certain areas around the barrel. There's a lot of force around the forcing cone area the crack location proves that. Being a retired lead eng tech the s&w engineers in there r&d lab should be all over this problem. An engineering change is in order. Even a recall. I worry about it failing when its most needed.
Has anyone checked this model revolver with a range rod to check the cylinder vs barrel alignment? If both mating parts are at the high end of the tolerances that could be a problem.
Has anyone checked this model revolver with a range rod to check the cylinder vs barrel alignment? If both mating parts are at the high end of the tolerances that could be a problem.
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Oracle
US Veteran
I am always going through the S&W revolvers offerings available at GI, GA, GB etc. The majority of the postings are alloy frames, take this as you may.
Oh man I know that feeling too well many years ago I had the same thing with the SW 340 PD. I think it was around 2005 ish same thing I only fired 50 rounds of American Eagle ball ammunition put it away. One day a friend of mine who had the same 340 model told me that he sent it back to Smith he believed it was a crack they sent it back saying know. Then he sent back 2nd time and outlined it with white out circled it and it turned out to be a crack. I went home took my gun out and checked and sure enough it had a crack in it not sure if it was done when they pressed the barrel in and I just didn't know if it was when I shot the 340 PD. Smith did replace the gun but it was a different serial number. Sold it and then many years later bought the same gun with no internal lock only put 50 rounds through it checked it and I just carried it. Good luck sucks though
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oddshooter
Member
If you're able to carry a nice N frame Highway Patrolman in the woods, terrific ; I wish I could carry mine.
However, I'm too old and too light in the butt for that kind of use. So I carry a 340 PD and can almost keep up with the kids at the end of the day, almost. I hope I never have to shoot it, but I love that it's available. As long as I get ONE good shot out of it, it's meeting it's purpose in existence.
Six shooters are different for a reason.
My bicycle and my truck are both GREAT transportation; but they are not made to do the same thing.
Prescut
However, I'm too old and too light in the butt for that kind of use. So I carry a 340 PD and can almost keep up with the kids at the end of the day, almost. I hope I never have to shoot it, but I love that it's available. As long as I get ONE good shot out of it, it's meeting it's purpose in existence.
Six shooters are different for a reason.
My bicycle and my truck are both GREAT transportation; but they are not made to do the same thing.
Prescut
Cal44
Member
Are you sure that's a crack?
Some of the pictures made it look like a scratch.
Some of the pictures made it look like a scratch.
OP
It is a crack for sure. I can run my fingernail across it and fell it. Plus under a magnifier it shows very well.
Echo40
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This is unfortunately a rather common issue which has yet to be fixed, but then again, wasn't S&W's old slogan for the NG Series something to do with being "carried often, shot scarcely" or something?
One thing that surprises me is that Smith & Wesson still hasn't tried their hand at hybrid polymer/steel framed .357 Magnum Revolver. Seriously, Ruger has done it with the LCR, Taurus has done it with the Poly Protector, so why not S&W? The M&P Series of semiautomatic pistols has polymer frames with an embedded stainless steel chasis, so they should be able to easily design a revolver frame based on the same principle. (I used to think that the M&P R8 Revolver had a polymer frame due to the M&P branding, but nope, it's Scandium alloy.)
Also, despite my doubts of how well a polymer frame could hold up under a steady diet of .357 Magnum loads, I've yet to hear of a broken LCR or even Poly Protector, so it seems like polymer frames work just as well for revolvers as they do semiautomatic pistols.
One thing that surprises me is that Smith & Wesson still hasn't tried their hand at hybrid polymer/steel framed .357 Magnum Revolver. Seriously, Ruger has done it with the LCR, Taurus has done it with the Poly Protector, so why not S&W? The M&P Series of semiautomatic pistols has polymer frames with an embedded stainless steel chasis, so they should be able to easily design a revolver frame based on the same principle. (I used to think that the M&P R8 Revolver had a polymer frame due to the M&P branding, but nope, it's Scandium alloy.)
Also, despite my doubts of how well a polymer frame could hold up under a steady diet of .357 Magnum loads, I've yet to hear of a broken LCR or even Poly Protector, so it seems like polymer frames work just as well for revolvers as they do semiautomatic pistols.
Chubbs103
US Veteran
Yeah, but what is he going to do with all of that left over .41 Mag ammo?
OP
Well I received an e-mail from S&W this morning about my gun. This is what it said:
Dear David
I am contacting you in regards to the firearm you sent in to our facility for repair. The evaluation performed by our gunsmiths has determined that your firearm is unrepairable and have deemed this a warranty issue making you eligible for a replacement firearm.
Your replacement firearm will be a new Model 329PD, SKU 163414..
This process can take up to 4-6 weeks depending on the availability of the firearm.
**Please note: if there are any AFTERMARKET SIGHTS/GRIPS you would like returned to you off your firearm, please let me know as when you respond to this email.**
So it looks like I am getting a brand new 44 magnum of the same make as was my 41 magnum. That is kind of a bummer as I do not have any other 44 magnums or any 44 magnum ammo. I hope the new gun does not crack?
Dear David
I am contacting you in regards to the firearm you sent in to our facility for repair. The evaluation performed by our gunsmiths has determined that your firearm is unrepairable and have deemed this a warranty issue making you eligible for a replacement firearm.
Your replacement firearm will be a new Model 329PD, SKU 163414..
This process can take up to 4-6 weeks depending on the availability of the firearm.
**Please note: if there are any AFTERMARKET SIGHTS/GRIPS you would like returned to you off your firearm, please let me know as when you respond to this email.**
So it looks like I am getting a brand new 44 magnum of the same make as was my 41 magnum. That is kind of a bummer as I do not have any other 44 magnums or any 44 magnum ammo. I hope the new gun does not crack?
OP
I thought about that but, about the only thing that would interest me would be an AR Competition rifle with an MSRP of about $450.00 more. I figured they would go for that so I didn't ask.
Well that's a bummer that they couldn't fix it.
I wouldn't hurt to ask them if they could use a new 329PD frame & the rest of your 357PD to do the "repair"?
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Cracked revolver frames are not something that can be fixed.
The lightweight allow frames seem to have the highest rate of cracking in the area just below the barrel and that is the primary reason for me not owning one. Just be happy that S&W is replacing it with an equal value revolver.
The lightweight allow frames seem to have the highest rate of cracking in the area just below the barrel and that is the primary reason for me not owning one. Just be happy that S&W is replacing it with an equal value revolver.
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