My Turn

[Dave T]

I didn't want to tag onto the "So angry with S&W, are there firearm lemon laws?" thread so I'm starting a new one.

After two years of searching I finally found a 325 PD with a 4" barrel on GB. Bought it a while back and only test fired it with some ball reloads. I didn't like the "V" notch rear sight blade so it's been at my gun smith waiting for a replacement square notch blade. He had a number of guns ahead of this one so it's been a while.

Finally got it back a week or so back and got to the range today. Just wanted to test fire it so I only fired 12 rounds. Sight picture was much improved, all seemed to be good.

When I got home and was cleaning it I happened to look at the underside of the frame where the barrel screws in. There is a large crack running from one side to the other, under the barrel. It wasn't there when I first got the gun and my gun smith didn't see any indication of cracking of the frame.

The 12 rounds I fired today were reloads, with 185g plated bullets at low end +P velocity. They shouldn't have cracked the frame.

I haven't taken any pictures yet, largely because I am so angry and disappointed I was afraid I'd just throw the gun in the trash in disgust if I handled it any more. It's locked in the safe for now. I'll probably take pictures tomorrow.

Since I bought it used I don't know what it's history was and don't know how that might affect S&W's response if I send it in. More to the point, they haven't made the PD series in a long time. I doubt they will have replacement frames laying around. I guessing they will tell me, "sucks to be you". We shall see.

Dave

 

[Ashlander]

So, not only do you stand to lose the money you paid for the gun, but you paid good money to a smith to replace the rear blade sight. Add to that the let down of having finally found a gun you had been wanting for years only to have it go kaput after a relatively few minutes of range time.

I'd be down too.

Perhaps 12 years ago I was looking for one of those. I thought they looked great and the idea of a light big frame gun was appealing. But I got distracted with 3" k-frames and simply forgot about the super light big frame snubbies.

After hearing from you, I am rather glad I forgot about them. Good luck with customer service.

 

[6518John]

I read this review a few years ago but remembered it. I bet (and hope) they give you another gun.

We Test Two Light Snubbies in 45 ACP; One Cracks Up, Fails - Gun Tests Article

 

[Lou_the_welder]

They might give you credit for another gun? Who knows.
I've tagged this thread.

 

[stansdds]

Dave, if I were you, I would not buy a lottery ticket right now. This is definitely not your week for good luck.

You have two options, either use it as a paperweight or contact S&W and see if they will help you with a replacement.

 

[Eddietruett]

I'd contact S&W immediately. Would make no mention that you were shooting reloads, maybe just state you were using +p ammo

 

[colt_saa]

Alloy framed Smith and Wesson revovlers have been cracking in that same spot since the introduction of Airweights more than half a century ago

I had my 327 Pug nose crack at that same spot and Smith and Wesson replaced the frame.

I was the original purchaser of the firearm so there was full warranty

How they will treat the purchaser of a used firearm, I am not certain.

 

[bigggbbruce]

How they will treat the purchaser of a used firearm, I am not certain.

If they don't ask...

 

[ladder13]

Whether they replace it or not is discretionary.

I had a 642 that had the same issue, cracked frame. They replaced it even after I told them I was the third owner at best.

Recently sent in a steel J frame where the cylinder bound up. Needed a new cylinder stop and something not itemized. They sent me a bill, I paid it, and never said a word. Normal wear and tear?

Win some, lose some. Life.

I'm guessing you get a new gun, but not a 325PD obviously.

Good luck.

 

[Dave T]

Got off the phone with S&W a couple hours ago. They said they would not cover it under warranty, but if I wanted they would send me a shipping label, then when they have it they would evaluate if it can be "repaired" and quote me the cost. Labor was $90/hr. Evaluation was another fee I don't remember. If they replace the frame that is another charge.

I figure it won't hurt to pay for the evaluation but I'm pretty sure I'm not pouring multiple hundreds of dollars into a gun I already paid dearly for due to it's rarity. Doubling my investment will not endear the gun to me and selling it as a factory rebuild will not recoup my investment.

I admit the bitterness of this is still fresh in my mind, but right now I am under-whelmed by S&Ws life-time warranty and their Scandium frames seem like a lot of hype. As colt_saa said there have been a lot of these frame that have cracked in exactly the same place. We shall see what happens.

Dave

 

[colt_saa]

Dave,
How do you know that your revolver was manufactured after Smith and Wesson started offering the lifetime warranty?

If it was manufactured after the lifetime warranty came into being, that warranty only applies to the initial purchaser

Alloy frames have been cracking for 60+ years now, ever since they were first introduced. I have NEVER heard of Smith and Wesson repairing these cracked frames, they are always replaced. I am surprised that a CS rep made such a comment

Scandium alloy frames are not any less prone to cracking than aluminium alloy frames. This is just something that happens

I do not think I would send in the revolver. I would call back and talk to a second CS rep, perhaps even a supervisor. It makes no sense to pay an evaluation fee for a firearm that they will not repair.

 

[Dave T]

colt_saa,

I may have not made myself clear (still mad I guess - lol). They said after the "evaluation" the would give me an estimate of what it would cost to repair/replace. They seem willing to fix it, if I'm willing to pay for it.

I fear if I have them do the work I'll have nearly twice as much invested in the gun than it will ever be worth.

Dave

 

[686-380]

If it's the gun of your dreams...

colt_saa,

I may have not made myself clear (still mad I guess - lol). They said after the "evaluation" the would give me an estimate of what it would cost to repair/replace. They seem willing to fix it, if I'm willing to pay for it.

I fear if I have them do the work I'll have nearly twice as much invested in the gun than it will ever be worth.

Dave

I would be tempted to make the investment - with the caveat of a warranty after the work was complete. I mean, you've been lusting for this weapon for some time.

Good luck and I hope karma looks favorably on you.

 

[Gene L]

Read on another blog about a guy who bought a new N-Frame Classic...can't remember if was a .357 or .44. It was blued. At any rate, he saw flame marking on the top strap above the forcing cone. Upon inspection, he found the rear sight screw had been bored through the top strap and the screw didn't go all the way down to the top strap, creating a pocket there. He surmised this created a vortex when the gun was fired, causing eventual flame cutting. It's fixable with a longer screw that fills the hole, but at the Classic price, this shouldn't be.

I checked my HP top strap and it had not been drilled through. Thank goodness.

 

[murphydog]

The most likely explanation is they want to examine your gun to confirm it truly has a crack. (Recall once or twice a year a new member here posts about the cracked right revolver frame, right in the area of the sideplate. )

They will then tell you it is not repairable and may offer nothing, a discount or credit on a replacement, or possibly a new equivalent gun. It may depend on your interactions with customer service (honey works better than vinegar), and how high up the chain your issue goes. Good luck and sorry for your troubles.

 

[billyb4u64]

I didn't want to tag onto the "So angry with S&W, are there firearm lemon laws?" thread so I'm starting a new one.

After two years of searching I finally found a 325 PD with a 4" barrel on GB. Bought it a while back and only test fired it with some ball reloads. I didn't like the "V" notch rear sight blade so it's been at my gun smith waiting for a replacement square notch blade. He had a number of guns ahead of this one so it's been a while.

Finally got it back a week or so back and got to the range today. Just wanted to test fire it so I only fired 12 rounds. Sight picture was much improved, all seemed to be good.

When I got home and was cleaning it I happened to look at the underside of the frame where the barrel screws in. There is a large crack running from one side to the other, under the barrel. It wasn't there when I first got the gun and my gun smith didn't see any indication of cracking of the frame.

The 12 rounds I fired today were reloads, with 185g plated bullets at low end +P velocity. They shouldn't have cracked the frame.

I haven't taken any pictures yet, largely because I am so angry and disappointed I was afraid I'd just throw the gun in the trash in disgust if I handled it any more. It's locked in the safe for now. I'll probably take pictures tomorrow.

Since I bought it used I don't know what it's history was and don't know how that might affect S&W's response if I send it in. More to the point, they haven't made the PD series in a long time. I doubt they will have replacement frames laying around. I guessing they will tell me, "sucks to be you". We shall see.

Dave

At least it was made in America you can send it in for life time warrenty !!!

Sent from my LGMS550 using Tapatalk

 

[Bobafett]

I've dealt with S&W and Springfield, both lifetime warranties. and have been treated well by both company's.

If you send it in they'll take care of you. Your only loss will be what you spent at your gunsmith replacing the rear sight. It has nothing to do with the crack in the frame so don't let anyone on the phone make you think different.

If your gun is no longer manufactured I bet they offer a comparable substitute.

My curiosity is what they offer you since a Governor is the only current 45acp that isn't a performance center gun.

 

[schutz5]

Read on another blog about a guy who bought a new N-Frame Classic...can't remember if was a .357 or .44. It was blued. At any rate, he saw flame marking on the top strap above the forcing cone. Upon inspection, he found the rear sight screw had been bored through the top strap and the screw didn't go all the way down to the top strap, creating a pocket there. He surmised this created a vortex when the gun was fired, causing eventual flame cutting. It's fixable with a longer screw that fills the hole, but at the Classic price, this shouldn't be.

I checked my HP top strap and it had not been drilled through. Thank goodness.

Fortunecookie45lc on youtube made a video addressing his new classic N frame with this problem. He ended up using epoxy to plug the screw hole end. Sad.

 

[buck460XVR]

I admit the bitterness of this is still fresh in my mind, but right now I am under-whelmed by S&Ws life-time warranty and their Scandium frames seem like a lot of hype. As colt_saa said there have been a lot of these frame that have cracked in exactly the same place. We shall see what happens.

Dave

Since it's inception, the "Lifetime Warranty" refers to the lifetime of the original owner, not to the lifetime of the gun itself. For many years S&W didn't ask about ownership when covering certain problems, they just fixed them for free anyway. That was generous of them. I'm interested if they asked about original ownership. With new firearms, Ruger gives no warranty, real or implied. While they still stand behind their firearms, one wonders how long they will continue before the stockholders tell them no.

The 325 PD because of it's size and it's sights, was never a popular model and hence, probably it's demise. It was tho, even with the alloy frame, considered a very strong gun that would hold up to many rounds of .45 ACP ammo.

The fact that they offered to send you a free shipping label is a bonus, even if you do have to pay for the examination and estimate to repair. I would assume tho, that because of liability, they would not ship the gun back to you, unfixed, even at your cost, if it was considered a risk. I would ask this specifically before I sent it in.

 

[NCBeagle]

I know that one of our members sent a cracked alloy N Frame back recently and the factory gave him replacement choice. He took a Performance Center 1911 in trade. He was not the original owner. Not sure if anybody asked him about ownership. I'll let him fill in the details.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk