Mountaineer
Member
Much has been said about the PPK/PPKS recall but, has anyone learned the details of the fix S&W is making to correct the problem?
PPK Recall - The Real Issue?
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OP
Mountaineer
Member
Much has been said about the PPK/PPKS recall but, has anyone learned the details of the fix S&W is making to correct the problem?
OP
Mountaineer
Member
Just in case the question wasn't clear -
S&W, in their recall notice, says:
"When you return your pistol to Smith & Wesson, we will replace the existing hammer block feature with a new part at no cost to you."
They don't say what will be different about the new hammer block or what was wrong with the old one? Will the new one be of a different material? Shaped differently? Were the old ones breaking or simply malfunctioning?
S&W, in their recall notice, says:
"When you return your pistol to Smith & Wesson, we will replace the existing hammer block feature with a new part at no cost to you."
They don't say what will be different about the new hammer block or what was wrong with the old one? Will the new one be of a different material? Shaped differently? Were the old ones breaking or simply malfunctioning?
I just typed S&W PPK Recall in Google and it brought up the S&W Site with an explanation, included serial # ranges, etc. plus instructions for return to the factory, you may have seen this before but if you haven't you may find this helpful. Sam
OP
Mountaineer
Member
In my post above, I quoted from the S&W website. They just don't tell you what is wrong with the current hammer block. For example, how does it differ from the Interarms version of the PPK which, according to rumor, has no problem??
They answered my email, but it did take a couple of days. They do have more than just your gun to warranty. Shipping tags started going out last week, If it were me, I would stagger the mailings so I did not receive 300,000 pistols all at once. There is a Walther forum, and they may have discussed the differences there. There are differences between the two brands, and I don't think you can make your S&W PPK into a Walther(German)PPK by swapping parts. I read somewhere that Walther PPK have had some decocking issues as well. They may not be recalling theirs. http://www.waltherforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9414 http://www.waltherforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=9536
OP
Mountaineer
Member
To try and get a fix on just how many people have seen the hammer block problem, I have started a poll on the Walther forum:
http://www.waltherforums.com/showthread.php?t=9924
http://www.waltherforums.com/showthread.php?t=9924
If you don't want your pistol warrantied, just don't send it in. I think that the corporate lawyers are seeking to minimize risk and fix the design before there are injury claims. I also believe S&W has probably sold more of these than the others combined(in the USA). And since the others are sold by foreign companies and third party distribution(Interarms) they feel no obligation to recall their products. Frankly, I have recently bought a used PPK/S and been carrying it in my pocket. Now S&W is under no obligation to repair my gun as I am not the original purchaser, but I will happily accept the repair however long it takes. And happy that it never went bang during decocking.
bizyjp
Member
I registered online for the recall and spoke to a lady on Monday. She said that the recall was based on testing at their facility. A decocking/fire situation occurred which now has resulted in the problem. I don't know what the difference is between the Interarms model and this one. The decocking lever change really takes only a few minutes but there will be a wait. She said 8-12 weeks. Now there is no mention that they built a new decocking lever. So are they going to modify the present one? By the way, they will be shipped to the Maine facility.
I was notified Friday the S&W was sending me something via UPS. Probably more than a shipping tag, maybe a box or envelope.
OP
Mountaineer
Member
This is the first I have heard that the problem had anything to do with the "decocking lever." All previous information concerned the hammer block.
I have checked out an Interarms PPK. The mechanical functions, including the decock mechanism, are the same. In the decock mechanism, the parts apppear interchangable. I did not verify this - my buddy didn't want any S&W parts in his pistol, even temporarily.
My guess is they have a production lot of hammer blocks out there with weak metal and they can't identify by s/n which pistols are affected. Hence the very responsible decision to recall them all.
L84GLF
My guess is they have a production lot of hammer blocks out there with weak metal and they can't identify by s/n which pistols are affected. Hence the very responsible decision to recall them all.
L84GLF
So, this has nothing to do with its interial firing-pin, ala a 1911?
It probably has a lot more to do wjth who has the most exposure to risk and who has the deepest pockets. Isn't Interarms simply an importer? I don't think Walther's are technically sold in the USA by Walther, so they probably are protected.
There has been considerable discussion on the Walther forum about problems with S&W-produced Walther. One that seems related to the current recall can be found here:
http://www.waltherforums.com/showthread.php?t=8446
http://www.waltherforums.com/showthread.php?t=8446
OP
Mountaineer
Member
I did not find that thread to be related to the recall issue but, this one is:
http://www.waltherforums.com/s...hp?p=63586#post63586
the detent plunger (?) that stops the hammer drop in either the up or down position fell out of my new ppks. it is a 1/32" or so by about 1/4" pin, pointed on the end that interfaces with the hammer drop and has a slightly smaller diameter on the end that goes into the slide, i would guess the decreased diameter is to locate a spring on this pin, of course mine was lost. the lever was then free to rotate as it pleased.
OP
Mountaineer
Member
There is a much more active thread (288 posts !) examining the issue on the Walther Forum:
http://www.waltherforums.com/showthread.php?t=9924
One conclusion reached has been:
"Let's examine again what S&W HAS TOLD US (from the recall notice):
- ...has identified a condition...which may permit a round to be discharged without the trigger being pulled
- When the manual safety is disengaged
- ...lowering the hammer may cause a chambered round to fire.
The three conditions in bold could be the misfire upon manipulation of the hammer. I believe that is precisely the fault that has triggered the recall and that the remedy, "...replace the existing hammer block feature..." will render your gun safe from hammer manipulation when the safety is off."
http://www.waltherforums.com/showthread.php?t=9924
One conclusion reached has been:
"Let's examine again what S&W HAS TOLD US (from the recall notice):
- ...has identified a condition...which may permit a round to be discharged without the trigger being pulled
- When the manual safety is disengaged
- ...lowering the hammer may cause a chambered round to fire.
The three conditions in bold could be the misfire upon manipulation of the hammer. I believe that is precisely the fault that has triggered the recall and that the remedy, "...replace the existing hammer block feature..." will render your gun safe from hammer manipulation when the safety is off."
Interarms does not exist on this planet anymore. It has not for some years now. Walther in Germany has nothing to do with the PPK/PPKS that S&W makes. It's made under license in Maine by S&W. And S&W had changed several things on the gun already. It is an expensive imitation of a REAL Walther PPK/PPKS..
