S&W Model 627 Pro w/ Cracked Frame? Pictures Inside

[TheHammer77]

Just purchased this 627 used from the original owner. I've wanted the TRR8 for years, saw this one come up for sale and immediately fell for it. Figured at least it would hold me over until I find my TRR8.

Revolver showed up and WOW...I love this thing! I have a couple N Frames from the early/mid 80's and they're so enjoyable to shoot. I was really looking forward to shooting the 629, but I think I'll hold off for now until I get this sorted.

I went ahead and snagged a couple sets of grips and they showed up yesterday. Removed the factory grip and noticed the frame under the grip was cracked.

Have any of you seen this before? What causes it and do you have any idea what (if anything) S&W Customer Service will do?

Thank you,
-TheHammer

 

[sandog]

Nice revolver, Hammer !
Not what we'd all expect from a new gun. Just from the pics and not being able to see it in person, I'd say it is just a surface defect in a non vital area and when the grips are on it won't be seen.

The safest course of action would be to call CS, then send the 627 to the factory and let them take care of it. But if it were mine I'd just shoot it.

Try posting this in the "1980 to present" revolver section for more replies.
(This is the M&P semi auto pistol section). Maybe the mods will catch it and move the thread for you.

 

[Old_Cop]

Never seen anything like that, seems that would be a low stress area of the frame. CS is an option.

 

[Protocall_Design]

That is an inclusion in the base material where it didn't weld together all the way in forging. It won't hurt anything in that location. You could fix it by grinding off the splinter part, tig welding to build it back up with stainless rod, and working it back down to match the rest of the frame. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. I doubt if S&W CS would do anything about it, but you could try them if you want to.

 

[steelslaver]

Ya that likely started as a flaw in the original billet of steel when it was first poured. I agre that it could be fixed by welding like Protocal Design stated. I also agree that it will most likely never be a problem, but could open a bit and stab you. I would contact S&W and see what they would do about it before I did anything else.

I have heard the 8 shot frames are not the same as the rest. The frame is made so the bore of the barrel sets higher in the frame so chambers could be a bit farther from cylinder center line.

 

[ShowMePro]

Wow, is that brand new? Where is the QC these days?

 

[joebuck]

I don't care what S&W says, they would replace it if it was my purchase. No excuse for that. Have them send you a whole new firearm. Are the workers there blind?

 

[kaaskop49]

Just got my heart re-started, should never have opened this thread. Dragged my 627 Pro from the safe to check its frame. Happy to report no imperfections. If you do return it, maybe it'd be better to ask for a new frame, so the original parts could be re-used. (I've always found it pays to provide a solution to the other party when I want something. That way they can take the credit for thinking of it..)

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[L-2]

I also have a 627 Pro, btw; thank goodness, no frame problems.

If this was my revolver, I'd want S&W to either replace the frame or weld-it-up to make it look as-good-as-new. I've never seen such a frame flaw. Thanks to all for enlightening me as to yet another potential issue with any firearm's frame.

I am surprised anybody at the factory to have handled this firearm, even if it was just one person who assembled the entire revolver before putting the grips onto it (covering the flaw), wouldn't have seen the flaw and rejected the frame; very disappointing, as it's such a hassle to send back a firearm and await it to be repaired or replaced (a 442-1). From my prior dealings with getting a S&W replaced, I recall it taking months (maybe three months) before getting a new one back into my hands.

 

[Protocall_Design]

The assembler may have been told to not worry about it. We will never know, one way or the other.

 

[ladder13]

This is a crack. 642 replaced even though I was at least the third owner.

 

[austintexas]

I would go back where you got it and try and negotiate a partial refund then put the grips on the revolver and forget about the defect. If that doesn't work check CS, but if you really like that revolver make sure they will repair or replace your revolver with the same model gun.
SWCA 892

 

[twodog max]

I would have just called S&W customer service described the problem and let them give you a new revolver. Not in a stress area IMO but on a new gun not right. I think they will do right by it but it will be a while.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Questions

First, did you buy this gun new in the box from a legitimate gun store? If so, take it back right now!
Second, if you bought it from an individual was the person local or distant?

If you can't get the seller to take it back for a full refund, you will have to deal with S&W. I have a local friend whose 617 has a cracked frame between the yoke and the barrel. He sent the gun to S&W 6 months ago and heard nothing until two weeks ago. They said it couldn't be repaired and he would get a new gun. He hasn't seen or heard anything since. This is why you should get the seller to take it back! S&W can be a black hole when dealing with gun flaws.

Good luck.

 

[TheHammer77]

I just purchased this from the original owner, out of state, who wasn't aware of the issue. He says he never removed the factory rubber grips.

I'll contact S&W early next week to see what they say. I hope they choose to replace it as I don't believe it's worth anywhere near what I paid for it.

Thanks guys,
-TheHammer

 

[AlHunt]

It needs to be fixed even if it's not a safety issue. Resale will be much tougher with that flaw.

The seller really ought to make it right with you.

 

[L-2]

OK, this was bought as a used firearm and it sounds as if from a private party person/seller. Most sales are "as-is" with zero right of return.

Also, I don't know if/what warranties S&W has with firearms other-than-the-original-owner. Does anybody know how S&W handles used firearms issues. Even if not a warranty issue, I wonder what the cost to repair might be.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

OK, this was bought as a used firearm and it sounds as if from a private party person/seller. Most sales are "as-is" with zero right of return.

Also, I don't know if/what warranties S&W has with firearms other-than-the-original-owner. Does anybody know how S&W handles used firearms issues. Even if not a warranty issue, I wonder what the cost to repair might be.

As far as S&W knows the poster IS the original owner who lost his receipt in the fog of time. He just noticed the imperfection when he took the grips off for the firat time to open the side plate and look inside.
Do I have to do ALL of you guy's thinking for you

 

[Jeppo]

I don't have much to contribute other than a comment about the time it may take for a replacement.

I sent a gun back and they agreed it was defective and would be replaced. It took many months to receive the replacement because there were none on the shelf. I had to wait for the next production run. The less popular is the gun, the greater the chances of a long delay.

At the end of the process, I was more than satisfied by how they treated me.

 

[82ndpara]

My buddy had an older model 36 airweight that had the firing pin hole reinforcement (forgot what it's called) blown right out. I messaged S&W, they emailed me a FEDEX label and I mailed it back. Metallurgy dept. condemned it. Just like stated below, they didn't have any on the shelf so it took a while to get a new one sent to our local FFL. He had to go to pick it up and register it, etc.
DB

Also, I don't know if/what warranties S&W has with firearms other-than-the-original-owner. Does anybody know how S&W handles used firearms issues. Even if not a warranty issue, I wonder what the cost to repair might be.