S&W Sheriffs 357 Special Exploded Today.

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iPac said:
It's just hard to believe a barrel breaking off and going flying while leaving the section with threads still in the frame.

Not impossible I suppose, but very unlikely.
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There was an identical failure reported, with pictures, by a forum member several years ago(I'm poor at estimating things like this, but I gather it was before you or Arik joined -I'm thinking maybe 2010 or so.). I don't trust my memory as much these days, but as I recall it was returned to Smith, who determined that the barrel was torqued too tightly and thereby weakened at the point at which it later sheared off when fired. Maybe others who remember this more clearly will stop in and correct me on the details or at least describe the incident more completely.

Regards,
Andy
 
iPac said:
It's just hard to believe a barrel breaking off and going flying while leaving the section with threads still in the frame.

Not impossible I suppose, but very unlikely.
Click to expand...
While I have my doubts about the OP's post and run story, where the barrel broke off is possible as evidenced by this Ruger Redhawk.

Jim
 
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laytonj1 said:
While I have my doubts about the OP's post and run story, where the barrel broke off is possible as evidenced by this Ruger Redhawk.
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Yes, that was a known problem with the Redhawk for a while. Had something to do with the threadlocker adhesive they were using on the barrel shank, I believe.

The NC Dept. of Corrections ordered new S&W Model 10s a few years back, and barrels started flying off at the range. S&W basically told them they MUST be doing something to cause it -- until the S&W rep came, went to the range with DOC officials, and shot the barrel off of one himself with the first shot!
 
There was an identical failure reported, with pictures, by a forum member several years ago
Click to expand...

I remember it quite well. A prison system in one state (I forget which one) bought a large batch of stainless K-frame revolvers for their guards. During initial training, several failed just as the OP described. Barrel sheared off at the frame. S&W investigated and found that the barrels had been over torqued causing cracks at the base of the threads. The entire shipment had to be returned.
There have also been reports from time to time of identical failures in a few other guns.

I had a link to that thread saved in my favorites, but now it just goes to the main board index. :( I tried to search for it but came up empty. :mad: It must be in the archives somewhere or its been deleted. So this has been known to happen.
 
Glad to see the pictures of the Ruger, as I was a witness to another Ruger Redhawk 44 mag barrel blowing off in exactly the same spot. The story we were given eventually was it was traced to an employee that was torquing the barrels and he didn't like where the front sight was lining up so he gave the barrel just another good yank (after reaching the correct torque). I heard there were about 300 that suffered the barrel separation.

When my friend sent in the gun, they replaced it with an upgraded one with the integral scope mounts and the scope rings included. I understand these are highly collectable today.
 
minnesota_river_lake_catfish-704x400.jpg
 
Grayfox said:
.... Barrel sheared off at the frame. S&W investigated and found that the barrels had been over torqued causing cracks at the base of the threads. The entire shipment had to be returned.
There have also been reports from time to time of identical failures in a few other guns.

....
Click to expand...

Threads and shoulders are natural stress risers. The ginormous thread relief S&W has used since dropping the barrel pin (possibly before?) seems to allow more plastic deformation before complete failure, likely due to the larger radius at the shoulder, but it does lead to more ringed bores and joggled rifling. Much smaller deformation than the usual bullet strike ring.

Whether it has anything to do with this case (if it's not "fake news") remains to be seen!
 
OP, a little more info, please? WTH is a S&W Sheriffs 357 Special?
Steve
 
S.B. said:
OP, a little more info, please? WTH is a S&W Sheriffs 357 Special?
Steve
Click to expand...

Good luck on that - he hasn't been back since posting. ;)

Let's recap:
No such model S&W: Sheriff
No such caliber: .357 Special
Hit and run post
No other info via Google
No pictures or video

Note to OP: Should you return with additional info, PM me and I'll reopen this thread.
 
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