Talk about Lightning Striking Twice

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Mike, far be it for me to criticise you. I'm glad your OK and I'm thankful that you have posted this for us all to learn something from. I think we all will be most intrested to hear what S&W has to say about this. Again, glad your OK. Kyle
 
i have never had a problem with S&W, but thats me. Im a young guy with yet alot to learn...but i know when you mass produce a product their not all going to be perfect. what ALK8944 wrote was out of hand. I believe that S&W will make this right for you. Do keep us updated.
 
I was going to hold off on posting again, but this thread has been troubling me since it started. The issue as I see it is not about a failure of a S&W product, but a failure of common sense and decency. A man posts a thread about a catastrophic problem he has with a pistol, not once, but twice. This man has nearly 900 posts to this forum, which in my estimation guarantees that he is not a trouble seeking/starting troll, but rather, a valued and active contributor. I saw nothing in his original post that would indicate any hidden agenda, distortion of facts, etc. His post read honestly and accurately.

Subsequent to this, another poster (Alk8944 with over 2,300 posts) makes inferences (as I read them) that the OP is somehow hiding something, or being dishonest. This sentiment is strictly based on a perception, and a perception that no one else has harbored. This is where I have a problem.

Irrespective of Alk8944's doubts as to the veracity of Mike's OP, there is no excuse for leveling unfounded allegations, inferences, accusations, etc. That type of conduct belongs on another forum, and is what separates S&W aficionados and site members from the masses of cyber savages who gutlessly take to their computers to spout off with impunity, and launch personal attacks with zero provocation. That said, I am willing to extend Alk8944 the same courtesy as Mike based on his post count, and obvious skill and knowledge re: S&Ws ... but he was off base in his comments.

We've all gotten heated with online discussions at some point, and many of us have dealt with hostilities from the opposite end of the keyboard. It's uncalled for, and unnecessary, particularly on a forum that does its best to "rise above" other forums. It's a good reminder to us, collectively as S&W forum members, and individually as civilized beings, to work on our conduct toward others ... especially online.

My dear grandmother used to say, "If you don't have something nice to say, then shaddap." I believe those words were handed down to her from the old country, in the days when personal interactions were done exclusively face-to-face. We live in a different time now, and though the same rules should apply, they often don't. It takes a concerted effort to maintain a degree of professionalism and humanness in a decidedly non-human medium.

Mike ... I hope your pistol problems are rectified to your satisfaction. I have no concern that the Factory will do right by you.

Alk ... I think a PM apology is the proper route to go.

Thank you all for listening to my Sunday sermon.
 
mc5aw said:
I was going to hold off on posting again, but this thread has been troubling me since it started. The issue as I see it is not about a failure of a S&W product, but a failure of common sense and decency. A man posts a thread about a catastrophic problem he has with a pistol, not once, but twice. This man has nearly 900 posts to this forum, which in my estimation guarantees that he is not a trouble seeking/starting troll, but rather, a valued and active contributor. I saw nothing in his original post that would indicate any hidden agenda, distortion of facts, etc. His post read honestly and accurately.

Subsequent to this, another poster (Alk8944 with over 2,300 posts) makes inferences (as I read them) that the OP is somehow hiding something, or being dishonest. This sentiment is strictly based on a perception, and a perception that no one else has harbored. This is where I have a problem.

Irrespective of Alk8944's doubts as to the veracity of Mike's OP, there is no excuse for leveling unfounded allegations, inferences, accusations, etc. That type of conduct belongs on another forum, and is what separates S&W aficionados and site members from the masses of cyber savages who gutlessly take to their computers to spout off with impunity, and launch personal attacks with zero provocation. That said, I am willing to extend Alk8944 the same courtesy as Mike based on his post count, and obvious skill and knowledge re: S&Ws ... but he was off base in his comments.

We've all gotten heated with online discussions at some point, and many of us have dealt with hostilities from the opposite end of the keyboard. It's uncalled for, and unnecessary, particularly on a forum that does its best to "rise above" other forums. It's a good reminder to us, collectively as S&W forum members, and individually as civilized beings, to work on our conduct toward others ... especially online.

My dear grandmother used to say, "If you don't have something nice to say, then shaddap." I believe those words were handed down to her from the old country, in the days when personal interactions were done exclusively face-to-face. We live in a different time now, and though the same rules should apply, they often don't. It takes a concerted effort to maintain a degree of professionalism and humanness in a decidedly non-human medium.

Mike ... I hope your pistol problems are rectified to your satisfaction. I have no concern that the Factory will do right by you.

Alk ... I think a PM apology is the proper route to go.

Thank you all for listening to my Sunday sermon.
Click to expand...

This was eloquent, and worth writing for the greater good of this forum and it's dedicated members.
 
Special thanks to mc5aw in your post.You stated things quite eloquently and it needed to be said.As I said before when I read ALK's post ,who is a senior member,I thought it was time to go because the S+W forum has degenerated into a flame throwing contest.After seeing the unsolicited support to me by other members I reversed this course of action.To all those members I say THANK YOU.I will try to take more pictures of the barrel and get them on this thread.I will call S+W on Monday afternoon and tell you what they say.....Mike
 
 
For starters I'm glad you're ok. All mudslinging aside this could have been much worse for you or someone standing near you regardless of how it happened. My question is if this smith had a 2 piece barrel, obviously prior the catastrophic failure. I used to work at a pistol range where I saw something similar happen on a newer 686 snubbie where we had to call a cease fire so that the owner could walk down range to pick up his barrel.

Many people say there is nothing wrong with the new smith and wessons but for my money I'll keep buying the older guns. They look better (no dirty little holes), they feel better, and in my opinion, and I believe the opinion of many people here, are much more reliable.

What good is a concealed carry gun that you are afraid to use for fear of it blowing up in your hand?
 
I'm not an experienced gunsmith, but viewing those photos I'd say the cause lies in an improperly threaded/fitted barrel. We've read about some lightweight Js having cracked frames due to over-torque; I think something similar occurred with this 640, as well as Mike's previous one. A jammed round would more likely blow the barrel "up and out" rather than "out". The non-threaded part of this barrel looks pristine ... it's the threaded section that suffered the damage.
 
Well said Mc5aw.
Friends don't let friends buy new Smith & Wesson's they send them the link for gunbroker to troll for the older ones that were made when a company and people took pride in what they made.
 
Mike-You need to get a macro lens for those close ups...they work miracles.:) I couldn't live without my 60 f2.8 Nikkor lens. I still marvel at what happened to your pistol...not good.
 
I certainly cant tell what caused the barrel to leave the frame's company in such a way, but I would certainly say the gun blew up for sure. While not the same as a cylinder blowing up through the topstrap, it certainly is bad enough and it sounds like the more I hear of it there might be something wrong with those lightweight J frames. Granted I own a 649 but I have been a bit skeptical of wanting a new J-frame, even though I know it could have been an off day at the factory, who knows the guy screwing in the barrel could have had a hangover, not enough coffee whatever. But I'm glad to see you are ok and the factory certainly owes you an answer.
 
I just spoke to a customer rep at S+W and they are sending me a return label.The gun will go out after that.I told the customer rep after two blown 640's I don't want it replaced with a third 640.He said under the circumstances that may be a option.Off to S+W's home page to see what I might like to have.At this point "ANYTHING BUT ANOTHER 640.....Stay tuned.....Mike
 
Years ago this would have been a considered a collectors idem now it's just
(will send you out a label) Do they even look at the guns before they put them in the box?
 

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I have dived into S+W's website and I like the Blued Model 36.It gives me a much safer feeling than the thought of another "640 Barrel Launcher" LOL.It is the same MSRP of the 640 new so that is what I will ask for as a replacement......Mike
 
Cruiser RN said:
I have dived into S+W's website and I like the Blued Model 36.It gives me a much safer feeling than the thought of another "640 Barrel Launcher" LOL.It is the same MSRP of the 640 new so that is what I will ask for as a replacement......Mike
Click to expand...


Hope you get the M36, even a new model is a nice carry revolver.
Good Luck!
 
Cruiser,
I am glad you made out with minor injuries. This is disturbing to say the least. Could have been much worse, and thankfully you will make a full recovery! Best wishes, and I look forward to the resolution from S&W
 
Cruiser, I am in total agreement about burns. You should not be getting burns from shooting a revolver-the odd spark possibly but not a diagnosable burn. Just my .02, ask them for a 632 Pro. Thicker barrel and probably heftier frame around barrel, six shots, and you can use .32 S&W long for range, and I doubt that round will blow anything up. And if you want a real screamer of a round use the 115 gr HPs, you are throwing an essentially .30 cal slug downrange at some pretty rapid velocities.
BTW, if either of those incidents happened to me, I would call it "blown up". Damn thing came apart under pressure, sure sounds like blown up to me.
You could also pry about a lifetime supply of .327 ammo out of them also if you were so inclined. PM me if you are interested.
 
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