The dreaded frame crack

[f2]

glad they took care of you.

 

[ladder13]

Got a call from CS yesterday. The frame is cracked and they are going to replace the gun via shipping to FFL.

Mine was a 442 in satin nickle finish, which they don't make any longer. It was also an early production gun on the smaller frame. From reading here and SCSW, it seems that they increased the frame size to accomodate the .357 round and that is now called the "J Magnum" frame. The original frame isn't produced any longer, hence I get an entire new firearm.

From that my guess is that if you have a smaller frame you get a new gun. That has a new SN and has to be shipped to you via a FFL who does the transfer.

If you have a J Magnum frame with a crack, you get a new frame and barrel and your internals are stuffed in. The frame gets the same serial number you originally had and it's shipped back to you directly.

Since they don't make the 442 in Stain Nickel any longer, I got my choice of a 442 in Blue or a 642 in Matte Silver. I picked the 642 since it's the closest to what I have. I also asked for a no lock gun. I can get it, but most of the current production has the lock, so there will be a delay until they make up a batch of no lock guns. Fine with me, and the CS guy said that is also his personal preference, especially for a SD gun.

Oh, it was five business days (including one MA state holiday) from the time I dropped it off until I got the call.
Which is within their time line goal. I'm very happy so far, and will be more so when I get the replacement.

That's no BS CS if you ask me.

Gary, glad they worked out a remedy for you, though you're not getting an "equal" replacement. I also have a nickel 442 with the small frame. Since the gun is fairly rare I've decided to relegate it to safe duty, even though I believe the gun probably will never suffer the same fate as my 642. Seems like the frame cracking starts at the factory, and most people don't notice it until it becomes very apparent.

 

[mclark202]

I had one of those satin 442's as well. Made the mistake of getting it duracoated, and it turned out pretty badly. I traded it off over a year ago. Kinda wish I never messed with it and kept it in the safe.

 

[GaryS]

It's too bad that they don't make that exact gun. The thing I liked about it was that it was pretty rust resistant. I used to carry it when I ran and I sweated all over it. The only hint of rust was on the grip screw. Other than that and a few scratches here and there, it was very clean.

Still, the 642 will be a suitable replacement for pocket or concealed carry. I might even dig out my old waist pack holster and use it when I ride my bike.

ETA: Just got the call, the 642 shipped out to LGS yesterday and they should have it tomorrow. Customer Service even gave me the serial number.

Gary, glad they worked out a remedy for you, though you're not getting an "equal" replacement. I also have a nickel 442 with the small frame. Since the gun is fairly rare I've decided to relegate it to safe duty, even though I believe the gun probably will never suffer the same fate as my 642. Seems like the frame cracking starts at the factory, and most people don't notice it until it becomes very apparent.

 

[JDBoardman]

Like H***

Everyone knows real BBQ is pork.

j/k folks

get a rope...

 

[Jamesatrange]

My Smith 329pd had the same crack. They said it's more common in the scandium and aluminum alloy frames. They sent my new replacement as soon as they had a new run being produced. They MUST ship it to an FFL so it can be properly registered(answering question above if Smith will send a new one to the owner). The sad thing is if this happens and they don't make the model anymore....then your out of luck unless they, make another you can apply the value of yours towards. Pushing the tensile strength of metal causes breakage from time to time. Smith will always do what they can to make it right.

 

[Watchdog]

In living color

That isn't a crack...it's a crevice. Hate that for you.

 

[spad124]

I had a late 1970s nickel 37 that was given to me by a friend who was at the end of his shooting days. Never really liked the gun. Glad I traded it for a S&W M1917!

 

[Boogsawaste]

The ALLOY guns are nice but I am sticking with my model 36 from 1972.

Fixed it for ya...this crack isn't limited to new revolvers only. Think 37, 38, and even their big brother, the 12.

 

[Doug M.]

Holy Necropost, Batman.

 

[Florida J Frame]

So there I was, minding my own business, reading through this thread. I have a 20 or so year old 442 with satin finish. It's the one I just go through replacing the rebound and main spring on to lighten the trigger pull. Going to be my pocket gun.

I decided to casually walk down to the gun safe and take a quick peek at mine just be sure I didn't have a frame crack. I don't have 500 rounds through this, so how likely is it? Cant' be, right?

I opened the safe, took out the piece, opened the cylinder and - HOLY GUACAMOLE!

A huge crack, easily twice as wide as the one in the photo.

I'll probably wait until I go out to the factory for a tour in April to bring it in.

Thanks ladder 13 for starting this thread. It would be bad enough if the barrel fell of at the range, imagine if I actually had to use it for self defense.[/quote

 

[BillyMagg]

I would love to test a cracked one and see what really happens. My guess is it would not fail catastrophically.

I heard the pres and govment motors were looking for crash dummies, maybe you should apply since you seem very errr ahhh, brave? LOL

 

[ladder13]

That isn't a crack...it's a crevice. Hate that for you.

Well, I did get a new gun. And I wasn't the original owner.