The dreaded frame crack

[ladder13]

Just looked at my 642-1 and lo and behold the frame is cracked right underneath the barrel in the yoke area. Called Smith, they're sending a return tag, and the service rep was like "ho hum we see this alot".
Since this is a no lock, they better send a no lock in return, no locked up gun for me. Going to check the other J frame Airweights I own this evening.
Here she was in better days: RIP

 

[SAFireman]

That's a shame Mike.....be sure to send it to them with some Goodyears on it and keep those nice smooth wood stocks.

 

[ladder13]

That's a shame Mike.....be sure to send it to them with some Goodyears on it and keep those nice smooth wood stocks.

Oh, you know that!

 

[Rapidray]

wow, another one?

Before you send her off, can you check something for me? Is the front sight canted a little? Another member said they are over tighting the barrels. Just wondering. Sorry to hear about yours!

 

[ladder13]

Before you send her off, can you check something for me? Is the front sight canted a little? Another member said they are over tighting the barrels. Just wondering. Sorry to hear about yours!

It sure is, off to the right a bit, looking towards the front sight. I've seen so many posts thru the years about cracked frames on this forum, now I know how it feels.
Thing is I've been carrying this gun for awhile and checked for cracks not that long ago. Appears it can be fine one day and not the next.

 

[v-13]

Just had to send my 617 in today because of intermitent FTF's. Tried different types of ammo and still the same. Called Smith and they said it might be end shake. I bought this brand new, 2 months ago. I'm begining to wonder about their QC on their products. Always use to stand by their quality in revolvers, now I'm begining to wonder.

 

[Smithhound]

Can you post a photo of the cracked area for us? I'd like to see what to check for in the future. Sure hate that for you, good luck on the replacement.
Sad that a once great company just seems to be slipping so much in the QC and Customer Service departments, I can't think of two more important aspects of a business from our standpoint, from thier's I gues it's just 'Profit and Profit'.
RD

 

[straightshooter1]

Well, thanks a LOT!

I checked my no-lock 642 and there is a line, running partway between the barrel and front of the frame, that looks like a crack. I can't catch it with my fingernail, so I am not sure. I have one of those lights with a magnifier, but just can't tell.

I will take it to the handgun range Wednesday and put a hundred or so factory rounds through it and see if it changes.

I've had this quite a while and sure hope it's not the dreaded crack.

You may recall I had a beautiful Cobra that had a frame crack (it is loaded and living in my kitchen, suppose it could handle a cylinder full if needed), but I don't want to lose my 642.

Bob

 

[ladder13]

In living color

 

[Austerity]

Wow that's terrible. I am with Smithhound, I would like a pic since my wife now has a 642 w/lock (has been disabled).

 

[straightshooter1]

Thanks for posting that. It is much more pronounced that what I see on my 642, but in the same place just not as long (starts at the front, goes a ways back) and not as wide.

I just don't know so shooting it seems to be the way to decide (absent calling S&W and sending it in).

Bob

 

[jframe]

I had an 042 that had the same crack; S&W sent a new no lock 442 and took care of it, but it wasn't the same so I sold it off. I have a 642-1 as well, and it has no sign of it. I thought it was because of overtorqueing the barrel, but apparently it can occur just from regular shooting. Kinda disturbing; it's my most carried gun BY FAR.

 

[Dregg]

Wow, sad to see that on something you may need to defend your life with.

I doubt they will send you a "pre-lock" one in return but what do I know.

 

[Maximumbob54]

FWIW, I had the same crack in my 637 and had gutted the lock. Sent her back on their dime with no grip and no ILS. They sent her back with no grip and only the part in the hole for the key was put back. They didn't put the flag, the pitchfork, or the springs back into her. The logo on the side opposite the swing out isn't centered anymore either. It's high up to the right. I got a new barrel and frame and the rest was from my original gun. I assume they mill and finish frames, set the barrels, and then set them aside like this. Turn around time on mine was almost exactly two weeks. As they are currently making ILS free 642's I would think that is what you will get in return... Be glad this didn't happen a little over a year ago...

 

[dscampbell]

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

 

[straightshooter1]

Darn! Darn! And double-Darn! I looked at old photos here and they look just like my "crack." Called my FFL buddy and he's sending it in Monday.

I really hope it's just my overactive imagination, but, better safe than sorry.

Bob

 

[BigBoku]

Before you send her off, can you check something for me? Is the front sight canted a little? Another member said they are over tighting the barrels. Just wondering. Sorry to hear about yours!

Yes, the crack occurs when the barrel is over torqued causing the frame to flex and crack the frame underneath the length of the forcing cone. This is a problem that has reared its head at the factory going back to the no dash airweights and airlites.

The good news is with S&W producing the 642-2 without the internal locks you should get a no lock frame replacement.

My condolences Mike..............

 

[18DAI]

Wow that sucks Ladder13. I hope they make it right for you. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

 

[ladder13]

Thanks all, since they're producing no-locks it shouldn't be an issue. Actually being offered ANY no lock J would work, maybe a M&P 340 perhaps?

Louie, I may have to get the new gun shipped to Richie, I don't know if Smith ships directly to the owner.

 

[ladder13]

Darn! Darn! And double-Darn! I looked at old photos here and they look just like my "crack." Called my FFL buddy and he's sending it in Monday.

I really hope it's just my overactive imagination, but, better safe than sorry.

Bob

That stinks Bob, but at least you'll have a new gun, better than having a Kimber with a 1 year warranty. Btw, Smith is sending me a shipping label, so no charge to send it back.