The dreaded frame crack

[GaryS]

Everyone knows real BBQ is pork.

j/k folks

No, everyone knows that BBQ is Brisket. And real Chili has no beans!

 

[reitejl]

I've been shopping for a 4" 29 and checked out a new one at a local gunshop and with the MIM parts it just left me Cold!!!! Gonna buy a rifle instead.

 

[Rapidray]

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

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

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.

If you can, can you post your photos of these cracks also? Sounds like we have some from just starting to really bad. Then I think this thread should become a sticky for future reference. What do you think.

 

[Rapidray]

lol...

No, everyone knows that BBQ is Brisket. And real Chili has no beans!

My wife always laughs when I tell her Chili has no beans. She stoped one night when we were watching the Big Bang Theory and Sheldon asked if there was beans in the Chili? Yes was the reply and he stated, Then it's not real Chili... lol.

 

[ladder13]

No, everyone knows that BBQ is Brisket. And real Chili has no beans!

 

[RHINOWSO]

I'll have to check my new no lock 442, but I guess I'll be keeping my 640-1 as well.

 

[GaryS]

My wife always laughs when I tell her Chili has no beans. She stoped one night when we were watching the Big Bang Theory and Sheldon asked if there was beans in the Chili? Yes was the reply and he stated, Then it's not real Chili... lol.

I love The Big Bang Theory. I get the Texas jokes, at least some of them, and they are a nice bit to go with Sheldon's character.

One one episode he started singing "Deep In The Heart" of Texas and clapping to the chorus. Nice touch.

 

[GaryS]

If you can, can you post your photos of these cracks also? Sounds like we have some from just starting to really bad. Then I think this thread should become a sticky for future reference. What do you think.

One picture, from my cell phone. I'll see if I can get better one later on with a real camera.

 

[ladder13]

One picture, from my cell phone. I'll see if I can get better one later on with a real camera.

Send it back Gary, that's not good.

I just checked my 2 other 442's, a 38-3, and a 37-2...NONE of them have cracks....FOR NOW
Took the 640-1 out and filled her up.

 

[GaryS]

Send it back Gary, that's not good.

I just checked my 2 other 442's, a 38-3, and a 37-2...NONE of them have cracks....FOR NOW
Took the 640-1 out and filled her up.

Yeah, it's going back. I'll call S&W on Monday and talk to the service department. If they are just going to stuff my "good" parts into a new frame and barrel, I'll send it back with the Pachmayr grips and Wolff springs. If they are going to replace it with a whole new pistol, I'll put the factory springs and grips on. I don't want to lose those.

I might wait to actually bring it in to the factory in April. One of the nice things about living in MA is being able to drive to the factory and drop a piece off for service.

 

[redhawk444]

My no-lock 442 had the crack in the frame and I sent it in and they sent me back a new 442 with the lock in exchange....I sold it and bought a SP101.

 

[GreyEagle]

Thanks for the post and the pic. I have been looking at J-frames for awhile now for CCW. I really had uneasy feelings about the J-fame and this comfirms my thoughts. I am currently looking for a small 2 to 3 inch barrel .357 for a CCW. Guess I'll forget about the J's for now. Really like the model 60's in SS. Good luck with S&W on the repair/replacement.

 

[GaryS]

Thanks for the post and the pic. I have been looking at J-frames for awhile now for CCW. I really had uneasy feelings about the J-fame and this comfirms my thoughts. I am currently looking for a small 2 to 3 inch barrel .357 for a CCW. Guess I'll forget about the J's for now. Really like the model 60's in SS. Good luck with S&W on the repair/replacement.

I think this only applies to the airweight versions, not the steel or SS ones.

 

[ladder13]

My no-lock 442 had the crack in the frame and I sent it in and they sent me back a new 442 with the lock in exchange....I sold it and bought a SP101.

There's no reason not to replace the gun with a no-lock gun since they're back in production. If they can't/won't, then give me credit for a 1911 Pro.

 

[TNFrank]

Just checked my 642-2 w/lock and it looks fine. Not sure how many rounds the guy that owned it before me put through it, I've not put many through it yet but I wonder if this is a common thing with the Airweight J-Frames. If it is I may have to trade it for a Ruger SP101 before it gets a crack. I really hate to hear about stuff like this since I really love this little gun for EDC/CCW but I also don't want something that may be a problem in the future.

 

[Ron In MD]

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.

If you send your revolver/pistol in for warranty work you can receive it back directly because the firearm is yours. It does not have to go through an FFL to be returned to you. The only stipulation is it must be received by someone over 21 years old.

 

[TNFrank]

If you send your revolver/pistol in for warranty work you can receive it back directly because the firearm is yours. It does not have to go to an FFL to be returned to you. The only stipulation is it must be received by someone over 21 years old.

Ditto, I sent a Ruger GP100 in directly to the factory for warranty work many years ago and shipped it to them through UPS(can't use USPS because of Federal Law) and they shipped it back to me directly. Had to sign for the package and show ID that I was over 21 but other then that since the gun isn't being transfered to another owner it's not a problem to ship to the factory and back to you for repair.

 

[ladder13]

If you send your revolver/pistol in for warranty work you can receive it back directly because the firearm is yours. It does not have to go through an FFL to be returned to you. The only stipulation is it must be received by someone over 21 years old.

I had a Sig, where the frame rail separated from the frame sent back to me directly. Others, particularly Florida residents, have said their guns needed to be shipped back via an FFL. It appears that the shipping policy may be state specific.
OR, maybe it depends on who sent the gun originally. If an FFL sends it for you, the gunmaker sends it back to the FFL. S&W sends a return tag so no need to use an FFL.

 

[allglock]

In Pa. it must be sent to an FFL , if the frame was changed. Pa. says they dont have a firearm database... but everyone knows , that they do...

On a lighter note, lets not start a panic, over this problem. It happens few and far between. Would I own 15 Airlights and Airweights, if I didnt have faith in them?
I wouldnt let the "crack" stop me from buying one. S&W will fix it, "if" it does happen.

 

[ContinentalOp]

If you send your revolver/pistol in for warranty work you can receive it back directly because the firearm is yours. It does not have to go through an FFL to be returned to you. The only stipulation is it must be received by someone over 21 years old.

My understanding is that if they have to replace the frame with one that has a different serial number it's supposed to go through a FFL dealer.