UPDATE (it's back) - Well, my 3" 624 Lew Horton is on its way back to S&W

[GLL]

DD:

I agree with you about S&W wanting the frame and cylinder but as you indicate I would also want those valuable parts. The barrel alone would be worth over $100 ! I would buy it from you for that!

The hammer, trigger, crane, and etc. parts would bring a few bucks as well.

Good Luck ! The odds are certainly in your favor that all is okay.

Jerry

 

[GLL]

DD:

I just noticed you are in Ventura. I am in the Los Angeles area

If for some reason your dealings with S&W do not work out to your satisfaction I would be interested in buying your 3" 624 ! The grips on your gun are a very nice set !

GOOD LUCK !

Jerry

 

[gig-a-hertz]

I can't even spell 'sclerometer'?

 

[GLL]

Originally posted by gig-a-hertz:
I can't even spell 'sclerometer'?

Me neither ! That is why I refer to ours as "the hardness tester"!

Jerry

 

[jed1177]

Dick,
After all this discussion, I e-mailed Kate and described our 624's being very close in serial numbers, mine originally OK by Rossini and your's being requested back.

She is checking with Rossini on why I was told that mine was not in the recall as it certainly is by serial number. My maunfacture date is in May, 1985. She wants me to ship mine back as well.

Kate also advised that only "1" 624 has been replaced since the recall and it was replaced with another type firearm. Doesn't look like they are interested in repairing them at all.

Kate sent me the info on how to ship and they will pick up the freight both ways.

Now, deciding what to do.....???

 

[DC3-CVN-72]

I have a 3in. 629-4 #BRK8xxx. I bought it used with no box & Hogue rubber grips. Would this gun be subject to this recall or any that i am unawear of ? thanks.

 

[jed1177]

I think you are good on the 629, problem was the 624's, but to be sure, just send an e-mail with your serial number to Kate at [email protected] and she will check for you.

 

[9146gt]

I wonder if any of the recalled M24 & 624 guns will chamber .44 magnums?

Tom

 

[DC3-CVN-72]

Thank's jed1177.

 

[Denver Dick]

Fellas, go here for background on the 629 / 624 recall.

FAQ ON THIS FORUM -- Go to the 4th post down.

That BRK serial number appears way to late. Probably late 80s.

 

[catdad]

Well I contacted Kate Fredette by E-Mail and she said my 624 serial #ALU60XX was subject to recall and was shipped from the factory June of 1985.
I'm going to have to alot of pondering, before I send it back to be checked.

 

[Denver Dick]

Jed1177 wrote

Now, deciding what to do.....???

Catdad wrote:

I'm going to have to alot of pondering, before I send it back to be checked.

Well, each of us has to make our own decision. But as for me, I want to know if the cylinder on my revolver is defective. If it is, then I don't want it anyway. If not, then I will get my revolver back with peace of mind and some nice S&W paperwork confirming that my cylinder is a winner. In addition, should I ever sell the revolver, I can give the next owner peace of mind and not worry about whether or not I'm selling him a defective firearm.

Remember, with only one (1) 624 failing in all these years, the odds are pretty darn good yours will pass. However, if you do decide to send it back, get some cheap grips and don't let those original (and now rare) S&W Combat grips travel with the revolver . . . just in case.

Good luck with whatever you guys decide, but I know how I am and it would bug the heck out of me to know that my revolver is subject to a recall and has not been inspected.

I love tinkering with, reloading for and shooting my firearms. It is the primary way I relax. My peace of mind while shooting is worth more to me than any one firearm, even a Lew Horton 3" Model 624. But that's just me . . .

 

[jimmy]

The odds of having a non-defective cylinder are pretty good. I have three 624s and a 629 with the red C in a circle on the box label. My other 624 didn't come to me with a box, but Kate Fredette said it was okay. For me, that's five for five. I hope others are as fortunate.

 

[jed1177]

I took delivery of my 624 the day my daughter was born. Means alot to me and certainly don't want to loose it.

With that said, I'm also anal about my "heaters" and it's going back. I need to know it's OK.

Incidently, in addition to the grips, I suggest that you return your 624 in something other than the original box. Lately, returned S&W's have been coming back minus the original box and the plastic ones are very unimpressive.

 

[Denver Dick]

Hey, Jed. Are you going to wait until I hear back on my AHT277X 624? I will post the moment I find out anything from S&W. If my past experiences hold true, it should be about a week or 10 days.

 

[jed1177]

Dick,

I think that is a good idea. Unless they have some detailed knowledge when the bad batch occurred, it is probably a gun by gun case. I have AHT275X so we are at least under 30 guns apart. I might feel a little more comfortable sending mine in if yours passes the test. Can't help but wonder, what if the bad steel "snuck" in at number 29?

Please post your results when available.

Jed

 

[Joed49]

Originally posted by gig-a-hertz:
I have read about & pondered about this for a couple of years now, since hearing about it.
I have a 6.5" that Kate says they want to see. I had all the data to return it, but decided not to 2 years ago.

GLL, I don't get it either, it would seem that it would be simple to not bore a .44mag cylinder as deep, correct the length,etc., but I think the extractor star is different now? (so it'd need more fitting & maybe a new hand?)
They could do that though.

I often wonder when this subject pops-up, why someone doesn't just send only the cylinder back? I am sure S&W won't suggest that, but for those of us who have no problem removing one, why not do it that way?

I still don't plan to send any or all of my 624 back.

Bravo! I have 2 624's the S&W wants to see. No thanks, I'll keep them. They just don't have anything that I'd want to replace them with if they wouldn't return them.

 

[catdad]

Well DD, I did my pondering and I'm going to roll the dice and send mine back for a check-up, if for nothing else, piece of mind.

 

[ldp4570]

OK, I need to know if both of mine fall into the mix. My 3" Ser# is ALU0094, and my 4" is Ser# AKC0159??? The 4" was purchased overseas through the Rod&Gun club system in Germany so it has all the European/Old FRG proofs, making it even more of a rarity in the market.

 

[jed1177]

From an earlier post reference the serial number ranges:

624/629 Cylinder Recall

The Skeeter Skelton article in the October 1985 issue of Shooting Times magazine stated: "A steel supplier has just advised Smith & Wesson that they shipped a very small quantity of incorrect stainless steel material (11 bars) to us that was not in accordance with their certifications. The incorrect material was used in the cylinders for some large-frame stainless-steel revolvers, Model Numbers 624 (.44 Special) and 629 (.44 Magnum). The approximately 500 units containing this material were shipped from Smith & Wesson between January 1, 1985 and June 8, 1985. They would be included in the following ranges of serial numbers: ADXXXXX, AEXXXXX, AFXXXXX, AGXXXXX, AHXXXXX, ALVXXXX, N910000 thru N953000."

Skeeter goes on to say that the bad cylinder steel caused the recall of about 21,000 guns to find 500 with improper steel.

Today, Kate Fredette of Smith & Wesson basically confirmed this same info. The serial number range includes:

ADXXXX
AEXXXX
AFXXXX
AGXXXX
AHXXXX
ALVXXX (the "V" is not a typo)
N910000 thru N953000

Recalled guns were shipped between Jan 1, 1985 and June 8, 1985 only. The cylinder has to be checked on these handguns and the only way to know is by checking the full serial number against their records. The problem involves 500 guns shipped during that period.

If a handgun in the recalled range has already been returned to the factory for testing, a red letter "C" that is circled will be stamped on the box label, indicating that the gun passed re-inspection. No marks are made on the cylinder of checked guns, only the red "C" in the circle stamped on the box label.

If your gun is within this range and you do not have a box or know for certain that it has been tested, you should contact Smith & Wesson. S&W's records prior to 1986 are not computerized, so it takes them a little longer to look up the particulars.

You can E-mail your gun's serial number to: [email protected]. S&W will contact you regarding the status of your particular gun. If your gun is included in the recall, you'll be sent a prepaid FedEx label and shipping instructions. While E-mail is best, you may also call S&W Customer Support at 1-800-331-0852.

Recalled cylinders are tested by magnafluxing. If your recalled gun does fail, there are no replacement cylinders. S&W will keep your gun and you will be offered the choice of another handgun of equal value or a refund.