Crowman
Member
Has anyone experienced this problem? I took a new Smith & Wesson “J” frame, model 351PD Airlite revolver, which is chambered for .22 Magnum Rimfire ammunition, into the woods behind my house to sight in. I verified that the chambers and barrel were clean and free of grease or any obstructions as is my habit. I used Winchester 45 grain Dynapoint .22 Magnum Rimfire cartridges.
The first three shots were un-eventful and bullets went downrange; however, round number four detonated in the chamber and the head separated from the case. My right thumb nail was perforated by fragments and I sustained powder burns on my trigger finger at the third joint. I also sustained powder burns and embedded case head fragments on my left thumb because I was firing double action and used my off side hand for support but did not have my support hand near the cylinder front.
After shaking out my trousers from the afore mentioned occurrence, I opened the cylinder with some difficulty and noted that round number four’s head was missing and the next round up in the adjacent cylinder was crushed longitudinally along the cartridge axis. This cartridge had to be punched out of its chamber. The left grip panel end that is adjacent to its alignment pin had a piece broken off (I found it and super glued it back together so the piece would not get lost). Also, the revolver’s right-hand access panel gap had widened due to stretching, and was very noticeable to the right of the hammer. The crane gap was more noticeable now when viewed from the front.
I went on-line to locate contact information for both Smith & Wesson and Winchester ammunition. S&W’s website was easy to navigate and I was able to quickly locate corporate contacts. I contacted a very helpful individual at Smith & Wesson to notify them of the problem and to seek advice as to procedure. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate anywhere on Winchester’s website any way to easily contact their company. Consequently, Smith & Wesson was graciously able to supply me with contact information at Winchester.
After talking with both companies, I was able to remove the three remaining un-fired cartridges from the cylinder. I isolated the two boxes of Winchester .22 MRF ammunition and returned them to Winchester. Of interest here is that there was no lot number embossed anywhere on the cartridge box end flaps. There was damage to the revolver which required returning to the factory.
Winchester sent me a letter in which they informed me that they could not determine any problems with the ammunition. They sent me a case of .22 magnum Dynapoints for my trouble, which was exceptionally nice of them. Kudos to Winchester for this gesture!
The revolver was returned to the factory at their expense. Smith & Wesson examined the revolver and reported that they could not discover any problems with it but replaced the cylinder, crane, and some of the internal lock work, all at their expense. The revolver was returned in firing condition. After test firing (one-handed with a glove), the revolver functioned flawlessly and the DA trigger had been smoothed. However, the gun would not group anywhere near point of aim. I noticed that the front sight was canted in the barrel and was positioned to the left. I contacted S&W again, they had me ship the revolver back to them and they fixed the sight and “cranked” the barrel so that bullets went to point of aim, sort of like what gunsmiths used to do with new Colts back in the day. This revolver has fixed sights and this step was required to regulate the point of impact. S&W then returned the revolver back to me, again at their expense. The revolver now shoots to point of aim with CCI ammo. It is a little less accurate with Dynapoints. Some rimfires like different ammo and it is always interesting to find what they like.
Let me be very clear about this…Smith and Wesson really stands behind their products and has probably the best customer service in the business and I own quite a few of their products because of this.
It is still a mystery as to what happened.
The first three shots were un-eventful and bullets went downrange; however, round number four detonated in the chamber and the head separated from the case. My right thumb nail was perforated by fragments and I sustained powder burns on my trigger finger at the third joint. I also sustained powder burns and embedded case head fragments on my left thumb because I was firing double action and used my off side hand for support but did not have my support hand near the cylinder front.
After shaking out my trousers from the afore mentioned occurrence, I opened the cylinder with some difficulty and noted that round number four’s head was missing and the next round up in the adjacent cylinder was crushed longitudinally along the cartridge axis. This cartridge had to be punched out of its chamber. The left grip panel end that is adjacent to its alignment pin had a piece broken off (I found it and super glued it back together so the piece would not get lost). Also, the revolver’s right-hand access panel gap had widened due to stretching, and was very noticeable to the right of the hammer. The crane gap was more noticeable now when viewed from the front.
I went on-line to locate contact information for both Smith & Wesson and Winchester ammunition. S&W’s website was easy to navigate and I was able to quickly locate corporate contacts. I contacted a very helpful individual at Smith & Wesson to notify them of the problem and to seek advice as to procedure. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate anywhere on Winchester’s website any way to easily contact their company. Consequently, Smith & Wesson was graciously able to supply me with contact information at Winchester.
After talking with both companies, I was able to remove the three remaining un-fired cartridges from the cylinder. I isolated the two boxes of Winchester .22 MRF ammunition and returned them to Winchester. Of interest here is that there was no lot number embossed anywhere on the cartridge box end flaps. There was damage to the revolver which required returning to the factory.
Winchester sent me a letter in which they informed me that they could not determine any problems with the ammunition. They sent me a case of .22 magnum Dynapoints for my trouble, which was exceptionally nice of them. Kudos to Winchester for this gesture!
The revolver was returned to the factory at their expense. Smith & Wesson examined the revolver and reported that they could not discover any problems with it but replaced the cylinder, crane, and some of the internal lock work, all at their expense. The revolver was returned in firing condition. After test firing (one-handed with a glove), the revolver functioned flawlessly and the DA trigger had been smoothed. However, the gun would not group anywhere near point of aim. I noticed that the front sight was canted in the barrel and was positioned to the left. I contacted S&W again, they had me ship the revolver back to them and they fixed the sight and “cranked” the barrel so that bullets went to point of aim, sort of like what gunsmiths used to do with new Colts back in the day. This revolver has fixed sights and this step was required to regulate the point of impact. S&W then returned the revolver back to me, again at their expense. The revolver now shoots to point of aim with CCI ammo. It is a little less accurate with Dynapoints. Some rimfires like different ammo and it is always interesting to find what they like.
Let me be very clear about this…Smith and Wesson really stands behind their products and has probably the best customer service in the business and I own quite a few of their products because of this.
It is still a mystery as to what happened.