HELP! Smith auto with cracked frame

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Carl N. Brown

Carl N. Brown

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First, let's get all the jokes out of the way

This is your Smith and Wesson . . .
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This is your Smith and Wesson on crack . . .
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Any questions?

o Ask any (Colt/Ruger/Glock/H&K) fan: S&W ain't all it's cracked up to be.
o Is that a Model 669 or a Model 666?
o Too bad it ain't a HiPoint, it would be under lifetime warranty.

All kidding aside,
My first question is, is this as serious as I think it is?
(gee, only the left side is cracked)
Next, what should be done?
Or, what can be done?
 

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First thing I'd do is call S&W at 1-800-331-0852 (USA), Mon-Fri 8:00AM-8:00PM Eastern Time. From the S&W Warranty Page
1. Lifetime Service Policy

We will repair any defect in material or workmanship without charge to the original purchaser for as long as you own the handgun.
Click to expand...
 
Obviously the gun isn't what it was cracked up to be... :neener:

So much for that... :D Yes, you should contact Smith & Wesson and I'm sure they will take care of it by replacing the frame. Or it's possible they'll replace the whole gun if they don't have a frame in stock.
 
Just don't say you were shooting RELOADS when you call S&W. If you do they probably won't replace the frame or complete pistol under the lifetime warranty.
 
I doubt this frame can be saved. I've seen S&W do a couple of things. First is offer you credit towards a replacement. Second is try to replace the frame with one from a like model. Since the 669 and its direct descendant, the 6906, are both out of production, there doesn't seem to be a recourse here. BUT, the 4013TSW is still in production. I wonder if they could take a 4013TSW frame and fit that to your existing slide. What you have here is a transitional 669. One made right before the introduction of the 4-digit model number 3rd generation guns. I suspect the top half is exactly the same as later 3rd generation 6906 models.

Of course, they could just tell you sorry, can't help you, but they get better PR mileage out of offering various options to replace.

Good luck and let us know what happens.
 
The TSW frame's larger box rails won't fit the standard slide rails of the older slide.

I'd suspect they might offer you a Value line pistol of your choice (presuming you're the original owner).

Cracked aluminum frames aren't unknown in older S&W pistols, but neither are they what you might call common, either.

I've only seen one aluminum frame crack over the last 16-odd years, and it was on the front of the frame's dustcover, along where the frame rail started at the front. S&W replaced that pistol.

I estimated I ran over 45,000 rounds through a particular 6906 frame, using mixed ammunition consisting of standard pressure loads for the most part, but also a fair number of +P & +P+. That frame never experienced a crack. I replaced my recoil springs fairly often, though, and always will ... especially in the compact & subcompact aluminum & polymer frames.

The crack in your image almost appears as if it runs along a line where the frame's barrel camming surface is roughly located on the inside of the frame, on each side. These angled 'shoulders' are what guide the barrel downward and rearward during unlocking, until the bottom outside edges of the barrel chamber area bottom out on the top of the frame. These sloped areas commonly get a little worn in the aluminum frames.
 
The TSW frame's larger box rails won't fit the standard slide rails of the older slide.
Click to expand...

That's why I said it might be possible to fit the frame to the slide. Most likely, this would cost more to fit than it would to just give him another gun or give him a substantial discount on something he wanted.

I'll have to ask a LE friend of mine if he knows of any 6900 series frame failures. I already know of one. It happened just before NPD transitioned to Glocks. Since at least 1988, the 6906 was the standard issue for this department. The gun that failed was an old square triggerguarded model that cracked right down the middle of the dust cover during academy training. No way to tell how many rounds went through this gun, but some of these guys shoot alot. Minimum during academy training is 1000 rounds. More likely this gun had in excess of 30,000 rounds through it or the years. +P and +P+ were not allowed in these guns and the duty load was 147 grain Winchester subsonics. Haven't seen or heard of any frame failures in the area pictured in this thread.
 
Had the same problem with my 669. Or rather, had the problem after I sold it to a friend. He called S&W. They acted embarrassed, and replaced the frame.

(They didn't replace the trigger job, however, which had been done by George Stringer, and was first class.)
 
Returned my Smith model 908 around 1-2 months ago for a broken magazine release button. Not only did they repair the mag release no-charge, they paid the shipping BOTH WAYS. My hats off to Smith & Wesson.

JLaw
 
I needed the extractor spring replaced on my S&W 1006. I used my dealer to ship the firearm, but other than that there was no charge.

S&W Third Generation pistols are (with the exception of the above) flawless in my experience. I can't speak for Second Generation pistols but I wouldn't buy one anyway. I might pick up a 39-2 someday but I'd make darn sure it worked before I carried it.

That being said, it doesn't look like that cracked frame would have cost the user his life if it had happened during combat.
 
News today

I guess I'll have to take back all my wisecracks.

Smith replaced the frame at no charge.

Those of you who had faith in Smith had your faith in the right place.
 
Theres a reason I bought a s&w 22a over a ruger, there it is! Glad it worked out. :D
 
My father in law recently gave me one of his Model 669's that he carried when he was in the US Customs service (he traded another pistol for it so warranty isn't an option) and it has cracked on both sides of the frame. Can I purchase a new frame for this pistol? If so who would I contact.
 
What prompted the change from the discount to the replacement? Did you step up the line to a supervisor or did they call and say "Hey, we found a frame on the top shelf in the back, carelessly thrown in a box marked 'Beware of the Leopard' ."
 
My father in law recently gave me one of his Model 669's that he carried when he was in the US Customs service (he traded another pistol for it so warranty isn't an option) and it has cracked on both sides of the frame. Can I purchase a new frame for this pistol? If so who would I contact.
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Call Smith & Wesson first. Given the brief history of the the gun you've told us here they may extend the warranty to you or your father in law. If not they're still going to be the only folks who have frames, and generally they're quite reasonable even if it isn't a warranty claim.
 
Thanks. Wasn't sure if I could take it to my local gunsmith and get the part or not.
 
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