Gun barrels falling off

[Oldtimer]

I was in Raleigh, NC today, visiting one of my daughters and saw a story in the local paper about problems with stainless model 64's and  65's.  The state of North Carolina is trying to  get Smith and Wesson to replace the guns because of misfires and barrels falling off.  Here is the url on the story: http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/419477.html
Like one comedian said about birds exploding after eating rice thrown at weddings, I'd pay to see that.  I may have to take my Model 64 out and burn a couple more boxes of ammo. just to see if I can shoot the barrel off.

[jeager106]

I have read of five Smiths that shot the barrel off, all just ahead of the frame.
It's been well documented about the M-60 frame cracking.

[Dusty Miller]

Old timers will tell you that guns don't shoot well when the barrel falls off.  Or at least that's what the old timers around here are saying.

[jeager106]

From what I've read they aren't really 'falling' off. They snap off at the frame and kind go down range which attracts a lot of attention, :-D

[corbanzo]

I would say that it is the bullets fault.  If people would stop beating their guns up with these magnum loads and only shoot .44 henry flats, we wouldn't have this problem.  :-D  :-D  :-D  :-D

[handi243]

It is happening!!! We have stopped our recert. at work because of the barrel problems. North Carolina Department of Corrections. Model 56 4'' ss. All we shot is Remington 125gr. 38 plus p.

[Oldtimer]

I don't know which would be worse, having to call a firing line cold so you could retrieve your barrel or having some miscreant doubled over with laughter because your gun barrel is lying at his feet. :eek:

[Sourdough]

Met a guy yesterday in town at Frontier Outfitters, that had just had his barrel fly off at the range.  New gun, fith shot.  Barrel broke where it connects to the frame.  Threads and forcing cone still in frame.  He was shooting factory loads.  Since he had the box and all the paper work there he called Smith and Wesson.  The Customer Service person got real balligerant with him, accused him of shooting hand loads and said Smith and Wesson would not honor the warrenty.  He was talking to Jerry, the fellow that runs the gun counter.  Jerry gave him some pictures off the internet of other Smith and Wesson guns that had done the same thing.

[weemsf]

Though I no longer have the gun, my Colt SF VI in 38 Special shot the barrel loose.  It began to unscrew out of the frame.  Colt fixed it no charge.  I was, however, shooting 9.1 grains of 3N37 behind a 110 grain bullet.  They are small rockets.

[thealaskanredneck]

I have seen the barrol fall off a 329PD because the frame split, S&W did warentee that one but it was easy to prove that it happened with factory ammo since it also locked the cylinder, still half full of factory rounds

Matt in AK