ouch!

 

I'm pretty sure that S&W will make good on it.

 

Wow! Is the barrel ringed? Looks like the barrel was expanded at that point... often caused by getting a bullet stuck in the barrel and then pulling the trigger again. It does show why they have a steel barrelinside that aluminum exterior.

 

 

Could be ringed, or things were out of cattywhumpus as far as threading goes, and the assembler was... going... to... get... that.... (blankety blank) barrel... in there, and lined up when the revolver was made.

Remember Ruger using a super grease, rather than more meticulous fitting, on Redhawk barrels resulting in over stressing things? Mo' power of the .44mag resulting in 2 piece barrels!

 

I had one that the barrel was misaligned on. Smith and Wesson took care of it no questions asked.

 

Hi,no ring in barrel,I fired about 60 rounds of Aqulia std and fed automatch.It shot fine with no problems.I didn't notice anything until I got home and started to clean it. Jay Parisi

 

Smith and wesson is leading the pack right now...I bet you send it in, they toss it in the scrap bin and mail you another..
Sorry for your loss..keep us posted on how they handle the situation and let us know if your happy with the end result..

 

Dude… you gotta quit running the hot stuff through your revolver!

 

Yea look at how wimpy the barrel sleeve is!!! I’m sure a diet of hyper velocity ammo would blow that thing up!!!

 

Will check my wife's 317 today, thanks for posting that info.

 

All S&W revolvers with light weight alloy frames can end up this way. Easy to see on OP’s 317 but on a 37 or 38 can be hard to detect. Ive only seen it on Js with alloy frames but have herd of it on Ks & Ns and not restricted to alloy frames.

 

@Jayparisi, I'm pretty sure your 317 will be fixed by S&W, it is still in production so they will have to replace the frame with a new serial numbered one since it's still being produced.

I bought a used 617 last Summer and I noticed on mine after month of shooting that there was much lead build up around the forcing cone, when I got home & cleaned it really well I found the below... it took them quite awhile (4 months due to the holidays etc.), to fix it but once that was done they shipped it to my FFL. I had to go through the paperwork again to get it home.

No explanation on how this could have happened but I'm glad they honored their warranty even though I'm the second owner.

FYI mine had the internal lock hole so they replaced it with the same type of frame, it's more important that the firearm works and is safe; if they don't make the newer frames without the lock holes I could see them returning it to you with it.

 

Holy Smoke! I have one myself. I am curious to ready your post after S&W returns it to you. I'll pay closer attention when I wipe it down mine after shooting hotter cartridges. Thank you for sharing.

 

OP, I have the exact revolver as you, right down to those Uncle Mike's grips (better than S&W's for sure); SN # CDU 6xxx, made in 1999 & purchased new by me.
I have many hundreds of rounds through mine, mostly high velocity 40gr.
If mine ever cracked, I assume S&W would replace it with a new model which I would promptly sell NIB - the differences of the new models do not interest me at all.
I have come to dislike the supersonic crack of HV ammo from that relatively short barrel, so only shoot standard velocity through it anymore.

Good luck & please keep us posted,

 

I agree with you Kestrel. I've bought some hotter stuff that I've used, but I think that regular plain vanilla cartridges is smart. I have a 2214, and have never considered using hotter stuff. And anyway, I'm cheap and prefer the price of standard ammo for my pistols.

 

Hi,I had a newer 317 with the hiviz sights and the lock.I hated it,I found the one that cracked and sold the newer one.I have fired it very little and only used std vel ammo,if S&W replaces it with a new one I will be selling it.Jay Parisi

 

Dear Jay, I don't know what to make of your comment above. Same one you made in reporting the cracked frame. I have the "new" 317, with the hi-viz and trigger lock. I've had a boat-load of S&W revolvers and still have more than any sensible person could want to own. Needless perhaps but own/ed Colt's, and others. Not to suggest that I'm an expert. I'm not. Just an enthusiastic firearms guy. Among my keepers are several .22's. I'm not a competitive shooter, though I admire accuracy and reliability. "Heavy" 4-5# triggers in single-action are fine for me. But I'm interested in your experience with the "new" 317. I've asked others when out shooting and just had a lot of bug-eyed grousing, from others. I'm convinced that there must be something to the complaint about the trigger lock but so far nobody's given me a good mechanically descriptive reply. I don't like the lock on principle. And any difference has just zoomed by in the larger framed Smiths. The Hi-Viz, I understand. Not my favorite for Large, Bright, Glaring reasons. I switched out the Crimson Trace J-frame stocks from a J-framed .38 and then sold it for the price I paid, less the stocks. Makes an amusing "garden-gun" with .22 shot cartridges. Regards, .22too

 

Scary looking stuff there. I will officially save the hyper-velocity stuff for other guns.

Thanks for posting this.

 

Hi,it has been over 3 weeks and the only word from Smith is that they recieved the gun.I will post when I have any more news.Thanks Jay

 

Not caused by ammo, over torqued at the factory.

 

Here's the difference in lines I mentioned:
Vintage J frame:

Clunky new J frame:

 

Nice demonstration pics, TBR. Not having the lock in my S&W revolvers, I hadn't fully appreciated the differences.

 

Hi,I just heard from S&W about my cracked 317, They are going to replace it.I really don't want another new one so I am going to see if I can get a 4" 617 and pay the difference.Jay Parisi

 

I’ll be interested in the response you receive and how much extra it will be, if S&W agrees. I’ve always felt the aluminum wonder should cost about half as much to build as a steel or stainless steel revolver.

 

Hi,after almost 4 months I finally recieved a replacement 317 from smith & wesson for my 317 that the frame cracked on.I immediately traded it for a 617 4",I guess I'm being paranoid but I don't want to take a chance on it happening again.Im also leary of shooting my mod 37.Jay Parisi