Posted on 03/19/2006 8:10:48 AM PST by Copernicus
Faced with problems ranging from misfires to barrels breaking off, the state has asked gun maker Smith & Wesson to replace hundreds of sidearms carried by probation and corrections officers.
None of the revolvers have failed in the line of duty, and for now, the department is keeping the guns in service. But in testing, about one in four revolvers didn't fire when the trigger was pulled. In some cases, the barrel of some models broke off when the gun was fired.
"In one sense it's funny," said Chief Deputy Correction Secretary Dan Stieneke. "In another, it's alarming."
(Excerpt) Read more at newsobserver.com ...
None of the revolvers have failed in the line of duty, and for now, the department is keeping the guns in service. But in testing, about one in four revolvers didn't fire when the trigger was pulled. In some cases, the barrel of some models broke off when the gun was fired.
You have to wonder why the proof firings didn't show the problem, provided they did proof test the guns. My old smiths never seem to have problems of any sort.
Perhaps, but six rounds before an agonizingly slow reload (even with a speed loader) just isn't enough.
I lost a rifle to the wolf at the door too.
Slim is sure right about the "gun looking like money" thing.
However tiny mouths must be fed and it was our job to feed them.
I could have replaced it by now but the durn kids keep eating!
I'm just glad that my little headaches are all 20+ years old and moved out ;<}
Good on ya!
I still have a bit longer to wait, but not much.
Rockpile
The headaches will continue with them away from the home shelter. Take my word for it, Sir.
I got stuck in the middle of the LA Riots. That was the end of any thought I ever had of carrying something with six rounds or less.
Why? Because the average number of people in a roving looter/marauder band was about, um, TWELVE.
This is why my carry piece is a Browning High Power with 17 in the mag and one in the pipe. And I carry lots of mags.
Never again.
It sure happens. I sold a K-22 and a 240Z to be a responsible parent. I remember them both, but I don't regret it.
My experience with S&W revolvers has been really good. I am sorry to hear about this problem. As others have commented, over-torqueing is the likely cause.
Another thought. With these problems all happening in one agency, could it be an overzealous armorer within the agency?
I have an early '80s Model 64 and an early '90s Model 629 and both shoot great. If I was to think about a new S&W now though, I'd look long and hard. There's too many good manufacturers out there to buy on history alone.
...The guns cost about $320 each, meaning it would cost the state more than $1.5 million to replace them all. That doesn't include the cost of buying new ammunition, holsters and other accessories, plus retraining officers to use a new model of gun....
I guess that means they have about 4,687 of these things.
Here's another interesting quote from the article.
...None of the revolvers have failed in the line of duty, and for now, the department is keeping the guns in service. But in testing, about one in four revolvers didn't fire when the trigger was pulled. In some cases, the barrel of some models broke off when the gun was fired....
I find it hard to believe that one in four of these guns wouldn't fire when the trigger was pulled.
"In some cases, the barrel of some models broke off when the gun was fired."
Which models? I thought they were talking about one gun here.
I have to wonder even how many barrels actually broke off in this test. Highly unusual? I would think so.
They just want some new guns.
It was beautiful...target trigger, adjustable sights, and a trigger pull that was a thing of beauty.
My neighbor had been lusting after it for several years, and I rarely if ever shot it. So, I let it go.
sob.....sob.....sob....
L
Perhaps the officers are on a campaign of S&W destruction to convince management to replace the slow, antiquated wheel guns with modern Glocks???
A band of 12 marauders heads your way. You shoot the first five. That leaves one round for any dumb enough to still be heading your way. How many of the remaining six would be dumb enough?
I personally carry a .45 auto with 8 + 1 and one spare mag. The thing I have against the high capacity magazines is the tendency many have to just spray rounds because they know they have a surplus.
Whoever's in charge of metallurgy at Smith needs another job and S&W needs to recall every one of these pistols with these barrels.
Unfortunately, from some of what I saw that week, that theory doesn't hold water either. In order for that scenario to work, you have to:
1. Hit five people with a single shot each under hyper-stressful conditions; and you don't have the magazine capacity to be able to afford even a single miss.
2. Be attacked by people who aren't on drugs. Even a .45 round has been known to NOT stop someone on PCP. You may have to shoot one person multiple times to stop them. And then where are you? Out of ammo with an angry hopped up mob attacking you.
3. Not allow for body armor - see the recent shooting in the Tyler, Texas town square. Mark Wilson did everything right and put all of his 1911's 9 rounds in COM, but the goblin was wearing armor. Unfortunately, while he was reloading, the bad guy shot and killed him.
Magazine capacity is an additional weapon, which like all tools can be misused. Personally, I won't carry a sidearm that has less than 10 rounds.
1. Hit five people with a single shot each under hyper-stressful conditions; and you don't have the magazine capacity to be able to afford even a single miss.
Even if we discard that item, the rest is still valid. You may have to shoot one assailant multiple times; you may have to cope with armor. Either way, six rounds just isn't enough.
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