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 ...
Nope. Extractor rod may have unscrewed, a problem pre 1961 Smiths had occasionally. I'm not entirely sure about Colts.
Reason for the L-frame.
Thanks. Plus now that I think about it the gun was made before they started installing those things.
Colt never had an integral lock. Taurus was first, then Smith. Not sure about the DA Rugers, but their new SAA clone does.
Try here: You may have to start a thread.
http://www.coltforum.com/forums/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB12
I've got a model 586 .357 magnum that I've owned for about 15 years. It's been very reliable. I sure hope that continues.
Just got our licenses to carry in NY State (believe it or not).
Do you mind me asking you more about this L Frame?
Wife just bought a S&W 686 .357 YESTERDAY.
BTW I'm brand new to all things gun related so go easy on me. :)
At 15 years, your 586 is pre-alot of the recent changes. Hang on to it, they ain't making any more.
As Slim and the others I pinged know the 1911A1 and the BHP / P35 are favorites but I rely on S&W Wheel guns just as much. I have a few S&W revolvers to include c couple of original and reproduction number 3's.
This is the first time I have heard of such barrels falling off or breaking.....wow ! Did this puppy flame cut it's self to death er something ? Crazy !!
About 5,000 round of CCI Blazer 200gr GDHP's through my 329PD with zero malfunctions etc etc ....I love the SW revolvers, but wouldn't own one of their autos unless it was like my Theodore Paris ASP 39 which IMHO was equal to starting out with a lug nut from a dodge neon and making a viper.
S&W does a lot of Kimber castings.....are they reporting any failures, metallurgy issues ??
Stay safe ya'll !
.
The L frame is a beefed up K (medium) frame gun that can take a steady diet of .357 rounds, where the older K's like the Model 19 it was better to practice with .38 Specials and use .357's sparingly. The 686 was the first L frame in 1980, and are extremely well thought of. It has gone through a number of model revs numbered 686-1 to 5. I had a 4" 686 and it was a fine weapon, as .357 revolvers go, it is by many considered the best compormise between durability, carryability, and performance going.
Duh!! It's like saying that only a low percentage of aircraft parts are bad and have caused mishaps. A gun is something that you have to count on to work reliably. It HAS to work every time or the consequences could be fatal to you. If some crackhead rapes and kills me and my family because my gun wouldn't fire, my surviving relatives aren't going to sit there saying, "Gee, the gun had a very low statistical rate of failure, so this is really just a PR problem."
Sure thing, it's staying with me!
My S&W 586 .357 mag has been really good. I've had it about 15 years.
Thanks Slim.
I am in possession of a S&W semiauto and could not get it to chamber a round.
Gun scared me so bad I stuck it back in the box and am waiting for the owner to claim it.
How ya been doin'?
Exactly the thngs we were considering...thanks.
It's nice to look at too!
Knock it in with a hammer. :)
Anytime.
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