S&W voucher?????624 going back to S&W

O

Ozzieman

New member
624 going back to S&W
I have owned my 624 SN: AHB38XX for over 10 years and from another thread I found out that 624’s have an issue with cylinder hardness.
I contacted S&W and they informed me that it was in the range of cylinder numbers that needed to be inspected and tested for hardness.
I received a free shipping label and directions and it’s going out today.
This is the first time I have ever sent anything back to S&W for repair or recall so I am curious how it comes out.
I was told that if the cylinder was defective it would be replaced or I would receive a voucher for a replacement. I was also told that S&W is not making that gun right now so the voucher looks like a more possible outcome.
This doesn’t really bother me that much since I have a large number of 44 special N frames and this is my least favorite.
The question to the members of TFL has any one every received any kind of voucher from S&W and what was it in your case?
Was it worth the value of the gun?
Or did you get taken?
Thank you
 
I have heard only good things about S&W service and my experience with them has been good insofar as quick turnaround and fixing to my satisfaction. While I have heard about them doing a replacement if unfixable, not sure it what "replacement" means. It will be interesting if you will get enough to replace it with a modern equivalent.
 
not sure it what "replacement" means.
Their term was "voucher"
When I asked him what that meant he could only say "It depends on the gun"
Big help that.
 
The problem was from a batch of bar stock S&W had received that turned out to not meet their required hardness. IIRC, there was very few 624's that actually had out of spec cylinders. The 624's affected were from the mid 1980's.
S&W will do a quick hardness check on your cylinder. In the unlikely event that it fails I doubt there are any replacement cylinders left so that is where you'll be offered a different model.

Jim
 
Ozzieman...

Didn't mention if you have fired than 624 or not. What barrel length did it have? Was it a Lew Horton gun? Interested to hear about its history…shooter or safe queen.

I have heard that no cylinders are available in the event it does not pass the inspection and a replacement gun will be sent out. Not sure how they value a 624 like the Lew Horton 3 inchers but it is safe to say they are commanding a substantially higher price than the original purchase price.
 
I don’t own safe queens but the gun hasn’t had that many rounds through it. Probably less than 500. As I said it’s not my favorite N frame S&W but my only 624. My Horton is a blued 3 inch
It is a 6 inch with target trigger and hammer. No mods.
 
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Please keep us updated on the progress of your return, inspection, and final outcome. Interested, as are others to hear and thanks for sharing.
 
S&W will not return a gun it has deemed unsafe to shoot. If they no longer have the parts to repair it to a safe shooting status or the frame itself is damaged, then they offer a replacement firearm. If the firearm in question is not in production or in stock, you will probably be offered a different model of similar value or a voucher, either to be used towards a gun with a larger value or in the future should the firearm in question be brought back into production. Since the firearm in question is not really liked by you, this seems to be a win/win situation. For folks returning a cherished gun inherited from dad, not so much.

As said above, please keep us informed on the progress.
 
I don't need another 25 have that one already and don't care for stain that much.
No what I want is a 69!!!!!!!!!!:D
Or a JM
 
I went to 3 different gun stores today. These are big gun stores that only sell gun related equipment.
Not one of them has ever had a voucher go through. One of the managers said that he had heard of them but has no knowledge of anyone ever getting one at other stores.
When asked if they would take one every one they said basically “not to sure”.
 
Do you have the original box?? Many NIB 624s were shipped back for inspection and those that passed inspection had a red "C" stamped on the end label.

..here is a pic of one such box...pulled from the google search 'library'

6245.jpg
 
No, no box I bought it used in a gun show in Indy.
But in e mail this afternoon I got a notice from S&W that something in a shipment coming to my home. Which I was surprised when I was notified that the gun had to be shipped from the office of a FedEx store and had to be picked up there.
The tracking information says it will be delivered to my home.
There was no information in the e mail, absolutely nothing. I have e mailed back with the question of what they did to it but that will take two days which is what any questions I have sent have taken.
This was the total statement they sent
This shipment notification is to alert you that a package is in transit to:
 
Can you compare the weight of the incoming shipment to see if its close to the weight of shipment you sent to S&W?

Gary
 
The tracking notification says 5.0 pounds but when I sent it there was no weight measured. I used a box from Fed ex that had a size limit and I didn’t get a notice of the weight.
I was a little ticked off today, when I drove into the association he passed me going out and when I got home my wife said no one stopped by.
When I called fedx they said that the tracking number showed they had tried to deliver but needed an adult signature.
I have a good looking wife but she doesn’t look under 21 so I have no idea what they are talking about.
I have to go to the store and pick it up in the morning.
DANG!
 
It’s back! Well,,,,,,, sort-a

It’s back! Well,,,,,,, sort-a

It came back and the only thing that came back with it was a piece of paper that carefully laid out the total work done on the gun. It took me some time to read it but I feel all of you should be able to read it in its entirety so forgive me, here goes.
TESTED, PASSED.
The box I sent it in which was an old S&W plastic box came back with both of the latches broken. They used the same FedEx box but it had no packing what so ever and just banged around in the box.
The cylinder had a scratch on it that it didn’t have when it went.
So I had it back for one hour.
No I didn’t send it back although I will be writing a letter to S&W about it.
There was a gun show this weekend and took it in with me. Walked in the door and the first set of tables I stopped at the guy asked me what gun and how much did I want. I said it was a 624 and I was looking to trade not sell.
And then I saw it,,, my heart went aflutter, hands started sweating I offered 200 difference he ended up taking 300.
I now have twins of a Lew Horton 24 and a 624. :D
I would have gone a lot higher had someone had a 69. I would have taken one of those home. Problem is that no one I talked to and there were some big gun stores there hadn’t seen one yet and had no idea when they would get one. S&W is keeping quiet about them.
 
Nice….!

Now you need to track down the Limited Edition holsters that were available from Lew Horton for the beasts….! They were made in left and right hand draw and of course the left hand version is much tougher to find. Gifted Southpaws and all…!
 
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