I've got a somewhat rare S&W Recon 40 pistol that has a cracked rail right by the slide stop hole.
Can that be welded and the rail re-milled by a competent gunsmith, or is this now a parts gun?

It could be rewelded, but the anodize would have to be stripped and reapplied. The area you mention is a stress point, the weld will introduce new stress, a repair like this will typically not ever look unaltered. Especially with remachining the rail, which sounds like it might happen.

It's possible, but not probable. Additionally, not sure that the expense will be worth the result, and any value of the gun would be gone anyway.

Thanks, Arc.

That's pretty much what I thought; I wanted to see if I was mistaken.

I wonder if the real performance center was still around if S&W would help you out? Do we be pistol show hard use otherwise?

The limit is the hardness of the weld repair, just for starters. There isn't really a good way out.

As far as S&W goes the gun will be deemed unrepairable most likely. I just went through this with a PC4563CQB, cracked rail back through the lug. Their response and follow through was outstanding but they couldn’t repair the gun.

Are they 7075? If yes then you can’t weld.

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
I've got a somewhat rare S&W Recon 40 pistol that has a cracked rail right by the slide stop hole.
Can that be welded and the rail re-milled by a competent gunsmith, or is this now a parts gun?

Send it to S+W. I believe the gun should have a lifetime warranty from S+W. Usually S+W also sends a prepaid fedex shipping label as well. Call them and ask.

quote:

Send it to S+W. I believe the gun should have a lifetime warranty from S+W. Usually S+W also sends a prepaid fedex shipping label as well. Call them and ask.

I've read on multiple forums that S&W no longer supports the metal framed guns (1st,2nd and 3rd gen). Never hurts to call though. I have heard that depending on the issue they might "replace" it with an M&P.

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
Send it to S+W. I believe the gun should have a lifetime warranty from S+W. Usually S+W also sends a prepaid fedex shipping label as well. Call them and ask.

I called S&W on a cracked 3913. They said it was dead, no fixing it.

and "lifetime warranties" are usually limited.

I’d give S&W a chance. Go through the email, on the phone I kinda got the pass the buck treatment. Via email they followed up with a shipping label and sent the gun in. They could not repair the gun but they did replace it. And not with an M&P.

quote:

Originally posted by Southflorida-law:
I called S&W on a cracked 3913. They said it was dead, no fixing it.

and "lifetime warranties" are usually limited.

Like the guy who took in a failed product and was told it would not be fixed or replaced.
He said "But it has a lifetime warranty."
Clerk said "Obviously its lifetime is over."

I'll try contacting S&W, but I don't have much hope with that.
I have also heard of numerous people trying to get metal frame pistols repaired only to be told that they don't service them any longer. On top of that, I'm not the original owner, and I believe that one of the stipulations of the "limited" lifetime warranty limits it to the original owner.

Email sent.

quote:

Originally posted by ceptor781:
Email sent.

Thanks.

I'll contact S&W and see what they say.

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
I've got a somewhat rare S&W Recon 40 pistol that has a cracked rail right by the slide stop hole.
Can that be welded and the rail re-milled by a competent gunsmith, or is this now a parts gun?

You have e-mail, sent to the address in your profile.