S&W AirLite exploded!

[mattbcnv]

Originally Posted by 5x10

Wow....your 340PD blows up and you get further hosed by S&W with a back handed offer of $330 for a "lesser gun"....something is very wrong here. I would minimally expect them to offer you a replacement 340PD at "their cost". I'll bet S&W is still making a buck on the 442 even at that price. Makes me want to hang up my 340PD.

Mine is in the original box, crimson laser grip removed and I am in the market for a Mod 60 or 640 , with a malfuntion like that all S&W has to "Claim" that improper ammo was used and their off the hook Total BS.... there is NO WAY you could prove you shot factory ammo....

Shameful..

mattbcnv

[MAC702]

Originally Posted by mattbcnv

...all S&W has to "Claim" that improper ammo was used and their off the hook Total BS.... there is NO WAY you could prove you shot factory ammo....

Shameful...

In fact, "I find it decidedly inconvenient" (one of my favorite lines from the Shawshank Redemption) that no piece of the cylinder could be found. That is the only piece that may have been able to tell the tale of a manufacturing defect, especially one that would let go on a standard .38 load.

I half-wondered if it could be proven that a Hornady XTP hollow point's 95/5 gilding metal was the last thing through the barrel.

[MAC702]

While I wish this on no one else, I wonder if a few more years of these being on the market will show a higher failure rate than steel cylinders.

[5x10]

Originally Posted by MAC702

While I wish this on no one else, I wonder if a few more years of these being on the market will show a higher failure rate than steel cylinders.

I think the problem with the Scandium J-framed models is they are generally shot very little and carried a lot. That is probably why we don't see many failures. I have maybe fired five rounds of full 357Mag loads during all the years I've owned my 340PD. My original intent on buying the 340PD model was to carry only +p 38 loads to save myself on the recoil, take advantage of it's 357mag rated durability and ultra light frame/cylinder.

[MAC702]

I liked shooting mine, but still mostly with .38's. It's maybe had a bit shy of a hundred .357 Mags through it, mostly from handing it to someone, saying "Hey, you gotta try this!"

The biggest mistake I ever made with it was putting a beautiful set of Goncalo Alves boot grips on it. The recoil drove the rear of the trigger guard into my finger so badly, it literally was sore for four months.

I was surprised how accurate it was. I could keep hitting a beer can with it from five paces until it was out of ammo.

[Ironballs]

I 'bonded' w my 340pd immediately!
Mexican carry, almost dissapers.
First time out, I was nailing a football helmet @ 30'. I love it, but your story makes me scared off it.
I shoot alone in the desert often, so I cannot tolerate kaboom chances.
I have sworn off the FNH 5.7p too for this reason too.

[MAC702]

The continuing delays have been my fault. I've just been to busy to decide what I wanted to do, whether argue for a better deal or decide what replacement gun to get. So last week, I was thinking I didn't want a Model 442 after all. I saw it wasn't offered with the fiber optic front sight. I much prefer that or tritium, and I didn't want to settle. I chose the M340PD because I like the best, after all.

So I was browsing their website, and came across the M&P340. I'd forgotten about this gun. It's also an AirLite .357 Magnum, but with a steel cylinder instead of titanium, at only an extra 2 ounces. And with a tritium front sight, it's perfect. So I asked S&W about it, and they offered it to me for less than $400.

Now, one can argue that I still shouldn't have to pay anything, but honestly, I can see their side. And this time, it looks like their offer was far below street price. I accepted, paid, and my new AirLite is on its way to Wild West Guns for the transfer. S&W is even reimbursing the transfer fees.

[Eirerogue]

I love my 340PD and carry .38 135 gr Speer Gold Dots. In a Mika Pocket Holster, it's invisible and so lightweight!

[MAC702]

Originally Posted by MAC702

...and my new AirLite is on its way to Wild West Guns for the transfer. S&W is even reimbursing the transfer fees.

Since this got bumped, I am STILL waiting. They told me from the outset that there weren't any currently awaiting shipping and that it would be a few "weeks." Now that it's been months, I should probably make sure they haven't forgotten about me. They did cash my check within days...

[billt]

This just doesn't seem right all the way around. You would think they could get a gun out to you almost immediately. I'm not understanding S&W actions on this.