S&W J-Frame Airweight Models Life Expectancy

[okierider]

My (gasp) Taurus 85 ultra light gets shot 50 or so rounds every time I go to the range.... Monthly at minimum. Keep expecting it to explode according to the webs, but it just keeps on going pew.....
Other than I just had to run the nasty little thing through the ultrasonic cleaner cause it gets carried.... a lot.

 

[1911Sooner]

Minor quibble: the 642 is not an air weight. The frame is stainless steel.

642 is an air weight. The frame is aluminum and the barrel and cylinder are stainless steel.

 

[gerhard1]

642 is an air weight. The frame is aluminum and the barrel and cylinder are stainless steel.

I looked it up and you are correct. My bad.

 

[xseler]

Minor quibble: the 642 is not an air weight. The frame is stainless steel.

642 is an air weight. The frame is aluminum and the barrel and cylinder are stainless steel.

Yep. Mine even says that that it's an "Airweight", so it's gotta be true...........


.

 

[Rick Terhune]

Well I can only say I shot my 642 about four times in IDPA Back Up Gun Matches. About 50 rounds each and most of that was +p 158’s cause that was what I had. Probably shot another 100 normal loads over the time I had it. Frame cracked right by the barrel. Smith replaced no questions asked. I think this was the exception though.

 

[D V US]

I seem to see a post in the Smith & Wesson forum every so often of the airweights cracking the frames around the barrel. Oddly, it's usually the 642s over the 442, 37, 637 and the other airweight J frames. I'm not saying the others can't have issues too, just that it seems more prevalent in the 642s. Maybe because they sell more 642s than all the others? I dunno. I do know that the load you shoot plays a huge part in the life expectancy of the gun. Standard pressure LRN should let you enjoy your little J frame for the rest of your life. +P loads are like smoking meth. Your body might take it for a while, but eventually....

 

[27Man]

My model 38 cracked in the area below the barrel. S&W replaced it with a 638 complete with lock. Guess it was time for me to own a Smith with a silly lock.

 

[OkieJoe72]

I got a 642 for my wife about a year or so ago. She didn’t like it so now it’s mine. I carry it fairly often in the summer months because of the weight. I’ve probably put around 500 rounds through it with absolutely no signs of wear that would cause concern.

 

[retrieverman]

I’ve had a Smith 637 for at least 20 years, and it‘s been shot a bunch. I figure it will outlast me.

 

[sanjuro893]

I've probably put 1300 rnds through a model 637 Ive had for several years. Another 600-700 through an older model 60 and it still runs like a top. I only use standard pressure ammo in both, though.