S&W model 64 Ka Boom

[Sheepdog]

Has anyone heard of problems with the post 1958 Model 64-7 revolvers with a 4" barrel having barrel problems? The security department that uses them that I oversee the contract for has had a barrel seperate from the gun while fireing. They are using +P ammo. Not a squib. Seperated right at the frame.

[TMan]

Hmmm, I'd ask them for some pictures. The barrel screws into the frame, so I'm assuming that it broke off at the top of the threads. It wouldn't surprise me if it had been dropped at some point. Even if it had never been cleaned, and if you were shooting +P loads that shouldn't happen.

Anyhow, I noticed that this is your first post. Welcome to the forum. We've got some very experience people like DoubleAction here, who knows S&W revolvers very well. About all I know, I have learned from him.

["DoubleAction"]

If the Model your referring to is the 64-7, I can only reference as late as the 64-6 of 1998. If these revolvers are failing, especially while using .38 special +P ammunition, they should be fully warranted under the Smith & Wesson lifetime warranty policy.
If the correct factory loaded ammunition was chambered in the gun, Smith & Wesson should satisfy any claims.
You might want to refer to other agencies issued this revolver, since 1970. These are a few of those agencies : Brinks, Oklahoma State Patrol, Detroit Police Department, Delaware State Police, Pheonix AZ. Police Department, and The New York Police Department.
It is normal for a manufacturer to have certain guns on a recall list for certain defects; S&W will have this on record if this gun is listed.
Sounds like the forcing cone ruptured; I would look at that +P ammunition. The timing might have been off or the cylinder might have failed to fully lockup when the round was fired. I'm not a pistolsmith, nor am I any expert on this, but I would examine the remains very closely and turn it over to S&W for a final verdict.