Smith & Wesson Recalls James Bond Pistol

ke02eww · February 2009

For all you ppk owners....legal or otherwise...

Smith & Wesson Recalls James Bond Pistol; Shares Drop (Update3)2009-02-25 00:41:23.957 GMT (Adds company comment in fourth paragraph. For more topsmall-cap news, see {SC <GO>}.) By Jason M. BreslowFeb. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.recalled a pistol made famous by James Bond and a second handgunafter discovering they may discharge without the trigger beingpulled. The shares fell 9.3 percent in after-hours trading.The recall affects all Walther PPK and PPK/S models made bySmith & Wesson from March 21, 2002, to Feb. 3, 2009, theSpringfield, Massachusetts-based gunmaker said today in aregulatory filing. The recall will cost $900,000 to $1.3 millionfor the quarter ended Jan. 31, the company said. Smith & Wessonreported $73 million in sales for the quarter ended in October.The recall follows a lawsuit filed in September by anIllinois police officer who said he was injured when the safetyon his PPK/S failed to prevent a discharge without the triggerbeing pulled, according to a Smith & Wesson quarterly reportfiled Dec. 15. The company denied liability.Smith & Wesson engineers identified the condition during anevaluation of product performance, spokeswoman Liz Sharp wrotein an e-mail. The company has "not reported any injuries ordeaths relative to this defect," she said.Bond, created by British writer Ian Fleming, carried aWalther PPK in several books and movies.Smith & Wesson fell to $3.20 at $5.07 p.m. after closing at$3.53 in Nasdaq Stock Market composite trading. They have fallen30 percent in the last 12 months.

Paperbill · February 2009

Thanks for posting. I have a 2008 model, I guess it needs to go back

Donald Grant · February 2009

Wow, that's bad news. Not good at all, and very dangerous.

DG

Loeffelholz · February 2009

I purchased one of the Interarms-made PPKs (not always widely praised!) back in the early '90s, and have never had a problem---except when I attempted to shoot 'reloads' through it at a local target range. It had a handful of misfeeds...but at the time it was still a fairly new gun, and the action was still a bit 'stiff.' Now that a few hundred rounds have gone through it, I experience trouble-free operation.

From the description given of the S&W version's problems, it isn't something to trifle with---but, not being a true 'gun expert' by any means, I have a hard time understanding how this weapon's safety can malfunction. Seems to me that either the firing pin extends too far back, or the metal barriers on either side of the pin, which slide into place when the safety is engaged, are too thin...or both ?:)

Whatever the cause, it merits prompt action.

BRIXMIS · February 2009

If the PPK is cocked, applying the safety drops the hammer and puts it in a double action state,(condition 1) that requires a hefty squeeze of the trigger to discharge the weapon, until the first shot, when you are in single action. Is it possible the the weapon discharged when the safety was applied, which should have dropped the hammer safely? details are a bit skimpy from the cutting. Sounds like its going to cost S&W a few $'s though!

7289 · February 2009

The quality control on these S&W pistols has been absolutely horrid from day one. It's a blessing that they have been recalled because they are an affront to anyone who has any regard for the PPK - one of the finest pistols designs ever.

If you must have a PPK, get an original Walther or one of those produced by Interarms - avoid the S&W!!!

Tecolote · February 2009

I would assume that if the hammer drop safety failed,the pistol would go full auto until the magazine was emptied.Reportedly this happened with worn P38s from WW2,and you were cautioned to
lay the weak hand thumb across the back of the firing pin while lowering the hammer by means of the safety lever, a good rule of thumb(no pun intended) with all Walthers,regardless of age or condition.

Regards,
Tecolote

Smith & Wesson Recalls James Bond Pistol

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