I didn't see this around so I am posting, sorry if it has been already.
Just saw my father today and he showed me a letter in today's mail.
Smith and Wesson has "issued a recall of certain Walther PPK/S pistols".
Here's a OCR copy of the front of said letter...
IMPORTANT PRODUCT SAFETY WARNING
AND RECALL NOTICE TO WALTHER PPK/S PISTOL OWNERS
February 20, 2009
You have been identified as a purchaser of a Walther PPK/s pistol. This notice contains important safety information and we ask that you carefully review and follow the instructions in this notice.
On February 20, 2009, Smith & Wesson announced a recall of certain Walther PPK/s pistols. A copy of the important safety recall notice is enclosed.
At Smith & Wesson, we are constantly evaluating the safety, reliability, and performance of our products. As part of this process, we have identified a condition that may exist in certain PPK and PPK/S pistols which might permit a round to be discharged without the trigger being pulled. When the manual safety is disengaged, we have determined that, in certain pistols, the possibility exists that lowering the hammer may cause a chambered round to fire. We initiated this recall campaign in the interests of safety, since any unintended discharge of the pistol has the potential to cause injury.
PLEASE STOP USING YOUR WALTHER PPK/S PISTOL. We are asking that you return it to us immediately so that all necessary repairs can be completed.
To accomplish this task, please proceed as follows:
1. STOP USING YOUR WALTHER PPK/S PISTOL.
Any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential for causing injury, and we ask that you stop using your pistol immediately.
When you return your pistol to Smith & Wesson, we will replace the existing hammer block feature with a new part at no cost to you. Your firearm will be returned as quickly and efficiently as possible. Visit www.ups.com or call {800) 654-3848 for the UPS store and box locations nearest you.
Smith & Wesson is committed to producing the safest and highest quality firearms available and this recall is part of that effort.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS IMPORTANT PROCESS.
S&W listed shipping instructions on the back of the letter and included shipping labels.
I want to predicate that the following statement is not a bash on S&W.
I have first hand experience with his particular pistol, and it had to be sent back shortly after it was purchased. It had multiple problems/issues (mostly with the safety), and now this. It's a shame, we really like PPK series and S&W firearms.
What really bothers me is that the letter is dated Feb. 20th, 2009. He gets the notice on Apr. 20th, 2009?! This pistol is not a safe or range queen, it's a daily CCW tool.
Two months lag time in getting the word out? Really? Thanks S&W. Thanks a lot.
Just saw my father today and he showed me a letter in today's mail.
Smith and Wesson has "issued a recall of certain Walther PPK/S pistols".
Here's a OCR copy of the front of said letter...
IMPORTANT PRODUCT SAFETY WARNING
AND RECALL NOTICE TO WALTHER PPK/S PISTOL OWNERS
February 20, 2009
You have been identified as a purchaser of a Walther PPK/s pistol. This notice contains important safety information and we ask that you carefully review and follow the instructions in this notice.
On February 20, 2009, Smith & Wesson announced a recall of certain Walther PPK/s pistols. A copy of the important safety recall notice is enclosed.
At Smith & Wesson, we are constantly evaluating the safety, reliability, and performance of our products. As part of this process, we have identified a condition that may exist in certain PPK and PPK/S pistols which might permit a round to be discharged without the trigger being pulled. When the manual safety is disengaged, we have determined that, in certain pistols, the possibility exists that lowering the hammer may cause a chambered round to fire. We initiated this recall campaign in the interests of safety, since any unintended discharge of the pistol has the potential to cause injury.
PLEASE STOP USING YOUR WALTHER PPK/S PISTOL. We are asking that you return it to us immediately so that all necessary repairs can be completed.
To accomplish this task, please proceed as follows:
1. STOP USING YOUR WALTHER PPK/S PISTOL.
Any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential for causing injury, and we ask that you stop using your pistol immediately.
When you return your pistol to Smith & Wesson, we will replace the existing hammer block feature with a new part at no cost to you. Your firearm will be returned as quickly and efficiently as possible. Visit www.ups.com or call {800) 654-3848 for the UPS store and box locations nearest you.
Smith & Wesson is committed to producing the safest and highest quality firearms available and this recall is part of that effort.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS IMPORTANT PROCESS.
S&W listed shipping instructions on the back of the letter and included shipping labels.
I want to predicate that the following statement is not a bash on S&W.
I have first hand experience with his particular pistol, and it had to be sent back shortly after it was purchased. It had multiple problems/issues (mostly with the safety), and now this. It's a shame, we really like PPK series and S&W firearms.
What really bothers me is that the letter is dated Feb. 20th, 2009. He gets the notice on Apr. 20th, 2009?! This pistol is not a safe or range queen, it's a daily CCW tool.
Two months lag time in getting the word out? Really? Thanks S&W. Thanks a lot.