Crack in slide!?

[crowbardog]

Bear with me here please, as I do not know the correct terminology for the area that I am going to write about.

It's on, or rather in the slide of my 97B.  

Please someone with a 97, do this and get back at me por favor...
Field strip the gun.  After it is stripped take a look at the slide, specifically the thin strip of metal that lies between where the bushing screws in, and where the recoil spring housing (for lack of a better name), or that thing that keeps the spring and guide rod from falling out the front of the gun, slides in.  If your looking at the right spot one side should be smooth and the other side threaded for the bushing.  Found it?  Good. Now...

Does yours have a friggin' crack going down the center?  I wish that I could post a pic of this but I don't know how.  It is a hairline crack, just barely visible, but it is on both sides.  I am sad over this newfound crack.  This gun is my favorite auto handgun.  

What should I do?  It has not gotten any worse since I first noticed it (about 200 rounds ago; I know, I'm dumb for shooting it).  Is this something that I should contact CZ USA over?  Gun only has around 2000 rounds through it since it was bought brand new.  Bought new in 2003, made in '99.  Any ideas?

[crowbardog]

I read a recent thread titled "another cracked bushing".  Early into it he mentions the same crack that I have in my pistol.  He wrote that Mike from CZ USA said that he would not worry about it.  OK Mike, I will not worry about it.

He mentions that he grinded that part off of his for comp shooting.  Why?

[crowbardog]

After reading Boricua's thread completely I have decided that I would like to pursue getting my slide replaced.  I am rather bothered that my favorite auto has a crack in it.  

Boricua, would you be willing to enlighten me as to the steps you took in solving your problem?  I am having the exact same one myself.

Thank you.  Anyone else that can help me please feel free to chime in.

Mike

[Boricua]

Crowbardog
As you know I went threw 3 barrel bushings and a lot of time before I resolved the problem.  Start out talking to Mike at CZ-USA.  He might just send you barrel bushings or have you send it to him for inspection.  It is important that you sent in your warranty card, which I hope you did.

Mine always shot but could not trust it for personal defense issues.  If Mike does not help you out then contact Angus he help me the most with this issue.  But once again start with Mike and see what happens.  Maybe due to my problem he might solve your problem quicker than mine was.

Be persistent!

[crowbardog]

I go to get a midnight snack and bam, I have a response.  You guys are very cool!

Boricua,
thanks for the response.  I will contact CZ USA and see what they say.  If they offer to replace the slide then I am happy.  If they don't then I am still happy (just happy with a crack).  It is still my favorite pea shooter.

The bushing never gave me a problem.  Come to think of it the only time I have had a problem with this gun (besides the crack) is when I have run out of ammo.  And that's MY fault.

I would like to say how much I enjoy lurking around this board.  Maybe it's high time I start contributing.

Mike

P.S.  My friend is going to be on HBO's DEADWOOD either this Sunday or next.  Check it out, I promise you she is quite the looker.  This show has a lot of cussing  though, so put the lil' ones to sleep if you're going to watch it.

[Boricua]

crowbardog
Just keep an eye on the bushing because if you have the same problems I had that will be the place it shows up at.  First it will get sloppy, barrel will wiggle around a lot,then it will be hard to install, then it will crack where ever it is the weakest.  I hope yours acts like Mike said mine would, with no problems.

I have also come to realize that the star bushing does not let you time the pistol properly.  Due to under tightening or over tightening.  The single notch bushing should be just right, it only give you one place to set it.

Oh and your welcome.

[Lazarus]

Sorry to hear about the cracked slide.  Since Boricua had such a hard time getting his problem solved, I would consider getting the thing silver soldered.  If the crack is actually opening up some space, on the other hand, I would demand a replacement slide.

Now, the little web that lies between the bushing and the recoil spring reverse plug is plenty thin and I can entertain the idea that this thin little web is not critical in holding anything together.  However, if the cracking is combined with bushing problems, this would suggest that perhaps the barrel was not properly fit, and the barrel was binding at some point during cycling.  It should all be examined as a whole assembly and not just a metal flaw in the slide.

-Lazarus

[woodchip]

In metal casting, surface contraction cracks form that are only on the surface of the metal. Might be what you are seeing here.

[Unregistered(d)]

I do not think the part he was talking about was cast.  It should have been machined from a forged billet of metal (if I understood correctly which area is being discussed).

[Fordzilla]

So, are the CZs' slides forged or cast?