A safety recall has been issued for all Smith & Wesson M&P 12 shotguns manufactured prior to Oct. 15, 2021. Two field reports of barrel cracking have been received by the company and, in an abundance of caution the recall was initiated.

Owners of M&P 12 shotguns should immediately stop using the firearm. Then visit the special web page to determine if it is subject to the recall. Owners can also e-mail [email protected] or call (833) 957-3476. Those purchasers who still have the original box the shotgun shipped in can also refer to the label. The date of manufacture is printed under the M&P 12 Shotgun line (seen above).

Any that were manufactured prior to Oct. 15 need to be returned to the factory to ensure there are no surface anomalies or conditions that might adversely affect the safety, function or performance of these shotguns.  Even if the M&P 12 was purchased recently, it should not be used until determining whether it’s included in the recall.

If your shotgun is affected, call (833) 957-3476 to arrange for its return to Smith & Wesson and obtain a pre-paid return label. After inspection, if the barrel is affected, it will be replaced at no cost. The gun will be returned as quickly and efficiently as possible. All shipping and replacement costs are covered by Smith & Wesson.

The company is asking all affected firearms to be returned for inspection and service. For safety reasons and quality assurance replacement barrels shipped directly to affected owners is not available as a recall option.

Smith & Wesson introduced the 12-gauge shotgun earlier this year and it quickly proved to be a popular choice among enthusiasts for home defense. It features twin magazine tubes capable of holding seven shotshells each, ambidextrous safety, four interchangeable grip inserts and more.

Article by  GUY J. SAGI

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