For about 2 years I searched the various gun sales sites looking for one of the discontinued 4" 325 PDs. Well a couple months ago I found one and won the auction.
I fired a couple cylinders through it, but I really dislike the Ti cylinder and it's cleaning problems (annoyance). I had a 625 stainless cylinder on hand and after switching the ejector stars, installed it in the 325 PD. Thought I had a perfect "carrying" 45 ACP that could even be concealed under the proper clothing. Only problem was the worst DA trigger pull I've ever owned. My gunsmith fixed that, giving it a smooth and more reasonable pull weight (~9#). I also had him replace the "V" notch rear sight blade with a square notch.
I took it to the range to test fire after my student was done last week but only fired 12 rounds as it was well on it's way to 100+ in central Arizona. While cleaning it after getting home I looked at the frame opening for the yoke/crane. To my great surprise I found a longitudinal crack under the barrel, going all the way through the Ti/Al alloy. The folks on the S&W Forum all told me to call S&W. I did and they told me the lifetime warranty didn't apply. They said I could send it in and they would evaluate it to see if they could fix it. If they could (no promises) they listed all the possible charges, which started to approach what I have in it.
I've been mulling this over all weekend. I'm not sure I want to dump any more money into a gun that will never be worth what the repairs and purchase price add up to.
Your comments/suggestions are welcomed.
Dave
PS: I have pictures but I am incapable of posting them here for reasons I don't understand.