S&W has after examining the gun says it was not a result of a manufacturing defect and was caused by the ammunition used so that door is closed.

IF the O.P. still has the box that the ammunition was in the next step will be to contact the ammunition manufacturer about your gun. The box the ammunition was in will have the production number and date of manufacturing. The manufacturer will want this information to investigate your claim.

As the O.P. is quick to blame S&W ammunition companies on rare occasions have a cartridge(s) that slip through their safety and inspection steps.A friend had a chamber on a new Ruger Vaquero 45 Colt bulge when he shot a box of Remington factory ammunition through it. He sent the gun to Remington along with the box the ammunition was in. He said he got a phone from a Remington rep. and the only thing they seemed concerned about was if he was injured (which he was not). There was no way for him to know what caused the problem but he received a new Vaquero with neither company explaining what happen and no admission of guilt.

As a new shooter to handguns the O.P. may not recognized a over pressure round being fired.

TRICH000 thank you for your service to your country but it has nothing to with getting resolution to your unfortunate problem.