As you all know Smith has brought out no-Hillary-lock Centennials in blue, nickel and color case.
I asked at a gun shop today and sure enough they had one of the blued ones.
For a while I've been telling myself I would buy the first one I could lay my hands on, but one look and I changed my mind.
Three good sized nicks in the metal and an uninspired finish in general makes me wonder if the bean counters are again in charge at S&W.
They would have had my money x3 (one in each finish) if they had just done a decent job. Anybody else had the same experience?

Just took custody of a nickel plated new model 40 and could not be happier..I intend to keep it for my youngest son so he will decide if he wants to shoot it or not..awaiting a nickel plated model 21 in a month and that will also be left to him..but I can enjoy it between now and then..even if I don't shoot it we can talk about it and look at it and decide if it will have a history or not..all5x

I agree that their quality is spotty and has been for several years. Tool marks on the muzzle of my 625? Come on!
I have an 8 month old 642 and it shows tool marks at the muzzle. I think the barrel is MIM. But it shoots well and has a good trigger so I will keep it. They are not turning out works of art anymore..that's for sure. Maybe from the custom shop....
Their service program is a bad joke. Lifetime service...from untrained high school kids apparently. They are cooperative when you call for service, but you may be very disappointed when UPS brings the box back.