New 310NG

flyandscuba · #1 11-25-2010, 12:41 AM

Well, this is my fourth NIB S&W wheelgun in a row that I've bought and will be sending straight back to the factory to correct manufacturing defects. The first was a 500 Hunter, the second was a Performance Center 629 Carry Comp, the third was a 610-3.

This one, a Model 310 Night Guard appears to have "peening" to the frame and bottom of the barrel shroud from the cylinder crane. I have not fired the revolver, so this was done during the three-round test fire at the factory. Evidently, the post test cleaning and packaging for shipment did not include a final inspection -- as the damage is readily evident.

Is this normal with the Night Guard series revolvers? Has anyone else seen this type of damage to the frame new out of the box, before a single range trip?

I still like the S&W product, I just wish that I didn't have to go through the phone calls, waiting for a shipping label, and time away at the factory before I had a revolver that meets quality standards...

RPD20 · #2 11-25-2010, 01:25 AM

My 327 NG has the same wear marks. Part of the crane slides over that portion of the fame when being closed. Your going to have wear marks on the finish where moving parts interface.

flyandscuba · #3 11-25-2010, 02:37 AM

Interesting... My 329PD never had those marks, and it has the same Scandium frame and black coat finish.

lemeni · #4 11-25-2010, 04:42 AM

My 315 Night Guard doesn't have that scraping after 500 rounds and countless dry-fires. It does have just the faintest rub mark as seen in the smaller red-outlined area of your pic, but it's gray (as in, barely rubbed) not silver/bare metal, and it's just a fleck, compared to yours. On my gun there's zero scraping in the larger, curved area red-outlined in your pic.

Crummy that you have to send your 310 back, but at least S&W will do right by you.

I think the Night Guards are great revolvers ("lemons" notwithstanding) and a 327 NG will be my next purchase.

willis73 · #5 11-27-2010, 01:15 AM

Very similar marks on my 329 night guard, also losing the finish on the cylinder.

RPD20 · #6 11-27-2010, 12:33 PM

I just inspected my 629ES and it also has wear in the same spots.

dla · #7 11-27-2010, 01:00 PM

That's not peening - don't waste your time by sending it back.

I found that nearly all 329pd's have that brand new. It is cosmetic - probably from 1st assembly after painting.

S&W329pd information

Stainz · #8 11-27-2010, 11:51 PM

I've bought well over a dozen new S&W's over the last 8+ years. One, my 696-1, had a scrunchy ejector feeling - it was a crushed ejector spring - replaced by mail. My new 6" 629-6 dry-fired funny. The hammer had side play. The monogrip was difficult to remove - the two sideplate screws were backed out and dragging on the grip's inside, the front sideplate/yoke screw was also loose. S&W sent a FEDEX label, picked it up, repaired it, and returned it in ten days - pretty impressive. Their verdict was after assembling meddling - distributo r or dealer. Not so fast with both sets of OEM Eagle boots on my new PC627 UDR's, both going FEDEX ground and taking 5 & 3 weeks. Alot of people wouldn't have noticed the ejector spring or two grips with gaps - maybe not the loose sideplate. Still - not bad.

Re the 327NG - I wanted one - for HD - until I found out it wasn't moonclip ready. I bought my second 2 5/8" PC627 UDR instead - the same MSRP - a few $ more, street price - lots of features, too - only 10 oz heavier. None of my revolvers have those rub marks, ether.

Stainz