I just received my 500 and noticed although the outside is somewhat polished the inside of the back strap and adjoining surfaces have a much darker almost dirty finish. I also see that the cylinder stop has already made its lines in the cylinder. Is this normal for a new gun purchased from Buds?

TTT Sorry I don't have an answer but I was going to post about a 460V I'm thinking about buying from from Buds.

The cylinder stop is designed to be pushed back into contact with the cylinder as soon as the cylinder begins to rotate, and the lines often develop while the gun is being assembled and test-fired at the factory. Not at all unusual to see on a new gun fresh from the factory.

Why obsess about the finish on the underside of the topstrap?? It's a GUN, it's meant to be shot and it will be dirtied up.

It's like being upset that the underside of your new car doesn't have a mirror shine.

Take that great gun out and enjoy it and reload for it. Don

Spoke with S&W who advised that the gun was improperly polished. That said they issued a return tag and the never fired, brand new gun has been sent back.

congrats on your purchase

My 500s are a lot of fun to shoot, hope you have the same experience.

S&W test fires three rounds through every revolver and send them out without cleaning.

Good luck and be safe
Ruggy

I understand the test firing. The gun had finish issues unrelated to being fired.