Well, I got the gun back from its SECOND trip to the factory because of the "smeared" rifling and canted front sight.

Supposedly they installed a new barrel. Sight looked mostly straight so I looked at the rifling, it was "better" but still smeared and one of the roughest forcing cones i have ever seen. I'd say the "smear" of the rifling was reduced by 50% or so, but its still clearly present.

I figured that means they think its fine to fire. So, I went and ran 300 rounds through it, various factory loads, .38spl and .357. I noticed I was hitting a little right, so adjusted the rear sight a few clicks. Got better, but then later I noticed it again. I chalked it up to me being new to the N frame and the trigger etc. I had one light strike but not sure why, i am going to say it was the ammo.

When I got home I noticed it looked light the front sight drifted left slightly. I wiggled it with my finger and oh joy:

It literally fell RIGHT out. Like, i didnt have to tap it, i didnt have to press with all my might, I literally pushed it right out with one finger.

Untitled by Andrew M, on Flickr

Sigh. Yet again, I guess this is what $1000 buys after they had THREE opportunities to make it right....once from the factory, once on the first trip, once on the second trip....and the gun still is less than 100%.

I dunno, I'm dumb founded. Can I put the sight back in with loctite? Can I stake it with a punch and then fit it back in myself? Yes. Should I have to? No. Thats the whole damn point. Each time it comes back less than 100%, I convince myself to overlook or cope with one or more imperfections, and then I find yet another issue.

I'm so over this, I'm going to sleep on it before I do anything rash, but I think its time for a refund and to take my business elsewhere. Some stuff just ain't meant to work out, how many signs does a guy need?

I know you shouldn't have to but this works on the sights.

Put a couple / few stake marks on the bottom of the sight blade.
Put a drop of red (locking grade) Loctite in the slot then tap the sight to center, wipe off and let is set a few hours.

Or you can tap the sight in and put a drop of green (wicking grade medium strength) Loctite on between the sight and barrel and let it sit over night.

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NRA Certified Instructor & RSO

I sure do feel the pain for you but my gut instinct on that one, is fix it yourself you should not have to but if it goes back no telling what you will find next!!

I know I know, it really would be an easy fix, whether its the loctite, or staking the sight, but this just has me so beyond DONE with it all.

it has become apparent to me that the core competency of Smith & Wesson is in base level production quality guns, and not in anything that is custom or even remotely expanded or improved upon.

If it goes back this time it's staying back and I'm getting a refund.

And be ready to answer if they offer you a 'discount' on a new one.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Like. UGH! Damn man this is soooo frustrating and dissapointing, having wanted this gun for years and finally earning enough money to buy one.

How did it shoot compared to your other 357 snub's? I can see how you could lose confidence in it and want your money back also.

Its so weird though. Two guys i know recently got a 627 and have had no issues and they are beautiful! Makes ya wonder why yours is cursed? And who is working on it at smith?

Id wanna talk to a big boss.

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Smith all the things

Wouldn't you think that the best of the best working at Smith would be in the Performance Center? I'm guessing that's not the case, I've seen too many revolvers come out of the PC which have significant problems such as misaligned barrels, out of time, etc. Sad!

I dont have any other snubs, but my favorite and most carried and most shot is a 3" model 65.

The 627 shot well, but it didnt wow me. I liked it, but it didnt make me feel any different than the 65 which I shoot VERY well. I guess i would say literally the ONLY difference is I can press the trigger twice more?

Aside from all the issues, its got me thinking do I even need it or want it? Does it even offer anything that my other guns dont? The only thing it offers an extra two boolits and some major headaches.

So annoying.

Well, to be honest, this is basically just how stuff works out for me. If it wasnt for bad luck.....

I do want to point one thing out. This is why my last few purchases have been from Davidson's galleryofguns.com They dont do this BS, they simply issue you a brand new gun and deal with the warranty repairs themselves. So your case only reiterates that personal policy of mine.

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Smith all the things

That's what I'd do.

I would be calling S&W CS and pushing this problem gun where they don't want it. Lifetime warranty should mean they will fix it right or offer another gun replacement. Not be messing a lifetime on poor warranty work.
A grand for a gun and a $500 gun makes it look bad. I would really push for a replacement gun.

It is strange it seems the PC guns are seeming to be having more problems than the Pro series guns. Paying extra for an inferior gun isn't right.

I've got the 686 7 shot version of this one. I bought it used and was able to look it over good prior to purchase. It's all but flawless, has a great action and shoots well.

send it back with a letter from an attorney.....

You might want to read the warranty, as I believe it states they will fix it for life, but says nothing about refunding any money. Of course some states have consumer laws that may protect you in this regard.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

I've done what cal50 said on a couple front sights.. A couple center punch marks on the bottom of the front sight and a drop of red loctite.

It's REALLY a shame that you have had to deal with this Bravo Sierra. S&W use to have great quality.. It is sad to see a quality company like S&W go down the *******..

Dude. You are never going to be happy with this pistol. Sell it, buy something else, and call it a day . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Sadly I think Muss Muggins hit it on the head. Locktite the sight and sell the gun. This is too painful. I have been following your posts and every time I pick up my 3" 686+ Talo I feel guilty as it was perfect from day one.
I refuse to own a gun that I have to question "what next" every time I pick it up.

Dr. I can understand how upsetting and frustrating this must be. It's past sad that a company that was once the leader in producing high quality products can't or won't repair a faulty product.

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Always Stay Strong!

Say what you want about Ruger not having a written guarantee but Ruger replaces guns like this. S&W customer service doesn't compare to Ruger customer service on warranty or anything else that I have seen.

Man I hate to hear that. Been reading you're posts in issues with this one. Sounds like this time someone got overly happy with a babbit adjusting the barrel/shroud and the dovetail opened a thou or two creating the slip fit sight issue.

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R/S
J.D.

Speaking for myself, purchasing a $1000 pistol is a significant investment... and not one I could do very often. To have it arrive in a "not right" condition would more than upset me.

Like you, I could fix it. But I know that every time I looked at it, I'd get mad, and I'd never feel true confidence in it.

Me, I'd return it and see what else was available. Whatever happens, I wish you good luck.

Doc,

I can appreciate where you are coming from. A grand is a hell of a lot of money to spend on something that isn't right. About 20 years ago, I bought a Springfield Armory Trophy Match for close to a grand, because the quality on Gold Cups had slipped, and I wanted a match tuned 45 for NRA 2700 matches. The shop where I bought it had to order it, and it arrived, it had an ambidextrous thumb safety. About a month after I took possession, Springfield Armory had a recall. When it got back to Springfield Armory, seems that they wanted to know where the ambi safety came from, since it was improperly installed. A week later, it was back home with me, and made factory original. THAT is how customer service should be! I would give Smith a last chance to make it right, then trade it off, knowing that you will lose money. I doubt that you will ever regain confidence in it.

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Judge control not gun control!

Doc.,

If it was fixed to perfection (apparently not possible through S&W) you would still have all this baggage over shadowing the gun. It is probably time to cut your losses and get rid of this thing.


My $.02 worth,
Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

I disagree on selling it.. All that does is pass your problem off on another unsuspecting person.. Would you like it if I sold you my problem gun with the front sight glued on?? I bet you'd be pretty pissed off. I say, pay a few bucks to an attorney to write a letter of demand to get them to refund your money and take the gun back.

I would sell it. Plain and simple. Make the new owner aware though. Something like that which you keep having to "accept" things would make me despise the gun and I could never keep it after that.

Just take this as a lesson learned about modern day S&W, especially the performance center value. Any purchases in the future will be at risk of the same issues too.

Good luck with whatever you do.

Welcome to the new Smith Wesson.....buy old pre 95"

Actually truth is when you hear an old guy say for instance about a 1950ish model gun ,car ,house or freekin hamburger and say they just don't make em like that anymore now ya know what we are talking about cause in say the 50s or even the 60s and in some places even as late as tne 70s you could have gone to the retailer and raised heck after the first problem and gotten satisfaction after 2nd problem they would have just refunded ur money no kiddin .

I wouldn't sell it if I could return it. Even if I only was able to return it for store credit. I agree with others who say it's pointless to work on the gun anymore because you're never going to love it now. Only resent it. However, I would take my chances on an entirely different model, maybe a non-performance center model, and figure lightning couldn't strike twice......
but I'm an optimist.

My neighbor was successful in getting Smith's to take a shield back. I know it's possible

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

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Smith all the things

Dr.,
There's a nice 3-inch GP at a gunshop near you that you might be interested in....
Denis

S&W should replace it with a new one for free period.

My two year old governor disagrees with that assessment. Like any manufacturer they are gonna have their stupid moments.

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Smith all the things

Does anyone really believe that any manufacturer anywhere is going to replace a whole gun because the front sight is loose?

Unless an issue was divulged to the new owner, and not to say the OP wouldn't do so, I couldn't agree more. ^^^^^^^^^^^

I cringe when I hear " I had issues so I sent it down the road". Did you tell the buyer?

Why new? To answer, and speaking only for myself, I got into handguns late, and revolvers later. For a first-timer taking the foray into the revo world, I did not trust my lack of background with them against the used market. Or in essence, picking up someone else's problems from ignorance. Figured 'safer' to buy new. This was my novice mindset. I did my research as well and lurked quite a bit at the time. Still, I opted to buy new. Luckily or otherwise, I got a GREAT gun by any standard. Have had it looked at by qualified smith and more experienced shooters than myself, just to be sure, in this age of internet paranoia, and they all seem to agree it's one handsome and fine-functioning firearm. My experience with it confirms this, as it amazed me out of the box, and I only strive to get better as a shooter using it. So, they actually DO still kick out a perfect revolver now and then. I feel more comfortable NOW looking at the used market. But would still never buy ANY gun I couldn't handle and inspect closely first.
I don't know what the rate of 'failure' is on current production guns but am willing to bet it is exaggerated.

Sure feels like a run of bad luck to me.

Best you get rid of it and move on.

Korth is probably your best option now.

Good luck.

No kidding right!?

I have a 3" 65 that I wouldn't trade for the world though. That niche is already filled.

That's not you on the Ruger Forum asking about the custom GP?
Denis

It is me, same name here and there

Okay. So after a talk with the OTHER customer service team lead than the one I had spoken to before, I have been convinced to send it back again. I am a reasonable person and can grant them one more opportunity to make it right.

I expressed that I have very little confidence however that they will fix it, as it has left the factory 3 times with major issues (not just the rifling).

I also commented that they are at a severe disadvantage here because unless this gun comes back to me as an 11/10 and is somehow better than new, I still am not going to be happy.

We'll see.

Good call dr.!! Give them one more chance, I am behind you 100 percent just hoping and praying for you that it does come back as an 11/10. It may happen yet.

Why don't you just fix the sight?

By this time I'd take the bull by the horns and prick punch inside the dovetail on the barrel lightly and assemble it with loctite and call it done.

All my life I been paying people to do work and it never gets done right plus some rip me off. I fired the contractor I hired for a 24x48 addition on my house. Me and my little sons, plus I hired a out of work framer built it. I did plumbing. Electrical, you name it.

I paid a guy to set up gears in my race car I ended up doing it myself. Etc. I was a teenager.

I reworked my 1911 new barrel, nm barrel bushing. She shoots clusters and cloverleafs leafs at 25yds, I purchased every 1911 tool that brownells sells.

I think you are jinxed.

I've been on the other side a few times.

Sometimes a business just can't satisfy a customer no matter what the company does.

Perhaps S&W will give you your money back, you will have to move on.

That happened to me with Para Ordnance. I had a LDA 6. I'm not shure if that's the correct modle. It was a small 6-7 shot 45. It was never reliable. I sent it back 4 times. They could never fix it. No matter what the ammo it never made through a couple of mags without jamming up. They finally gave me a new gun. As soon as I got it I sold it and got my money back except for the ammo I wasted. I was so over it.

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Two Handguns every day