I just picked up my 1st S&W NIB PC 500 mag to take on a hiking trip , was in a hurry at the dealer doing the transfer. everything seems ok so I finished my transfer. Well get the opportunity to look it over at home and noticed a ding on the cylinder, (wasn’t very happy about that) , the cylinder also had some noticeable rotation in full lock up (wasn’t happy about that). it was about as loose as my friends PD trade in 686 that had 1000s of rounds through it. The best part is when I wiped it down with a silicone cloth to put it up the front sight literally fell off. (At this point I’m very unhappy). That said the cylinder seems to be in time, doesn’t have any front to back movement and ding looks to just be cosmetic. Of course the online dealer said it’s S&W’s problem now. Now my choice is to send it back , wait a few mo and miss the entire reason I purchased it or fix the sight myself and live with the other imperfections. Honestly I had a little higher hopes for my 1st S&W.

Sorry to hear of those issues in your new revolver.

You didn't say which PC 500 you got?

As you stated, the cylinder ding is just cosmetic. While unwanted your hunting pistol will likely end up with more marks. Fix it if it bothers you.

The cylinders are going to have a little rotation in them, that's just the way S&Ws are. Even if it had none when you first bought it it would after some firing, especially considering the cartridge.

If the carry-up/timing is good, shoot it before being concerned about the play in rotation.

If you bought the 3.5" barrel PC 500 that front sight blade is designed to be easily removed. Assuming it's not damaged or missing a part, the front blade should be easily reinstalled, however it should never just fall out. (PS: I lost my 3.5" 460 PC's front sight shooting a heavy load. The replacement was a tight(er) fit & it's never come off shooting it.)

If you bought the 7.5" or 10.5" barrel model that dovetail fit front sight blade should not easily come out.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

it’s the 7.5” PC with the dovetail front sight. It’s just very frustrating to have to deal with these issues on a $1500 gun out of the box.

I've had two $$$ NIB revolvers go back in the last year. A PC 642 with a B/C gap of .014" plus cosmetic issues and a M&P 340 with the wrong barrel shroud and front sight installed. First one sent back and was fixed about 8 weeks later the M&P after 6 weeks is still somewhere in the bowels of S&W.

Seriously beginning to wonder WTH is going on in Springfield.

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M60 442 642 637 686 686+ 629

I'm no gunsmith but have two 500s, one a 6.5" PC model and the other an original 8 3/8" barreled one.

Both have tight barrel/cylinder gaps and what I think it negligible cylinder rotation when locked up. Both have significant numbers of rounds through them with the longer barreled one having far more, yet less cylinder rotation.

Don

This should be a lesson for everyone buying a new gun. How long does it take to inspect it, maybe one minute, two tops? It took the OP longer to type his rant than it would have taken to perform ones due diligence.

Also, reading is fundamental. Every online seller has a disclaimer that says to inspect the firearm before completing the transfer.

It would be a shame to expect S&W to send a trust worthy $1500 firearm. The only other firearms I had to do a full inspection on where cheap AKs & Used guns but yes you are right definitely do a full inspection on these guns!

I am sorry that you received something that you do not want and it is now up to you to create the resolution

But Smith & Wesson did not send you this gun.

Outside of the factory it was transferred to and handled by at least three additional companies and their employee before it arrived in the end user's hands.
1) The Distributor that ordered it from Smith & Wesson
2) The online seller that the poster purchased it from
3) The FFL holder that the purchaser chose to have it shipped to


ALWAYS inspect the firearm prior to completing the 4473. Prior to taking delivery, the seller is responsible to provide you with a firearm that you are willing to accept. Once you sign that 4473 and take delivery, it becomes a Factory warranty issue

And what does a $1500 price have to do with anything? Would you be OK if these events happened to a $500 gun? Or would you still be just as mad? The price is not relevant

Guns are mechanical things.

It is not possible for any manufacturer to produce a 100% perfect item, 100% of the time and it makes no difference what you pay for it. There will always be cosmetic blemishes. There will always be mechanical variations. There will always be handling issues on some of these items

A company that manufactures and ships between 5,000 and 6,000 firearms each day will never be able to do the same kind of inspection as the guy/gal that is purchasing one gun for their upcoming trip.

It is a shame that you felt necessary to make this your first post on a public discussion board of Smith & Wesson enthusiasts. There is quite a bit of good information amongst the Members of this Forum. BLUEDOT37, DonD and our other 500 enthusiasts might have steered you to a better inspection prior to taking delivery epically considering the short window between your purchase and your trip

Your front sight should be easy for your local gun smith to take care of

Hopefully you will get this resolved before your trip and you will be able to return here with stories and pictures on what that 500 was able to do for you on that trip

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"Acta non verba"

I have several S&W 500s. A 4" a 3.5" PC. and a 2.75"ES. The sight on the PC has a Hi Viz sight but it can be changed to a blade sight in about 15 seconds. They are springs loaded. The only thing that keeps them tight is a little set screw in the front. That could easily have worked loose or never been tight to start with. Then the sight can easily come out if the spring is pushed back by handling or shipping. The are made for quick interchange by user so you don't need to take it to a gun smith. I would check that before I sent it back to S&W.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

I fixed the sight took it to the range, no problems with the sight or timing. Had decided to just keep it seeing as it was shooting well. Got home and was cleaning, discovered red rust visible under the grip. Pulled the side plate and cylinder there was red rust all on the inside. The dealer said they just received it and after checking the other one has the same rust issue. The dealer refunded me $100 for the issue, S&W called and it’s going back to S&W today unfortunately the two week shutdown starts next Monday. Hopefully it gets sorted out soon

Well, good & bad, but...

That red "rust" I believe is just an oxide (maybe from heat treating?) which I agree should not be there.

I had one revolver (M610?) that had that inside too. It was a little work but I cleaned it out, but I thoroughly agree that they could do better & that you'd think a premium (Performance Ctr) revolver would get a tad more attention.

In fact, some of my Performance Ctr revolvers have had as many or more flaws than standard production ones.

Many I fixed myself & a couple had to go back, which they repaired without issue.

I have several dozen S&Ws, many bought new & while I agree they you cannot expect flawless revolvers all the time I do agree they could do better some times.

Glad they're taking care of it though. Hope it returns quickly.

.

Lacking a functioning Time Machine I fail to see how this would have been possible considering it's after the fact now.

I think he has already acknowledge he missed that boat too.

Nonetheless, I've missed things even when I wasn't rushing because there's so many things to remember.

Unfortunately each new purchase is a learning experience.

We do what we can do.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

I actually tried cleaning some of the red rust out to see if I could avoid having to send it back but even with Kroil and a bronze brush it wasn’t coming out. It looked pitted under it.

Yuck, maybe worse than mine. Bummer.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

it's been downhill with S&W lately.. Out of the 4 NIB I purchased in the last 2 years 3 had issues. 1 was sent back for repairs, 2 with cosmetic flaws..

That sucks. I hope they fix the issues. S&W got mine back today but I think they are in shutdown for the next two weeks so I guess the wait begins.

Same with me. Two out of three purchased in the last 2 years had issues and had to go back. One assembled with the wrong parts and one with mechanical and cosmetic issues. Sorry, but in my book that is just plain screwed up. I kick myself in the butt for not spending more time looking them over as if they were used before purchase. Lesson learned.

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M60 442 642 637 686 686+ 629

What does your forcing cone look like? Does it look new?

Had a PC 500 similar issues with rust, wheel slop, signs of bubba smith work, and the yoke screw was so corroded it snapped off while loosing. It is at S&W now (been there awhile) for those reasons and a barrel replacement. It was yanked up when I bought it new, as a 3 year old gun (2017 date on box). Took it to LGS (before sending to S&W) I purchased it from and owner felt bad and gave me a deal on 4" 500. This one much better condition than the PC, and was manufactured just a month prior. Still waiting on the PC 500 to get back, even with all of its imperfections it is still more fun to shoot than the new 4" one in mint shape. Barrel on the PC is being replaced for a worn forcing cone and I've only shot it for 8 months.

I would check the BC gap and have a gunsmith check the time. If everything is good and it shoots precisely, just clean it up. Those PC's were engineered nicely and are a blast to use

Mine is back at S&W now, has been for a week. I listed every issue I stated and they told me 6 to 8 weeks depending on if the issues are a warranty problem. It’s a complete loss for what I purchased it for at this point. For those of you that have sent gun back to S&W did they fix the issues? The only other gun I’ve had to return was to Walther and it back in two weeks like new. That was in 2020

The factory is closed right now for the summer break. I just ordered some parts and was told they will reopen on August 9. The customer service desk phones are being answered.

Stu

Called S&W to check in. They said they received it into their system on the 7/29 and depending on the work required it should be ready to ship back in 6-8 more weeks. For those that’s sent one back , do they usually fix the issues? Needless to say my trip I bought it for has come and gone so that was a bust at least this year anyway.

Update,
S&W is shipping my 500 back next week. The original issues , loose cylinder, dings in cylinder & frame, loose front sight, rust & pitting all over the inside (nib). They said they did a full refinish and changed out the extractor. Will reply back with pics when it gets here.

Looking forward to your report when it arrives. Hope it comes back looking beautiful.

It’s been in S&W’s shipping department since last Thursday so hopefully it will go out soon.

Let us know how many weeks on the full process from shipping it out to them to it returning to you. Curious.

I must have gotten lucky. My .500, with 8 3/8" barrel, with removable compensators, locks up TIGHT! I've put about 500 rounds through it, and it still locks up TIGHT. Mine has a Burris 2x scope on it, and I shoot nothing but my cast lead bullets in it. My load is 26.5 grains of SR-4759 and the RCBS 400 grain bullet cast from wheel weights, dropped into water and then sized. They run at 1250 fps and are VERY accurate. I know that SR-4759 is no longer made, but I stocked up when it was. I have about 10 lbs of it and it should last me the rest of my life.

I Recall back in the 80"s, a good friend of mine seemed to always be under the Black Cloud on buying new guns. Guns that he brought that had to Go Back were: Colt Gold Cup, Colt Python, High Standard Victor, S&W Mod 41. So it isn't just current problems, and it isn't just S&W.

I have been lucky and over 40 years have never sent a gun back to the factory (other than a 686 for the recall). Perhaps it may be because I have propensity to buy used guns than than new, that either someone else sent them back or they had no reason to go back.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I have only had 3 new guns out of around 45 or so new ones over the years that had issues, new PPK (fixed sights off) , Beretta M9A3 (bad chrome in the bbl) and this one. The PPK took 2 weeks to get back fixed, the Beretta sent me a new bbl for the Beretta and and the S&W. It’s supposed to be delivered tomorrow. They said they refinished the entire gun and replaced the extractor. (I didn’t know there was an issue with it.) they didn’t say anything about the front sight or loose cylinder but I assume the sight was fixed with the refinish. Will do a follow up tomorrow.

The only gun I've sent back was my 500. (bent hand). Fixed and returned, no issues since.

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

Well just got it back! they removed “some” of the rust, fixed the front sight, flat spotted the ding in the cylinder and broke off the rear sight…. Not really sure what to say….

That really sucks. This is why I’m hesitant to spend $1700 on a new 500 PC.

all I have to say this is my 1st & last S&W……

That's just wrong.

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Pass it on.
Mark

What the hell!?

Found one more issue, this was straight when I first got it….

Called S&W, they are sending me a new rear sight,
they said this

“I reviewed your photos and the area on the frame that you are referring to be rust, is not. It is in fact a residue from a chemical process that we use to passivate and rinse our frames in. This area is not considered to be a finished area so that finish would be considered acceptable for that area.”

More good news from S&W there is no ETA on the replacement rear sight they broke. They said I can do another 6-8 week return to get it fixed or wait until they get more back in stock with no ETA……. This is just getting ridiculous at this point.

Agree, ridiculous.
Maybe better to send it back and have them fix the front at the same time?

Good luck.

I have a rear sight I can send you. It’s from a 629-6, don’t know if it’s the same.

The rear sights used for red ramp front sites might be too short. To accommodate the HiViz front sight, or whatever else you got, you might need the taller leafed type

Smith & Wesson Rear Sight Blade .196 Black K L N-Frame

This is what my PC 500 uses which has the HiViz 0.25" sight. On my other 500 (4") when I converted front sight to HiViz the original rear sight was too low, so I ordered the compatible PN from midway.

I am so sorry to see your fine weapon returned in such a way, it seems very odd. But these are odd times. My PC 500 is still at the center, expecting it back November (been there since June).

I don't expect it to return chipped up though

I appreciate the offer, I might have to look for a plan B at some point. I found a LPA sight but it feels wrong spending $100 on something S&W broke….

I thought about it but I’m not waiting another 8 weeks and taking a chance they will mess something else up

Update, they shipped out a new rear sight today. I clean out the rest of the red corrosion myself so Hopefully I can enjoy my 500 now and have it for hiking next year. I’d planned on getting a 686 but after this headache I’m going a different route. Any suggestions?

What would be the planned use for the 686/other?

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protocalldesign.com

Yes, place an ad in the want to buy section of this forum, and get something from a forum member. I probably have 30 s&w's, all different flavors, and all but about 3 came from forum members. The only problem I have had is packaging. I have had 4 guns come through with broken rear sights. All packed at dealerships. I insist on a hard 10-12 dollar hard case now, and i discuss shipping thoroughly with seller. Most are on board.

Good sellers here!! Get your 686

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Hiking / carry when I’m not in bear country mostly. I’ve been carrying my HK45 but I want something with a little more penetration and not made of polymer. Practically all my pistols are polymer. I looked at a 4.25” bbl colt king cobra, it was pretty much flawless inside and out, I’m leaning towards it.

It took just over 10 weeks but my 500 mag is back in service. Although S&W threw me one last curve ball. The new rear sight was torqued clockwise so I had to put it in a vice and straighten it.

So here’s the recap,

Got my 500 NIB and the cylinder was loose, the cylinder was dinged, the inside was covered with a red/Orange rust (S&w said it was a finishing solution) and the front sight was so loose fell off when I touched it. Sent it back to S&W 8 weeks later it was returned, the front sight was fixed, the cylinder improved, refinished and most of the red rust gone (left some pitting on the inside),the MB was out of time, various new scratches and rear sight was broken while at S&W then shipped back that way. Two weeks later (after several calls & emails ) S&W sent me a new rear sight. During this time I cleaned the rest of the red rust er “finishing solution” out of the gun and detailed the other scratches and imperfections it arrived with. Decided to let the out of time MB go because it mostly just messed with my ocd. When all said and done I now have the revolver I feel like I should have gotten from the beginning. To add insult to injury I just picked up a nib Colt King Cobra that was pretty much flawless out of the box. Hopefully S&W will get their QC moving. I wish the circumstances would’ve been different but I will probably never buy a new S&W again. I’m still on the fence whether I’m going to keep it or not. I’ve kind of lost faith in it.

Well FullAssault, you must be the poster child for bad luck with S&W and 500s.

I've been shooting them since 2003 and have had 6 of them. I have the two I like best, they're keepers. Only one went back to S&W. It was returned fully fixed. All of them had excellent triggers and none had cosmetic problems.

Good luck in the future. Don

seems that way, it’s literally been one headache after another. Sad part is really like the gun & the round otherwise I’d jumped off this train a long time ago. I keep thinking I’d had better luck with one the standard 500s with the interchangeable MB. I know two people that have those and they don’t have any of the issues mine’s had but they are pre Covid guns.

1st range trip after getting it back, suddenly I remember how much I like this gun….

5 rds group of UW 350gr EP @ 25yds

Good shooting OP, that Underwood ammo is the real deal, not some watered down ammo.

Hope the gun gives you a lifetime of flawless service. Don