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S&W-Smithing Maintenance, Repair, and Enhancement of Smith & Wesson and Other Firearms.


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Old 01-29-2020, 03:10 PM
Dan Carey Dan Carey is offline
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Default Got my Model 15 back from S&W today.

Just got delivered and the work is flawless. Customer Service told me that it would be sent to the Custom Shop for the work (cylinder end play and a cylinder release issue) and total turnaround time was less than nine weeks.

BUT...it was not returned in my original 1971 blue box...the one they told me to ship it in. I can't even begin to tell you how upset I am right now. It wasn't even returned in the brand new VCI paper that I shipped it in. the paper that it was wrapped in looked like it had been attacked by a cheese crater.
I've already called to complain and am waiting for an answer.
Makes me want to scream!
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Old 01-29-2020, 04:28 PM
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I know you are on the prod for these fellers but I think the "Should your Smith & Wesson firearm require service, it should be returned to Smith & Wesson in the blue carrying case (italics mine)or a similarly secure container (Do not ship in a presentation case)." language on the web page means the newfangled plastic boxes S&Ws are shipped and sold in rather than the pasteboard box of whichever color.
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Old 01-29-2020, 04:50 PM
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That would upset set me also. I don't understand what difference it would make what kind of box it was returned in and I'd be very hesitant to send any of mine in the original box.
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Old 01-29-2020, 04:52 PM
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Good to hear when repairs are done well. It's also helpful that you shared the part about the missing box, so that reinforces for others what not to do. Good luck getting it back.
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Old 01-29-2020, 04:53 PM
Dan Carey Dan Carey is offline
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S&W Customer service specifically told me to ship it in the original blue cardboard box. I assumed because all the information was on the end label.
Never again!
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Old 01-29-2020, 04:54 PM
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I had that happen to me a long time ago. You have to understand that S&W hires gunsmiths, not collectors. To them a box is a box. They probably thought they were doing you a favor by giving you a new box and paper.
I would call them and nicely ask if your box is still in the gunsmithing room. Hope it works out for you.
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Old 01-29-2020, 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by moosedog View Post
I had that happen to me a long time ago. You have to understand that S&W hires gunsmiths, not collectors. To them a box is a box. They probably thought they were doing you a favor by giving you a new box and paper.
I would call them and nicely ask if your box is still in the gunsmithing room. Hope it works out for you.
Already done!
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Old 01-29-2020, 05:07 PM
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Originally Posted by bigwheelzip View Post
Good to hear when repairs are done well. It's also helpful that you shared the part about the missing box, so that reinforces for others what not to do. Good luck getting it back.
I'm Very happy with the work done. I swear that they buffed it before returning it! It's a 1971
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Old 01-29-2020, 05:10 PM
Hapworth Hapworth is offline
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Maddening, but sorry to say predictable; I've found S&W service to be hit and miss in some significant ways. I hope they find and return your property to you -- it's collectible and valuable.

In the meantime, the lesson is only send the firearm. I never ship in a box or rug I care about; I remove stocks unless they're cheap and easily replaced; and if it's been tuned and S&W (rightly or wrongly) doesn't like what they see, prepare for return to stock.
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Old 01-29-2020, 06:22 PM
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They also did an excellent job on my Model 15-4. I returned it for a re-blue last year. Unfortunately they had to replace the cylinder due to the notches being worn. It was my service revolver in 1981 and had many thousands of rounds downrange, mostly .38 Special 125 grain +P. I also had them install a new barrel on my Model 67. All the work was done in a professional manner.

I second the suggestion that you request that they return your box. I have found that speaking with one of their gunsmiths about your expectations relative to the work being done helps. In this way there are no "surprises".

JPJ
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Old 01-30-2020, 09:59 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Carey View Post
Just got delivered and the work is flawless. Customer Service told me that it would be sent to the Custom Shop for the work (cylinder end play and a cylinder release issue) and total turnaround time was less than nine weeks.

BUT...it was not returned in my original 1971 blue box...the one they told me to ship it in. I can't even begin to tell you how upset I am right now. It wasn't even returned in the brand new VCI paper that I shipped it in. the paper that it was wrapped in looked like it had been attacked by a cheese crater.
I've already called to complain and am waiting for an answer.
Makes me want to scream!
I NEVER send box or grips.
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Old 01-30-2020, 12:24 PM
Mike, SC Hunter Mike, SC Hunter is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andy52 View Post
That would upset set me also. I don't understand what difference it would make what kind of box it was returned in and I'd be very hesitant to send any of mine in the original box.
It had be said on here and elsewhere a gazillion times and probably from Smith too.......Never ship them a gun with grips/boxs/papers etc. that you want back......Never.
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Old 01-31-2020, 10:31 AM
Dan Carey Dan Carey is offline
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Smith and Wesson reply: "Sorry, we can't find it, there's nothing we can do." "The gunsmiths determined that it wasn't safe to ship it to you in that box."

No compensation, no nothing...you're screwed.
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Old 01-31-2020, 12:27 PM
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Never ship a gun back to "any" manufacturer with the original box, unless you never want to see it again. I have a generic plastic box like the newer guns are shipped in and put that in a cardboard box to ship.
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Old 01-31-2020, 02:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by H Richard View Post
Never ship a gun back to "any" manufacturer with the original box, unless you never want to see it again. I have a generic plastic box like the newer guns are shipped in and put that in a cardboard box to ship.
Customer service agent "Matt" specifically told me to ship it in the original box.
I'll be looking for it to show up on eBay any day now...
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Old 02-01-2020, 05:09 AM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
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Ask agent Matt to go search for it in the big mail room dumpster out back!
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Old 02-01-2020, 07:16 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Carey View Post
Smith and Wesson reply: "Sorry, we can't find it, there's nothing we can do." "The gunsmiths determined that it wasn't safe to ship it to you in that box."

No compensation, no nothing...you're screwed.
So what box did they ship it in when it shipped from the factory in 1971 If it was so unsafe?

I’d continue to bitch WAY above customer service agent Matt. If it’s gone it’s gone but the squeaky wheel gets the grease and you’ve been screwed and should be compensated.
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Old 02-01-2020, 08:08 AM
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NEVER ship anything with a gun that you want to see again. When I ship a gun back to the manufacturer, I return it as best I can to the condition it was in when it left the factory. That includes springs, trigger shoes, grips, sights, anything that has been changed in the life of the gun. If I don't have the original grips, I send it without grips. I wrap it in paper and bubble wrap and ship it in whatever cardboard box I have laying around. When a manufacturer works on a gun, they return it in factory new condition with their parts. Anything foreign is scrapped. It's too bad you lost your original box and I'd be mad too but I don't think you are ever going to see it again.
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Old 02-01-2020, 08:50 AM
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Never ship a gun back to "any" manufacturer with the original box, unless you never want to see it again.



NO manufacturer can be expected to receive a gun for repair, Remove it from the packaging it was received in, then store and inventory your box and then match that box to your gun for return!!!!!!!!!!! It just doesn't happen. All manufacturers will return your gun in the appropriate box style currently in use for shipping of new guns by the factory. Think, just how many boxes do you suppose any maker would have to inventory for all the guns received during the typical 1-4 month turn-around time? Hundreds, if not thousands! What do you think this would cost compared to simply putting the repaired gun in a current box to return it?
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Old 02-01-2020, 10:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmj8591 View Post
NEVER ship anything with a gun that you want to see again. When I ship a gun back to the manufacturer, I return it as best I can to the condition it was in when it left the factory. That includes springs, trigger shoes, grips, sights, anything that has been changed in the life of the gun. If I don't have the original grips, I send it without grips. I wrap it in paper and bubble wrap and ship it in whatever cardboard box I have laying around. When a manufacturer works on a gun, they return it in factory new condition with their parts. Anything foreign is scrapped. It's too bad you lost your original box and I'd be mad too but I don't think you are ever going to see it again.
Very true. I'm shipping one back to Marlin this week. I was told by the customer service rep. not to ship it in the original box because I wouldn't get it back. I was also told to remove any scope, sling, etc.
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Old 02-01-2020, 10:37 AM
JohnRoc65 JohnRoc65 is offline
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It's just too bad that you had the misfortune of talking to a moronic customer service rep.

On the positive side, you now have a badass revolver in perfect mechanical condition.

Be happy, life is too short.
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Old 02-01-2020, 02:10 PM
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Sorry to read about your troubles Dan, but the advice here is good. Agent Matt, was dead wrong to instruct you to send it back in the orig. box. A photo copy of the label would have been sufficient.

I feel pretty confident in saying that box is gone for good.

Try to make the best of it, and enjoy your great M15. They are one of Smith's best efforts, and one of my personal favorites
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Old 02-02-2020, 02:34 AM
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Are those the grips that it had when you bought it? I would have thought that a M15 would be wearing flat bottom Magnas instead of the modified Magnas shown.
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Old 02-02-2020, 09:01 AM
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General rule of thumb:

NEVER ship anything that is important to you that isn't necessary for the repair process. I would also take off grips if you value them! They do not need an original box or the grips to repair any Revolvers.

I learned this valuable lesson 38 years ago when I sent out a Colt SAA Revolver for an action job and a beautiful set of original Factory Ivory Grips were totally destroyed by the (supposed "Gun Smith"). I was super mad and heart broken and of course the lying sack I sent the gun to denied any responsibility or wrong doing!

Now I do my own work - but if I did ever have to send something out for repairs that I couldn't do myself (I do not do hot bluing), I'd take off anything I value and never send any original accouterments.

Sorry to hear about your situation and I HOPE they find your items! If not - I HOPE they at least do something for you.
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Old 02-02-2020, 09:06 AM
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Ya think he may have gotten the “don’t send the box” message by now?
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Old 02-02-2020, 09:38 PM
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Ya think he may have gotten the “don’t send the box” message by now?
And has probably kicked himself enough too.
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Old 02-04-2020, 05:39 PM
Dan Carey Dan Carey is offline
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Well, S&W Customer Service has offered me a sum of merchandise of my choice as compensation for the loss. It's a nice gesture on their part but still doesn't replace my original box.
I also got my wife's Ruger Mark IV back from Ruger Service today. In the box was a receipt form stating all the standard and non-standard items that were on the gun when received as well as a listing of what was on it when returned. They even noted that I had put a painted red dot on the front sight and painted yellow dots on the rear sight. And it all came back in the original box.
Now, if only Smith and Wesson would think of doing something like that...
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