Just wondering, what's the 'usual' warranty/repair work turnaround time to be expected. Obviously, there can be major repairs, but for the usual... what's normal and what's riduculous?

Just wondering, what's the 'usual' warranty/repair work turnaround time to be expected. Obviously, there can be major repairs, but for the usual... what's normal and what's riduculous?

That's a real "How high is up?" kind of question. It is contingent on so many variables, I'm not sure there is really an answer. If the shop is not too busy, and you're talking about the simple replacement of a drop-in or almost drop-in part, and that part is in stock, it shouldn't take more than a few days in-house. Now, let's say the parts you need are on backorder, it's a month before hunting season, half the shop employees are out with the flu, the parts have to be hard-fit after they arrive from Timbuktu...weelllll, then we're looking at months, maybe. First custom rifle I ever had built took 39 months after I shipped the builder the action. Turns out, it was worth the wait. Depending on the shop, I've had in-house times of as little as 3 days on refinish jobs (hardchrome and parkerizing) and minor repair work. It just depends on a lot of variables.

I can change a set of Stocks on a Smith & Wesson in a couple of minutes, as long as I have them "In Stock" of course. Other things might take longer.

And oil change on a car is maybe a 20 minute process if you have all the right tools and parts but a complete engine rebuild is likely to take a bit longer!

And, what do you call "Usual or Normal"???

Last time I had S&W do warranty repair was in Aug of 2005, for a broken extractor. I sent it on a tuesday, found a UPS box on my front door wednesday a week after with my handgun in it. I did not expect it to be that quick.
Timing, I hear, can be an issue with longer turnaround time. If you send anything during the holiday season you probably shouldn't expect a quick turnaround.

I just got my 686-4 back from the factory. It went in for a new hand fitting ( timing issues ). It took five weeks from the time I sent it. Good luck TonyR