We have carefully taught manufacturers that we will not pay for the highest quality. The second something visibly comparable comes out cheaper, most consumers flock to it. A few old, traditional guys on a website are not going to change the industry. We have taught manufactures that it is better to let a relatively few faulty products through and fix them after the fact than to charge for "perfect" quality of yore. And the people trained to make those higher quality products have retired. I am sorry for anyone who has a bad experience with a new S&W. They will happen. Unlike your car and appliances, S&W will almost always eventually make it right. Better to let them take their time and fix right than have you send it back again. Times have changed.