Just for the record, "auto-forward" happens because physics. Any pistol can be made to do so by someone who understands the principle . . .
First gun purchase ever. Did I go wrong?
- Thread starter DaveCota
- Start date
you did good by buying your first guns , unfortunately anytime something is made by a human you have the chance of quality control, should have sent one in at a time so you would not at least be home defenseless. as far as Gander Mountain being a place to buy a gun , well they are there to make a profit and they will. I have a nephew who only buys guns from there because he has a charge account there , that's too bad he is paying higher than normal prices with a worthless warranty . most gun companies have a warranty. I have had issues with my guns in the past and called the company got a free shipping and they picked it up at the door they fixed it and sent it back. Its all a learning curve look around ask questions and pay attention .good luck, carry often stay safe
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Hi DaveCota:
Welcome to the Forum. Unfortunately, I think as consumers, we are the victim of our burning desire for a good, but inexpensive product. Manufacturers are driven by cutting corners and sacrificing quality to keep the prices down. My experience has been that many large manufacturers allow the public to function as their quality control, and they don't bother making corrections or repairs unless the product has been found faulty, and returned for repair or service.
For example, my young son had this experience with a brand new Remington shotgun, which we returned to the factory for warranty repair 4 times, until I said "enough", and the store manager allowed us to return the shotgun for full credit. My son chose a Benelli Nova as the replacement, and it had to go back to the factory for warranty repair (feeding issues), but it was returned promptly, and we haven't had any further issues with it.
The store manager (Academy) told me of the significant problem they had with people who had purchased a new firearm (Academy's does not sell used guns), discover problems with the guns, but then never come back to the store for help. Instead, they suffer in silence and quit shopping at their store. By the way, at no extra cost, Academy's will box up, ship, and track your firearms that are sent in for repair.
If it were me, I'd go back to Gander's Mountain (with your receipts), and have a good talk with the GM (General Manager).
Best of luck,
Dave
Welcome to the Forum. Unfortunately, I think as consumers, we are the victim of our burning desire for a good, but inexpensive product. Manufacturers are driven by cutting corners and sacrificing quality to keep the prices down. My experience has been that many large manufacturers allow the public to function as their quality control, and they don't bother making corrections or repairs unless the product has been found faulty, and returned for repair or service.
For example, my young son had this experience with a brand new Remington shotgun, which we returned to the factory for warranty repair 4 times, until I said "enough", and the store manager allowed us to return the shotgun for full credit. My son chose a Benelli Nova as the replacement, and it had to go back to the factory for warranty repair (feeding issues), but it was returned promptly, and we haven't had any further issues with it.
The store manager (Academy) told me of the significant problem they had with people who had purchased a new firearm (Academy's does not sell used guns), discover problems with the guns, but then never come back to the store for help. Instead, they suffer in silence and quit shopping at their store. By the way, at no extra cost, Academy's will box up, ship, and track your firearms that are sent in for repair.
If it were me, I'd go back to Gander's Mountain (with your receipts), and have a good talk with the GM (General Manager).
Best of luck,
Dave
JaPes
Member
Bingo. Lesson learned.
S&W's have a 1 year warranty and lifetime service policy. Within that 1 year, you can expect S&W to send you a pre-paid shipping label for warranty repair. Outside the 1 year, you're on the hook for shipping yourself. I've sent a couple firearms back to the manufacturer for defect repair after the expressed warranty. One nice big company sent me a label. One did not. Shipping a firearm is typically either UPS or FED-EX overnight. It cost me $75 for UPS overnight + insurance.
Additional warranties offered by some gun stores can be worthwhile. Take the cost of the add-on warranty compared to the time, money, and all it takes to ship a firearm and weigh it against the manufacturer of said firearm.
Glock, S&W, Ruger, H&K... I don't bother.
The KelTec Sub2K I bought? Heck yes. The $25 I spent on the LGS warranty paid for itself in the same month when it had to go back to KelTec. LGS took it in, inspected it, arranged the return to KelTec, packed it, shipped it, received the return shipment, inspected it, and called me to come pick it up at my convenience.
As for Gander Mountain? I don't go there. I never got a good vibe from the gun counter there.
Dave,
Welcome from the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey.
About your Smiths, don't fret. I currently have 7 Smiths, 4 purchased new. One of the used Smiths had been recalled prior to my purchase. Fortunately, only one of the new Smiths had to be returned for repairs, and that was after almost 20 years of use. Generally, S&W turn around is good. My Model 57 was sent back for repairs, and the repairs were completed within about 5 weeks, at no cost to me. That 5 weeks includes from the day I dropped the package off at FedEx to the day FedEx delivered it back to my door.
Sadly, I would venture a guess that your Smiths are still at Gander Mountain. If I were you, I would return to the store and demand that they produce your pistols, then send them to Smith yourself.
About the pistol returning to battery on it's own. I have never experienced that with any of my semi autos, but it could prove to be beneficial in a pinch. I do have a Mauser HSC that, due to it's 1930s technology, has that feature built in.
You will find, that over time, the rear adjustable sight on any pistol is vulnerable to damage, but since the windage screw and sight blade were missing, it sounds like it was never completely assembled.
Don't let this purchase experience sour you on Smith and Wessons ... not everything that comes from Springfield has to be returned!
Welcome from the Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey.
About your Smiths, don't fret. I currently have 7 Smiths, 4 purchased new. One of the used Smiths had been recalled prior to my purchase. Fortunately, only one of the new Smiths had to be returned for repairs, and that was after almost 20 years of use. Generally, S&W turn around is good. My Model 57 was sent back for repairs, and the repairs were completed within about 5 weeks, at no cost to me. That 5 weeks includes from the day I dropped the package off at FedEx to the day FedEx delivered it back to my door.
Sadly, I would venture a guess that your Smiths are still at Gander Mountain. If I were you, I would return to the store and demand that they produce your pistols, then send them to Smith yourself.
About the pistol returning to battery on it's own. I have never experienced that with any of my semi autos, but it could prove to be beneficial in a pinch. I do have a Mauser HSC that, due to it's 1930s technology, has that feature built in.
You will find, that over time, the rear adjustable sight on any pistol is vulnerable to damage, but since the windage screw and sight blade were missing, it sounds like it was never completely assembled.
Don't let this purchase experience sour you on Smith and Wessons ... not everything that comes from Springfield has to be returned!
I own somewhere around 12 -15 semi auto pistols, and none of them automatically chamber a round when I insert a mag with the slide locked back.
This could be a great 'out' if such a clause exists in your service contract from Gander. Personally, I would take full advantage of it if so. I would also then seriously consider a revolver(s) instead, as another mentioned. Not even due to being a 'novice' shooter. They have a place and should not be passed over as old-tech or defunct relics. Not at all. Thirdly, I would bring a gun savvy friend or aquaintence with you when you go to make your purchase, to help put the guns through a close visual/dry-run scrutiny. I didn't even realize half of the potential 'flaws' to look for in a new (or used) revolver before reading much of the posts here. Each time I have gone quickly back to the safe to re-examine new purchase. Sometimes I feel 'lucky' to have received a flawlessly produced gun. Shouldn't be that way, I know. Just the same.... Like I said, I may not have even known what to look for or noticed anything 'wrong' myself if I hadn't read the posts in this forum. Good luck.
Arik
Member
This isn't an automated feature but it does happen to most semi autos. Hit the (loaded) mag to hard and the slide may auto forward. Sometimes it happens sometimes not but it's not an instant thing. Meaning that just cause you insert a loaded mag the slide will go forward. I own Glocks, HK, Sigs and have owned CZ, S&W and a few others and at one point or another they have all done that at least once
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I've been shooting for 55 years with all different brands of semi automatic pistols and the next time the slide goes forward upon inserting a magazine will be the first time. My experience is the same as krayky's. Perhaps I don't insert the mag as forcefully as others. I thought the idea was to insert it enough to latch, not try to push it out the other side. The OP doesn't suggest he is "ramming it home" though he may be.
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bigwheelzip
Absent Comrade
Me too.
Arik
Member
It's not like you're smashing it in there but occasionally if you give it just enough of a smack and if the slide release isn't completely engaged on its whole surface you'll get the auto forward. On the other hand if you gently and slowly insert the mag till you hear an audible click it's not gonna happen.
In my last rifle class we had to transition to handgun (as simulation of out of ammo or a failure of some sort), shoot and reload. I had it happen once out of 6 reloads.
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Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply to this. I have read through it all and learned a lot.
Best case scenario, I get both guns back after these minor repairs and they work great for a long while.
I plan to CC the SD9 once I have enough practice with it to feel comfortable. I wasn't sure what size I wanted so I kinda went with a middle of the road size. I would like to eventually get a larger weapon that is solely for the range and home defense. Anyways, once I have tried to carry the SD9 for a while I should start to get a feel if that size is right for me or if I want something more compact.
Thanks again everyone for the support and words of wisdom. I appreciate it.
Best case scenario, I get both guns back after these minor repairs and they work great for a long while.
I plan to CC the SD9 once I have enough practice with it to feel comfortable. I wasn't sure what size I wanted so I kinda went with a middle of the road size. I would like to eventually get a larger weapon that is solely for the range and home defense. Anyways, once I have tried to carry the SD9 for a while I should start to get a feel if that size is right for me or if I want something more compact.
Thanks again everyone for the support and words of wisdom. I appreciate it.
shotguntom
Member
This may not be what you woukd like to hear, but my latest S&W purchase was a Victory 22lr pistol.
Wasnt able to use it due to problems with the gun. Long story short. It has made two trips back to Smith within 8 weeks of ownership. Both time took exactly 3 weeks to get returned to me. just back today, sl Im hoping its fixed this time. Will test tomorrow. Bottom line, if you have problems, get on the phone and call S&W. They will cover the cost of sending it in for repair. Good luck
Wasnt able to use it due to problems with the gun. Long story short. It has made two trips back to Smith within 8 weeks of ownership. Both time took exactly 3 weeks to get returned to me. just back today, sl Im hoping its fixed this time. Will test tomorrow. Bottom line, if you have problems, get on the phone and call S&W. They will cover the cost of sending it in for repair. Good luck
I imagine you'll be happy with the pistols when they come back. They are both quality firearms. The only real value in the Gander Mountain service plan is that they handle shipping so you don't have to mess with it. After the first year if you had a problem S&W probably wouldn't pay to ship it to them. That could cost you $50 of more depending on where you live, so there is some potential benefit in that regard as well. Pistols are supposed to go by 2nd day air. I usually send mine by ground (much less expensive), but that is a violation of UPS and FedEx policy meaning if the package is somehow lost I probably won't get reimbursed.
I've bought exactly one pistol from GM. They have pretty much EVERYTHING you could want. The drawback is that unless it's on sale, their prices are very high.
I've bought exactly one pistol from GM. They have pretty much EVERYTHING you could want. The drawback is that unless it's on sale, their prices are very high.
I stopped going to my nearest GM a few years back. Their prices were always high and they do not carry reloading supplies. WTH!? A gun store that size will not carry primers, powders and bullets? I go to Cabelas or Bass Pro if I can't find it locally.
Not trying to hijack the thread, just that MY GM doesn;t carry EVERYTHING, and is pizzed me off.
armallard
Member
I loved my s9 never had a problem just to big for me to carry I had the isue you described once I just gently hit the back of the slide against one of the poles on my barn and it was fine lol I'm one handed shooter due to a stroke affecting my left hand it ate any ammo I ran through it also. I hope all goes well for you with your gun.
I can't speak for a S&W semi, but my Colt, Beretta & Ruger semi auto pistols sure don't. Likewise with my M4
I think the OP said it's a brand new gun.
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