What is going on with S&W?????

[Pdxrealtor]

If the finish on newer guns can't stand up to a time-tested cleaning product and S&W isn't advertising this with clear warning labels, that really sucks. But you're getting way too bent out of shape over the possibility of having to use a little dab of loctite – that is just part of basic preventative maintenance. Be happy you caught it before backed out entirely, put some loctite on it, and snug it down again. In the grand scheme of things it is not worth getting upset about. The discoloration on your cylinder on the other hand... but before you waste any more energy being upset because you didn't read the manual cover to cover (which most people wouldn't bother doing either), try Mother's Mag polish like Penmon suggests and if it removes the discoloration, consider it a lesson learned relatively cheaply for the cost of a tube of loctite and jar of Mother's. And then buy the appropriate cleaning product for your new revolver!

Upset is not the right word. Disappointed is more like it, with a bit of frustration. Hell I was going to just let the 686+ PC live a happy life the way it was until this ordeal with the 327 TRR8.

If you re-read post 1 you'll see it's more than loose screws....

 

[smithman]

The issues above and the lock are why I will not buy -and have not bought -any newer S&W revolvers.

 

[MichiganScott]

Did the GM product fade from washing it?

Nope. It faded from using it and leaving it out in the sun.

I have a 28-2 that I bought used in 1974. There is almost no finish left on the front half of the cylinder from the tens of thousands of cartridges fired in it over the years. I could have it reblued, but I'd probably just end up removing the finish again over the next 45 years.

I believe that it has been posted that S&W states that 0.012" is an acceptable cylinder gap. Sometimes it's hard to differentiate between endshake and normal cylinder gap. I haven't measured the gap or endshake on the above mentioned M28, but it definitely is more than 0.012". It should be fixed, but it would require setting the barrel back. Maybe if I get it refinished............

 

[pittpa]

twodog is right. on every forum, qc is said to be down on all makes.
the comments on this site kept me from getting a new s&w.
instead, i got a 15-4 built in 1980.
since this is the best gun i've ever seen, i see no reason to buy new.
i don't think s&w can equal it today. it's beat up but perfect.

This is exactly why I shied away from a new 625 or 325, premium prices and hit-or-miss quality. The complaints I see are ridiculous for PC guns. Who cares if they pay postage, I don't want to send a new gun back. And IIRC, a member on this forum is learning to gunsmith on a new S&W. I found a used 625-8 on consignment at LGS and bought it. But first I went home and got my cylinder bore gages.
BTW, really glad you're happy with the 15-4. You had a lot of enthusiastic advisors on that purchase.

 

[susieqz]

yup. i am indebted to the nice folks here that helped me.
my m15 is not my most expensive gun, but it's my best gun.
hugzzz to you guys.

 

[kaaskop49]

The complaints I see are ridiculous for PC guns. Who cares if they pay postage, I don't want to send a new gun back.

^^^^What he said. For that matter, what I've been saying.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Pdxrealtor]

Yep, it is pretty ridiculous....

I talked with a manager at s&w yesterday and I got mixed feelings. In any event my trr8 is off to be dealt with in a priority matter.

 

[Pdxrealtor]

So ... update!

The TRR8 is done. Priority service given as promised. They said the entire gun was gone through.

They also swapped out the cylinder with a bead blasted stainless steel one. I proceeded to see just how far I could get and asked if they could perhaps throw a non-fluted cylinder in there. Got a no, sorry. Lol...

Anyways... gun is on it's way back by mid next week.

I've been really busy with the exception of Monday when I'd really have liked to let a friend I don't get to shooting with much try it out. Otherwise I haven't missed it.

 

[les.b]

So much ado
About a screw
That just backed out a turn or two
Alas, alack, what shall we do?

Perhaps a few
With locktite blue
Would firmly fix the pesky screw
To halt its travel fro and to

But I'm a purist, tried and true
Believing in old Smith's virtue
While others our brand may eschew
I'll simply tighten up the screw!

Best Regards, Les

 

[BUFF]

When the U.S. Army adopted the Colt Single Action Army in, what, 187-something, the contract included Colt shipping a screwdriver with each gun. Screws getting loose at some point in the gun's existence new or later, is just not a new experience. New gun, no matter what make or style, I clean it before firing it and check all the screws for tightness. I thought any experienced gun owner would do this. In use, some come loose faster than others. There seems to be no direct linkage between maker and screws not being properly tightened on new guns.

Just about every brand new car, truck or motorcycle I have bought or (employer fleets) been assigned to has had to go right back to the dealer for assembly errors to be corrected. When they ship $50,000 pickup trucks with loose wires and screws and seals installed backwards, you get frustrated.

OP, I'm glad your guns are being taken care of.

 

[OLDSTER]

Loose screw

When the U.S. Army adopted the Colt Single Action Army in, what, 187-something, the contract included Colt shipping a screwdriver with each gun. Screws getting loose at some point in the gun's existence new or later, is just not a new experience. New gun, no matter what make or style, I clean it before firing it and check all the screws for tightness. I thought any experienced gun owner would do this. In use, some come loose faster than others. There seems to be no direct linkage between maker and screws not being properly tightened on new guns.

Just about every brand new car, truck or motorcycle I have bought or (employer fleets) been assigned to has had to go right back to the dealer for assembly errors to be corrected. When they ship $50,000 pickup trucks with loose wires and screws and seals installed backwards, you get frustrated.

OP, I'm glad your guns are being taken care of.

Yeap Years ago I shot lots of hand gun silhouette "production class" with the venerable old 3-screw Super Blackhawk. Always carried a screw driver along to matches to keep the screws snug--never use loc-tite; just live with the design

 

[Florida J Frame]

So ... update!

The TRR8 is done. Priority service given as promised. They said the entire gun was gone through.

They also swapped out the cylinder with a bead blasted stainless steel one. I proceeded to see just how far I could get and asked if they could perhaps throw a non-fluted cylinder in there. Got a no, sorry. Lol...

Anyways... gun is on it's way back by mid next week.

I've been really busy with the exception of Monday when I'd really have liked to let a friend I don't get to shooting with much try it out. Otherwise I haven't missed it.

Please post a picture when you get it back.

 

[Jim L]

So much ado
About a screw
That just backed out a turn or two
Alas, alack, what shall we do?

Perhaps a few
With locktite blue
Would firmly fix the pesky screw
To halt its travel fro and to

But I'm a purist, tried and true
Believing in old Smith's virtue
While others our brand may eschew
I'll simply tighten up the screw!

Best Regards, Les

please ad a verse in the poem about the cylinder finish problem and the gaps the OP also mentioned.

 

[regalsc]

So on the cylinder they just removed the rest of the finish from the original cylinder? On my 325sc & 325pd 4" the only screws that I have ever had to tighten are the rear sight front screws. Guess I got lucky.

 

[les.b]

please ad a verse in the poem about the cylinder finish problem and the gaps the OP also mentioned.

Jim:

That is a well deserved rebuke, and I agree that my little effort was probably ill thought out. My apologies to the OP, I realize how frustrating his problems must be, and hope that they are resolved speedily and satisfactorily. no offense was intended.

Best Regards, Les

 

[Pdxrealtor]

I don't understand how the majority hones in on the smallest issue ignoring the larger issues and completely missing the big picture.

Perhaps dropping over 3500. 00 in the last couple monts on performance center revolvers that have all had issues has me a bit more frustrated than I should be.....

 

[H Richard]

Any company that has to answer to stockholders must balance quality out the door with profit in the door. The level of "acceptable" Q.C. may rise and fall as the stock value rises and falls.

 

[les.b]

Pdxrealtor:

I guess that some of us, like me are isolated from some of these problems, because, like susieqz, most of my revolvers are older. For one thing, I refuse to buy a revolver with an internal lock. I do have a new 340 PD, an M&P 340, and performance center 640-1 Pro Series. These are my only "new" revolvers, because they are all available without the Lock.

I have had excellent experience with all of these new guns, with zero problems. But most of my Smith and Wesson guns are older.... Model 29, model 27, and over a dozen more, are all products of an earlier era.

And I agree that all S&W products should reflect the highest standards of production excellence, and quality control, but especially those coming from the Performance Center.

I do empathize with your frustration and hope that S&W makes good on your revolvers.

Best Regards, Les

 

[BigBill]

The issues above and the lock are why I will not buy -and have not bought -any newer S&W revolvers.

Good more for me to enjoy. When my LGS marked all the new S&W revolvers down with the locs to $699 I grabbed what I could. I won't pass them up.

 

[Jim L]

Jim:

That is a well deserved rebuke, and I agree that my little effort was probably ill thought out. My apologies to the OP, I realize how frustrating his problems must be, and hope that they are resolved speedily and satisfactorily. no offense was intended.

Best Regards, Les

cool,,,, nice rhymes though!