First S&W - surprised

[686357]

After more than 20 years of being a Ruger man, I bought my first S&W - a 629 Classic. I've flirted with a few S&W models in the past but never pulled the trigger. Bought the 629 from Grabagun and had it transferred to a local FFL.

It has the worst swirl marks I have ever seen on a revolver new or used. It seriously looks like someone took a Brillo pad to it. The factory polishing completely missed the end of the barrel and lug, on the left side and the white outline on the rear sight has a very obvious diagonal slant - Looks like my five-year-old drew it on there.

How this got out of the factory, I'll never know. I'll call customer service on Monday and see if they will fix the finish and the rear sight. Don't get me wrong,I wasn't expecting a the ultimate rear sight or a fine bead-blast finish - just a standard finish and a usable rear sight. I can get both from a $400 Taurus. For a gun that retails for nearly $1000 this should be more than right, it should be a step up.

Note the end of the barrel is not completely polished and is a different shade than the rest of the revolver. Can't buff this out with a cloth.

1/30 - Called S&W customer service got return label and shipped back for inspection and repair.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Yeah, that looks awful, and I'm not picky. Too bad. S&W CS should make it right. Good luck.

Have to wonder though, why you didn't refuse the purchase and have the FFL return it?

 

[Texasbdog]

I just bought a 686-6 and it was the same way except for the sights. I called them on the way home from the gun store, they said the guns are fired for functionality, not cleaned and offered for sale. Mine was filthy and had rust where the crane closes. I spent almost 3 hours cleaning and polishing and boy were the efforts worth it. The gun is awesome, I'm over the shock of how it came and have a beautiful piece of art in my opinion. I'd be interested to see if they will polish it up for you, this is my first S&W but not my last!

 

[BC38]

WOW! Are you sure that is a NEW gun? Wasn't there any way you could have rejected it at the FFL and refused to accept the transfer? That is seriously messed up!

 

[bigggbbruce]

Yep I would have said nope before transfer.

 

[John Rus]

Apart from the rear sight I would just polish it to even out the finish bit and shoot the fire out of it! But that's just me.

But yeah, the finish does seem a little rough.

If you ask them they might give you a discount on doing a proper polishing job. They'll have to fix it anyway might as well apply that labor towards an upgraded finish while it's there.

A trigger job would be nice too, if you have never tried a revolver with one your in for a treat!

John.

 

[Mistered]

Bought the 629 from Grabagun and had it transferred to a local FFL.

Didn't you get pictures PRIOR to the sale/transfer?

 

[686357]

I bought this new through Guns for Sale | Online Gun Store | Grab A Gun. I've bought a few guns through them over the past couple years and always had great results.

While I don't expect them to intricately inspect every firearm - if they took two seconds to open the box and just look at it they could have caught this.

The action, bore, and even the trigger are good to go.

I was afraid if I rejected it that Grabagun might say I had to take it up with the manufacturer - and I'd have a bigger headache. I will send them an email letting them know my disappointment.

I've heard great things about S&W customer service and I'm anticipating they will make this right.

 

[686357]

Apart from the rear sight I would just polish it to even out the finish bit and shoot the fire out of it! But that's just me.

But yeah, the finish does seem a little rough.

If you ask them they might give you a discount on doing a proper polishing job. They'll have to fix it anyway might as well apply that labor towards an upgraded finish while it's there.

A trigger job would be nice too, if you have never tried a revolver with one your in for a treat!

John.

I'm lovin' this idea.

 

[Bowyer]

Why don't you send it back to grab a gun for a refund?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[Redlegvzv]

Except for the canted rear sight, it looks pretty much like most S&Ws I've seen.

 

[silentflyer]

This sort of thing explains the preference of older guns so many of us have.

 

[lrmnut]

I haven't bought a S&W stainless in a while but I can't believe that's how they leave the factory now I love my S&W but thats just sad.

 

[M3Stuart]

+1 on: yea, that's what the stainless guns usually look like.

I have an older white outline rear sight that, while not crooked, is missing part of one side and looks like a kid painted it on. So, I'd say that's the new 'normal' from S&W and has been for 10+ years. That's probably why they don't put white outline rear sights on many guns because they just aren't capable of doing a decent job on them - compared to say, Glock, who can somehow do it perfectly every time.

 

[Collo Rosso]

Sure seems to have a pretty defined turn line for a new gun! Might be the picture but the brush lines look to cut through the ampersand on the left side. My newest (686 from 2013) the laser etching for the ampersand was obviously done after the brush finish.
To me it looks like somebody bought a new 629, abused or damaged it, did a refinish and returned it to Grabagun who put it back in stock and resold it.
Keep us informed what both say about this.

 

[Mr.Harry]

WOW! Are you sure that is a NEW gun? Wasn't there any way you could have rejected it at the FFL and refused to accept the transfer? That is seriously messed up!

agreed. Could just be the light but it almost looks like there's some corrosion/rust happening in the emblem etching too.

 

[Mr.Harry]

And most definitely a turn line. I have a hard time believing that just left the factory. I wouldn't buy a gun I could t closely inspect first, but my 629-6 Classic was and is perfect off the shelf. NOT even a little bit like that. I'd be pissed too, but then I wouldn't have taken it home.

 

[OldChief]

It's really hard to believe that your revolver slipped through Smith QC like that, it must have been on a Monday or Friday! Having dealt with Smith for a long time, I'm sure they're make it right.

 

[PatriotX]

I was afraid if I rejected it that Grabagun might say I had to take it up with the manufacturer - and I'd have a bigger headache. I will send them an email letting them know my disappointment.

I've heard great things about S&W customer service and I'm anticipating they will make this right.

By not refusing the transfer, you ensured that sending back to S&W was your only remedy. The GrabAGun terms address this situation specifically.


"Returns on firearms that have been transferred to you are not allowed. Once a new firearm is transferred, it is considered used, even if unfired. It is the customer’s responsibility to fully inspect the firearm at their FFL prior to accepting it into their possession. We do understand that some manufacturer defects may not be identifiable upon initial inspection, however by purchasing a firearm from us, you agree that upon discovering a defect in your transferred firearm that you will work with the manufacturer for replacement or repair (in accordance with their warranty policy). "

 

[AlHunt]

I hate to throw gasoline on a fire, but that turn line sure seems too pronounced for a brand new gun. Have you fired it or dry fired it enough to do that? How do/did the recoil shield, top strap and front of cylinder look?