First S&W - surprised
- Thread starter 686357
- Start date
Agreed, I wouldn't have accepted transfer on that. Normally, I find that a lot of buyers who complain about fit/finish have set their expectations a little too high, but there are too many problems on this one.
--The turn line looks very pronounced.
--The polish job on the barrel is abysmal/unfinished.
--The rear sight is garbage.
The swirl marks aren't ideal, but not a killer. I doubt they'd fix the turn line, but the barrel and the rear sight are unacceptable and clearly aren't the result of after-the-factory wear.
I don't know a bunch about how Smith does the printing on these new revolvers--never had one--but I do know that some methods can't be polished without removing or wearing the print.
--The turn line looks very pronounced.
--The polish job on the barrel is abysmal/unfinished.
--The rear sight is garbage.
The swirl marks aren't ideal, but not a killer. I doubt they'd fix the turn line, but the barrel and the rear sight are unacceptable and clearly aren't the result of after-the-factory wear.
I don't know a bunch about how Smith does the printing on these new revolvers--never had one--but I do know that some methods can't be polished without removing or wearing the print.
After 7 Rugers, I also bought my first S&W a few months ago, a 686 Plus 3" with the unfluted cylinder. I heard so many things about canted barrels, etc, when I got the gun at my FFL, I was so happy the barrel wasn't canted, I missed a nice size gouge on the lower barrel. I noticed it when I got home, and called S&W right away. They were polite, and sent me an address label (free shipping) to send the gun back. A few weeks later the gun came back, and everything look great! I could tell they went over the whole gun. Its my favorite gun!
I have to admit your turn line looks pronounced as mod29 pointed out. Bottom line, you paid for a NEW gun, and that thing looks really sad. Call and give S&W a chance to make it right.
I have to admit your turn line looks pronounced as mod29 pointed out. Bottom line, you paid for a NEW gun, and that thing looks really sad. Call and give S&W a chance to make it right.
GunnerMichael
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I have to agree with the folks who are saying that is not a new gun. (Some of this is reiterations)
- Someone has clearly tried to polish that gun after it left the factory since S&W does the logo stamp after they polish and you can see your gun was "polished" after the stamp was applied. The logo on my M69 is stamped also and I can tell it was done after the bead blasting (M69s are bead blasted).
- The turn line is worse than my M69 and I have about 300 dry-fires and like 100 rounds through it. (The dry-firing with snap caps helped smooth the DA pull significantly and helped me get familiar with the action before hitting the range, worth the effort.)
- My original rear sight (dropped the gun upside down and broke off) and the replacement are nowhere near as bad. Not perfect, but still good. All the white lines on S&W revolvers I have seen are thinner so my though it someone removed the original line and tried their own hand at making that.
- I can't quit tell but it looks like you have some trigger wear also. Could be the picture though.
When I was searching for a big bore revolver a few month ago I went to many shops and had my hands on many NEW S&W revolvers and they all were mostly picture perfect finish. Not one I saw was less that 99%. Ended up with a M69 and have been happy since. The M69 is bead blasted which I prefer because of less glare.
- Someone has clearly tried to polish that gun after it left the factory since S&W does the logo stamp after they polish and you can see your gun was "polished" after the stamp was applied. The logo on my M69 is stamped also and I can tell it was done after the bead blasting (M69s are bead blasted).
- The turn line is worse than my M69 and I have about 300 dry-fires and like 100 rounds through it. (The dry-firing with snap caps helped smooth the DA pull significantly and helped me get familiar with the action before hitting the range, worth the effort.)
- My original rear sight (dropped the gun upside down and broke off) and the replacement are nowhere near as bad. Not perfect, but still good. All the white lines on S&W revolvers I have seen are thinner so my though it someone removed the original line and tried their own hand at making that.
- I can't quit tell but it looks like you have some trigger wear also. Could be the picture though.
When I was searching for a big bore revolver a few month ago I went to many shops and had my hands on many NEW S&W revolvers and they all were mostly picture perfect finish. Not one I saw was less that 99%. Ended up with a M69 and have been happy since. The M69 is bead blasted which I prefer because of less glare.
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Edmo
US Veteran
To the OP, I'm sure S&W will do their best to make this right. Their customer service section is generally fair in warranty repairs and replacements.
They have a stack of FedEx shipping labels and aren't afraid to use them. Unfortunately, I've had to use my fair share of their labels in the last 3-4 years to correct similar issues.
Ignore the suggestions that you are somehow at fault for not catching these problems at the time of transfer... It happens. Regardless of your level of inspection, IMHO this revolver should not have left Springfield in this condition.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Edmo
They have a stack of FedEx shipping labels and aren't afraid to use them. Unfortunately, I've had to use my fair share of their labels in the last 3-4 years to correct similar issues.
Ignore the suggestions that you are somehow at fault for not catching these problems at the time of transfer... It happens. Regardless of your level of inspection, IMHO this revolver should not have left Springfield in this condition.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
Edmo
All else looks good to me - don't know about the turn line or what it should look like. Done a little dry firing, but all with snap caps.
Yes, I should have inspected better at the FFL - lesson learned. I've heard good things about S&W customer service and hope they will make this right.
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loeman
Member
Good luck to you 686357. I sincerely hope that all that is wrong is made right.
Your experience has reaffirmed my long standing gun purchase policy. SHOP LOCAL AND SHOP FTF. I only buy used and I know this puts severe limitations on what I can buy, but my mistakes and disappointments will be on me. However, I'm fortunate to live in an area with numerous LGSs and pawn shops. If they don't have what I want right now, they will later.
Your experience has reaffirmed my long standing gun purchase policy. SHOP LOCAL AND SHOP FTF. I only buy used and I know this puts severe limitations on what I can buy, but my mistakes and disappointments will be on me. However, I'm fortunate to live in an area with numerous LGSs and pawn shops. If they don't have what I want right now, they will later.
This is an interesting thread. The gun obiously looks like it has been re-polished, but the end of the barrel and the rear sight makes it look like someone assembled that gun from a variety of factory returns and put in in a box.
I am very curious how S&W handles this. The unfinished barrel polish and rear sight tells me they will work on it at no cost. In my opinion, I would hope they flat out replace that gun and re-hire for the position of the inspector that they should have fired for letting this thing out of the shop in the first place. Now the swirls are another thing.
Please keep us informed. We are seeing far too many factory returns from a company that at one time made fine firearms for years. I am tired of reading that a new owner was happy he/she did not get one with a clocked barrel. The entire top management team at S&W needs a overhaul but then the board members and stockholders are the only ones to fix that issue.
As for your longstanding love for Ruger revolvers, I just picked up a replacement for a gifted 3" K frame. It is a 3" SP101 and I have never owned a more rock solid revolver in my life. It will definitely not be the last Ruger revolver I will ever own.
I am very curious how S&W handles this. The unfinished barrel polish and rear sight tells me they will work on it at no cost. In my opinion, I would hope they flat out replace that gun and re-hire for the position of the inspector that they should have fired for letting this thing out of the shop in the first place. Now the swirls are another thing.
Please keep us informed. We are seeing far too many factory returns from a company that at one time made fine firearms for years. I am tired of reading that a new owner was happy he/she did not get one with a clocked barrel. The entire top management team at S&W needs a overhaul but then the board members and stockholders are the only ones to fix that issue.
As for your longstanding love for Ruger revolvers, I just picked up a replacement for a gifted 3" K frame. It is a 3" SP101 and I have never owned a more rock solid revolver in my life. It will definitely not be the last Ruger revolver I will ever own.
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DanEHunter
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I recently purchased a new 586 and the rear sight looked exactly like the OP's.
Dan, numerous people have shared the same with me over the last two days - how has one of America's oldest and most respected firearm manufacturers put out a vast lot of of rear sight blades that my five-year-old would reject?
Lessons to be learned concerning inspections and internet purchases.
That said, when you do get your gun back, expect it to be a shooter. Don't forget these things are tools and made to shoot. After firing the first couple of cylinders full of ammo will you will forgotten this entire thread was ever written.
That said, when you do get your gun back, expect it to be a shooter. Don't forget these things are tools and made to shoot. After firing the first couple of cylinders full of ammo will you will forgotten this entire thread was ever written.
gman51
Member
The 640-1 used gun I just bought on that big sale had the swirl marks on the sides like yours. I polished them out with 1500 grit paper. The SS looks good now. I am guessing after seeing your gun that maybe my gun came with the swirls also. The gun appears to not have been shot much if any. It really didn't even have a turn line on the cylinder.
The discolored muzzle on your gun is puzzling to me. I agree a thousand dollar gun should be perfect not a reject.
I have to say the SS finish on the new Ruger GP100 Match Champion I had makes your gun look like absolute poor quality workmanship.
After seeing your gun finish I am now glad my 627-5 didn't come with the polished SS finish. I would have really had a disgusted fit over it if it came looking like yours.
The discolored muzzle on your gun is puzzling to me. I agree a thousand dollar gun should be perfect not a reject.
I have to say the SS finish on the new Ruger GP100 Match Champion I had makes your gun look like absolute poor quality workmanship.
After seeing your gun finish I am now glad my 627-5 didn't come with the polished SS finish. I would have really had a disgusted fit over it if it came looking like yours.
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Ragnarok
Member
It's not a new gun.... it's awfull and understand your disappointment.
A true shame. I prefer the old guns but if this one is new it come maybee from China.......joke..or repolished with a Dremmel.
A true shame. I prefer the old guns but if this one is new it come maybee from China.......joke..or repolished with a Dremmel.
hammerfired
Member
Wow, it's hard to believe that a QC person actually looked at the condition of this firearm and let it leave to be sold.
Hope S&W gets you fixed right up OP and throws in a little langniappe for your trouble. It is a good example of why I don't buy any gun I can't examine personally.
Hope S&W gets you fixed right up OP and throws in a little langniappe for your trouble. It is a good example of why I don't buy any gun I can't examine personally.
Cookie stamping plastic is easy.Like running off a batch of Frisbe's.No real buffing of the slide before the Black Paint is applied either.
I have to agree with many here, this doesn't look like a factory finish. Granted, the most recent new S&W that I have at hand is a blued M57, I haven't seen a recent example of what comes out of Springfield. As much as I hope S&W comes to the aid of the OP, I am afraid that he will find that he is not the original owner of this Smith! May the powers that be look out for the OP.
photoman
Member
BigBill
Absent Comrade
To me the gun was tarnished and someone cleaned it up with scotchbrite or fine steel wool. I would get some simi chrome polish and buff it.
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That is disgraceful to say the least! Send 'er back!
This. There's no way this could sit on a LGS shelf.
