Had some trouble with S&W, but they took care of it

[mrchuck]

I am used to "Lands and Grooves" in a barrel. Those in your barrel are NOT lands and grooves.
Surely this barrel is missing final internal barrel machining of normal
"lands and grooves!!
I am positive Smith & Wesson will replace the barrel and test fire it, and send it back to you as quick as they can.

 

[DirtyHairy]

I haven't had a chance to call yet because I've been so busy at work, and I usually work during the same hours they take calls. Hopefully tomorrow or Friday I will be able to make the call.

I will keep you all informed.

 

[ImDrRich]

My friend, by now you have earned the right to go to the top. Call the office of S&Ws president and register your complaint. If they put you onto someone else, fine - tell your story, register your righteous indignation, and ask for an exchange for a factory new one. I'd really be surprised if you get turned down.

 

[wellthought1]

I've bought four Smith & Wesson revolvers this year. I've had to send THREE of them back to CS for repair work. One was a 686-6 4". The second was a 629-6 5". The third is a 686-4 4". They still have the 686-4 4". I bought a 629-4 6" about three weeks ago and it is the best revolver I've ever owned.

 

[Rick_A]

I bet you there's a number of folks who would be interested in taking that 3-1/2" "357" off your hands, it being such a shoddy example of revolver making. (smile)


Dave

While that's certainly not what I said, that's as good as gone. That 22-4 is the keeper, for me.

 

[Rick_A]

I've bought four Smith & Wesson revolvers this year. I've had to send THREE of them back to CS for repair work. One was a 686-6 4". The second was a 629-6 5". The third is a 686-4 4". They still have the 686-4 4". I bought a 629-4 6" about three weeks ago and it is the best revolver I've ever owned.

What was wrong with the others?

 

[sw282]

mad at S&W

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrmWN0igJY0[/ame]


Harry. Your barrel is NOT made by Smith&Wesson. lts made by

Lothar Walther in Cumming GA. Give them a call. They can likely

help answer your questions.. The video posted above has a pix

EXACTLY like the one you posted.. Obviously they forgot to pull

the button thru that smoothes the spiral grooves out.

 

[rags]

^^^ PIC? ^^^ I must have missed it.

 

[muddocktor]

^^^ PIC? ^^^ I must have missed it.

In post #2, rags. Looks pretty ugly to me too.

 

[BigBill]

First this could happen to anyone of us. Luckily my new s&w N frames are perfect.

If it was mine I'd check the accuracy first?
Maybe trade it in and take the loss.

On Remington's anniversary there 1100's were only $159. The local sports shop had a train car load. I'm going hunting in bear country for bird. The new 1100 wouldn't cycle the bolt. It jammed. In the store two more jammed right out of the box again these were brand new. The last one functioned would you trust it? Since I couldn't get my $$ back I traded it in at the next local gun shop. Took the loss. My old fox 12ga double barrel worked fine.

 

[ladder13]

Have to say the spacing in those cuts are pretty darn consistent.

 

[sw282]

^^^ PIC? ^^^ I must have missed it.

rags.... The lines in the bore are from 0:01 to 0:03 SECONDS into the video..

The spiral lines in the the video look just like the ones in Harry's barrel..

You can still or freeze frame the video and see the pic in

the video matches Harry's pics..

ruggyh is the real 460/500 guru on Smith X frames. l have a 10 1/2'' l call BAM BAM...

Great shooter.. Bought USED.. IMOP... S&W customer service is

THE BEST.. Never a problem in almost 50 yrs..

282

 

[rags]

In post #2, rags. Looks pretty ugly to me too.

Pics in the video....

 

[DirtyHairy]

UPDATE: Yesterday I got a call from a S&W rep informing me they are sending me a replacement model.

This is relieving! I am going to look it over and test fire it before I relax and consider this ordeal over, but I am happy S&W is doing the right thing. I should be able to pick up the gun next weekend. I'll let everyone know if it turns out to be a good one.

 

[Chubbo]

Sad, but true!

That barrel, just about sums up my feelings about american craftsmen! Where has their pride in in their workmanship gone? If I had done my work, in the electric trade in the same manner, I wouldn't have lived a week. One has only to observe any work being done nowadays, to see that quality of work. Doing shoddy work is not entirely the fault of the workman, but also the employer's. This trend started long ago, when greedy, unprincipled, employers began, not allowing their workmen ample time to perform high quality work. I've most likely alienated myself to most workmen, and all of the employers in the USA, and probably everyone on this forum, with my opinions, but, I stated, and absolutely believe them. I'm appalled at the thought, but wouldn't be surprised in the least, to see S&W in the near future, farm out their work, that needs skilled workmanship, to wherever skilled workmanship, and pride still exists. I'm sadly afraid it won't be in the USA.

Chubbo

 

[rwt1405]

UPDATE: Yesterday I got a call from a S&W rep informing me they are sending me a replacement model.

This is relieving! I am going to look it over and test fire it before I relax and consider this ordeal over, but I am happy S&W is doing the right thing. I should be able to pick up the gun next weekend. I'll let everyone know if it turns out to be a good one.

Best of luck to you.

I hope the new one is MUCH better!

 

[357 shooter]

Doing shoddy work is not entirely the fault of the workman, but also the employer's. This trend started long ago, when greedy, unprincipled, employers began, not allowing their workmen ample time to perform high quality work.

Chubbo

Exactly! Everyone shouldn't be so quick to blame production workers as having no pride, desire or motivation to perform a quality job. Working at two factories on the assembly floor I have experienced management's contribution to poor quality.

in the early 2000s I was at a major RV plant where keeping the line moving was paramount above all else. Even working at the absolute limits of my ability there were times when I was still trying to finish as the RV was being moved to the next station. During our monthly management meeting they would share customer feedback and without fail the number complaint was always - you guessed it - CRAFTSMANSHIP!

Working at an automotive supplier for the past 15 years and have seen the turn from quality as the main priority to "Getting out the Numbers". Machines that don't run properly and skeleton crews contribute to the downslide in quality. One worker trying to perform a two worker task leads to bad parts being missed.

Not saying that some workers simply don't care but in many instances it's management policies that are most responsible for lousy quality on the production floor.

As to the OP I am glad to hear that Smith is sending you a new gun.

 

[ladder13]

UPDATE: Yesterday I got a call from a S&W rep informing me they are sending me a replacement model.

This is relieving! I am going to look it over and test fire it before I relax and consider this ordeal over, but I am happy S&W is doing the right thing. I should be able to pick up the gun next weekend. I'll let everyone know if it turns out to be a good one.

Good to hear. Check it thoroughly.

 

[OttoLoader]

I've never heard of a manufacturer refunding a consumer. If they did we'd hear about it all the time because everybody and their brother would demand their money back for a gun that "didn't work" for some reason or another instead of getting something fixed like a broken sight or something stupid like that that could be easily fixed by a local gunsmith. Not saying that's the case here, but rationally speaking i doubt that'll happen, but who knows. I say keep sending it back until they get to know you by name and phone number.

Full Refunds do happen, very infrequently though.

S&W sent me a full refund for what I paid my LGS for a PPK/S.

In 2010 I bought a Walther PPK/S post recall NIB.
S&W had the Walther contract and manufactured the ppk/s.
Problem it never functioned properly. Jams, mis feeds froze trigger, froze hammer block.
I suspect improper heat treatment cause stainless galling.
Sent it back to Houlton ME for warranty. Finally on the fifth time, hammer block froze.
I called S&W in Springfield Mass.
The ,CS manger said send it to them in Springfield, with receipt and they would send full refund. S&W sent me a shipping label.

I typed a very detail description of problems, each time.. The final time I did the same plus left as is from the range. They saw first hand the problem.

 

[balin]

I just retired after over 40 years in manufacturing. In production has aways been about numbers. Decades ago it was about making more in a shorter time. Now it is about making everything more cost effective. Tolerances are easier to hold with modernized computer controlled equipment. As long as the operator notices when things are going down hill. With closer tolerances it makes assembly quicker and less labor intensive. Where as in the older days they would have parts that were less standardized and the assemly people would have to try to hand work and hand fit everything to make it work.