New 610, little disappointed

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Shoothog

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Got the word that my new 6.5" 610 had arrived at my dealer. So I get it home and get a better look at things. First thing I notice how heavy the turn line is. A quick inspection of the cylinder stop/bolt reveals a very rough finish to the top radius. The overall finish to the surface of the revolver is very inconsistent with random deep scratches here and there. The barrel has a totally different appearance than the frame. Next I checked the cylinder timing and found one chamber that did not lock up with a slow, deliberate turn with a bit of thumb drag on the cylinder. I then disassembled it to be able to remove the burrs and polish the top of the cylinder stop. Finding most internal parts having sharp or blurred edges I cleaned up all parts while disassembled.

I shouldn't have to return a new revolver for repairs but I think the cylinder timing warrants it. Now I have to ship it back and wait for however long to get it back. As far as the surface finish I would prefer a bead blast matte if a "polished" surface is what my 610 was supposed to be.

I have many vintage Smiths and have always been happy with their quality of fit and finish. I hope this is not the new normal S&W. Maybe it's just cheaper to fix the guns returned rather than make sure they're right when they leave. Maybe I just expect too much for $1000 these days.
 
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I have looked recently at the X frame guns with long barrels for hunting, like the 460, 500s etc. I could not bring myself to like any of them. The frames were kind of a polished but not really, like the finish of the old craftsman tools. Barrels were brushed in some areas, not brushed in others. Barrel and frame steel had different colors too which would be better if the parts had at least a common finish. The guns looked randomly pieced together with no consideration of the design of the final product. Sorry, not for me. There was one 629 'Hunter' with a even bead blast finish all over. Nice looking. That one had visible burs from the tool when the target crown was cut. The salesperson said: That cleans up when shooting. I mean seriously....
 
Shoothog said:
Got the word that my new 6.5" 610 had arrived at my dealer. So I get it home and get a better look at things. First thing I notice how heavy the turn line is. A quick inspection of the cylinder stop/bolt reveals a very rough finish to the top radius. The overall finish to the surface of the revolver is very inconsistent with random deep scratches here and there. The barrel has a totally different appearance than the frame. Next I checked the cylinder timing and found one chamber that did not lock up with a slow, deliberate turn with a bit of thumb drag on the cylinder. I then disassembled it to be able to remove the burrs and polish the top of the cylinder stop. Finding most internal parts having sharp or blurred edges I cleaned up all parts while disassembled.

I shouldn't have to return a new revolver for repairs but I think the cylinder timing warrants it. Now I have to ship it back and wait for however long to get it back. As far as the surface finish I would prefer a bead blast matte if a "polished" surface is what my 610 was supposed to be.

I have many vintage Smiths and have always been happy with their quality of fit and finish. I hope this is not the new normal S&W. Maybe it's just cheaper to fix the guns returned rather than make sure they're right when they leave. Maybe I just expect too much for $1000 these days.
Click to expand...

IMO, I would have done nothing to it. I would have inspected it, made a list, and brought it back to the dealer. You are not expecting too much for 1000... I still have a lot of respect for that amount of money
 
Groo here
Gosh,,, Sorry about that...
P.S. My ruger Gp100 10mm was better than that and cheeper.......
PPS I guess the "you get what you pay for" saying just doesn't apply any more...
 
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I had a 610 layaway that I finally had to cancel. It too had minor finish issues, one being the barrel was more matte than the frame. I thought I could get past it but when something better came in I canceled the layway.

Then about a month ago a little older used 610-3 unfluted 4" at a different store. Now that gun is on layaway.
 
When I go to my longtime receiving FFL dealer to inspect an online purchase, I do not leave the business until I have a made a thorough and complete examination of the firearm (as allowed by the seller) and deem it acceptable. And I do mean thorough and complete (i.e. sometimes using high intensity lighting, or a magnifier, etc). So far, every gun I have purchased online has passed my buyer's inspection, and I completed those transfers.

However, I would not, and will not, hesitate to send something back to a seller immediately, without completing the transfer, if I found something that did not meet my expectations or there were blemishes or flaws not disclosed in photographs or auction narratives. That's my right as a buyer (I would never make a firearm purchase that did not allow for a return).

As a seller, once the transfer is complete, I think its a little late to return the firearm once you get it home.

JMO, YMMV.
 
Wow, I guess I got lucky with my 610, besides the thumbpiece and rear sight screws which weren't fully tightened. Otherwise it is nicely made.
 
rbmac52 said:
When I go to my longtime receiving FFL dealer to inspect an online purchase, I do not leave the business until I have a made a thorough and complete examination of the firearm (as allowed by the seller) and deem it acceptable. And I do mean thorough and complete (i.e. sometimes using high intensity lighting, or a magnifier, etc). So far, every gun I have purchased online has passed my buyer's inspection, and I completed those transfers.

However, I would not, and will not, hesitate to send something back to a seller immediately, without completing the transfer, if I found something that did not meet my expectations or there were blemishes or flaws not disclosed in photographs or auction narratives. That's my right as a buyer (I would never make a firearm purchase that did not allow for a return).

As a seller, once the transfer is complete, I think its a little late to return the firearm once you get it home.

JMO, YMMV.
Click to expand...

I may be misinterpreting the original post but I thought he was criticizing a factory new gun, so he doesn't need to perform a full inspection at the gun shop.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 
rbmac52 said:
In my opinion, an inspection of a new Smith &Wesson revolver is more called for than ever before...

Again, JMO. YMMV.
Click to expand...

ABSOLUTELY........ANY GUN.......Lots of post where the buyer whines after the purchase......Anybody should fully inspect before laying down the $$$. Hard to feel compassion for those that don't.
 
Shoothog said:
Next I checked the cylinder timing and found one chamber that did not lock up with a slow, deliberate turn with a bit of thumb drag on the cylinder.
Click to expand...

With a S&W revolver it is NOT advised to put an drag on the cylinder when checking timing. The S&W revolver is a Combat Revolver and to insure that it will still function after being dropped in a muddy trench it has a bit more clearance in some areas than one would see in a Korth. In addition the basic design provides for good carry up even after years of wear by relying Inertia to insure carry up to full lock.
 
Yes, my bad for not doing a better job of inspection before purchase. Just assumed that a factory fresh revolver should be trouble free. I will say that the 610 is billed as a hunting/defense revolver. For me hunting with a revolver involves a slow, deliberate single action pull while sitting in a blind and using a tripod rest. Not a forceful rotation of the cylinder that would alert my quarry. My concern being that the hammer "could" fall on a misaligned chamber/barrel.

I was just stating my disappointment in the overall lack of fit and finish and esthetic look of what was once the epitome of craftsmanship. I own and enjoy many S&W revolvers and semi autos, just maybe not the latest standard quite as much.
 
Mike said:
ABSOLUTELY........ANY GUN.......Lots of post where the buyer whines after the purchase......Anybody should fully inspect before laying down the $$$. Hard to feel compassion for those that don't.
Click to expand...

At least not then come here and complain..
 
I still wish people would wait until the story has an ending before they post about their crappy gun buy.

So many post that their new SW is an abomination and then never tell us how it worked out.

I'm going through the same thing myself and I will tell the story AFTER I get it fixed.

Then again, maybe not.

It's like owning a car you love and going to a forum to read about how much your car sucks.

yeah, no thanks
 
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