Would you send this gun back if you'd just received it?

C

ccjcc81

Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Messages
96
Reaction score
79
Location
East Texas
I ordered a model 66 and decided to give S&W another chance. I inspected the revolver at the FFL today and didn't notice any strange trigger problems, so I took it home. Upon close inspection I found a whole bunch of flaws. I value the opinion of the users of this forum, so I 'd like to ask 2 questions.

1: Will the cylinder stop notch issue cause a problem in the future?

2: Would you send this back to S&W if your gun had these cosmetic problems?

I received this today, and frankly I'm quite angry about these issues. I actually ignored advice to buy a Taurus or Rossi instead of this 66, even though the last 2 revolvers I bought from S&W had trigger problems. For $900 I believe a revolver should be immaculate. Would you be angry about these things, or would they not bother you? I'm not sure if I'm making a big deal out of issues that wouldn't bother other S&W users, or if my surprisingly strong anger is justified. I'd really like to know if that cut in the cylinder stop notch is going to cause a timing issue after a bit of use wearing the revolver in. Oh, and if that part is not called the cylinder stop notch, please enlighten me. I admit that the last picture probably wouldn't even bother me if that were the only issue, as it's not even noticeable in a picture, but they just keep adding up.

1: Large scallop in one cylinder stop notch and small scratches in the cylinder

8d71.jpg

d4c2.jpg


2: Rough machining marks; deep gouges on the top of the barrel shroud where the front sight ramp starts

2603.jpg


3: Incomplete engraving, tops of letters and numbers missing

16d4.jpg


4: Screwdriver dragged against side plate when screw installed.

30e5.jpg
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
I definitely think you should send it back... if you have time and patience. If you don't, you'll hate it every time you see it.

The way the original post is formed, you seem to want to put a lot of value in to what any one of us would do (no harm in that!) so I can only answer truthfully and say that this specific situation would never happen to me because I have no interest whatsoever in anything new from S&W. Just too many problems and they have outsourced 100% of the QC department to the end buyer. An interesting line of work though this may be, working QC for S&W today is an unpaid position.
 
ccjcc81 said:
Do you guys think they'll return it and provide a refund, or fix the issues?
Click to expand...

I believe they may attempt to replace the cylinder with the hogged out notch. And I believe further they would call the rest of your complaints simply within the tolerances of what they allow for a new revolver.

They will absolutely never give you a refund. If you are extremely lucky they will send you an entire replacement revolver and there is a really high chance you can find issues with that one also.
 
ccjcc81 said:
Do you guys think they'll return it and provide a refund, or fix the issues?
Click to expand...

IMHO, I'd cut bait and run. The faded lettering is an allegory for S&W's fading quality.

Let 'em fix it, if they insist but I wouldn't think twice about selling it then.
 
I'd send it back for sure - that improper rollmark on the barrel and the gouge in the barrel shroud are particularly horrendous. Especially for its nearly $1000 price point.

I had to send a newly purchased GP100 back twice late last year for cosmetic issues, but Ruger sent me a shipping label both times at no cost to me, and they were a pleasure to deal with.
 
Last edited:
Are you going to keep it unfired in the box for a "long term" investment? Or are you going to shoot it, holster it, carry in the woods and use it? These are not custom built handguns, so while I agree the flaws suck, I buy my guns to use, and they get buggered up anyway.

If it hits where I aim it, and it goes bang everytime, I'm one of those that plan on working my gun and I know that 6 months from now none of the cosmetic stuff is going to matter, providing it serves me well.

Your call of course, but most used guns have issues too. I agree it's very sloppy quality control, so I tend to look any purchases over real good, new or 50 years old, and focus on performance. If it shot a foot off point o aim, I'd send it back. If I'm going to haul it through the woods and get it wet, scratched and dirty, I'd probably keep it, ......... I doubt I'd go through the headache of screwing with it for 6 months.

Your call.
 
kraynky said:
Are you going to keep it unfired in the box for a "long term" investment? Or are you going to shoot it, holster it, carry in the woods and use it? These are not custom built handguns, so while I agree the flaws suck, I buy my guns to use, and they get buggered up anyway.

If it hits where I aim it, and it goes bang everytime, I'm one of those that plan on working my gun and I know that 6 months from now none of the cosmetic stuff is going to matter, providing it serves me well.

Your call of course, but most used guns have issues too. I agree it's very sloppy quality control, so I tend to look any purchases over real good, new or 50 years old, and focus on performance. If it shot a foot off point o aim, I'd send it back. If I'm going to haul it through the woods and get it wet, scratched and dirty, I'd probably keep it, ......... I doubt I'd go through the headache of screwing with it for 6 months.

Your call.
Click to expand...

@Kraynky Do you think the problem with the cylinder stop notch will ever become a liability? Is having that there going to shorten the service life in any way? Do you think it could affect timing in any way?

The answer to your question is no, it's not going in the safe. I bought it to carry around.
 
Last edited:
I would contact the dealer you bought it from first to see what they will do. If no satisfaction there, I would contact S&W and send it back. The defect in the cylinder stop notch would concern me.
 
Your fault for not examining the gun prior to doing the paperwork. I would not have accepted the gun. Yes, the cylinder notch beveled edges will likely cause a problem if you shoot it much. Now that you own it, just get a prepaid label and send it to the factory with a detailed list of your complaints.
 
I'm also in the "send it back" camp. If every one of their flawed products was returned for service, the company would be forced to remedy the cause at their end. Unfortunately it's probably a small percentage of owners who take the time to go that route. I like to think that most companies want to know about their product's issues and have the chance to fix them before any negative publicity gets out. But that's the optimist in me talking.

Don't beat yourself up for missing those defects. It's reasonable to expect that any new handgun would have passed through some quality control checks prior to shipment. Call them and relate your findings and allow them the opportunity to make things right for you. As you know, they have a well-established process for this. You deserve better than what you received!

Todd
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

AJR337
Would you be upset?
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
AlHunt
A
hastings
Sending model 25-9 to S&W for repair and action job.
Replies
2
Views
344
Nightowl
Nightowl
B
Looks like I have a Problem. Need help.
2
Replies
21
Views
1K
Grayfox
Grayfox
Redacted_553
Is it a timing issue?
Replies
9
Views
449
SGT ROCK 11B
SGT ROCK 11B
W
S&W repair question
2
Replies
20
Views
1K
comp124
C

Latest posts

Back
Top