S&W Warranty

[DAdams]

I was under the impression, that although not written, S&W repaired guns for life, regardless of ownership. I know that this is not published so I guess it is a discretionary item.

Just sent a M-60 in for repair, timing issue, I think the prior owner must have flipped the cylinder closed a bunch because it certainly wasn't the round count through it.

In any event after S&W having the snub for almost 8 weeks they told us that it was going to be $85 to repair and that they are not covering guns prior to 1989.

I don't have a problem paying the $85, but it wasn't expected, the evaluation of 8 weeks was extensive.

Anyone else heard of the discretionary time period or cutoff date?

[Ashlander]

Sounds like you were thinking of Ruger -- as long as they have parts they will support their guns no matter whether you are the original owner -- for free. They do not want their guns out there if they don't work. Their warranty is not in writing -- because if they put it in writing a bunch of varying state laws kick in, with which they did not want to mess around.

The S&W warranty is written (in the manuals) and protects only the original owner. The lifetime warranty to original owners applies to guns purchased on or after February 1, 1989.

[finaltoy]

Taurus also provides a lifetime warranty and NOT just to the original purchaser!

[DAdams]

"The lifetime warranty to original owners applies to guns purchased on or after February 1, 1989."

I stand corrected and at least the party line is being espoused.

[dan-g]

I knew about Ruger and Smiths policy but Taurus having a lifetime warranty is completely new news.

[snubbiefan]

Taurus does have a lifetime warranty and they do not care who owns it. BUT.....warranty issues with the folks in Miami can be a nightmare. You could be fooling with them for months...not weeks, or days....months.

As for the Smith "after 1989" warranty. I was told straight-up by a rep that if they could not prove you were not the original owner of the weapon, they had no choice but to repair it under warranty. I can tell you now that their database sux and it will be hit-or-miss for them to be able to verify the original owner. I had the rep run-the-numbers on 6 of my Smith's and not a one showed up in the system as to who owned it. All that warranty card does is gather personal information so people can target you for junk-mail, etc. It's a hit-or-miss proposition as to them having the original purchaser recorded. I have purchased 20-25 year old well used guns that still had the warranty card in the box.....never mailed in.

[Bullet Bob]

Yeah, Ford wouldn't replace the motor for free in the 40 year old car I bought from a drag racer either, the jerks.