Just sharing...........

Ordered the revolver on Columbus Day as Smith & Wesson had an addition 10% off at their Performance Center in Springfield (I live in Boston). Got the call yesterday that the firearm was in. Took a ride to Springfield from Boston (about 80 miles or so) after work today to pick her up. Looked her over and noticed:

1. A pretty large scrape in the front Compensator
2. Smooth cylinder has 4 horizontal lines that looked like someone rested the cylinder on cement then dragged it when they picked it up. Maybe on a machinist work table or something.
3. The inside yoke was not bead blasted and was much darker (raw metal) than the rest of the revolver. My 627 V-Comp has the yoke bead blasted like the rest of the finish.

About 9 months or so ago, I purchased the 627 PC V-Comp that had none of these marks on it and after 9 months, it’s in better condition than the new model I was about to pick up. The guys at the counter was clear and stated that the revolver shouldn’t have left the factory that way for a PC revolver. They plan to have it walked over to the factory tomorrow to replace the front Compensator, Cylinder and to have the inside yoke bead blasted. I love the 627 PC V-Comp and I’m looking forward to loving the 629 but I want to be the person who adds character marks to it.

Update:

Just to close the loop, I received a call from Smith & Wesson that my new 629 V-Comp was in and was inspected by the Performance Center Manager (Dan). I went to pick it up yesterday 12/15 and it looks good - this one doesn't have the defects / blimmishes listed above. I was out of a little travel time going back and forth but Smith & Wesson took care of the issues I had. Looking forward to a nice long range session this weekend.

Take care.

That is an unfortunate and colossal waste of your time. Do some loud complaining to some management types. I encourage you to write a letter or email to Smith about this. Think of it as helping the community.

Exactly why I don't order guns. No quality control. Even the PC ships junk at random intervals. Then you are stuck with the dog and you have to ping pong it back and forth with the factory.

'No QC'... that's a bit harsh. I have two PC Shop purchases - both 2 5/8" PC627 UDR's. Both had Eagle boot grips with gaps - yuk! Still, they replaced the grips - and the revolvers are perfect, as was my specially ordered new production revolver I picked up recently - a 3" 63. Previous year's purchases are fine, too.

S&W will make a bad purchase good - but the OP did the 'right thing' - he didn't accept the damaged revolver - good for him. Of course, it means another trip to get it, that's not good. I am sorry for his troubles. I predict he will be elated with his purchase, once he shoots it.

Stainz

Technically, you are correct. Gun makers do have QC: it's their customers. They throw a blanket warranty on the guns are wait for us to find the dogs and send them back. Some of the defects i see on new guns in general and SW guns in particular could be found by a nearsighted monkey. Like in this case: it doesn't take a genius to know gouge marks or drag marks on a new gun are not acceptable. The prevailing attitude I see reflected is: If it shoots, it ships. That is not acceptable to me.

Not necessarily: what they will do is try to fix the gun. Depending upon the defect, it may be a gun you just don't want to own. I read many forums and the "reviews" on SW warranty work is all over the map. Some are very happy, some have nightmare scenarios. I may be old fashioned, but if I drop $800+ for a new gun, I expect it won't have defects that I have to have repaired.

That is not even a legal option out here. EVERY gun shop has the same policy: If you order a gun, you pay in advance, you get the gun and if it has problems, you have to send it back to the manufacturer. If you "don't take the gun", they will be keeping a big chunk of wwhat you paid as a restocking fee.

General Update:

I called the Performance Center about 10 minutes ago. I was told that they have ordered two more 629 PC V-Comps from the factory and that they would call me when they are in to take a look.

I guess I'm in for another 1 - 2 month wait before I'm able to see what gives.

Thanks for the input and comments from those that responded to this thread.

Oddly, I've never had to even put down a deposit on an S&W revolver I've ordered. I always look them over before paying, too - and have never found an obviously bad one - bought every one I ordered. Now, Rugers, they were always bought with the understanding that they would be in pieces shortly after arriving home. Talk about lacking in QC... but I digress.

I don't know where your 'out here' is, but it sounds like you get the dredges - perhaps a change in distributor/source would help. I don't blame you if you won't order new guns, if you are that dissatisfied with S&W. Life is too short to be miserable over something you can effect a change in. I guess I am either very fortunate - or extremely tolerant.

tyhlme,

Do they have any of your money? Are you that set on a V-Comp PC629? If it's SKU #170173, it's only a 4" barrel - and comp - it's going to be loud. I had a 5" JM PC627 V-Comp - wow was that thing loud - and nasty (Something else to clean!) - with .38's. Is there something else you might like as well? Yeah, I know - there is no explaining the 'wants'. I sold my JM to buy another 2 5/8" PC627 UDR - try to explain that to someone else. I'm happy - that's what counts. I hate you are having the wait! Good luck!

Stainz

Hi Stainz,

Yes, they have 100% of my money since October. They charged my credit card 10 minutes after I hung up the phone for the full amount. They wouldn't give me the additional 10% discount unless I paid for it in full over the phone.

At the moment, the V-Comp models pull me in. I know its mainly just a look - that some dislike but I happen to be in the camp that like it. Also, the thing shoots like a dream. With me already having the 627 V-Comp model in SS, I was looking to get the 629 version in SS before they morph into the two tone model S&W has now of the new 627 V-Comp, which hurts my eyes.

If for what ever reason, S&W is unable to produce a 629 V-Comp without defects / blimmishes is probably more appropriately stated, believe me, I will get 100% of my money back. There will be NO restocking fee........

My "out there' is California. For a long time, I assumed the gun makers intentionally sent us their rejects to punish us for Dianne Feinstein. We have VERY limited gun sources here and none of the ones near me are quality sellers.

The entire problem of poor quality stems from a very unfair fact: gun sellers accept NO legal liability for the initial quality. That is the only product where it is that way. If you buy shoes, TV, computer, refrigerators, or any other consumer product, the selling agent is held liable for any item with a gross initial defect and must make it good to the buyer. In the case of guns, the dealers just smile and say:

"It's not our problem. Call the manufacturer."

I don't know any other product where buyers would tolerate that and accept such poor initial quality standards.

The point is, if gun sellers got put on the hot seat (where they had to refund your money and send the defective products back to the maker) they would push back and force the makers to do better QA.

BTW: one seller I know of (Dawson Precision) used to advertise that they carefully checked and test fired the guns they sold to weed out the turkeys. That is what a quality supplier would do when faced with quality problems.

Try having a problem when you live out of the US, for example up here in Canada. If I get a "dog" and have to send it back for warantee work or replacement I'm in for a real problem. Now you are dealing with international borders as well. Talk about a pain in the butt!

I was trying to get one of those PC 629's with a 6.5" barrel but may abandon the idea. If they have to bring it in then I'm getting a "pig in a poke" because if it's damaged in any way I'm stuck with it. Either that or wait about a year for it to go back through the border, be fixed, and make it back through the border again - with hassles both ways over duty, taxes, etc.

I guess I'll just have to find a stock 629 in a dealership somewhere that I can check over first to make sure it's okay, and then take that.

It's annoying that you can't count on S&W to ship a clean item the first time. I love their guns, but wish they had better quality control before things left the factory.

Either that or a guy should move to Springfield.