Wow!
When did these prices take such a drastic jump?

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...6_757896_image

When I worked with Gander Mountain a few years (5) back we sent in a few for customers to have the Combat Revolver Pkg done and I thought I remember it being around $150 or so.
With the prices this high would you seek alternatives for this kind of work?
If so, who would you recommend?

Thanks!
WFR

Could be me with a cynical attitude and outlook, but I will suggest that since the current Federal leadership took office, all things in this country jumped markedly in costs, especially anything related to firearms. Of course, also, the war has had an impact on costs along with emerging nations into the consumer market.

I have had work done on a couple of my revolvers at the factory which seemed fairly reasonable but costs do seem to have escalated a little more rapidly in the last two or three years. I have inquired about having other work done by some outside-the-factory vendors (prominent gunsmiths) and the wait time and costs are even higher....I don't know that I would rule out the factory because of their costs though. There are many great 'smiths out there. Finding one that is accepting work or who has a reasonable wait time could be frustrating.

The factory does do excellent work and I suppose that it is just a sign of the times that quality work will keep costing more no matter who does it, as long as the company or 'smith is reputable. I like "Cylinder and Slide" in Nebraska. Had a Gold Cup fixed there one time rather than the factory. They treated me well and got my gun fixed properly too. I know that there are many more who are capable.

The kind of people who can do top quality work don't work for minimum wage.
Each year, they expect their pay to go up.
Each year the cost of their benefits, including medical, go up, sometimes by quite a bit.
The company has to charge higher and higher prices to afford to keep top people.

The factory is still the recommended source of work.
They have enough people working that you don't have to wait a year or two for work, and they have a no "BS" warranty on their work.
NO ONE knows more about a S&W then S&W.

I sent my 642 back to S&W because the frame's clear coat came off. No charge for the repair or the shipping

If you have a problem, then that's when I recommend extra work to be done, at the same time.

Most updates to the gun won't change a thing in accuracy or performance. If you trade the gun after the work is done, you will likely lose all that money put into it.

A nice trigger and chamfered charge holes when shooting with speed loaders / moon clips are the only must have assessories that you really need IMHO.

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NRA Benefactor Member

wfr...one thing for sure...gander mountain pricing has just about everyone beat in terms of overpricing LOLOL!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

No doubt!
I worked there from 2002 to 2006 and saw that company, it's history and it's heritage go down the pipes in just a couple of years.
When the little man from Home Depot took over and then started dismantling the mountains, waterfall displays, etc I could see the writing on the wall.
It still sickens me to this day to see what has happened to that company and yes, their prices are ridiculous!
Corporate greed and a big-box mentality took over for common sense and sticking to what they knew (HFC - Hunting, Fishing, Camping).
Rant mode off now.

I think S&W prices are within reason. Heck, I have to pay $145.00 per hour to have my Mercedes worked on at the dealer.

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Cliff

The price WE PAY is always to high......

The price WE CHARGE is always too low......

Just depends on which side of the counter you are standing on!

All things considered, I think that the Factory prices are within reason, and most of the work they do is very high quality. If there is an issue after receiving your gun back, the Factory will fully stand behind their work. Not a bad deal these days!

By the way let me just mention that I recently had two Colt SAA revolvers re-blued and re-case hardend at the Colt Factory and their prices were not only reasonable, and their work was just OUTSTANDING AS WELL!!! They are currently doing the highest quality refinishing I have ever seen come out of Colt. JFYI.............

Chief38