This might give you an idea of repair costs by S&W

Ernie L · #1 03-19-2009, 01:50 PM

I dropped off a model 19-3 that I had recently purchased at the S&W plant on 5 March. I was having progressively more difficulty opening the cylinder. It finally got to the point where it would only open if I pushed the cylinder to the rear as I pushed the latch, and even then sometimes not. I also indicated on the repair ticket that the BC gap seemed excessive (.012")

I received a letter today with the costs of repair. Though I have little prior experience in the matter the cost seems more than reasonable to me. total cost for parts labor and shipping $128.61

the letter

an easier to read close up

Centenniel · #2 03-19-2009, 04:08 PM

The costs sound very reasonable to me. Your revolver should be ready to get back into action now.

Ernie L · #3 03-19-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

The costs sound very reasonable to me. Your revolver should be ready to get back into action now

indeed....can you imagine paying machine shop rates..
I'm no gun smith but as I understand it..when they say they are going to turn the barrel they mean machine more thread on the end of it ? then tighten it down until they get the right BC gap..all the while insuring the front sight is squared to the frame !! and then of course I imagine you have to shorten the extractor rod..which is why I assume they mention re-brazing it....good golly

jrm53 · #4 03-20-2009, 05:52 PM

I think what they will do with the barrel is to face about .024 or .025 off the shoulder of the barrel and not try to pick up the threads. 1.000 divided by 36 which is the # of threads per in. = .0277 the extra .002 or .003 will make sure the sight remain true, this will give them enough to fix the BC gap and they shouldnt have to adjust the extractor rod. This is not unreasonable at all for the skill you are getting. K frames have 36 t.p.i.

Ernie L · #5 03-20-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

I think what they will do with the barrel is to face about .024 or .025 off the shoulder of the barrel and not try to pick up the threads. 1.000 divided by 36 which is the # of threads per in. = .0277 the extra .002 or .003 will make sure the sight remain true, this will give them enough to fix the BC gap and they shouldnt have to adjust the extractor rod. This is not unreasonable at all for the skill you are getting. K frames have 36 t.p.i.

Thanks for the explanation..that makes more sense than my theory about turning more threads..he he he..I mentioned the extractor as they indicated that they were going to re-braze it..perhaps that was a separate issue.

The letter indicates they are going to tighten the cylinder..I assume by that they will address the end shake problem..That would take care of all the issues this pistol had.. This was a pistol that looked nearly new but it would that it had been fired with plenty of full house .357 rounds. I was unaware of anything wrong with the timing but that's not really my area of expertise. Now if you want to conduct a linear ambush..I'm your guy

Even with all the issues this pistol was still very accurate ,never spit lead,or failed to go bang and was a pleasure to shoot.

I'm hoping they include a more detailed summary of the repair work when they ship the pistol. It should be interesting. And yes 90 dollars for the skill and labor involved is a steal.

tennexplorer · #6 03-20-2009, 08:58 PM

I too think it is very reasonable. What I really find interesting is the UPS 2nd day delivery. I guess it has less chance of getting stolen coming from the manufacturer to the individual than it does from the individual to the FFL, huh? Or maybe S&W is just big enough to tell UPS to stick it.

model10 · #7 03-20-2009, 09:05 PM

makes no dif what he does with it along as it gets it done right he gets payed the hour one on the time he spends on the gun , concuter your better off if he is good or not !!!

Ernie L · #8 03-20-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

I too think it is very reasonable. What I really find interesting is the UPS 2nd day delivery. I guess it has less chance of getting stolen coming from the manufacturer to the individual than it does from the individual to the FFL, huh? Or maybe S&W is just big enough to tell UPS to stick it.

That raised an eyebrow here as well..the only explanation I have is that there is less chance of a thief to know there is a weapon in the box if its addressed to me rather than to S&W (shrug)

Ernie L · #9 03-20-2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

makes no dif what he does with it along as it gets it done right he gets payed the hour one on the time he spends on the gun , concuter your better off if he is good or not !!!

"makes no dif what he does with it"
Well it is of some interest to me and I thought others might find it interesting as well.

....do you mean to say you don't find the "what and how" of the repairs the least bit interesting ???,and yet you are in the gun smithing section of this forum!!

#10 03-21-2009, 05:09 AM

The $6.00 an hour Labor Rate is the Astounding part to me.

The 2nd Day Standard shipping is likely because you must be fairly local - you did say you dropped it off - and I'm sure S&W does enough business with them to get pretty much the 'Best Customer' rates.

Careby · #11 03-21-2009, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KKG:
The $6.00 an hour Labor Rate is the Astounding part to me.

I'm guessing the labor is quoted in fractions of an hour, not whole hours.

Andy Griffith · #12 03-21-2009, 06:08 AM

I was told that they use "2nd Day Standard Shipping" because they don't have the option in their antiquated computer system for "Next Day Air Saver." If you ever get one marked "Next Day Air," it is exactly that.

"Next day air saver" means that it will arrive before the end of the business day, rather than before 12-3PM. This makes a tremendous difference in price.

Ernie L · #13 03-21-2009, 06:31 AM

Quote:

I was told that they use "2nd Day Standard Shipping" because they don't have the option in their antiquated computer system for "Next Day Air Saver." If you ever get one marked "Next Day Air," it is exactly that.

I can believe that about their computers..When I called to give them my CC information their system locked up

Yes I did drop the pistol off at the front gate house. Though I now live in New Hampshire I was born in Springfield. I still have family in the area so it was a twofer. I took the time to visit the retail store/firing range and mini museum while I was there. I'm wondering if the old plant on Stockbridge street is still standing..I think I will check the next time I'm in the area.

Spotteddog · #14 03-21-2009, 11:14 AM

Most stuff I've ever gotten shipped from S&W never have anything but "SW Springfield Mass." They don't even print the "&" between the "S" and the "W".

Abflyboy · #15 04-06-2009, 02:59 PM

FWIW, $6.00 per time unit. Each time unit is 1/10 hour. 15 TU = 1-1/2 hours labor. $60/hr labor rate is a fantastic price from the manufacturer.

arfmel · #16 04-09-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by model -10:
makes no dif what he does with it along as it gets it done right he gets payed the hour one on the time he spends on the gun , concuter your better off if he is good or not !!!

Well said, good fellow!

Ernie L · #17 05-18-2009, 04:35 PM

I wonder how much longer I should give S&W before I report my revolver stolen.

Ernie L · #18 05-24-2009, 09:36 AM

Phylis called

..she said the repair work is done and I should have it in hand by Wednesday..report at 11.

Ernie L · #19 05-30-2009, 10:43 PM

it came with the old parts and a "thanks for your business..give us a call if something is not right" letter in an envelope.

I've managed to get to the range finally..fired a hundred rounds each of Remington 38 sp + P 158 GR. semi-JKTD HP and Remington 357 magnum 125 GR. semi-JKTD HP. The weapon functioned flawlessly.

One ragged 6 round hole at 15 yards was the norm

..25 yard groups were another matter ..I was able to keep them all on a pie plate..mostly. That's typical for my eye sight....After two eye surgeries and plastic lenses ...mid range focus is OK but longer than that and its becomes a matter of lining up the close fuzzy thing with the far the fuzzy thing..so ta speak.. these days it's seems all to rare to have competent work done at a fair price..thanks S&W

Recon · #20 06-14-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ;723276

I'm sure S&W does enough business with them to get pretty much the 'Best Customer' rates.

A S&W customer service told me that they send out over 200 overnight parcels per day thus the commercial shipper rate of $14.00.

hotblue · #21 06-14-2009, 04:27 PM

That's interesting. I see a couple of wholesalers and S.O.G. are also offering UPS 2nd Day Air rather than UPS's stated Next Day Air Saver requirement. I ship handguns FedEx 2nd day air back to owners quite often with no problems.
These requirements are the shippers, not ATFs, so maybe they're realizing how much business they loose with the "next day" rule.

bountyhunter · #22 06-14-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotblue

These requirements are the shippers, not ATFs, so maybe they're realizing how much business they loose with the "next day" rule.

That's absolutely correct, there is no law saying a private shipper must use accelerated shipping for guns. But, out here they do it because they do NOT want the business. And, both UPS and Fed Ex managers told me they don't want the liability when the thieves they employ steal a gun and cause havoc with it.

n4zov · #23 06-15-2009, 02:01 PM

Thanks for sharing that invoice. I found it interesting and informative. The great thing about using S&W factory service is that their repair personnel work on nothing but Smith and Wesson products, they always have somebody else they can ask if they have a question, and they have the parts on hand to do the job!