I will not lie, it definitely is the principle of it. I also have zero issue with cosmetic issues, considering it’s me that caused it. With the trainings I’ve been in, both in and outside of work, my gun and weapon light have some mileage on them (used, not really abused). But if the Streamlight came out of the box with some sort of defect… I’d pull one off another gun and send it back for replacement. Similar view, at least in my eyes.
That being said, I really don’t consider it a hassle to ship it out. It would be awesome if they allowed me to drop it off at the Houlton factory (literally 2 minutes from work, 15 from home)… but doubt that. Still, FedEx and UPS pick up regularly at work. UPS, can have redirected to work. FedEx… can have sent to a local pickup box. Shipping up this way stinks, but zero issue sending a gun for warranty work.
And for the wait… what’s a few weeks/months with something I plan on owning for life? This is actually my first .357 Magnum in almost 3 decades and it isn’t something that I need right now. Have the P7M8… if I fly, have to carry the duty gun. I do have other options, and still… if work is done, likely going to hold off until the spring to confirm POI at the range and not freeze outside.
I do not feel that this will change S&W. But it will make me feel better about the product I purchased from them that has a flaw. I’m leaning towards picking up a .357 lever gun, so I can use my suppressor with .38s. I’m also looking at that 586 L-Comp. S&W doesn’t care whether or not I continue to purchase from them… but how it’s handled will be the deciding factor on if I get a S&W 1854 or a Marlin 1894. The L-Comp… I’d probably just buy something other than a revolver instead (complete “just because” purchase). That isn’t an ultimatum, again because they likely couldn’t care less about me as a single customer, but it definitely would decide a few of my future purchases.
This thread wasn’t to get torches up against S&W. Mainly, it was A) to show a flaw I noticed and B) vent. I’m the type that I do like discussing guns and have zero issue with the recommendations/chat… but between work and other projects (I’m finishing up a .40 AR pistol build), it really isn’t something I plan on dealing with it.
I will reach out to them tomorrow when they open back up and see what they say.
Not way before my time… but before my time. [emoji6]