27-2 Cylinder Lock-Up / Conclusion / See My Last Post
- Thread starter dlbx2
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dlbx2
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Jeff, customer service rep, called last Friday night and said that they would look at it first thing this week, and I should have it by the end of the week. I sent an e-mail to Dave, also in customer service, Tuesday to get an update. His reply was that the e-mail had been forwarded to Jeff, as he has the gun. A few hours later Jeff called and said that the personnel in the repair department would be gone until 1/2/2013. He appologized and asked what I wanted to do. I told him to keep the gun until it is fixed, whenever that is. He was polite, and I wished him a Merry Christmas, he wished me the same. No sense in getting angry. My dad says that when you get angry at someone, usually they don't care, so you lose because the stress damages your body. So, I sent my 27 in for a red ramp sight insert in September, I received it back in November, and the cylinder wasn't locking on two of the chambers, S&W sent a FedEx label, I sent it back, and I will receive it some time after the first of the year. So is this good or bad customer service? Either way, there is nothing to do but wait patiently.
DLB
DLB
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I'm really curious about this one. It does appear from one picture that the cylinder pins are missing, but it could just be the lighting. Even still though, while I could see that mimicking a timing issue, it shouldn't affect whether or not the stop engages two stop notches when hand rotating the cylinder.
So, let me get this straight. If you were to open the cylinder, and then close it so that it latches with the stop between notches, are you saying that you can manually rotate the cylinder to lock on four chambers, but not on the other two?
When this happens, is the stop up into the frame window, resting on the cylinder, and failing to engage the notches, or is it still down inside the frame?
Is it always the same two cylinders or is it random?
Just trying to picture exactly what is happening from a mechanical perspective. I like to test my self sometimes. Trying to get a handle on the issue and form a theory so I can see how I did once you hear back from the smith at S&W.
Either way, I do agree that the cylinder stop should engage the notch and lock the cylinder from rotation regardless of if it's cocked or not. When I load any of my revolvers I always rotate it to lock on the first available chamber when I close it. If it bypassed a chamber I'd surely think something was amiss.
So, let me get this straight. If you were to open the cylinder, and then close it so that it latches with the stop between notches, are you saying that you can manually rotate the cylinder to lock on four chambers, but not on the other two?
When this happens, is the stop up into the frame window, resting on the cylinder, and failing to engage the notches, or is it still down inside the frame?
Is it always the same two cylinders or is it random?
Just trying to picture exactly what is happening from a mechanical perspective. I like to test my self sometimes. Trying to get a handle on the issue and form a theory so I can see how I did once you hear back from the smith at S&W.
Either way, I do agree that the cylinder stop should engage the notch and lock the cylinder from rotation regardless of if it's cocked or not. When I load any of my revolvers I always rotate it to lock on the first available chamber when I close it. If it bypassed a chamber I'd surely think something was amiss.
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dlbx2
Member
You've got it. The cylinder lock looks as though it is engaged, but it isn't, at least it isn't enough to hold it in place on two of the chambers. One is a little better, but the other just doesn't act like is is engaged at all. And yes, when I close a revolver after loading it, I rotate the cylinder until it locks, and then lay it on the seat, holster it, or put it beside the bed at night. I told them to look back to May 2011, when I sent one in for the same problem. The parts and labor were $73 to repair it. When I received it back from S&W, it worked perfectly. The guy that I have been working with doesn't seem to think that it is a bid deal as long as it work when you cock it. I asked him if he would buy one that was doing that, and, I could shoot it, and lay it on my Blazer seat, and it could slide on the seat, rotating the cylinder back to the previous chamber where it would lock. Then when cocking it, it would be back to the same chamber and have a fired brass instead of a live round.
DLB
DLB
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dlbx2
Member
Update; I called S&W today to get an update. The customer service rep told me that it is in "que" to be inspected/serviced/repaired as needed tomorrow by Vito, one of their experienced smiths that has done work on several guns for me over the years. Wish me luck. S&W has had the gun, except for a few days, since mid September when I sent it for RR sight insert. By the way, finally over the flu.
DLB
DLB
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dlbx2
Member
S&W rep called tonight at 7:43, Vito installed a cylinder stop that is set up a little higher & installed a new cylinder stop spring. He says that it should be functioning properly now. It has been packaged, and the rep told me that I should have it by the weekend. I guess the final chapter will be when I open the box and the cylinder locks up on all the chambers. Fingers crossed. DLB
gunnut44
Member
I been watching this and was wondering what was going on. Glad its on its way back, kind of figured it was that. It's been gone so long it will feel like you just got a new 27!
Vito did a superb job on one of my guns. My guess is you will be happy with the repair.
BruceM
Member
Vito is an absolute craftsman and one of the good guys in the Performance Center. Fitted a used cylinder, a replacement for one with a bulge on an "S" Prefix 29-2 and the work was uniformly excellent. Also replaced a 6 1/2" barrel with a name engraved on it with a correct 6 1/2" standard barrel on a four screw Pre 29 for me without putting a single mark on the frame, etc. If I needed work on a revolver done, I would ask for him to do it even if the wait was longer. They don't have many of these old timers (30+ years experience) left anymore.
Bruce
Bruce
S&W has had my 5 digit M40 since Dec 5, 2012. I was told that Vito was going to work on it as he was the only gunsmith there that still had parts for it. By email 2 weeks ago, they advised that it was still in line to be looked at. He must be a busy man and one of the last old timers.
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dlbx2
Member
Vito has installed red ramp sights on 4 70s era n frames for me over the past few years. According to the customer service department, they no longer offer that service due to no replacement barrels, however, each time they asked Vito if he would do it, and he always says "yes". I asked if I could have a photo of him working on one of them, "sorry, there is a policy against it". I had one that was doing the same thing that this one was, but much worse. I sent it to be repaired May 2011, and Vito repaired it. When I got it back, the lock up, whether cocked or not, was as tight as I have ever seen. Thanks to everyone who have shown interest and made comments. I'll post a photo and conclusion when I get it back, maybe tomorrow. David
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dlbx2
Member
It didn't arrive today as I was told. I called this afternoon to see why, and was told that it was still in the shipping department, since Tuesday. He said that the ATF agents walked in and closed the place down for an ATF audit. He said that every gun there had to have its serial number verified, and that the shipping department was backed up due to the audit. He said that it should go out this afternoon or Monday, and I should receive it Tuesday or Wednesday. The saga continues............................................................................DLB
BruceM
Member
PATIENCE, grasshopper, PATIENCE!
Bruce
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
With a taller cylinder stop be prepared to see it leave more of a turn ring unless they really got it timed perfectly.
SP, true, but man, dlbx2 is already wrapped around the axle on this one. Now with this issue to chew on, it might push him over he edge.
Dlbx2, that's a beautiful revolver, I truly hope everything works out to your expectations. Sounds like S&W has been working to make things right by you. I know it can be a long, frustrating experience when trying to get a firearm gun smithed! It is not just a S&W thing...
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dlbx2
Member
Thanks again for everyone's support and comments. Dave Valendez from S&W sent an e-mail this morning with the FedEx tracking number. It should be here Wednesday. This all started with me deciding to treat myself with a real nice shooter. I have vision issues, and sent it for RR/WO sights. While wiping it down where they had shot it before returning it, I found the problem, that had obviously been there all along. I put it away quite a while back when I purchased it. I am satisfied with S&W service, and feel fortunate that Vito did the work. I sent it in September, and was planning on taking it to the range as soon as I got it back. I bought two holsters, a Bianchi 5BHL and a Safariland 1040 shoulder holster, a Pelican case, and several boxes of .357 & .38+P. They have probably shot it more than it had been shot prior to the cylinder issue. dmar, wrapped around the axel is a new one, but right on the 10 ring! I am learning to do checkering, so that has had my mind occupied since cold weather. Also, a 2 week bout with the flu also helped, as nobody that I know goes shooting with a fever, severe headache, fatigue, coughing & sneezing. No good deed goes unpunished. Just kidding, I just sent it in at a bad time and they have done the best that the can. I fully expect to be happy with the results. I hope to put my last post to this saga on Wednesday with a phot with the new sights. David
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dlbx2
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Finally! I received the gun about 2 hours ago. It looks great and is working perfectly. Thanks to Dave, Jeff, and most of all Vito. I had expected to find something stating what they had done, but there was none. Anyway, this has been an education. Once again, thanks for all of your comments and suggestions. David
