3913 POI Low: Weapon is Fixed

[datsun40146]

(See post #12 for the solution)

As most of you know, I've been fighting a POI issue with my new 3913NL. For a previous explanation of the problems please read the previous thread.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/111506-3913-poi-low.html

This is an update: MgoBlue and I met up at a local range to see if we could diagnose the problem with my weapon.
The 1st thing we did was have me shoot my weapon at 7 yards. After a magazine my group measured about 3 inches across and I would estimate about 6-7 inches low at 7 yards from the POA. MgoBlue suggested I try different ammo to confirm the problem and to elimate ammo variance from the problem. I tried Fiocchi, Independence, and Blazer? all of them had roughly the same drop. After confirming that the problem was not related to ammo. MgoBlue and I traded guns (He owns a new 3913LS) I shot his and he shot mine. He shot the same group I did with my gun and I shot much closer to my POA with his weapon that I ever had with mine.
Thus we started looking at the weapons, the sights looked very similar to the point of being exactly the same, so we eliminated this as a possibility. At this point MgoBlue suggested we swap the barrels between the weapons.
This made a world of difference, immediately my gun's POI was raised about 4 inches and his 3913LS dropped by about the same amount. This led us to think that there may be a problem with my gun's barrel, the way it is fitted or a combination of both. I would think this kind of problem is covered under warranty for the 3rd gens. Can anyone describe the return process I can expect, or possibly point me to a S&W representative on the forum I could get in contact with?

 

[handgunner356]

Your best bet is to call S&W customer service 800-331-0852 an explain exactly what you have found. They should send you a pick up tag and take care of the problem. I had a simular problem with a M&P40. I originally thought it was the "new to handguns" owner problem but after shooting the gun myself I called and tried to have then just send a lower front sight. They had me send it in and it came back with the same sight and a new barrel. I'm sure with all the various tolerances it just a matter of your barrel locking up higher in the breech.

 

[datsun40146]

I called S&W today, they said there was nothing they could do, at all.I find this absurd. I fired it, found a manufacturing DEFECT as in something S&W didn't machine correctly and they refuse to fix the problem. They said the best they could do was to have me pay to send it in so they could get an estimate to fix it. I am unhappy with the service department at the moment. Maybe things will go better tomorrow.

 

[Dragonwycke]

LSG, Mfg|Gun Parts|Warranty|Gunsmithing Mr. Frank Smith. Authorized warranty for S&W. IF your serial number is three alpha plus four numeric, your gun qualifies for in warranty service. Email him with your problem/ diagnosis and he will give you return instructions. No need to disclose whether you're original owner or not.

 

[tom-n8ies]

Wow it is funny the factory did not know about the three alpha plus four numeric warranty service.

I have a 3913 that shoots to the left about 3 inches at 50 feet, I wonder if something is am-mis with my slide to barrel fit?

tom

 

[datsun40146]

Wow, Frank Smith is a great man, I explained the situation. He was immediately helpful and offered to send me a shipping label. Looks like S&W gets an A for service after all. I'll let you guys know how the weapon turns out and what exactly ended up being wrong.

 

[goldenlight]

Wow it is funny the factory did not know about the three alpha plus four numeric warranty service.

I have a 3913 that shoots to the left about 3 inches at 50 feet, I wonder if something is am-mis with my slide to barrel fit?

tom

You should be able to easily correct this by moving the rear sight to the right. Use a hard wood dowel, to avoid marring the rear sight.

Cut a piece of 3/8" dowel to about 4 or 5", and bring a small hammer to the range.

I have to move the rear sight on all of my handguns to the right 1 or 2 millimeters, to get them to hit point of aim.

 

[dbc]

WOW...Is this for real? I have a 3914 that I purchased new in 1993. I have the box and all the paper work where I purchased it. My S/N is 3 Alpha plus 4 Numeric...so you're saying it is still under warranty? 16 years old??
Dan

 

[scbackpacker]

I bought a 3913NL several years ago and it also was shooting low. Called S&W service and they mailed me a shipping label and replaced the front sight and checked the gun out for any other problems at no charge. I'm the 3rd owner.

 

[dbc]

SC...How low and at what distance?
Dan

 

[scbackpacker]

I really don't remember how far but it was about 3-4 inches low. With a new front sight installed it dead on. I know they changed the sight because the old sight was in the return box with the pistol.

 

[datsun40146]

Final Update

The weapon is on its way back from Mr. Frank Smith courtesy of LSG, Mfg|Gun Parts|Warranty|Gunsmithing, I really cannot sing this guys praises enough. I described the problem I was having and he was immediately helpful. I was sent a prepaid shipping label and was told to send it to him and that he would make it right, and boy did he ever. His turn around time for the repair was VERY quick (around 4 weeks) plus with the holidays and the amount of work that was needed made me that much more impressed.

Now as I'm sure you are all wondering what was wrong with the gun and what fixed it. The barrel had a manufacturing defect from S&W; the rifling had a heavy land at around the 5:30 position. This caused the weapon to shoot low and slightly left. He corrected this by replacing the barrel and refitting it. However he also went above and beyond the call of duty. He also repaired the extractor on his own initiative, I had no idea it was even damaged. If you need any work down to a Smith & Wesson, Frank Smith seems to be the guy to go to!

 

[MgoBlue]

Man, that's great! Was this work done under warranty, or were you charged for it?

 

[kbm6893]

My 5903 is on the way back from Mr. Smith. FedEx says it will be here tomorrow. It failed to extract a few casings, the firing pin would get stuck while firing snap caps, and I used to hear a weird "twang" when I engaged the safety. He only had it a week and a half. Excellent man to deal with. S&W hassled me because I am not the original owner. Frank just said "send it in and I'll make it right". No charge.

 

[datsun40146]

Nope, there were no charges to me, plus shipping both ways was paid.

 

[CBennett]

great to hear. makes you know if for some reason you may need something it will get done and done right.