A bit upset with my S&W 638

[Pepi4]

I really hate dry-firing any gun so I ordered a set of snap-caps and they came in today. Put in my new 638 and started breaking her in. Within 100 pull the trigger and hammer started locking up. Single action seemed fine but double-action would hang up most of the time. So, I got it in one of the hung positions and then messed with the hammer lock and "pop" back to normal trigger position. I though I got one with a bummer hammer lock Well, I just had to take the side plate off I was surprised that one of the three screws was loose as hell. Snapped the plate off and started looking around and this SOB was dry as a bone and even had shaving in it The sear with the small spring, on the hammer was hanging. I cleaned it all up and used my Swiss watch oil on all moving parts and now it seem fine. I hope

Why do they ship these guns dry with shavings in them A person that has no gun experience would have to send it in and wait for who knows how long. Not a good selling point IMO

Rant over

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Well I hate to say it but anything man made can have these problems. I've heard it said that as an industry standard about 15% of problems get out the door, S&W included. I do share your frustration and am glad you apparently resolved the issue.

 

[Dale53]

I have a mechanical bent and have just simply "dealt with it" my whole life. We shouldn't have to but that is how it is! However, all of us are not mechanically inclined. For those, it is a BIG bummer!

Dale53

 

[wyo-man]

Glad you were able to fix the problem - as for me, nope; would have had to send it back to S&W.......

wyo-man

 

[G.T. Smith]

Every gun I buy, no matter if it is brand new or used, no matter how smooth the action, no matter how beautiful the appearance, I take it apart as far as my knowledge allows and clean and lightly lube it. The last used S&W I bought was as clean on the inside as it was on the outside, but you never know till you look. I like to know that when I want to use a firearm, that is in the best condition that it's condition allows it to be.
Glad you were able to get her cleaned out and going. Those are nice guns. Now go forth and shoot.
Peace,
gordon

 

[jbouwens]

I know what you mean!!!!


I bought a new model 41 during the summer. Went to the range and went to fire a shot and nothing. I had to fiddle around with the trigger stop screw for twenty minutes to get the gun to shoot. If not for my previous knowledge with guns, smiths, and with my other 41, I too would have had to send it back to the factory with a strongly worded letter of disapproval. I too wonder how a gun gets out of the factory with some of the things I have found in new guns---shavings broken rebound spring pin (on a gun I was testing before I bought it at the gun shop), and generally how crumby the actions are. Makes me limit the my new gun purchases.

If it makes any difference, the other gun manufacturers are not fairing much better.

 

[Pepi4]

Every gun I buy, no matter if it is brand new or used, no matter how smooth the action, no matter how beautiful the appearance, I take it apart as far as my knowledge allows and clean and lightly lube it. The last used S&W I bought was as clean on the inside as it was on the outside, but you never know till you look. I like to know that when I want to use a firearm, that is in the best condition that it's condition allows it to be.
Glad you were able to get her cleaned out and going. Those are nice guns. Now go forth and shoot.
Peace,
gordon

Same here brother ... Thank God my father was a gun smith! I learned a lot from him

 

[Arizona Commander]

First step for any newly acquired firearm, new or used, complete takedown, clean and lube. Just a good habit to get in to.

 

[Pepi4]

While I'm a bit saddened about S&W I will say this gun is a keeper now. I just shot 50 rounds through it and it groups great

 

[just for fun]

It is with much dismay that I read what Smith now calls exceptable accuracy at seven yards with current snub nosed revolvers. Back in the day when I could still see the front sight on my Model 36, I could "dance" empty oil cans out to the 20-25 yard range. Did I ever consider myself a crack shot? Oh, h%&l NO. The gun was that good!
Reloads were 2 bucks a box at the Tampa Public/Police range. Many Saturdays were spent there by my wife and I, simply because we couldn't afford to do any thing else!
Got a few older Smith's, and by my standards, all are shooters and keepers. After the mid 90's not so much.

 

[Old cop]

Sorry to hear of your troubles and glad you are gifted enough to fix them - I would have had a major problem. I purchased a 638 a month ago (internal lock model) and have put several hundred rounds through it and absolutely love it. I guess any company will have problems from time to time, but I would let S&W know about your experience.

 

[benzer]

I bought a new S&W model 14 classic about a yr. ago. All summer long I tried to get that thing to shoot a acceptable group. No luck. So I sent it back to S&W. I got it back with a new barrel and a new cylinder. Now it shoots the way it should.

 

[nod005]

I am waiting for the shipping label to send back my new 686+. I am probably going to shy away from S&W (with locks) from now on. Not only was I disappointed because it malfunctions, but the hassle of returning it is a pain.

nod

 

[WalterN]

My wife got a new 638 about 2 years ago and it would fire sometimes. The firing pin was barely denting the caps. I took it to the S&W repair man for Texas and he replaced the part while I waited. He said the firing pin was too short. We shot it and it did fine. It is still shooting every time. Isn't that wierd that a new gun would come with a short firing pin?

 

[kaaskop49]

Yeah, things get out the door like you can't believe! My new M-22, the 1917 repro, came with the sideplate improperly fitted. Back to S&W, now all is fine. Or the 66 snub back in 1980 with the rear sight installed that it fell off the gun...That one I did not trust S&W to fix. IMO, we should all examine our purchases even more closely than we already do.

 

[kennyb]

well thats some of the negative mechanical stuff...and with anything mechanical and mass produced its going to always happen....on a happier note i just finished doing an internal clean and lube on a model 1 that shipped from S&W in oct.1869...seven shot,22cal.and it runs like a champ at 143 years old!

 

[photoman]

Why do they ship these guns dry with shavings in them

As with anything mass produced, some are going to get out the door in less than acceptable condition. Actually, I'm amazed that Smith & Wesson can sell a 638 for $369 and make a profit considering the cost of labor and legal representation now days.