Another Problem From A New Smith & Wessons

[dwever]

The company I work for has business on Admirality Island, Alaska, with the highest concentration of brown bear in the world with 1600 brown bear on 1,000,000 acres. There are also plenty of times in Alaska it doesn’t hurt to have bear protection on you. These weapons were bought for protection.

After taking delivery of a first Smith and Wesson X frame 460 Performance Center 3.5 inch that had a problem with the front sight that we replaced by buying one with the proper height (3.10), the second identical .460 showed up with a cylinder that rubbed hard on the forcing cone; and the cylinder release latch stuck forward. A gun smith at the gaining FFL was nice enough to take a look at it. We did not except the weapon from our FFL.

Fortunately the owner of the gun shop in North Carolina where we ordered it from was very understanding and apologetically sent us a return shipping label. Here is some here-say: the owner also expressed that half of his deliveries from Smith & Wesson have problems usually involving the cylinder. He also said that he will not order blued weapons from Smith & Wesson because the finishes are terrible. He did expressed surprise that ours was a Performance Center weapon as problems apparently have been fewer with them.

Now, if only Korth would produce a 454 Casull Mongoose as their .44 Magnum Mongoose seems light for potentially large Alaskan bear. Maybe some .44 Magnum +P+.

Galco Great Alaskan shoulder rig
Diamond D Cross Draw on a Galco 1 3/4” belt (belt not shown)
First PC 460 XVR 3.5”
Some ammo I use. 460 is the bear load.
Korth .44 Magnum (German imported by Nighthawk - arguably the best revolver money can buy)

 

[NY-1]

There are always other manufacturers to turn to; Ruger has some good big bore options out there. That said, the entire industry has taken quite a hit in quality control over the past three or so years. Be sure to inspect anything you can prior to purchasing if applicable (not so much in this case involving shipping from an out of state dealer though).

 

[ameridaddy]

BB = 300 gr @ 1,650 fps!!!! From a pistol? That's got to hurt - no thank you. Rifle time.

 

[dwever]

BB = 300 gr @ 1,650 fps!!!! From a pistol? That's got to hurt - no thank you. Rifle time.

Then explain the big grin.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

After taking delivery of a first Smith and Wesson X frame 460 Performance Center 3.5 inch that had a problem with the front sight that we replaced by buying one with the proper height...

"We" never told us exactly what was the height of the "incorrect front sight" that came on it from the factory in your other thread that you originally complained about this. (Yes, the one you deleted entries out of.)

Since you brought it up again would you like to tell us here?
.

...the second identical .460 showed up with a cylinder that rubbed hard on the forcing cone; and the cylinder release latch stuck forward.

Fortunately the owner of the gun shop in North Carolina where we ordered it from was very understanding and apologetically sent us a return shipping label.

He should be apologetic. He packaged up the purchase & shipped it to Alaska & never did a basic check on it first for you?
.

Here is some here-say: the owner also expressed that half of his deliveries from Smith & Wesson have problems usually involving the cylinder.
He also said that he will not order blued weapons from Smith & Wesson because the finishes are terrible.

Which owner? The North Carolina FFL?

Sure S&W isn't perfect, no serious person here would say that, but it sounds like he's piling on to divert from his error, maybe hoping you'd accept it & send it in for repair instead of doing it himself.
.

He did expressed surprise that ours was a Performance Center weapon as problems apparently have been fewer with them.

Anybody with any real experience knows that Performance Center models do not get more meaningful attention than standard production models do & wouldn't say that, they just make less PCs than standard production models so the numbers are fewer.

Even if it was he still should have checked it before shipping it out to protect you, his customer.

I have (5) Performance Center revolvers that were made within the last (8) years & one is the same as your 460 Carry snubbie.

.

 

[Mark8]

Now, if only Korth would produce a 454 Casull Mongoose as their .44 Magnum Mongoose seems light for potentially large Alaskan bear. Maybe some .44 Magnum +P+.

I wish Nighthawk would stop renaming Korth models for the US market, it's adding confusion without any benefit in my opinion. People interested in buying >$4k revolvers will buy more if it's called Mongoose? Gimme a break. Anyway, 2 or 3 years ago there were lots of rumors about a new Korth revolver model in a caliber bigger than .44Mag being in development (word was 500Mag). Still waiting ... so for now we're stuck with Janz for our high-end .454/460/500 needs.

 

[ProCarryNAustin]

Did you at least call S&W yourself this time?

 

[__steve__]

Another option if you afford such things is Janz

 

[ameridaddy]

Then explain the big grin.

That somebody else can stand that. You're a better man than I, Gunga Din!

 

[dwever]

Did you at least call S&W yourself this time?

No one did. I told the gaining FFL I was not accepting the weapon. They were completely understanding and their own smith looked at it. The selling dealer had a three day inspection period, so I immediately called him and he sent the shipping label.

Another option if you afford such things is Janz

Yeah, I think their 460 runs around $12K if you can find one? Is that right? More? While I’d consider a Korth if they ever released a big bore, don’t really see spending five-figures on a Janz.

I received an e-mail response from a Janz dealer in Texas. He stated he could take an order for a .460 and delivery would be 2 to 3 years. Yes years. Like ordering a Randall knife. He also stated, "I have a demo model stainless 4" 500 S&W if you were interested. The list price on these is $15,900.00." I declined. While Korth is solvent at the moment, apparently a couple of decades back Korth struggled with bankruptcy and Janz ended up with a lot of Korth's manufacturing equipment. Janz-Präzisionstechnik GmbH originally produced a number of parts for the company Korth-Ratzeburg. In the 1990s Korth was bankrupt and production ceased, prompting Janz to start manufacturing revolvers under their own brand in 1997, utilizing frames and parts produced for Korth. Janz makes around 100 revolvers a year.

 

[ProCarryNAustin]

Just glad I don’t have your luck.
Last 2 years…
629
686
2x 625s
610
No problems at all. Even if I refused one of them I would have been on the phone and not just griping here.

 

[dwever]

Just glad I don’t have your luck.
Last 2 years…
629
686
2x 625s
610
No problems at all. Even if I refused one of them I would have been on the phone and not just griping here.

My luck has been great outside of S&W X Frame. I was on the phone both times. Members of this forum have a right to know specific issues with weapons, and it is permitted by the administrators as long as it is specific and not general.

I received a mechanically compromised weapon and returned in to the retailer. Documenting it here doesn't make it drama.

In the last 20 years,
2 PC 627's (5" and snub),
1 PC 629 7.5"
1 10 Shot S&W 22 caliber revolver
1 PC Melonite 1911,
1 Gun Site 1911,
1 586L
1 PC R8 (stunningly accurate)
Wilson Combat CQB Elite 1911 .45;
Wilson Combat 1911 9mm;
Korth .357 Mongoose;
Glock .40 X3 (State duty weapons);
Glock 9mm 5th Gen X2 ;
Glock Model 27;
Glock 10mm.

 

[ProCarryNAustin]

My misunderstanding then. I would have considered being on the phone both times the same as calling them.
Good luck with your drama.

 

[TucoTom]

Buy a Freedom Arms 454 Casull....

 

[ruggyh]

..........Still waiting ... so for now we're stuck with Janz for our high-end .454/460/500 needs.

Stuck with ? What does this mean?

You seem to imply there is some issue with Janz offering

If it cost then the apparent difference is lost to you.

There are other options for those wanting 460 outside of S&W or Janz

For those that can handle the roll of a single action Magnum Research's BFR is available in three different barrel lengths.

Reeder offers custom large frame which can be chambered in 460. This one I don't have any person experience with.

Taurus is now offering a 460 double action in three barrel lengths each with two tone option.
I recently aquired one for test.
With all the complaints about their quality's here I was pleased to find the fit and finish on par with what S&W is producing now.
The grip does not provide as much relief as my S&W factory but the trigger is reasonable. Function has been fine so far ,only 500 rounds shoot, so more shooting needs to happen.
Ordered Random Rest adaptor and give it an accuracy evaluation once I get them but seems to shoot well at 15 and 25 yards. Again time will tell.

While this thread is about revolvers I will say that there are a number of long guns chambered in 460 should one want to pair them with their revolver.