Anybody experience new S&W revolvers with poor machined seams and edges?

[.460V & XVR Magnum Man]

I got a gun from Bud's a 617 6" and it came to my FFL here in CA. It is the second one I got factory new that had poorly machined seams where the sideplate meets the frame by the hammer on the right side of the gun. It is almost exactly the same roughness as my 460XVR was when I sent it back to S&W. Also the cylinder has a pretty big ding on the edge of it They fixed my 460 really nice and it looks great. Don't the guns leaving the factory get a good inspection, as you would think they would not want to pay for all the FedEx expense and time to have it repaired. And is it the same people in warranty as the ones who assemble the gun? As when I got my 460 back it was perfect and they took care of everything I asked. I am starting to feel like a pest, but when you pay almost $700 for something it should be perfect! The only reason I don't buy here in CA is the prices are really high and Bud's says any problems they will exchange it, my FFL though received the gun and logged it before I looked at it otherwise I could have returned it for another one. The next one my FFL said he would hold off logging it in until I look at it closely. Anyone else experienced these problems with factory new guns having bad machine work? I also had to send back my 9mm M&Pc to them, the slide had scratches on the top and sides and the factory missed that one too. My guns have traveled more miles than I have! I hope S&W doesn't have a problem with a customer wanting things to be made right. Third one to be sent back before I even got a chance to try it out. Now I know what Rodney Dangerfield meant when he said "I can't win" ! Thanks

 

[Wayne M]

Your gun is not right. As you noted, S&W fix it. They're not all that way. Welcome to the 21st Century!

 

[ace]

no qc

I recieved a new 629 a couple years ago that had a burr on the frame, where the side plate fits, about .020 thous high 25% of the way around.
I just stoned it down smooth.
ace

 

[Rock185]

My experience is a little different. I have been buying new S&Ws since my first model 57 in 1965. I never expected "perfect" and have never seen it in a S&W or any other consumer product. I do expect, and have seen and owned "very good" S&Ws. In guns that I have personally owned or examined, the newer guns have been, on the average, machined and fitted nicer than most of the earlier guns I've owned. The late model guns certainly time up better than the most I owned in the 70's. Not much can compare with the polished blue finish on the 1950s thru mid 60s guns though. One thing I defintely don't care for is these barrel / cylinder gaps of about .10" on the late manufacture guns I've examined. I'm told that this wide B/C gap is within factory specs. now.

I too have had excellent results with S&W Customer Service in correcting any issues.

 

[stevieboy]

I've never purchased a perfectly made handgun. Here are some examples of what I've encountered with my guns: (1) my 617-1, which I purchased in "as new" condition a few years ago, had a gouge in the exterior cylinder; (2) my 27-3, which I recently purchased from an online auction site, has a slight but obvious gap between the base of the ejector shroud and the frame; (3) a 625-8, which I purchased new a few years ago, had a tiny but razor sharp burr on the exterior of the forcing cone; (4) several of my S & W revolvers tend to shoot screws loose. My 625-8 was particularly bad in that respect. Literally every screw on the frame plus the strain screw commonly backed out after only a 50-round session at the range; (5) the slide on my 1911, which I purchased new only a few months ago, rubbed the side of the gun's receiver at the front of the gun sufficiently to remove the blueing there after only about 50 rounds of range- and dry-firing.

That said, I love all of my S & W handguns and have no regrets about buying them. None of the minor defects that I've just described have affected the guns' performance by as much as an iota.