Anyone else have Bad experiences with S&W quality?

[The Real Deal]

I own a 629 3" Deluxe Talo Edition, which I ordered from a dealer off GunsAmerica.com. The first visit to the range was disappointing, I shot great groups but they were all consistenly down to the left...
Link to a video can explain why better than I can

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ix-nfKmNchE[/ame]

So I got a Shipping Label from S&W and sent my gun to PC, I also sent a hogue grip and Set of Meprolight night sights which they agreed to put on while fixing the gun under warranty, and since it would already be at PC I asked for a muzzle crown and a Master Revolver Action Package to be preformed...
Big Mistake, not only did it take 9 months after they received it to mail it back! They lost the front sight and made me order another, but, in there defence they reimbursed me.

So today I got a Laserlyte LT-Pro, and after trouble shooting it with a very nice CS rep, found that the my PC muzzle crown isn't uniform... ***!

I just got another shipping label from S&W, Hopefully I get my gun back before my birthday in November...

 

[SteveC51]

I have purchased 2 S&W guns is the last year, and both needed to be sent back for issues with the sights. These were a M&P 9 pro and a Model 60-15 3" .357.I did not have any optional work done, and received them back within 2 weeks.

 

[Wyatt p. Tato]

Yes, no more S&W products for me.

 

[tacreload]

Have bought 6 brand new Smith & Wesson handguns over the years. Not one problem ever. With any of them. Throw in the Sport and that makes 7.All flawless,not even a gritty trigger on a 40c. Guess I'm livin' right.

 

[Rick_A]

I've had five new and two vintage revolvers.

This was the only problem with a new one:

S&W turned it around in about three weeks during the Obama panic and they even fixed some damage on the muzzle crown free of charge.

One vintage gun had some Bubba gunsmithing but it was reparable.

Folks may hate me for saying so, but my new guns, though not having the soul, have a lot less tool marks and straighter surfaces throughout.

 

[jepp2]

S&W M629-3 6.5" barrel

Mine was fine when it came from the factory, but over time the barrel "tightened", go figure. I sent it back, they tried a new barrel, but wound up replacing it.

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[URL=http://s860.photobucket.com/user/jepp2/media/IMG_3359_zpsxi5ybiqw.jpg.html] [/URL]

 

[Beachblaster]

I have been very lucky in that all of my Smith purchases have been for very good quality revolvers. I do not own any automatic pistols. None of my revolvers were bought new as they usually have to be ordered and I would be leery of buying one sight unseen. I have learned quite a bit from forum members here about how to really inspect a prospective purchase. Until joining this forum I did not know a barrel could be canted or that cylinder lock up and end shake are things that must be checked carefully. In general I think Smith and Wesson makes excellent firearms, but I know quality can be elusive at times. Do your due diligence, knowledge is power. IMHO of course.

 

[garbler]

First post in a long time as my travels have robbed me of such pleasure. I do not want to start anything here cause there are plenty of members here who feel the factory is sacred but its not.

The factory is just that, which is to say, a plant with a sequence of machines and employees feeding and controlling a work or production flow. Each person has a task and each task or step is incremental to the finished product. As such, few, and I mean very few even know what they are making and how it relates to other parts. These people are not gunsmiths and honestly very few in the company even shoot. Sounds odd but it's quite common in the firearms industry where you have less theft and problems with machine operators who have no personal interest in the final products.

When Steve Melvin and the British bought Smith & Wesson back in the 80's they immediately started to dismantle and lighten their payroll of old time fitters and the custom shop where the 41's and 52's were built. Then they went after the bluing operation all because CNC technology would soon supplant the need for temperamental expensive shop hands.

Anybody who assumes that quality gunsmithing is best done at the factory should reconsider. Its a factory and like many they will spend more money on promotion and advertising than QA and training. This really shouldn't surprise anybody.

Good luck

 

[Old cop]

A little over a month ago I purchased the M&P .380 (no-laser model) new and could not be happier. A couple of years back I bought the M&P 340 .357 and the cylinder would come off the crane after a range trip. I sent it back and within 10 days it came back fixed. I've shied away from the new revolvers mostly b/c I don't care for the lock.

I'm sorry to hear about your problem but the company will make it right, eventually. I've had similar problems w/Springfield, Ruger & Glock new guns, all semi autos. This new M&P .380 was a bit of a gamble but I got lucky.

 

[Kframe]

Threads like this are part of the reason why I vastly prefer older pinned-barrel Smiths over any of the new stuff.

I have a Victory Model M&P that has much better fit than many of the PC models being churned out today.
Of course the finish is rough on the Victory, but as far as crane/frame gap and even grip/frame fit, there is zero clearance/slop and when the trigger is pulled and held back there is very little wiggle in the cylinder - like it should be.

S&W is capable of making some very VERY nice revolvers, but new-fangled does not equal better, in many cases.