Bad Experience w/the 632 Ultimate Carry

[mark_lives_things]

I was really excited when this revolver was released, and I finally bought one. Oof, not good, gents:

1. The barrel is not in alignment with the frame -- see pic. Viewed from the rear, it's canted a few degrees counterclockwise.
2. Probably because of #1, point of impact is way to the right of point of aim.
3. The trigger doesn't feel right. Instead of the long, even double-action trigger I'm used to on S&W revolvers, this one is mushy to a hard wall, and then breaks crisply. I suppose this could be subjective, but not what I expected/wanted.

This gun is definitely going back to S&W, hopefully they make it right. Totally unacceptable QC failure for a revolver at this price point.

 

[Shibadog]

I never “order” a gun sight unseen for this very reason-a visual inspection up front can identify a lot of issues on the front end and keep you from getting an obvious dud. Hopefully Smith’ll make it right, but that should never have left the factory in that condition.

 

[Mannlicher]

what Shibadog said.

 

[mark_lives_things]

I never “order” a gun sight unseen for this very reason-a visual inspection up front can identify a lot of issues on the front end and keep you from getting an obvious dud. Hopefully Smith’ll make it right, but that should never have left the factory in that condition.

I don't know what prices and availability are like where you live, but if I never ordered a gun, I would have never had the opportunity to own a lot of my favorite guns, and I would have overpaid for the ones that I did manage to buy.

 

[joebuck]

The current S&W crap quality stories never seem to end lately. If you must buy one now for sure check it out in person before buying. Sad.

 

[Countrycuz]

I don't know what prices and availability are like where you live, but if I never ordered a gun, I would have never had the opportunity to own a lot of my favorite guns, and I would have overpaid for the ones that I did manage to buy.

Same here. Not many stocking dealers close to me and they all tend to have the things. I haven't found an Ultimate Carry in stock anywhere to examine.

 

[BrBa]

I also wish I could examine one thoroughly before buying. Here the local stores look at you like you're from outer space when you ask about revolvers.

 

[Beancounter81]

One of the advantages of the two-piece barrel design used on these was supposed to be an end to improperly clocked barrels. The tab on the frame is supposed to fit into the slot on the barrel shroud for perfect alignment. I wonder how they already figured out how to mess that up.

 

[mark_lives_things]

One of the advantages of the two-piece barrel design used on these was supposed to be an end to improperly clocked barrels. The tab on the frame is supposed to fit into the slot on the barrel shroud for perfect alignment. I wonder how they already figured out how to mess that up.

I'm not much of a revolver guy and had no idea this was something I even had to worry about.

 

[Dave Lively]

3. The trigger doesn't feel right. Instead of the long, even double-action trigger I'm used to on S&W revolvers, this one is mushy to a hard wall, and then breaks crisply. I suppose this could be subjective, but not what I expected/wanted.

The trigger on the no-lock, no-dash 610 I bought in the early 90s was that way. I liked the heavier but smoother DA pull of the 69 that replaced the 610 much better. Not sure what causes this but it is not something that only happens with new production guns.

It is subjective though, there are some people that prefer that sort of trigger pull. It lets them stage the trigger by pulling until they hit the wall and then pull through the wall when they want to fire. Which to me makes little sense on a gun that has a DA/SA where you can pull the hammer back and use the light, crisp SA trigger pull for precise shots.

When I first started shooting I was much more accurate shooting SA. But after many years of mostly shooting revolvers DA that difference in accuracy is much smaller. On some guns like my 617 I can shoot it DA and SA with the same accuracy unless I am resting it on a bench. But shooting DA well is easier for me when my guns have a smooth DA trigger pull with no wall.

 

[Poohgyrr]

Thanks for the update. I'm still thinking of an Airweight, and the recoil of the 32Mag sounds easier for arthritis that has become bad enough. When we return home, I'll check both of my LGSs thst had UCs on display.

We'll see....

 

[OldBoldPilot]

I had a similar experience with my 432 UC. After 2 shots during the first range trip the cylinder basically bound up and it was hard to move the trigger. When it did work, the trigger pull was very heavy and gritty. Long story short, it went back to S&W.

I received the revolver back exactly one month after S&W logged it in. The notes said they adjusted the yoke and one or two other things. Nothing about the trigger, which was still heavy and gritty.

Immediately upon receiving the pistol I installed the Apex spring and firing pin kit for J-frames, which improved the trigger tremendously both in pull weight and smoothness. It was now the equal of my M&P 340. I also replaced the very nice grips with a spare set of Crimson Trace LG-405 laser grips, which had languished in a drawer since I'd sold the gun they'd been on.

Range trip results today exceeded my hopes and expectations. Once I zeroed in the laser at 15 yards (I rely on the excellent iron sights at shorter defensive ranges), the pistol shot extremely smoothly and accurately firing Sellier & Bellot .32 S&W Long 100 grain wadcutter ammunition. The recoil approximated that of the Hopalong Cassidy cap gun I had as a child. In short, it was practically nonexistent.

You can argue the effectiveness of .32 wadcutters all you want. However, the simplicity of operation; the overall accuracy; the lack of recoil enabling rapid and accurate follow-up shots; the 6-shot capacity; and the concealability make this pistol, for me, the perfect EDC for any situation that I am likely to encounter.

I should mention that I am 82 years old, shooting since I was an 18 year old boot at Parris Island, and this thing has resuscitated my desire to go to the range. Happy camper here.

 

[mark_lives_things]

I had a similar experience with my 432 UC. After 2 shots during the first range trip the cylinder basically bound up and it was hard to move the trigger. When it did work, the trigger pull was very heavy and gritty. Long story short, it went back to S&W.

I received the revolver back exactly one month after S&W logged it in. The notes said they adjusted the yoke and one or two other things. Nothing about the trigger, which was still heavy and gritty.

Immediately upon receiving the pistol I installed the Apex spring and firing pin kit for J-frames, which improved the trigger tremendously both in pull weight and smoothness. It was now the equal of my M&P 340. I also replaced the very nice grips with a spare set of Crimson Trace LG-405 laser grips, which had languished in a drawer since I'd sold the gun they'd been on.

Range trip results today exceeded my hopes and expectations. Once I zeroed in the laser at 15 yards (I rely on the excellent iron sights at shorter defensive ranges), the pistol shot extremely smoothly and accurately firing Sellier & Bellot .32 S&W Long 100 grain wadcutter ammunition. The recoil approximated that of the Hopalong Cassidy cap gun I had as a child. In short, it was practically nonexistent.

You can argue the effectiveness of .32 wadcutters all you want. However, the simplicity of operation; the overall accuracy; the lack of recoil enabling rapid and accurate follow-up shots; the 6-shot capacity; and the concealability make this pistol, for me, the perfect EDC for any situation that I am likely to encounter.

I should mention that I am 82 years old, shooting since I was an 18 year old boot at Parris Island, and this thing has resuscitated my desire to go to the range. Happy camper here.

Glad it worked out! I still have high hopes for mine, hopefully it comes back from S&W as good as I'd hoped it would be.