Bangor-Punta years at S&W

[44wheelman]

I bought 3 model 29-3’s in the ‘80’s. 2 were “sloppy” with their timing and lock up, the 3rd I kept, locked up tight & shot phenomenally. One of the two I didn’t keep, could be double action cycled slowly , but the cylinder wouldn’t lock up without a slight nudge. Excessive bbl gaps were common.

 

[deadin]

A couple of remembrances from the BP days....


First was a new S&W (I don't remember what Model) that had the front sight noticeably leaning off to one side. The gun was sent back for repair and came back with the sight leaning the other way...


The other was a new M27-? that was returned to the LGS because it wouldn't come even close to grouping. Everything looked legit, matching serial number on the barrel and butt, etc. That is until you looked down the barrel. It was a .44 barrel with a .357 cylinder.


I always wondered what happened to the .357 barrel on the .44 cylinder.........

 

[rockquarry]

I've bought a good share of new and used S&Ws since 1970. About 90% have been revolvers. Never bought anything polymer. With the exception of a 1970s Airweight Chief with a cracked frame, all of the guns sent back to the factory were produced after about 1990, and that's only been a few.

 

[Dieseltech56]

My personal choice is to stay away from 80’s era S&W. Not that the Tomkins era ended great for S&W I think the early to mid 90s guns were the best.

 

[falrifles]

In 1978 I bought a 6.5 inch model 29 which shot so far to the left, that there was not enough adjustment left to center it. Later on I bought a model 57 from the same era that had a rear sight that leaned visibly to the right. I bought it sight unseen from a police buddie of mine. Didn't notice it until later. Sent it to customer service. Nothing they could do. Traded it off.

 

[needsmostuff]

Once upon a time I was told the MIM parts controversy was invented to distract folks so they would quit complaining bout the Bangor- Punta /Lear Seigler years. It almost worked but some still complained so they started installing locks.
That did it Bangor Punta became the "good" years.

 

[gfors]

In those years Smith and Wesson had "Repair Centers" in various parts of the Country to "Correct" what the Factory didn't do.

I was just looking at the papers that came with the 18-3, I bought last week. There's a list of regional Service Centers, but most noteworthy, to me, is that S&W only offered a one-year warranty, at the time.
Too soon to tell, for sure, but this 18-3. from 1977, seems mechanically perfect, and the finish is as good as any I've seen (the 85% that's still there).

 

[RRH]

My personal choice is to stay away from 80’s era S&W. Not that the Tomkins era ended great for S&W I think the early to mid 90s guns were the best.

What years did Tomkins own S&W? Thanks.