Barrel alignment problem

[robrooks7]

I received the handgun from S/W almost 3 weeks ago. The barrel is straight now. They did not replace the barrel. I'm not sure if they used loctite or shimmed it. I checked the gaps on the cylinder and barrel. S/W spec is .006 on this revolver. I was able to stick a .009 feeler gauge in about halfway, but would not pass through. This was the same on all bores. I was able to pass a .007 gauge through. So the cylinder face and barrel are not square. I was a little concerned, more about the taper, then the larger gap. One of my friends said to send it back again. I decided to take it out and shoot it. Without getting into all the details, I like it. Accurate, Straight. I let another friend shoot it and his reply was, "This gun is amazing!" I didn't notice any lead splatter or noticeable discharge of gas from the sides, so I think I'm good to go. Unless somebody brings up something else that I might need to check. I am still not very happy with S/W right now. I feel their quality control lacks, big time. They again sent me a note with the handgun stating that it had been repaired to their standards. Yet the gaps are out of tolerance and have taper. One other thing is that I still need to set up my Chrony and see if the velocity is ok. Remember this: Performance Center guns originate from standard designs or are created from the ground up. From hand-cutting and fitting to fine tuning for precision. These furearns are TOP PERFORMERS. Product from the Performance Center are the ULTIMATE EXPRESSION of old-world craftsmanship blended with modern technology.

 

[Alk8944]

First, there is no .006" "Specification" for the barrel-cylinder gap, it is a range from ca. .004-.012" depending on period of manufacture. Most will fall somewhere in the .006-.009" range, so yours is pretty normal.

The B-C gap for S&W revolvers is set at the factory by the fitter using a hand file! Filing the end of a tube or cylindrical piece of steel is extremely difficult to do unless time is not a consideration. Unless things have changed S&W fitters are on piece-work! They are paid by how many revolvers (or??) they can assemble in an average day. As a result they are given a bit of leeway in what is acceptable, especially in areas where cosmetics are not an issue.

As with all products, the manufacturer determines what is, or is not acceptable, not the consumer! Just because a minor item is "Not what you would like it to be!" doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it. If S&W revolvers don't measure up to your requirements then don't buy them! If you can find a better D.A. revolver for anything like the price S&W sells them for then buy that brand!

 

[markyboy57]

Smith and Wesson solved this problem with the two piece barrel. Unfortunately they don't use them on all models. Or fortunately as some might say.

 

[brokenprism]

On a factory gun -- even with CNC machining -- it is hard to get the barrel threads and the shoulder cut perfectly to end up at exactly 12 o'clock.

Hey I know: pin it.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Discovered a significantly canted barrel on a 640-3 that I had for a couple of years, called the factory. From the day I dropped it at FedEx to the day I got it back, 10 days. Now it is perfect. If it cam back not corrected it would have gone back, period.

I say bring back pinned barrels. We (and Smith) never had this problem with pinned barrels. The cost of fixing these probably equals what they are saving by not pinning.

 

[rwsmith]

As I've said before...

I've wondered why top gun manufacturers find screwing a barrel on straight to be such an impossible job.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Does anyone know what the deal is with all the barrel alignment problems with Smith and Wesson revolvers. I purchased a 629 stealth hunter. Performance center and all. I spent a lot of money on this handgun. I took it out to shoot it and at 20 yards or so it was 8 inches to the right. I did a little research and it seems to be a common problem. I contacted S/W and the rep said, "You need to send that one back in." So I thought it would be taken care of. I got it back all excited and all, and it is still out of alignment. They corrected about half of the error. I don't need any measuring device to see the error. I don't know what to think anymore. Someone help!

The real issue after it was returned is "does it shoot accurately," and you have not said one way or the other.

Is it a one-piece or two-piece barrel?

I would like to see a picture of the canted barrel.

Since it has a lifetime warranty, if you are not happy, send it in.

 

[robrooks7]

I called S/W again and asked to speak to a manager. The individual I was speaking to said he was a manager. I told him all my problems and he said he would take care of it. I sent it for the 3rd time and it came back with a new bbl. Gaps are square and at .005. I am completely happy with the repair.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[jpeschken]

If a clocked barrel isn't bad enough, have you ever looked down the sight line only to discover the barrel actually angles off either to the right or left from the frame line?

I'm a fan of S&Ws, but come on guys....you can do much better than that! We're paying big money for your product.

Been there. My new 686 had that problem. I had to adjust the rear sight ALL the way to it's limit to hit anything and even then it was not quite right.

They corrected it and relined the barrel, but I sure didn't expect that sort of problem. I chose it over a Ruger because I thought I was getting better quality. S&W Service was quick, free, and no argument but it should not have been necessary.

 

[paochow]

I searched for months for a 4" 617 and finally found one at a shop about an hour from my house. I put a deposit on it and drove up on the weekend to pick it up. I was about to fill out the 4473, when I realized the barrel wasn't even closed to aligned. The dealer sent it back and I waited two months before stumbling into a non crooked one at another shop and taking it home. Frustrating, but I finally have my 617.