Current Production Smiths

[Newbs]

Recently purchased a 460 Performance Center. I have to say, the finest revolver I own. No trigger job, nothing, just go and shoot. On the other hand, I ordered a rear sight for my 29 over 2 months ago, doesn't show backorder, and still have no clue after inquiring twice, when I will get the part. IMO, just like everyone else in this industry, they are scrambling to attempt to keep up with demand and some things are slipping through the cracks. Other than a PC gun, at this time, I don't think I would buy a pistol from them. I'll wait it out.

 

[Cal44]

Back in the mid 1980's I bought a couple of S&W revolvers.

One a M29-3, and the other a 686 no dash.

Both great guns and I still have them both.

But the 29-3's (and earlier) proved to not be strong enough for continuous use of hot magnum loads, and soon after my gun was made S&W had to come up with an endurance package to correct this problem.

And a few years later, the 686 had to be recalled to fix a jamming problem with certain types of ammo.

My point is, there were problems in the old days too.

Some day people will look back on 2013 as the good old days.

Dave

 

[jaymoore]

I bought a new 686 a few weeks ago and sent it back because
of .012 cylinder gap, poor sideplate fit and unfinished casting
marks...

Perhaps the obvious question would be: Well, why did you buy it in the first place? All these dramas should be readily detectible on a pre-purchase inspection. So should most of the other ills described in these posts. I've rejected purchase of untold numbers of firearms, including S&Ws, new and used, since the 1980s for all sorts of reasons. Bad timing, poor actions, bent sights, you name it. Some S&Ws were purchased with known dramas but have still served admirably for many years... Or is most of this griping caused more by a failure to achieve immediate gratification and by a lack of discrimination?

 

[DAinTX]

No, I don't think the new production guns are 'junk'. Nor do I think they will 'fall apart'. I do think you are more likely to have QC related problems with the new ones. And I don't think the new guns have the panache, the soul, the character, the indefinable 'feel' of the old S&W classics. Do the new ones work well? Yes...with perhaps a few more exceptions than during the "glory years". And if one doesn't, S&W stands behind their warranty very well. Personally, I'll always take the old classics over the post '80s guns. Always. But that's just me.

 

[Jalopiejoe]

Perhaps the obvious question would be: Well, why did you buy it in the first place? All these dramas should be readily detectible on a pre-purchase inspection. So should most of the other ills described in these posts. I've rejected purchase of untold numbers of firearms, including S&Ws, new and used, since the 1980s for all sorts of reasons. Bad timing, poor actions, bent sights, you name it. Some S&Ws were purchased with known dramas but have still served admirably for many years... Or is most of this griping caused more by a failure to achieve immediate gratification and by a lack of discrimination?

To be very brief, the answer is "yes"!