Did I buy a new revolver?

[muldoon14]

I recently purchased a "new in the box" 629 44 magnum 4 inch revolver off gunbroker.com. I love it, but there are a few things about it that make me wonder if it is really new. This is my first Smith and only second revolver.

There are rings in the cylinders (all six) where the casing would end. I've never shot this. Are things rings from firing or built into the cylinder?

The indentations on the end of the ejector rod are scuffed.

The Smith & Wesson stamp is either poorly done (it's uneven) or worn

And finally, the finish on the gun doesn't seem as clean as I wound expect on a new stainless gun

Underneath topstrap

Are these things normal or should I be wondering whether my gun is really new. I'm new here, forgive my ignorance.




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[ronnie gore]

rings

the rings are the chamber throats and are correct, I would have to inspect the gun to determine if it was new or not.the scratches on the ejectior rod could just be from handling, as far as the factory marking I have seen new guns that the marking were not a clear as some others.
from the factory usually only three chambers will show having been fired by powder on the face of the cylinder, but it could have been cleaned.
I never buy off the auction sites because I like to inspect the gun before buying.

 

[AveragEd]

I bought a lot of guns on auction sites and as long as the seller advertises a return policy, you almost can't get burned.

What you are seeing is normal new gun "dirt" and typical (unfortunately) factory work that is slightly less than perfect. I think you got exactly what you bought - a new gun.

Ed

 

[muldoon14]

Thanks. Good to know


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[Comrad]

What's the sellers feedback? You can tell a lot by the number of deals and how happy his customers are. If he's got 100s of deals with 100% feedback I would say you are good. If he's got 2 deals and 90% feedback I would not consider buying from a seller like that.

 

[RV4driver]

Is there any flame-cutting under the top strap, just above the forcing cone?

And, the finish on a new stainless Smith is not that good in the first place.

 

[muldoon14]

He has 100% feedback with a lot of sales. I should be good. Thank you


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[muldoon14]

Is there any flame-cutting under the top strap, just above the forcing cone?



And, the finish on a new stainless Smith is not that good in the first place.

Here's a photo

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[ryxlyx]

I'd trade the finishes on 1 or 2 of my new ones for yours. And stamps often uneven depths-- I think you're GTG.

 

[litenlarry]

There sure seems to be excessive cylinder rings to me..My 629-6 in 4" has been fired 200 or so rds and the rings are barely noticeable....

 

[scooter123]

First, S&W does NOT clean any of their new revolvers after they have been test fired. Looking at the slight trace of carbon on the top strap at the rear of the barrel I would say that gun was fired fewer than 10 times. So, that is consistent with what is seen on a brand new revolver.

Second, the stamp that make the address stamp is somewhat costly, so S&W will keep re-using these stamps until they are really worn. IMO that impression you are concerned about is 100% completely typical. I'll also tell you that it would take 100 years or more of handling to soften any of these roll stamps enough to be noticeable.

Third, that finish looks 100% untouched and normal to me. As for it being a bit dirty, I expect that after test firing the only thing done to these revolvers is a quick wipe with a cotton rag and then into the box they go.

Fourth, the only aspect that I see that may be questionable is the "turn ring" on the cylinder. To my eye that turn ring is consistent with a revolver that has been dry fired a bit. It's a total guess on my part but to me it looks like the turn ring produced by somewhere around 50 snaps of the trigger. This would be consistent with a revolver that had been on display in a gun shop who allowed their customers to do a bit of dry firing.

My conclusion is that this is most likely to be a new revolver as advertized. If it's not, it's a revolver that was sold and never used before being traded in to a dealer.

 

[muldoon14]

First, S&W does NOT clean any of their new revolvers after they have been test fired. Looking at the slight trace of carbon on the top strap at the rear of the barrel I would say that gun was fired fewer than 10 times. So, that is consistent with what is seen on a brand new revolver.

Second, the stamp that make the address stamp is somewhat costly, so S&W will keep re-using these stamps until they are really worn. IMO that impression you are concerned about is 100% completely typical. I'll also tell you that it would take 100 years or more of handling to soften any of these roll stamps enough to be noticeable.

Third, that finish looks 100% untouched and normal to me. As for it being a bit dirty, I expect that after test firing the only thing done to these revolvers is a quick wipe with a cotton rag and then into the box they go.

Fourth, the only aspect that I see that may be questionable is the "turn ring" on the cylinder. To my eye that turn ring is consistent with a revolver that has been dry fired a bit. It's a total guess on my part but to me it looks like the turn ring produced by somewhere around 50 snaps of the trigger. This would be consistent with a revolver that had been on display in a gun shop who allowed their customers to do a bit of dry firing.

My conclusion is that this is most likely to be a new revolver as advertized. If it's not, it's a revolver that was sold and never used before being traded in to a dealer.

All helpful information. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.


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[litenlarry]

"Fourth, the only aspect that I see that may be questionable is the "turn ring" on the cylinder. To my eye that turn ring is consistent with a revolver that has been dry fired a bit. It's a total guess on my part but to me it looks like the turn ring produced by somewhere around 50 snaps of the trigger. This would be consistent with a revolver that had been on display in a gun shop who allowed their customers to do a bit of dry firing."

There again, what constitues "new", or what does the seller and buyer consider new..
New to me means directly from the box only factory fired..A pistol on display being dry fired numerous times, maybe dropped or mishandled, does not fit my "new" requirements..
The cylinder ring is a big giveaway on "brand spanking new" as opposed to "new"..
It looks like very good specimen and if the rings don't bother you, enjoy..

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Are you planning on shooting the Gun or putting it up as a "collectable"?