Extremely Disappointed with my new E Series Pistol

[WRGADog]

I picked up my new pistol yesterday, after waiting over a month for the gun to arrive. I was in a hurry and only visually examined the gun. The finish looked good. The gun is the Scandium, Bobtail, with SS slide. Today, when I handled the gun, I discovered that after drawing the slide to the rear the release button was very tight and it was hard to release the slide. After locking the slide to the rear the second time, I discovered that the Take down pin/slide release had gouged the frame of my pistol to the point that I have two scratches down to the bare metal approximately 1/16th of an inch long on the left side of my gun. Most of the scratch is hidden when the slide is not locked backpush, but it is clearly visible with the slide forward. I have not fired the gun or attempted to field strip.

I immediately called S&W, and they are sending a return authorization and shipping instructions. I will see what they have to say after examining the pistol. Frankly, I want the gun to be replaced, as I take excellent care of my guns, and I especially don't want cosmetic or functional issues on a NIB pistol. Will let you know the outcome once I hear from S&W.

 

[VaRecon]

E Series

After a rigorous examination of the two E series our rep let us demo neither seemed to have any finishing flaws or obvious gouges.
That would lead me to believe it's an isolated issue and hopefully your gun will get fixed up.

 

[Dragon88]

Hard to tell without seeing where it is, but it might be an idiot mark left by the assembler at the factory. Could also be a bur on the underside of the slide lock that scratched the frame when you locked the slide back. Hope they take care of you.

 

[mesinge2]

Hard to tell without seeing where it is, but it might be an idiot mark left by the assembler at the factory. Could also be a bur on the underside of the slide lock that scratched the frame when you locked the slide back. Hope they take care of you.

These were my first thoughts as well. Tell us what they wind up doing.

 

[AKsRule]

I picked up my new pistol yesterday, after waiting over a month for the gun to arrive. I was in a hurry and only visually examined the gun. The finish looked good. The gun is the Scandium, Bobtail, with SS slide. Today, when I handled the gun, I discovered that after drawing the slide to the rear the release button was very tight and it was hard to release the slide. After locking the slide to the rear the second time, I discovered that the Take down pin/slide release had gouged the frame of my pistol to the point that I have two scratches down to the bare metal approximately 1/16th of an inch long on the left side of my gun. Most of the scratch is hidden when the slide is not locked backpush, but it is clearly visible with the slide forward. I have not fired the gun or attempted to field strip.

I immediately called S&W, and they are sending a return authorization and shipping instructions. I will see what they have to say after examining the pistol. Frankly, I want the gun to be replaced, as I take excellent care of my guns, and I especially don't want cosmetic or functional issues on a NIB pistol. Will let you know the outcome once I hear from S&W.

Wow..... a whole 1/16th of an inch huh ?

Next time you buy a new gun take it and chuck it hard against a brick
or concrete wall.

I guarantee you'll never worry about it having cosmetic flaws again...

 

[RedBerens]

Replace the entire gun? I'm sorry, but that is ridiculous and unrealistic. This thread reminds me of the ones where people ask about holsters that will never, ever scratch their gun. It's a tool. Use it accordingly.

 

[Pa686]

It's a tool. Use it accordingly.

Some people take care of their tools.

 

[RedBerens]

I didn't say 'don't take care of it', I said to use it accordingly. Honest wear will happen.

 

[blujax01]

Hey, give the OP a break. It's like he has a new car - and a Cadillac at that. "Pre-scratched" from the factory doesn't get it. It's not an M&P9, folks. It's a $1400 pistol. If there's a burr or an interference in the fit it needs to be corrected.
Send it back and I'm sure they'll make it right.

 

[WRGADog]

I own many guns and I have never

had a quality problem with any purchase. This is my first 1911 and all I ask is for the gun to function as designed and advertised. S&W certainly didn't design the slide release to scratch or gouge the frame when operated. IMO, it is not too much to ask that a ~$1400 gun function as designed, or, if it does not, to ask the manufacturer to make the owner whole. If this was merely a scratch on the finish repair would be acceptable, but the frame is gouged and refinishing will not completely corredt the defect. My 2 cents.

Will let you know what S&W says once I return the gun.

 

[Pisgah]

Let me ask this -- did the booboo happen at the factory, or did someone at the dealer's decide to field strip it and bungle the reassembly before you picked it up? Who knows? But S&W is evidently being kind enough to address the issue for you without complaint, so I wouldn't be upset with them yet.

 

[crofoot629]

It should not come “pre-scratched” from the factory.

I’d like to know more about the E Series.

1) Any internal drop safety? Or are they “Series 70” type guns?

2) Are the frames and slides forged?

3) Are there any MIM parts?

4) Does it have a conventional 1911 extractor?

Emory

 

[Arthury]

Today, when I handled the gun, I discovered that after drawing the slide to the rear the release button was very tight and it was hard to release the slide.

Are you attempting to release a drawn slide with your strong hand while griping the gun? Even if you succeed, the slide will slam forward and prematurely wear out the internal components unnecessarily.

I have a SW1911PC and, frankly, I cannot release a drawn slide with one hand. I need 2 hands to release it. Mine is also pretty new.

 

[one eye joe]

Hey, give the OP a break. It's like he has a new car - and a Cadillac at that. "Pre-scratched" from the factory doesn't get it. It's not an M&P9, folks. It's a $1400 pistol. If there's a burr or an interference in the fit it needs to be corrected.
Send it back and I'm sure they'll make it right.

I agree. He paid full freight for the pistol, NIB. He did NOT buy it at a "scratch and dent" sale. To imply that he is overreacting, or that he should settle for that weapon is ludicrous. "Honest wear" is wear that is incurred on a weapon through use BY IT'S OWNER. We are not talking about a pair of "distressed" Levis here. Sending it back was the right thing to do.......

 

[WRGADog]

The gun was NIB when I purchased it. No one at the LGS had handled the gun. In fact they had identical gun on display and retrieved my gun from stock in an unopened case. The gun's finish was visually perfect until the slide was operated.

 

[one eye joe]

The gun was NIB when I purchased it. No one at the LGS had handled the gun. In fact they had identical gun on display and retrieved my gun from stock in an unopened case. The gun's finish was visually perfect until the slide was operated.

I would demand a new one from S&W, and THOROUGHLY examine it @ your FFL's shop, before taking possession of it........

 

[andyo5]

Go ahead, send it back and be patient. They will make it good.
Most manufacturers are now pushing their stuff out the door fast, with only minimal inspections. I have received several guns with issues, from companies good enough to know better. A rusted SAA from US Firearms. Rust on a 45 auto from Kimber. Gouged gripframe on a Ruger. Mismatched gripframe/mainframe on a Ruger Blackhawk. Just to name a few.
In each case, I had to go through the process you are going through now. At least they paid for shipping. And in the end, the gun came back 100%.
But the Kahr that I owned for a few months was a total piece of junk, in spite of efforts by the factory to make it right. I ended up trading it off.
Relax and be patient. Nothing else you can do.

 

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

Yes- I think most people are commenting on the "extremely disappointed in my new e series 1911" comment.

Things happen. even though this appeared to be in an unopened box (was it sealed and you had to cut through tape or just shut?) then who knows who all might have decided to check it out? Or it could have been done by someone at the factory.

Either way, see what S&W will do and then post if you're not happy.

 

[Photog]

I think you should send it back...not so much for the cosmetic issue, but for the functioning issue.
crofoot629...don't take this to the bank, but there was a shooting show on last night that I watched. It had a review of the E series. From what I heard, was reading at the same time, it is the "series 70" system, it does have the external extractor.

 

[40cal]

Today, when I handled the gun, I discovered that after drawing the slide to the rear the release button was very tight and it was hard to release the slide.

This was with the empty magazine removed from the pistol?

An inserted empty mag will cause extra upward presure on the slide release lever. Drop the mag first. My .02 cents.
Fear not S&W CS will take care of you.