Extremely Disappointed with my new E Series Pistol

[Neumann]

I have the previous model, an SW1911PD Commander with a scandium frame. The frame is scratched through the finish where the end of the slide stop lever touches the frame. The same on my full-sized SW1911 SS. In both cases, it only shows when the slide is locked back. Otherwise, the scratches are completely covered by the lever.

The same thing happens with the frame under the thumb safety.

The slide stop is going to touch the frame somewhere, and will scratch the finish sooner or later. It is not an indicator of abuse, and there is no obvious burr on the lever. I'm not going to get my shorts in a knot over some minor cosmetic defect in a gun I shoot regularly. Chances are the bluing is wearing off the rifling lands too

If a pistol is to be enshrined like an holy relic, that's another matter.

 

[dvdslw]

I have the SC in the black melonite finish and also have the scratch under the slidestop. I was disappointed at first and contacted S&W, they said thaey would take care of it if I sent it in and I trust that they would but after carrying the gun for a while and shooting it some at the range, I have worked the newness out of her and the scratch doesn't bother me so much. I did replace the slidestop with an Ed Brown unit and used a blue pen to touch it up. As far as the softness of the Scandium frame goes, Its' a soft metal designed for a purpose, to obtain a lightweight carry gun for concealment. I have carried full steel guns of all sizes and also own a New Agent wich is smaller and lighter than the E-Series SC but none carry as well this one. I wake up the gun comes out of the safe, into the holester, carry all day, get home, and back in the safe. Who's going to see the scratch? I also think that a steel framed SC with the polished slide (like the full sized E-Series) would be a nice addition to their line and appeal to the cosmeticly hard to please. Love the gun!!!

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Would this issue be a little less prevalent on a stainless model??

 

[one eye joe]

Would this issue be a little less prevalent on a stainless model??

Less obvious and easily polished out of stainless............

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Less obvious and easily polished out of stainless............

Thanks, that was kind of what I was thinking. Been drooling over the Stainless ES, with tac rail for months now. Hopefully will be ordering in early january. Just not looking forward to that loooooooooonnngggg wait after placing the order! lol!

 

[kmart]

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.

agree; mine did the same thing with the 1/16" scratch; plus the nice brushed aluminum like trigger was scratched on one side beyond belief from the factory. Plus the black scadium slide had a large permanent scuff mark on it where a store employee apparently let it hit or rub extensively on the clip i guess, but there is no way that finish should scratch like that on a $1400 gun. This is my second one, had to take the first one back for the EXACT same issues save the trigger issue. I am soooo let down by this issue with this firearm. I want to buy another brand but nothing is as sweet

for that much $; i want to be the one to scratch the piss out of it , not someone else

 

[Paints-n-cows]

Do you mean the scratches look like this? I also just picked up my E-series last night from my gun dealer and this is what I found. The date code on the fired round is 5/24/12

I realize that it may just be a tool but when I spend that kind of cash on a weapon, I expect it to well finished and taken care of BEFORE it gets to me.

It is not from careless handling since the weapon had never had its slide pulled back and the release locked in place before it reached me. That is the only way that the marks are obvious.

You can bet that I am going to be on the phone to S&W and let them deal with this.

Also, mine has no name magazines with it....one 7-round that has no markings on it and an 8-round that at least has 45 ACP on its side but has a cheap floorplate/bumper on its bottom made out of plastic.

 

[Tenn2]

I have been looking at the 1911sc as I really like the look of the dual tone. I guess after reading all this I will probably look to the Ruger as it has gotten good reviews.
Russ

 

[squidsix]

I had an E-series commander-sized pistol, and kept it for all of three magazines worth of shooting. I am happy to know that it is in the hands of someone who has other choices for CCW, because it was poorly built, and it made THREE trips to S&W before I sold it.
Go and find a 4563, and move on with your life.

 

[Paints-n-cows]

I like the way that this weapon is built and feels in my hand but am just disappointed that the Q/C let this one pass. I realize that it isn't much but if an obvious thing (and obviously a repeatable flaw) is able to pass, it really makes you question whether the inspector missed it or deliberately passed it on hoping that the end purchaser would not hold them accountable.

I would suspect that the Q/C is slipping. Back in the summer I purchased a .40 Shield and it was missing a magazine. That took almost 3 months of complaining/whining/etc. to get them to send me what should have been with the weapon to begin with. And when I pointed out that they were obviously in stock enough to include with the new weapons they were manufacturing, I was politely told that those were reserved for production, not customer service.

 

[cremaley]

I purchased a S&W 1911SC Bi-tone about two months ago and it is without a doubt one of my most favorite guns. When the slide is locked does it have some minor scratches under the slide stop yes. When the safety is engaged is there some minor scratching on the slide yes. Did I buy this gun to sit around and admire it no. I bought it to shoot it. Dose it shoot as good as if not better than any other 1911 I have owned yes. So my advice to those of you worried about some minor scratches, it to shoot the damn gun and enjoy it for the purpose it was built. Just my two cents.

 

[ladder13]

This gun has been perfect in every aspect, and NO it's not leaving to go anywhere.

 

[t-bird]

How would you keep a slide-stop from rubbing the frame on any 1911. I have three smith 1911's and all are great guns.

 

[Rundover]

I also have the two tone bobtail E series and think it is the most beautiful gun I have ever seen. It also shoots very well and have had no problems or scratches with it yet. I do agree that it should not have scratches out of the box and I would be very unhappy if mine did but I bought it to use it and am a realist. It eventually will get scratched or dinged at some point, I just hope it happens years from now and not tomorrow.

 

[kmart]

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...

idiot response

 

[HotRoderX]

Do you mean the scratches look like this? I also just picked up my E-series last night from my gun dealer and this is what I found. The date code on the fired round is 5/24/12

I realize that it may just be a tool but when I spend that kind of cash on a weapon, I expect it to well finished and taken care of BEFORE it gets to me.

It is not from careless handling since the weapon had never had its slide pulled back and the release locked in place before it reached me. That is the only way that the marks are obvious.

You can bet that I am going to be on the phone to S&W and let them deal with this.

Also, mine has no name magazines with it....one 7-round that has no markings on it and an 8-round that at least has 45 ACP on its side but has a cheap floorplate/bumper on its bottom made out of plastic.

The mags sound more like a dealer issue then a Smith and Wesson issue. I know when I got my Ar the dealer put a brand new magpul mag in the box instead of the factory mag. I have read and heard that's not a completely uncommon practice.

 

[cremaley]

The mags sound more like a dealer issue then a Smith and Wesson issue. I know when I got my Ar the dealer put a brand new magpul mag in the box instead of the factory mag. I have read and heard that's not a completely uncommon practice.

Mine also came with one 7 round magazine with no name on it and one 8 round magazine with 45 on it and I can assure you that my dealer did not change the magazines. These are the ones that came from the factory and, frankly, I see nothing wrong with them. It never ceases to amaze me how much people like to complain on these internet forums but by the same token its a free country ( or at least it use to be ) and you can say what ever you want.

 

[Twogunnes]

I am really happy with mine!!!

I prefer it to my Nighthawk!!!

 

[shawn mccarver]

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

1) Series 70 type action with titanium firing pin and supposedly stiffer firing pin spring. It passes the drop testing.

2) Forged.

3) Yes, but I am not sure which parts.

4) No. Large S&W external, which does not worry me as S&W learned these extractors decades ago.

 

[t-bird]

Be sure to post what smith and wesson have to say paints-cows. Hope its all works out for you. I've had to use them twice in the past twenty years with the last being about three years. Great service both times.

 

[rwsmith]

I would want a new one, too

If I ordered and paid for a NEW S&W of any model I wouldn't expect any part to be scratched. S&W should replace it, then sell the original gun as a scratch and dent. You get a new gun, Somebody gets a slight blem at a good price and S&W doesn't lose money on the deal.

 

[t-bird]

I was wondering how you keep a slide-stop from rubbing the frame on a 1911?

 

[rvasse]

I purchased mine used a couple of months ago. It has scratches in a couple of places. If I had bought it new I would have been upset but mine has other issues such as fail to chamber and had to replace the factory recoil spring with a Wolff 18 lb to solve the issue. Still have an issue with it ejecting brass at my forehead. Overall a great gun and very accurate.

 

[ViperGeek]

I have been looking at the 1911sc as I really like the look of the dual tone. I guess after reading all this I will probably look to the Ruger as it has gotten good reviews.
Russ

I'm a huge two-tone fanatic as well, and went with the *other* two-tone SW1911:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57754_757752_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

I love my 178011 and have had no problems with fit or finish.

- Dave

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk HD

 

[lhump1961]

I purchased mine used a couple of months ago. It has scratches in a couple of places. If I had bought it new I would have been upset but mine has other issues such as fail to chamber and had to replace the factory recoil spring with a Wolff 18 lb to solve the issue. Still have an issue with it ejecting brass at my forehead. Overall a great gun and very accurate.

Ejecting the occasional brass at your forehead was it's unfortunate bug. Mine did the same thing...back to Smith...quick turn around and no more brass at my head. Give it up for a couple of weeks and send it back for the extractor adjustment. Kind of a pain but for me it needed to be addressed.

 

[lhump1961]

I have been looking at the 1911sc as I really like the look of the dual tone. I guess after reading all this I will probably look to the Ruger as it has gotten good reviews.
Russ

Don't let this thread be the determining factor on your 1911 decision. Smith makes a fine 1911...I have two and would buy again. My son-in-law has the Ruger SR1911 and likes it (he is a Ruger guy) but the only reason he has a 1911 is the fact that the fell in love with my Smith after shooting it a couple of times.

The Smith and the Ruger 1911's are both fine, American made guns and I'm sure you would be happy with either one. Not sure Ruger makes a commander size, though.

 

[t-bird]

Wondering what S&W had to say about the slide-stop problem?

 

[crofoot629]

This gun has been perfect in every aspect, and NO it's not leaving to go anywhere.

I never get it when people post photos of their obviously new or little shot pistols and claim they work great.

I see it a lot with Kimbers too.

I've shot action pistol games for years and worked as a Police Officer.
If pistols are shot say 10,000 rounds and holstered and reholstered they show honest wear.

This gun does not. I think it runs fine sitting in the gun safe.

I gave up on Colt and Springfield in 1996 and bought two Wilson Combats.
I think you have to spend the big money if you want a durable 1911.

Your S&W should be a dream gun with light frame and bobtail. Instead it's a ****. That aint right.

Emory

 

[lhump1961]

"I never get it when people post photos of their obviously new or little shot pistols and claim they work great.
"

I never get it when someone posts thinking they know something about someone else when it's obvious they can't...

 

[OLDSTER]

E-Series pistol

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.......

Absolutely!!! To say a customer, who purchased this NIB gun in good faith, is "over-reacting", is ridiculous