Factory Quality Control Problem w/ new 686

[SD357]

I never believe the QC compliants I read online because people with problems will always complain so it is to my dismay that I am "that guy" now. Picked up my new 686 4 inch a few days ago and went to range. While the trigger is heavy it got real heavy(sticky) for 2 out of the six shots. So I just assumed it needed some breaking in. Finished 50 rounds and went to range today and shot another 50 and same heavy stickiness on 2 out every 6 shots. Well brought it back to gun shop and they said the star was causing the problem. They tried to polish a little and nothing changed...so back to factory it goes. They said I should have it back in a few weeks. This should have been picked up in the factory at the first QC level (hey I'm new to this world and just assumed it would work straight out of the box)...guess it is cheaper to throw them out the door and fix the problems after...
After my long CA wait and now this...just needed a place to vent....It did shoot great what little chance I got to use it.

 

[Ashlander]

We all feel your pain -- buy enough guns and it will happen at some point.

 

[youngda9]

Must inspect firearms completely before taking them home.

 

[one eye joe]

Must inspect firearms completely before taking them home.

This is true, however MANY new shooters don't have the expertise to examine a weapon with a critical eye. They assume that it should be perfect if it left the factory. That level of quality and pride in the product no longer exists even @ S&W , unfortunately...

 

[nipster]

Must inspect firearms completely before taking them home.

Stuff like he is describing (binding) isnt going to be picked up without something in the cylinder, and unless you go around with snap caps, you would most likely have not picked it up either.

 

[stantheman86]

It seems like two of the ratchet teeth were fitted sloppy at the factory and the hand is binding on them.

 

[Maximumbob54]

We don't all carry snap caps everywhere in our pockets in all calibers???

 

[gsm73]

Same problem here, 686 6" back to the factory last week for hand to ratchet binding on all 6 chambers. Also my barrel is not aligned with the frame like many others.

 

[crbii]

Sounds like S&W needs to step up their QC.

 

[badge70]

I lucked out. My 686 3" has been fine since I first got it in late Nov. No problems with trigger, lock-up or barrel. Sorry to hear you've had trouble.

 

[SD357]

She left me 2 weeks ago..when will I see her again?

My new 686 had a factory QC issue from day one (binding cylinder)...I should have realized it before I took it home but what do I know..I'm new. The store sent it back to S&W on April 17th...How long can I expect to wait to get it back????

Thanks

 

[TAROMAN]

Hard to say exactly, but a 21-4 I returned to Springfield for warranty work was back in my hands in about 3-1/2 weeks.

 

[Jamie]

I sent my wife's 442 in for work 2 months ago, we had it back almost 2 weeks from the date it was mailed. They replaced the cylinder.

 

[RobsTV]

My S&W 500 went back the 20th, and they signed for it on the 24th.

Hopefully only a couple weeks, but other posts here seem to indicate it might be 5 weeks or more..

Please update thread if anything changes.

 

[Old cop]

My M&P 340 (warranty work) was back in about 7 working days.

 

[hogrider05]

I sent them my 1911 on the 13th. S&W received my gun on the 16th. I called a couple days ago to check on it and after waiting on hold for 10 Min's. they told me they checked the gun in on 4-21.
So the gun sat in receiving for 6 days. They told me from 2-4 more weeks.

 

[TAROMAN]

Last summer I sent my 29-2 in for a complete overhaul. Seems it got caught in a shipping time loop somehow connected to S&W's summer vacation shutdown.
Lesson learned: If the time seems too long - call.

 

[RobsTV]

I worked at an electronics warranty service center for a while, and as a general rule, customers tickets were not looked at until they called to inquire about status. I just worked there, not my plan.

So with that in mind, got worried and just called S&W to check status. It shipped out yesterday, and I will have it tomorrow! Recut forcing cone and replaced cylinder. Awesome service! They only had it 5 business days.

 

[SD357]

8 weeks and Frustrated

Guys-
Just needed a place for some sympathy. (my wife just doesn't understand)

Bought a new 686 4 inch new from dealer. Took it to range and realized that it was defective out of box. (problem with cylinder). Dealer returned it to S&W. (because of 30 day wait to buy a new handgun in CA I couldn't do a switch out anyway) so didn't worry about the process. Well 8 weeks later and no revolver. Dealer has spoken to S&W and it was supposedly finished almost 3 weeks ago and was sitting in the shipping room and they promised we would get it to us by last Friday...
Well guess what??? No revolver.

 

[Ashlander]

I am hitting the age where after 8 weeks I'd probably have forgotten I bought the gun in the first place! You have my sympathy!

Cordially,

Ash