Factory repair of older models?

[mikey52]

Do any of you know if there is a year or time frame, that S&W will not work on older models. Or do they not work on certain models, just because they don't want to. Examples might be a Model 52, Model 745, Model 952 , or a revolver like Model 547, with the wire extractor. These are just an example, some they may, but others maybe not. I know there are lots of guns that are hard to get parts for. If I were young( I'm not), I would hate to buy a new S&W and think I could not get parts for it or get it serviced in 30 years. Yes, there are very good gunsmiths that can repair most anything; for a price. Any thoughts? I know things, owners, and life changes, but it seems like S&W has pulled the plug on some guns pretty quick. Thanks Mikey

 

[Alk8944]

The general rule is they will not work on guns they do not currently stock or manufacture parts for, no matter what the repair may entail. For example,they will not re-finish guns they don't have parts for because they would not be able to repair the gun if some part were broken, damaged, or lost when the gun was disassembled for repair. A gun may sit around the service dept. disassembled for months in some cases.

 

[ladder13]

Call them with your specific interest, and then call a day later, you may get a different answer.
Such is life @ S&W

 

[ExRanger714]

What Ladder13 said.

FWIW they fixed my 1967 28-2 back in the summer (2018) and had a yoke on hand.

 

[Capt. F.]

Do any of you know if there is a year or time frame, that S&W will not work on older models. Or do they not work on certain models, just because they don't want to. Examples might be a Model 52, Model 745, Model 952 , or a revolver like Model 547, with the wire extractor. These are just an example, some they may, but others maybe not. I know there are lots of guns that are hard to get parts for. If I were young( I'm not), I would hate to buy a new S&W and think I could not get parts for it or get it serviced in 30 years. Yes, there are very good gunsmiths that can repair most anything; for a price. Any thoughts? I know things, owners, and life changes, but it seems like S&W has pulled the plug on some guns pretty quick. Thanks Mikey

They changed a barrel and reblued a 1952 .38/44 HD for me 3 years ago - after the second person I talked to ok’d it.

 

[mikey52]

Thanks for every ones input and observations. I think I'll go with another 1911 model, and let go of some of the old classics that are not 1911 style. Seems like there have been plenty of 1911 parts for a long, long, long time. Model 52 parts are a little more scarce. Thanks to all! Mikey

 

[chief38]

ladder13 has given excellent advise. Try and try again...... until you get the answer you are looking for.

Colt will basically give you the same answer about working on vintage guns. One of my friends wouldn't give up regarding getting a vintage Colt refinished! Depending on who he spoke to.... he got different answers but finally spoke to the right person He recently received his vintage 1926 Colt Army Special .38 caliber Revolver back from Colt. They did a complete refinish and incredibly excellent job! The gun is 90 years old! He found "as new" original grips for the old Colt and now it is just Gorg!! Shoots like a Champ too!

 

[murphydog]

The generic answer from S & W customer service is they will not work on a non-model stamped gun, so pre-1958. There are very rare exceptions to this rule like Capt. F. in post 5 (that is only the second example I have read about in the past 10 years), and I can just imagine the process of how this happens...

"Hey, (gunsmith in Performance Center), there's a guy on the line who wants his (pre-1958) gun refinished and swears it will not need any parts."

"(Long pause). Tell him we'll have a look at it but we won't promise anything until we see it." Currently, 99.99% of the time this answer will be no, so this is a good one.

 

[mrmike7189]

you can try. I have some old Rugers that have gone back for service and they still had parts,but...........they wont advertise it, because they really DON"T want to work on the old guns. I would hope that S&W would do same?
I would also look for a good gunsmith as a backup plan for the future
Good luck. Keep us updated. Curious what S&W will say