Finish on new S&W Revolvers

[ERay]

Has anyone noticed how rough the frame finish is under the crane on new stainless S&W revolvers. I just got a new 686 talo and opened the cylinder and was amazed at how rough the frame finish is under the crane. I was about to send it back to S&W until I received a new 617 and it is about the same. How long has S&W been doing this. Looks like cast pot metal under there.

 

[M2MikeGolf]

I had a 1918 production model 1917 and it was pretty rough looking under the crane, so I'd have to say (at least from my experience) S&W has been doing that at least for the last ninety four years or so. My 619 and 547 are about the same, but since they are tack drivers and I'm lazy, I've never gotten around to polishing out the offending roughness.

 

[ERay]

This one is a lot darker grey than the outside of the revolver. Almost looks like it is rusted or oxidized or something. Not just machine marks. It looks like a metal casting.

 

[clevelandgun]

I noticed the rough machining on a new 629 I recently sold but the finish on the model 29 in blue I bought to replace it is perfect. The finish on the new model 29 is almost as nice as any gun I own including a couple of Colt Pythons. The crappy finish on the 629 is part of the reason I got rid of it.