JustJim60,
Welcome to the forum!
First, SDs are not known for "having a jamming problem." These are robust, reliable pistols and they work quite well. If you read the forums, you will see examples of people reporting problems with all guns -- including sometimes the SD's -- but the incidence rate for these guns seems to be relatively low. That said, problems do occur, and the forum exists to help each other with problems, and you've got one that is perplexing.
Lots of things can cause the problems you mention -- and I should start by noting that the chamber IS supported on this gun. But to look at potential problems, the first one to check is -- was the gun clean and lubed? The statement "I could tap on the back of the slide and the round would seat..." seems to indicate the slide is being slightly impeded in some way -- perhaps by crud on the rails, perhaps by a dragging thumb, maybe because of a lack of lube, etc. -- or the round is not going smoothly into the chamber because of powder residue, rounds that are out of spec, etc. (since S&W checked out the pistol, we can probably rule out the chamber being too tight).
S&W is saying they can find nothing wrong with your pistol, but they are happy to offer you a replacement -- at a good price. But that doesn't quite make sense. If nothing is wrong with the pistol, then why would they replace it (even at cost) and why would you not get it back and shoot it? I'd call them on that, and ask -- is it okay to shoot it? Did you function check and fire it? Did you have any problems? Etc. In short, negotiate along those lines -- why offer me a replacement if this one is okay? If you send it back to me, and the problems are repeated, I'll just send it back... at that point, they might offer you a free replacement, or maybe just send yours back.
If you get it back, I would get new .40 ammo of at least two types and head to the range with someone who knows a lot about pistols, and ask that person to load and fire the pistol for you. Or even take it to a gunsmith and ask him or her to check and fire it for you, with your ammo.
I would not walk away from this one -- I would try to track it down to a good solution! You will learn something along the way, and the pistol will end up working or you will be able to get a replacement from S&W.
Others on the forum may have additional ideas on what to do next. Good luck with this pistol!
Welcome to the forum!
First, SDs are not known for "having a jamming problem." These are robust, reliable pistols and they work quite well. If you read the forums, you will see examples of people reporting problems with all guns -- including sometimes the SD's -- but the incidence rate for these guns seems to be relatively low. That said, problems do occur, and the forum exists to help each other with problems, and you've got one that is perplexing.
Lots of things can cause the problems you mention -- and I should start by noting that the chamber IS supported on this gun. But to look at potential problems, the first one to check is -- was the gun clean and lubed? The statement "I could tap on the back of the slide and the round would seat..." seems to indicate the slide is being slightly impeded in some way -- perhaps by crud on the rails, perhaps by a dragging thumb, maybe because of a lack of lube, etc. -- or the round is not going smoothly into the chamber because of powder residue, rounds that are out of spec, etc. (since S&W checked out the pistol, we can probably rule out the chamber being too tight).
S&W is saying they can find nothing wrong with your pistol, but they are happy to offer you a replacement -- at a good price. But that doesn't quite make sense. If nothing is wrong with the pistol, then why would they replace it (even at cost) and why would you not get it back and shoot it? I'd call them on that, and ask -- is it okay to shoot it? Did you function check and fire it? Did you have any problems? Etc. In short, negotiate along those lines -- why offer me a replacement if this one is okay? If you send it back to me, and the problems are repeated, I'll just send it back... at that point, they might offer you a free replacement, or maybe just send yours back.
If you get it back, I would get new .40 ammo of at least two types and head to the range with someone who knows a lot about pistols, and ask that person to load and fire the pistol for you. Or even take it to a gunsmith and ask him or her to check and fire it for you, with your ammo.
I would not walk away from this one -- I would try to track it down to a good solution! You will learn something along the way, and the pistol will end up working or you will be able to get a replacement from S&W.
Others on the forum may have additional ideas on what to do next. Good luck with this pistol!
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