Frustrated???

[Helderberg]

I bought a 638 three weeks ago and have noticed the cylinder is not locking up solidly. I compared it to my 637 and there is a world of difference between the two. The cylinder also has front to rear play and the extraction rod/frame can be flexed so the space between the front of the lower frame and swing out is noticeable.
I sent back a 380 Bodyguard and it came back fixed but still unreliable. Sold it for the 638 and now I have this. I also traded a LC9 after it had to be sent back to Ruger for a firing pin problem. I am trading it for a 686-6 I am picking up this week. I sold a LCP for the Bodyguard because it was prone to FTF and FTE.
I think we are the quality control for all the manufactures out there.
Frank.

 

[Tyrod]

I assume the 638 is new? It may take a couple of trips to S&W to get it right.

 

[Maximumbob54]

You are getting close to my run of luck...

I hate sounding like I'm sweeping bad Q/C under the rug, but with the massive amount of guns shipped by both S&W and Ruger there are going to be a "law of averages" type amount of guns that slip by the eyes. I bet the 638 comes back and turns into a great gun.

 

[Ashlander]

It makes sense that we would be the quality assurance for these products. My guess is that to keep the costs down the factory quality assurance goes to only the most basic issues of whether the gun will blow up if fired or if any pieces fall off if you shake it -- if not -- let the customer find the other problems.

 

[Cole K]

I've heard of some QC problems but I've never seen them.

But, then I haven't bought a new one in a few years.

 

[Helderberg]

I did not mean to come off as a whiner, just stating the run I have had. I also do not intend to leave the S&W fold. It kind of goes along with the saying I may not like the way the USA is run but I still believe it's the best thing going. S&W will get as many chances as it needs and it has also been my experience that they, and Ruger for that matter, will do what ever needs to be done.
I really did mean to sound like such a pain. I just reread my post and I could have written it better.
Frank.

 

[Old cop]

Normally I shy away from the new S&W, buying the older models after close inspection at the gun shop. There are quite a few videos on YouTube on how to inspect a used revolver and they have served me well.

That said I'm sure your new S&W will be fixed to your satisfaction by the factory, but I feel your pain. I went through something very similar with a new Ruger LCP, but the factory replaced it w/a new one. I'm good to go now, but it was a pain in the tush.

Best,
Old Cop

 

[Czbilly]

I feel your pain. I'm calling S&W tomorrow to send a 325 back for the second time. My problem didn't change at all, and it only took them three weeks not to fix it.

 

[snubbiefan]

Old cop....you and I are in the same boat. I only buy the older weapons and will only purchase a new one because I know that I can trade it for an older one and let the guy...."take advantage of me". I just love being "taken advantage of".

 

[Fredo Batali]

So, do we have to look forward to "two or three trips back to Smith & Wesson to get it right" on every revolver we buy??? Why bother? This seems to be a problem with a lot of manufacturers today. Is it cheaper to repair a POJ two or three times than to manufacture a quality product???

De Oppresso Liber

 

[snubbiefan]

I think (hope) it is not a common thing among the Smiths. I know it is more common among some other manufacturers. My get-a-good-one-out-of-the-box success with another maker is around 30%. Stuff like this will force you to become a home gunsmith, but seriously....you can correct some issues on your own as opposed to all the time your new gun is flying back-n-forth to wherever home is.

I wonder who gets the frequent-flyer miles?

 

[imjin138]

I have to agree with Old Cop and Snubbie fan, I have been shopping for a 1911 but after looking at the prices I am almost convinced to buy an older model 19 and call it a day.

 

[gaspipes]

This forum is like any other of the gun forums that deal with a specific mfg. If everybody that got a new revolver and posted, "I got a new 686 today, shot it and everything was great." it would be pretty boring and the board would be full of those.

I see many of the "complaint" related posts come from people who just joined the board. I think when people have trouble they are more apt to look up "smith and wesson gun forum" to tell their problem and get advice etc.

I've bought 2 new S&W in the last couple years and haven't had any problems with either. A 686-6 and a 617-6 and both are perfect as far as I know. High quality revolvers that work great. But I didn't make a post about either.

I am sure their are problems, but the good thing is, S&W seems to do a pretty decent job of making things right. Aggravating for the guy who has the problem for sure.

 

[Sportsterguy]

I have to agree with Old Cop and Snubbie fan, I have been shopping for a 1911 but after looking at the prices I am almost convinced to buy an older model 19 and call it a day.

That would be an excellent decision IMO. Just look at todays and yesterdays posts in this section on problems with late model revolvers. Bunches of them! There's a definate QC problem at S&W and I hope they get their stuff together soon.

You can buy a nice older model pre lock 19 or 66 snub for around the $600.00 range. Less for a 4 or 6" model.

As far as 1911's go there are a couple of Dan Wesson CBOB's for sale in the "For Sale" section right now at VERY good prices. If I didn't already have a few I'd be all over one of them.

 

[Ashlander]

Fredo: My quess is that the demand for revolvers is high right now, but S&W does not want to hire and train a bunch of new workers until the costs become clear (ain't big government great). So the guys are putting in a lot of overtime (which is cheaper than training, benefits and turnover costs related to hiring), and quality has suffered. Alternatively, they did hire some new workers -- and these quality problems are the result until they get good at it.

 

[snubbiefan]

I think demand will continue to grow and peak on the evening of December 20th. When the world does not end on December 21st......there will be a big price-drop and plenty of used guns out there for sale.

I am sticking with Sir Issac Newton's prediction.....2060. It won't matter to me by then anyway.

 

[hawgleg]

Sorry to hear about your problems. I love my 638 and it works great. I 've got about 400 rounds through it so far mostly standard 158 gr reloads.

That's why I don't like to buy online.

 

[arjay]

I bought two new revolvers around 5 years ago.The 629 looked good and shot good.The 586 had 2 cylinder flutes with very blotchy blueing,but it shot great.I've replaced them with with older versions.I like the way the new guns shoot,but prefer the looks of the older ones.