Good Grief S&W, Strike Three! (new Model 41 7") - see post #92

[Doc1500]

I would send it back and request a refund. That's all Bs

 

[clwebster]

Okay, to cover a few posted comments (and not artificially build my post count):

The hassle of buying used w/o inspection, shipping costs, up to $100 fee at FFL to accept a private party or dealer transfer, etc. was not appealing to me. None were local, and prices here in CA tend to be stupider than most other places.

Although I've bought more handguns used than new, sometimes my OCD tendencies rule and I cannot get pass some other icky human having "violated" what I plan to own. Examples? Last few new vehicles I bought literally just came off the delivery truck (yet I've bought innumerable used vehicles without issue), I reach for the box further back in the display of whatever at the store...I know its weird and inconsistent, but its me.

Twas cleaned thoroughly the same night I got it home - that's when the bore scope found the uglies.

I emailed v. called because I like a written record; they sent a prepaid FedEx label this morning and I shipped it back this afternoon.

I don't want my money back, I want an appropriate quality Model 41.

I've tried before, but in my experience S&W does not explain their failures, does not sufficiently explain what they did to "correct" the issue, and has little empathy with us - their customers.

The answer to "the $1400 question" is I dunno - didn't want to waste time and ammo shooting a gun I knew was going to be different in its ultimate configuration (shooting club is 30 minutes away - no "back 40 range" here).

As disappointing as this, I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

PS - I'm adding a pic of the "third-world quality" muzzle/crown for for fun.

I know it doesn't make you feel better but the one I bought last year looks worse than yours. Looks like the rifling is off center on the picture of yours also. Just sent mine to Ten ring precision for a reline. SW brushed me off when I sent it back to them.

 

[Larks]

I look forward to hearing your update on this and also to hearing that your next beer with M41 in hand is a "celebratory" one.

I'll also be interested to see what the muzzle looks like on the replacement one - your old one looks like it has a barrel liner rather than being a rifled billet...????

compared to what I'm seeing on mine - here are both of my barrels side by side

[/url]IMG_3125 by Greg Larkin, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[clwebster]

SW quality

I thinks SW philosiphy now is if it ain't right, they will send it back.

 

[AreWeNotMen?]

I'll also be interested to see what the muzzle looks like on the replacement one - your old one looks like it has a barrel liner rather than being a rifled billet...????

compared to what I'm seeing on mine - here are both of my barrels side by side

[/url]IMG_3125 by Greg Larkin, on Flickr[/IMG]

Hmmm - interesting observation! I just thought is was goofy lighting in my pic. If it was a liner and they thought it was a "fix", it's hard to imaging what the OEM barrel looked like if they thought this was better! And in looking at your muzzles, they appear shockingly rough/primitive also!?!

 

[AreWeNotMen?]

Thanks all for the support and commiseration. I realized I was taking a chance on buying a new firearm from S&W, and like several others here - this has convinced me it will be my last. In thinking about how S&W has handled this, it's nothing short of sociopathic - much like the DMV! S&W seems to see themselves as No. 1 so they don't have to give a **** (DMV does so because they are the sole option). It is obvious they are riding on the coattails of their past quality and customer care - both non-existent now. And clwebster, your observation is correct - they keep sending unresolved junk back, wearing out the customer until he/she gives up and settles, just finds another fix, or sells the inferior product off.

 

[djw]

I have a model 41 I purchased years ago and it is very well made. This thread makes me sick and I will be very careful buying anything from Smith in the future. Thanks for all the info and good luck with your new barrel.

 

[350mag]

I have both old and new. Both work well. The old one refuses to digest hv ammo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jimbo41]

I have several, none new, but do empathize with the OP's troubles with a new gun. What is it about guns that you can't just take it back to the retail store and have them take it back, as if it were any other product. Enough of that rant.

I only shoot SV ammo, and I have never used a buffer of any sort, never even tried. Am I missing something?

I bid buy a bully barrel, I wanted a threaded barrel to suppress that was designed for mounting an optic.

To the OP, sorry for any thread drift and good luck! FWiW, I think they'll make it right eventually, they just need to learn that you won't give up.

 

[rolandj]

Pic.

Attached a pic. in Post #47 of the defects in the barrel. S & W did replace the barrel on the 3rd trip back to them. It did take a phoncon with a supervisor to get it replaced.

 

[jim1K]

I have or should I say I remember having a new 41, it has been at S&W repair for over 4 months. It had a bad barrel also, only had lands and grooves half way out the barrel. The trigger is junk, they never broke the edges and you need a box of band aids to handle it. It never cycled in 8 shots and it key holed every shot, they even managed to screw up the serial number by double stamping the last digit..... Jim

 

[AreWeNotMen?]

The Saga Continues

S&W did send a replacement barrel...aaaand it's going back again.

 

[jim1K]

That looks good to what I had, So I guess I know what to expect when mine ever gets back.... I have a new barrel ordered from Clark.... Jim

 

[Jim Watson]

That's awful. My 1970s M41 is fine but the late Jerry Keefer said that any of them would warrant relining for serious competition by a Master level shooter. He also made 10 twist M52 barrels, and had his own spec for 1911 .45 barrels.

I heard of one dud barrel that the owner could not get fixed or replaced so he made a sub rosa deal at the PD. They had a confiscated M41 that was to be scrapped - it had apparently acquired criminal habits - so he was allowed to swap barrels. The naughty barrel shot just fine.

 

[AveragEd]

Well, I can only hope I have better luck. I ordered a Model 41 (the standard version; I think the PC version is unattractive and I also prefer the longer barrel which isn't available on the PC gun) direct from S&W back in November and received a call this morning from S&W's media department for my payment. They advised that it would be shipped with "priority" as I am an outdoor writer so I expect my gun shop will receive it this week. If I'm not mistaken, handguns must be shipped via second-day air anyway.

Given the backorder situation with no expectation of when production might occur, I considered buying a used one on GunBroker but the very nice examples were selling for more than my media cost for a new one and since they were manufactured prior to S&W instituting their lifetime warranty, any problems would strictly and solely be mine. Accordingly, I went with new.

Please do keep all of us posted on your progress with your Model 41. Unless I missed it in these posts, how does it shoot?

Ed

 

[sigp220.45]

You need to just buy something else.

 

[Doc1500]

I'd get my money back, and call it a lesson learned. JMHO

 

[jim1K]

Well I got the 41 back with the new barrel and guess what two of the lands don't go out to the muzzle. I don't think they are capable of good work at this point, you are replacing a barrel and no one looked in it to see if it was good? Send it back for an other 4+ months to get what ever back again.. Time to get liner put in ..... Time is money also at time is precious ... Jim

 

[Mike0251]

Sorry to hear Jim. That's why I chose the Gunsmith path
Been 8 weeks here, he should be starting on it anytime. I will report back here too.

 

[jim1K]

I really think they should close the doors because they are not capable of building match grade guns. I never had a S&W with barrels that looked this bad. Two in a row, my barrel is going to be relined by Ten Ring.... Jim