I hope this is resolved quickly and finally for you. The tales of multiple problems with multiple purchases from guys on this thread is quite disheartening, especially from a company that I have respected since I was old enough to know what a revolver was. It'll be strictly double digit model no. Smith's for me, from here on out.
Got my 617 back from warranty work, S&W destroyed the frame
- Thread starter afultz075
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rburg
Member
Wait till they send you a brand new one. Take it to a gun show and sell it as brand spankin' new. Take the money and buy a 1940s 6 shot all steel gun. The one you've got now is under 10 years old and has already failed. The one made in the 1940s is over 60 and you can check it out before buying. Chances are it will go another 60 without any problems. No, its not stainless steel, its the old fashioned carbon steel that holds up really well over time.
me too... I just bought a new SIG. I shot it one time and had to send it back and then had to immediately return it a second time to get them to fix stuff they either didn't fix the first time or new problems that 'appeared' while in their care. This is ridiculous.
5Wire
Member
I have a different take, S&W will make it right, I see that as a given, especially on a new gun. If something is faulty, they have a whole lot of incentive to provide a remedy satisfactory to you. I'd be calm, matter of fact, and insistent. I'm sure that's your intent, Please keep us posted.
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Sebago Son
Member
Was this a pre-lock 617? If not, and they give you a new frame, I bet it will now have the accursed device...
bwickens
Member
Yours is indeed a cautionary tale. Almost makes me glad I'm too broke right now to buy any guns, new or used.
As for checking guns before you buy them, I recall a few years back looking at a new USFA Flat top on a local dealers shelf. When I then asked to see the Colt SAA a little down from it, the counter guy gave me a look like I asked for his sister's phone number and got kinda huffy when I explained that I wanted to compare their fit/finish.
As for checking guns before you buy them, I recall a few years back looking at a new USFA Flat top on a local dealers shelf. When I then asked to see the Colt SAA a little down from it, the counter guy gave me a look like I asked for his sister's phone number and got kinda huffy when I explained that I wanted to compare their fit/finish.
5Wire
Member
Bought "awhile back," I'm guessing it had the IL. Not a functional problem IMO for a range gun with some self-defense potential. Appearance-wise, there's always the plug.
minconrevo
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Anything man makes will occasionally be poorly crafted. Sometimes it will get past QC and on into the consumer pipeline. We harken back to the "good old days" when they actually weren't always good. The few bad and really bad S&W products of years ago are generally out of circulation; we see only the many good ones most times.
I've run into a couple S&W's, from the 70's and 80's that were defective from the day they left the factory. QC had kicked 'em out the door and onto the loading dock for shipment. These guns simply would not run at anything approaching factory standards.
Where did the bad guns go? Probably into a safe, with the clear intention to return to S&W for repair. The return never happened, but the gun wasn't in circulation either, until the back dark recesses of the safe finally were emptied.
All the good guns from previous times were out on the range or going to the gun show for swapping. Those are the ones that we see as our usual basis for quality assessment.
I've run into a couple S&W's, from the 70's and 80's that were defective from the day they left the factory. QC had kicked 'em out the door and onto the loading dock for shipment. These guns simply would not run at anything approaching factory standards.
Where did the bad guns go? Probably into a safe, with the clear intention to return to S&W for repair. The return never happened, but the gun wasn't in circulation either, until the back dark recesses of the safe finally were emptied.
All the good guns from previous times were out on the range or going to the gun show for swapping. Those are the ones that we see as our usual basis for quality assessment.
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Thought i'd dig this thread back up and give some closure. I got the gun back the other day. They opted to replace the frame versus replacing the whole gun. Which is fine by me as they reused the perfect replacement barrel from when I originally sent it in for bore/crown problems.
I looked it over VERY thoroughly after I got it, I even removed the sideplate to inspect the internals (and to oil as well, the insides were bone dry). My discerning eye can find no flaws and the gun is now as it should have been from the get-go. After 3 months I should finally be able to shoot this gun at the range this coming weekend. If it functions as it should, I will consider this a success story.
That being said, I think I will remain hesitant to ever buy a new production S&W revolver again after going through this 3 month long ordeal, but then again about the only other S&W revolver I still need for my collection is a 686, which is easy enough to find an older example. I probably would have opted to buy an older pre-lock 10-shot 617 if they weren't so insanely difficult to find.
I looked it over VERY thoroughly after I got it, I even removed the sideplate to inspect the internals (and to oil as well, the insides were bone dry). My discerning eye can find no flaws and the gun is now as it should have been from the get-go. After 3 months I should finally be able to shoot this gun at the range this coming weekend. If it functions as it should, I will consider this a success story.
That being said, I think I will remain hesitant to ever buy a new production S&W revolver again after going through this 3 month long ordeal, but then again about the only other S&W revolver I still need for my collection is a 686, which is easy enough to find an older example. I probably would have opted to buy an older pre-lock 10-shot 617 if they weren't so insanely difficult to find.
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roaddog28
Member
Sorry for your luck. But you make a good point. Quality control on S&W and Ruger handguns has gotten bad. Also, S&W is not the only gun company that can't fix a gun right the first time. I bought a brand new Ruger GP100 about two years ago and the revolver would lockup firing at the range. The revolver was ok dry firing. Two trips to Ruger and they say "there is nothing wrong with the revolver". I have had others say there is a problem including a gunsmith.
Bottom line. With todays quality control issues and sometimes poor customer service, I prefer to buy the older S&W revolvers and Ruger revolvers.
Regards,
Howard
Invictus357
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I'm glad they fixed it for you.
Don't be too hard on S&W. I went off them because of the quality of a 686 snub I had and went to Rugers. The two I bought (an SR9C and GP100) had issues that needed correcting.
To be fair to Ruger, they fixed the problems very speedily and their CS was beyond polite and helpful.
I have been eyeing a spanky new 686 for myself and have been fondling several in the gun shops. All of them had perfect barrels and fit and finish was excellent.
If I do get a dud, I am confident S&W will fix it.
Don't be too hard on S&W. I went off them because of the quality of a 686 snub I had and went to Rugers. The two I bought (an SR9C and GP100) had issues that needed correcting.
To be fair to Ruger, they fixed the problems very speedily and their CS was beyond polite and helpful.
I have been eyeing a spanky new 686 for myself and have been fondling several in the gun shops. All of them had perfect barrels and fit and finish was excellent.
If I do get a dud, I am confident S&W will fix it.
I didn't realize Rugers had problems too since I don't own any. Does anyone belong to the Ruger forum and are their QC issues talked about?
Admittedly, another company having QC issues is no excuse for S&W having them.
Admittedly, another company having QC issues is no excuse for S&W having them.
I can't believe that they think that a good QC dept. is more expensive than a full time repair dept. Just the word of mouth is more damaging to their reputation, than having a QC crew, manned by 'qualified' gunsmiths, to catch these things before they get out the door.
EarlFH
EarlFH
dgludwig
Member
"Appearance-wise, there's always the plug." QUOTE
Forgive my ignorance, but where can you get this "plug"? Other than cosmetically covering up the hole, I presume, does the plug render the lock to be inoperative-so that a failure of same won't tie the gun up at the worst possible moment? Thanks.
Forgive my ignorance, but where can you get this "plug"? Other than cosmetically covering up the hole, I presume, does the plug render the lock to be inoperative-so that a failure of same won't tie the gun up at the worst possible moment? Thanks.
dgludwig
Member
Thanks, ladder13.
TheHobbyist
Member
I hate to say this, but until things change, the only new S&W i'd buy is a J frame...the only new Colt i'd buy is a 1911...we are/were spoiled with the finer old quality.
I feel everyone's pain. Here's my list: New 340 M&P back; new Ruger LCP back twice (they replaced the gun); and new Springfield 1911 MilSpec back twice.
I'm considering a new gun but may have to go the used route. What is going on out there?
I'm considering a new gun but may have to go the used route. What is going on out there?
The current company ain't your daddy's S&W!!
AND, Bill Ruger is known as PinWheel Bill where ever he is!!!
AND, Bill Ruger is known as PinWheel Bill where ever he is!!!
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