Gun trading is like a box of chocolates...

[Dunkin]

I haven't belonged to the Forum for long, but I have read a lot about folks having quality issues with their revolvers. Guess I've been pretty lucky with my Smith&Wesson revolvers made in recent years. My M17-9 Classic .22 has a very tight cylinder gap, especially in one area. After a dozen shots it starts to lock up and has to be cleaned. It worked better after I polished the faces of the forcing cone and cylinder. When it starts getting dirty, it will constantly throw two flyers slightly high and to the right. The rest prints one hole at 10 yards. What could be the problem?

Speaking of quality, I bought a 2020 Colt Python about a year ago. It was new but had a bad scratch on the left side plate, and the gun was quite dirty. The rear sight is a piece of engineering junk. Lots of slop in it, and the set screw keeps coming loose. At its best, the 6" Python almost shot as good as my 4" 686. For the price, you would expect better from Colt. I later served it to an eager young man at a gun show and bought a 6" 586, with money left over. So far I've been well-satisfied with the 586. These days of low skill and high production no matter how much or how little you pay, you never know what you're gonna get.

 

[martyd]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[JAREDSHS]

Welcome aboard Dunkin. Show us your 6 inch 586 some time. I got a new blue 6 inch GP100….shoots real nice.

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the S&W Forums! No, with firearms, especially those bought used, you never know what you are going to get. Yep, it might look good and pass all the inspections you can give it at the shop or gun show, but you might be buying an unwanted gem or a problem child.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

I haven't belonged to the Forum for long, but I have read a lot about folks having quality issues with their revolvers. Guess I've been pretty lucky with my Smith&Wesson revolvers made in recent years. My M17-9 Classic .22 has a very tight cylinder gap, especially in one area. After a dozen shots it starts to lock up and has to be cleaned. It worked better after I polished the faces of the forcing cone and cylinder. When it starts getting dirty, it will constantly throw two flyers slightly high and to the right. The rest prints one hole at 10 yards. What could be the problem?

Speaking of quality, I bought a 2020 Colt Python about a year ago. It was new but had a bad scratch on the left side plate, and the gun was quite dirty. The rear sight is a piece of engineering junk. Lots of slop in it, and the set screw keeps coming loose. At its best, the 6" Python almost shot as good as my 4" 686. For the price, you would expect better from Colt. I later served it to an eager young man at a gun show and bought a 6" 586, with money left over. So far I've been well-satisfied with the 586. These days of low skill and high production no matter how much or how little you pay, you never know what you're gonna get.

The scratch was likely from being handled after the Python left the factory…many flaws blamed on the makers occur by being handled by both employees and customers in gun stores.

The Python being dirty is not unusual…little cleaning is done after test firing at the factory…time is money. It could also have been fired by someone at the gun store…I’ve seen that happen and I think it’s wrong and dishonest on the part of the store…especially if it’s still be represented as new.

Your criticism of the rear sight is not unusual…many Colt aficionados have leveled the same criticism. For myself I haven’t experienced it but a little loctite or clear nail polish can take care of any loose screws. Wilson Combat has come out with a new combat and target sight for the new Pythons and Anacondas and those who bought them report the sight is excellent and rock solid.

 

[The Mighty S&W]

I actually prefer buying used guns, in person, from local sellers. It allows me an opportunity to look at the exact item I am considering and often allows for some haggling. More often than not, if I’m buying a brand new gun, it’s an autoloader, and my luck with modern Smith & Wesson autos has been perfect over the course of quite a few years.