Had some trouble with S&W, but they took care of it

[DirtyHairy]

Hello ladies and gents, I'll try and keep this short...

Back in February I bought a S&W 460 Mag 7.5" Performance Center revolver, and right off the bat I had to send it in to have the barrel replaced because the finish on it was uneven, there were tool marks and dents on it, was not at all up to par for an $1,800 gun. They replaced it and I was happy, for the time being.

I finally get a chance to take it out and shoot it and within 15 rds it had 3 failures to fire because the action would not rotate the cylinder, and also I had to pry out the spent casings with pliers (factory Hornady 460 mag ammo). Now I'm pretty angry, because how did this gun even make it past their quality check? So I send it back and wait another 8 weeks to get it back. They ended up replacing literally everything but the frame, including the barrel when they JUST put a new one on it.

Once I had a chance to shoot it again, and at least in 10 rounds of 460 it seemed to work (didn't have time to shoot a bunch), but then I go to clean it and realize that something is still off. First of all, when I pass a brass brush through the barrel it sounds like zipping a zipper. Also, its impossible to get all the fouling out of it. Upon closer inspection, there are these deep radial marks along the entire length of the barrel. See pic in post below.

I don't want to to send it in and wait another 8 weeks for them to "fix" it again and send it back. I would rather them send me a new one so I can just be over this, or do a buyback, if thats even a thing that they can do.

I am so incredibly angry that this is what I have to go through for buying this gun. This is the most expensive gun S&W offers and its their PC line which is supposed to be the cream of the crop.

UPDATE: After expressing my frustrations with S&W customer service team they agreed to send me a replacement model. I just took delivery of the new gun and this one functions as it should and does not have any manufacturing issues. Its still unfortunate all this happened but S&W did the right thing and I am a happy camper.

Cheers

 

[DirtyHairy]

It's like this down the entire length of the barrel.


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[Jackcpat]

460

Wow, that barrel is a new one on me. I don't keep up with the new Smiths much, but that radial machining can't be right. You could never get the fouling out.

 

[hoc9sw]

Call them again. Be polite, don't rant or threaten. Explain what you are seeing.

They will take it in again, and likely make more changes to it. There is no easy "lemon law" approach. They will eventually get tired of the repair visits, and may replace it. However, it seems that they have already effectively replaced it.

Just call, describe calmly the problems, and send it back. If you take it out on the CS guy, it will only get worse. I've been a CS guy. I know. Squeaky wheels get the grease.

 

[oneounceload]

Call them and tell them you want your money back.

 

[moosedog]

I have never seen rifling like that.

 

[ladder13]

"Legal action" is a waste of money, if any lawyer would even bother. Oh wait
Call CS and have them send you a prepaid label. Have them remedy it, or not, then go from there.
Take a deep breath.

 

[THEmodelof1989]

+1 for never having seen rifling like that.

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. I don't think an attorney will be able to do you any good though. The money you'd spend for an attorney to, at best, get you what S&W is going to do anyway, and the process may move even slower at that point, will be no where near worth it. You're best bet would be to call them once more and go from there. You're no stranger to that whole process. It's going to take time, which I understand why you're upset in the first place, but on the bright side, they WILL make it right eventually.

 

[ACORN]

Wow! Never saw a threaded bore before. I'd call and request a return label. As stated, be polite but firm.
Problem seems the QC Dept. is the consumer anymore. Good luck!

 

[PALADIN85020]

That, sir, is inexcusable. Get your money back.

John

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

The rifling itself looks pretty deep like it could cut jackets. Garbage

 

[H Richard]

I have a friend that has a Savage rifle with barrel like it, "Chatter marks" from a cutter. He is a 40 year handloader and rifle builder, and tool maker by trade, and was astonished to find it was near his most accurate rifle, consistently well below a 1" at 100 yards.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...sounds like S&W has adopted Charter Arms method of dealing with returns...

...they disassemble the revolver...throw the parts back in the bins...and send the frame...tagged with the owner information...back through the assembly line...

...the barrel looks like broached rifling from a broach that chattered it's way all the way through...definitely not normal or acceptable...

 

[AlwaysArmed]

I have a model 63 I sent back at least a half dozen times. Every time it came back as bad or worse than before even though their master gunsmith tested it and declared no issues with the revolver. Said I was using the wrong ammo. I had every brand made and boy did they tap dance their way around that. I bought another one that worked flawlessly and told them so. They fixed it but didn't change the frame or barrel (I marked them). I feel your pain but keep sending it back. I have a couple threads on here about it.
AA

 

[ericrlarson]

Wow! That's a new look to rifling that I've never seen before. I really hope you get this sorted out. It must be very frustrating buying a gun and it not be up to par! Par is not even a word I would use for that barrel though! Good luck to you.


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[rubiranch]

Call them and tell them you want your money back.

That's what I'd do.

 

[S&W Rover]

I'm not an expert -- someone who is can chime in -- but I think that barrel is the product of electronic discharge machining (EDM) or electro-chemical machining (ECM) rather than old-fashioned mechanical cutting. And it sure doesn't look right.

Of all the various threads about S&W "quality control" issues, this one may be the most remarkable. A revolver that expensive should have passed a detailed inspection and function check. So I'd love to see how S&W resolves this...

OP's best remedy is unfortunately probably limited to sending it back to the factory, and I hope he can find the patience to do so. S&W can make some pretty good revolvers when they put their minds to it. (Good luck and let us know how it turns out).

 

[JayFramer]

Does some reading and you'll here this echoed: Smith & Wesson is making the finest revolvers today that they ever have.

Their customer service is second to none, that's a guarantee. They WILL take care of you. Give them a ring tomorrow and I'm sure they'll fix you up and get the gun back to you in a matter of a few days if you send it in.

 

[686-380]

Man, I'm sorry for your troubles. Nothing constructive to add but I won't be buying any PC firearms.

 

[smithman]

What makes a broach chatter like that? Lack of lube or?