ParadiseRoad
Member
...lost it's edge from doing one too many barrels...
Had some trouble with S&W, but they took care of it
- Thread starter DirtyHairy
- Start date
...lost it's edge from doing one too many barrels...
HOUSTON RICK
Member
Maybe I am just plain lucky to have the great S&Ws that I do and leave it at that and not try my luck; but then my LGS would never let me see that.
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OP, I am sorry for your troubles. There are good suggestions here. I say send it back and be polite.
I have not bought a new Smith since 1992, and I doubt I would, but that is just me. Seems to me, that many of the complaints here originate by lack of inspection at the time of purchase. Things like finish, bad crowns, bad forcing cones etc. Agreed they should not exist.
If I did buy a new gun, I would go to the LGS with a feeler gauge, magnifying glass and bore light and have the LGS pull the grips, and begin a thorough inspection before I took delivery.
I am confident they will get it right
I have not bought a new Smith since 1992, and I doubt I would, but that is just me. Seems to me, that many of the complaints here originate by lack of inspection at the time of purchase. Things like finish, bad crowns, bad forcing cones etc. Agreed they should not exist.
If I did buy a new gun, I would go to the LGS with a feeler gauge, magnifying glass and bore light and have the LGS pull the grips, and begin a thorough inspection before I took delivery.
I am confident they will get it right
OLDSTER
Member
Don't give S&W a "pass" on that thing. Send it back and demand a full refund. Unfortunately, this type of thing has become all too common, not only with S&W, but other so-called top manufacturers as well.
BU2scwMJL
Member
I've never heard of a manufacturer refunding a consumer. If they did we'd hear about it all the time because everybody and their brother would demand their money back for a gun that "didn't work" for some reason or another instead of getting something fixed like a broken sight or something stupid like that that could be easily fixed by a local gunsmith. Not saying that's the case here, but rationally speaking i doubt that'll happen, but who knows. I say keep sending it back until they get to know you by name and phone number.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
When you send it back make sure you send that picture. And maybe reference them to this thread......
Buying a new S&W revolver today means accepting the fact that it is probably going to have to go back to customer service at least one time and that it could take multiple visits before it is 100% right.
As frustrated as the OP must be, he needs to send it back again or try selling it as is. I see no other good choices.
As frustrated as the OP must be, he needs to send it back again or try selling it as is. I see no other good choices.
max503
Member
Relax. It's not unusual to have to send a gun back for repairs.
Be nice. The person you talk to isn't the one who messed it up.
I've been at Fed-Ex so much I think they know me.
This is why we have multiple guns; so we can have something to shoot while the other one is in the shop.
Be nice. The person you talk to isn't the one who messed it up.
I've been at Fed-Ex so much I think they know me.
This is why we have multiple guns; so we can have something to shoot while the other one is in the shop.
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Rick_A
Member
That's bollocks.Buying a new S&W revolver today means accepting the fact that it is probably going to have to go back to customer service at least one time and that it could take multiple visits before it is 100% right.
As frustrated as the OP must be, he needs to send it back again or try selling it as is. I see no other good choices.
If that were the case nobody would buy a new S&W.
Some people seem to have all the luck, I guess.
Since you have already tried dealing with the factory directly and are not getting taken care of. Go to the dealer you bought it from. Stick them in the middle and let them get it taken care of. No different than buying a new Chevy truck. It goes to the dealer if there's an issue.
I have seen the inside of old sewer pipes that looked better than that.
As far as I know firearms are specifically exempt from at least some and maybe most consumer regulation, but that is so horrible I would think Smith would be embarrassed and want to make it right on general principles.
As far as I know firearms are specifically exempt from at least some and maybe most consumer regulation, but that is so horrible I would think Smith would be embarrassed and want to make it right on general principles.
max503
Member
Like maybe it missed a final pass with a finishing tool? I just wonder if you slugged it, would it measure undersize?
I had an H&R 357 barrel that was tight. I reloaded it with 9mm slugs. It would flatten the primer of any 38/357 factory load. Being a reloader I adjusted my loads and lived with it.
What I find odd here is that the OP noted that this is a Performance Center revolver. Doesn't that mean that there's a flesh-and-blood gunsmith who is responsible for this gun every step of the way after it comes off the line as a regular gun? I thought that's what S&W was selling with the PC guns. It sounds like the OP is getting a run-of-the-mill gun from S&W with a PC price tag.
My recommendation would be to do two things:
1. Follow the recommendations to contact Customer Service in a calm and cool manner and get them working on it.
2. Send a certified letter to the CEO of S&W, fully laying out the situation and the back-and-forth you've experienced.
I did step #2 when I had a recurring issue with SiriusXM. I got called by someone from the CEO's office. It turned out that the CEO had a completely different customer service staff that handled issues that came to his level. Things got resolved quickly. You might find that the same is true with S&W.
My recommendation would be to do two things:
1. Follow the recommendations to contact Customer Service in a calm and cool manner and get them working on it.
2. Send a certified letter to the CEO of S&W, fully laying out the situation and the back-and-forth you've experienced.
I did step #2 when I had a recurring issue with SiriusXM. I got called by someone from the CEO's office. It turned out that the CEO had a completely different customer service staff that handled issues that came to his level. Things got resolved quickly. You might find that the same is true with S&W.
Just curious, but did you purchase this revolver from a LGS or did you purchase it "on-line" (I think I know which, but would prefer to know the facts)?
Did you "check" this revolver prior to purchasing/accepting it (it would certainly seem that you didn't)?
From the description of the barrel, as you stated in your OP, why would you accept this revolver, when you should have seen those problems immediately, with even the most basic inspection?
I agree that this revolver should have NEVER left S&W, but we, as purchasers are also responsible to inspect, and exercise due diligence, prior to accepting/purchasing any firearm.
I wish you the best of luck in getting this matter resolved.
.38SuperMan
Member
Its not just Smith and this is nothing new. In 1985 my ex had to have a new Pontiac TransAm. In the first six month the fuel injectors had to be replaced 5 times, the transmission and entire electrical system. I got it replaced under the lemon law and the car that replaced it had an electrical failure within twenty minutes of driving it of the lot. The failure caused the battery to literally explode c earring the engine compartment with battery acid which caused further damage. It didn't even make it to my home before having to be towed back to the dealer. I wound up taking it and trading it in a new Porsche that I wanted.
I've been a commercial photographer for over fry years. I used Leica cameras in the day of film and when Leica introduced a digital camera I bought into the system. The camera and lenses I bought spent more time in repair than the time I got to use them. Lenses went back 3 times and the body 5 times. Each time I paid the shipping. I eventually had to threaten legal action and posting on every forum what **** their equipment and service is. Oh yes, each trip took 7 weeks or more. This wasn't cheap stuff either. I had over $25K in this stuff. Well in the end I sold it while it was working and put the money on a new Jeep Wrangler.
So, two trips back, no big deal and other than time it doesn't cost you anything and eventually it'll be made perfect or you'll get a new gun. That's what a warranty is for and Smith has the best.
Good luck!
I've been a commercial photographer for over fry years. I used Leica cameras in the day of film and when Leica introduced a digital camera I bought into the system. The camera and lenses I bought spent more time in repair than the time I got to use them. Lenses went back 3 times and the body 5 times. Each time I paid the shipping. I eventually had to threaten legal action and posting on every forum what **** their equipment and service is. Oh yes, each trip took 7 weeks or more. This wasn't cheap stuff either. I had over $25K in this stuff. Well in the end I sold it while it was working and put the money on a new Jeep Wrangler.
So, two trips back, no big deal and other than time it doesn't cost you anything and eventually it'll be made perfect or you'll get a new gun. That's what a warranty is for and Smith has the best.
Good luck!
The OP describes that this barrel was what, maybe third in a series of replacements from S&W CS.
You can't call the FedEx guy back to return it - or you'd have to be really fast in my neighborhood
I think now, and have for a while that this whole Performance Center thing is oversold. it is just a marketing tool IMO.
OP, if you do write to the president or CEO of S&W, be sure to be respectful and SEND the picture of the barrel. Give the model number, dates originally sent in and returned for first service, and any other info you have. If he is worth his salt, he will trace down the responsible party(s) that neglected their duties, and sent the gun back to you. Help him do his job
