Hand Broke on my M500 6.5' broke after 50 rounds

[powermalex]

I just got my brand new S&W M500 6.5 inch and after 50 rounds the revolver stopped working. I called S&W service twice they told me to send it in for warrenty service and they would cover it.

The problem I have is I bought the gun for a hunting trip in 4 weeks. The repair I was told to take 8 to 12 weeks!
S&W said they have no spare parts and all parts are back ordered. They have a production run on M500 but cannot take parts of the line because they want to fill orders. So its more important to them to fill orders, but customer satisfaction after the sale is non existing!

This gun may shoot BIG but the internal parts are weak!

Any one out there know where I can get this part?
S&W Part number 294150000 $13.55 X HAND

Looks like I'll be buying a different revovler to take with me to the hunt since this is a bad choice revolver to hunt with.

 

[Mike McLellan]

Is it the hand, or the hand pin that's broke?

 

[ohiococonut]

Is it the hand, or the hand pin that's broke?

By the looks of the picture they are one in the same.

 

[Mike McLellan]

If it's an MIM part, you're right. I know very little about newer guns. But, on my guns (old K frames) you can drive in a new pin. Midway sells them.

 

[Rapidray]

Sorry to hear that. What gets me is they do not have any spare parts? And all parts are back ordered...is somebody else making the gun or what? I would like to know.

 

[powermalex]

Is it the hand, or the hand pin that's broke?

Its all one peice. The pin broke! I've called alot of places on the web and no one has the part. THey all responded parts are on back order. S&W makes the parts. Its a weak part apparently. Sure wish some one could machine a stronger part. Or make one with a replacable pin!

BTW I was shooting 350 grain. The M500 I thought had duds but turns out the revolver stopped advancing to the next cartrige.

 

[AUTigerBlender]

I could be wrong, but I bet you could have that machined locally. A good machinist might could fix it or make you another one.

 

[srgvaz]

I could be wrong, but I bet you could have that machined locally. A good machinist might could fix it or make you another one.

The above sounds like helpful advice BUT DO NOT! even think of it. The 500 mag. has allot of power and if an inferior homemade piece fails and the gun blows up and someone gets dead. Who do you think would take the fall?

 

[powermalex]

If its not clocked right it could cause the gun to fire if not timed correctly. Then again this part failed and it could of happened with the factory part!
When this part fails the revolver did not advance in my case but I can see it can also fire when not fully alined that could cause the gun to blow up in my hand!

 

[steamloco76]

I feel for you. Nothing like spending large on a gun for a hunt just to have it break during practice. S&W should at least get you the stupid part however it seems that ALL gun manufacturers are dedicating all parts and production to new guns at the moment.

I needed the yoke screw, spring and plunger for a current production Taurus 85 UL .38 SPL and it took nearly five months for my dealer to get one. In the end, the dealer had to BS Taurus to get the part, telling them they shipped him a revolver that was missing that assembly! He had to give them the serial number of one he had in stock. Taurus would not ship the part using my serial # saying it was indefinitely back ordered and that he should send them the gun and they would repair it as soon as parts were available.

 

[growr]

After 50 rounds I think My own hand would be broken as well! What a brute of a cartridge.........

Randy

 

[Chrisj357]

Not All Bad

well, even a sherman tank can have a defective part. There are hundreds of these revolvers with hundreds of rounds through them with no such trouble. Im taking my 6.5" 500 out pig hunting tomorrow. If there are no pigs we will just shoot paper.

 

[brucev]

I've owed, borrowed about 50-60 S&W revolvers (that I can remember). Occasionally I've had one malfunction to the point that it required repair. Some where older revolver... the so called "classics." I've not had a new S&W malfunction. S&W warranty service has in every respect been outstanding in responsiveness and repair work done.

Repair work takes time. Depending on what time of the year you need work done, there may be more than normal delay in return of a handgun. Given that you need your revolver w/in 4 weeks, you really are in a bind. I've had experience with a single small part rendering a needed firearm useless. It is understandable that S&W would not want to pull parts for guns in current production to supply repair parts on a as needed basis. This is obviously exacerbated by the high demand for S&W handguns. To term this inadequate customer service may reflect personal frustration with a handgun needing repair, but it does not reflect the experience of many S&W owners who have had occasion to need S&W warranty service. Doubtless perspective on S&W customer service would be different if the impending hunt was say 15-20 weeks away.

The S&W 500 is a big gun. The parts are sized appropriately to the task. It is purposed for hunting heavy game, a task at which it excels. The component parts are carefully engineered, well-made and appropriately sized to the task for which it is purposed. The odd failure of a part does constitute a design failure. Once upon a time I had a beautiful Colt Python. One afternoon I was doing a little dry-firing practice. During the course of a afternoon of dry-firing practice, the hammer spur broke off. It had to be returned to Colt for repair as no local gun-smith had the part of expertise to do the work. It was inconvenient to say the least for me. But, that did not make that revolver a bad choice for use at the range or for hunting.

Perhaps a good way to proceed would be to go ahead and find a suitable substitute handgun or rifle for the upcoming hunt. Go ahead and send the revolver back to S&W for repair. Enclose a letter to the warranty repair department detailing the problem with your revolver. If there is anything beyond warranty work you would like to have done, let them know as they will almost certainly accommodate you. Upon return you will almost certainly be very please with the work done by S&W. As a case in point, a little over a year ago I sent them a 686 for repair of a broken cylinder bolt spring, etc. I asked if they could give some attention to the double-action. When the revolver was returned, it was not only completely and correctly repaired with excellent lock-up, etc., but the SA and the DA trigger pulls were superb.

 

[Road Rat]

There is still no excuse for not having a few spare parts laying around...........

Guns are getting as bad as automobiles!!! You want a part just place your order, pay the money, and they will call you if the part ever comes in.................

 

[powermalex]

Hey All
I filled out the S&W forms to send my M500 back for repair and was going to go buy another revolver for my hog hunt.

I called service again just to get a better idea of turn around time. I spoke to a man and told him my issues of why I even bought a M500... to make a long story short he had the part in hand and said he would mail it to me and I should get it in 4 days. He said the M500 is perfect for my hunt and I don't need another brand to hunt with. (Was planning on buying a Rugar RedHawk) He ended the call and said to have fun at the hog hunt with my M500! Now I hope I can rely on the M500 when I see a charging feral hog!

 

[powermalex]

brucev
I understand your post and first impression is what determines customer satisfaction. I hope the replacement part being sent to me will hold up to the task at hand as well as all the other internal part in my M500.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

I could be wrong, but I bet you could have that machined locally. A good machinist might could fix it or make you another one.

...a good machinist wouldn't have any problem making a pin and machining the original hand to fit the new pin...but sounds like the problem has been solved.

...P.S...with all that recoil...I wonder if a bullet moved forward from it's crimp and locked the cylinder up...and a little over zealous cocking broke the pin...

 

[valkyriekl]

Interesting. A friend's Governor's hand (a standard N-frame hand) failed exactly the same way a few weeks ago - luckily I had a few spare N-frame hands on-hand (heh) to fit in his gun (and really, no fitting needed - it pretty much dropped right in), and his gun was up and running again the same night.

I should see if I can get a few X-frame hands for my Model 500...just in case.

 

[Road Rat]

Well, congratulations on getting in touch with someone that cared!!!

Have a great hunt..............

 

[powermalex]

He y'all my M500 is back in service! Thanks to Mell at S&W he had one on hand that he promptly mailed me. After 60 rounds with 350 grain no failure.