Has Smith and Wesson fixed the problem

[S&W Rover]

I've had good luck with all of my S&W revolvers... including a 686 Plus 3" from Bud's several years ago...

With Bud's, they will take it back if you have not signed for it from the FFL. That is, if the transfer has not taken place yet.

So you definitely should inspect it carefully. (I am always willing to accept a minor blemish or two on a gun I intend to shoot anyway, but YMMV).

I ordered a M&P9 from Bud's a few years ago and the one I got in the mail was USED! And marked Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Department, and clearly well worn! A mistake on their part, probably in shipping. Anyway, they took it back with no squawks. Just don't sign for it from the FFL if you don't like it, and ask him/her to send it back!

Good luck with it... based on the number of posts I've seen on clocked barrels, the percentage is relatively small, but the problem remains a real one.

 

[rifmon]

I ordered this gun because I really like the idea of this model; 3 inch stainless 7 shot 357. I bought it from Bud's because of their turn-key LLC shipping, inspection and return policy. I'll be sure not to sign a thing until it is determined by me and the store owner that it is a good sample. I really don't care if there is a slight nick somewhere but I'm not going to mess with working a barrel or sending it back to S&W for a remedy. It'll go right back.

If that's the case, I doubt I'd request another exact model despite the fact that I like it. I might then opt for the Ruger 6 shot GP100 three inch.

Thanks for all the replies. I'm guessing that while earlier pinned barreled Smiths had some QC problems related to the barrels, that the newer non pinned non hand-fitted guns have more. It is the times we all live in!

 

[Bullet-slinger]

No. Smith hasn't fixed this.

Don't count on the warranty to fix this problem: Smith's view of acceptable tolerance for barrel cant is generous.

Don't take possession unless you're willing to live with the gun as it is.

Buyer beware!

Well what a bunch of BS. I've been putting off buying several different S&W models waiting for Smith to get serious about their QC. The last Smith I bought had problems and I just took a beating on it selling it at a gun show to get rid of it. I wonder how many tens of thousands of dollars Smith is losing in sales per year over letting their QC going to ****. Maybe after they go under and someone else buys the company they'll fix it.

 

[Nick B]

Look before you buy . Big gunshows are good for looking at multiple examples of the same model. I even take my feeler gage and check the b/c gap on any wheelguns I'm looking to buy .

 

[bigfatty]

No problems with my latest:

About 6 weeks ago, I refused delivery of a Model 19 Carry Comp that would be shameful to have gotten out of the Taurus factory, let alone the S&W PC! Out of the box, you couldn't even open the cylinder, and after gorillaing it open then closling it, it didn't operate properly, either. That one (I've sent several PC's back for canted barrels, etc.) nailed it for me that S&W doesn't even have a QC dept for its PC firearms. It's all about production; ship it all, and use the ultimate consumer as a unwilling-unpaid QC department!

That being said, I then ordered a 686+ PC with 5" barrel (apparently the same one you have pictured, but have modified). Absolutely flawless, the most well-crafted revolver of the dozens I've owned over the years (even better than my Python from the early 90's). Best action I've EVER had on a revolver, both single and double; better even than any gunsmith trigger job I've had done! I will die owning this revolver. I'm guessing you have to get lucky, getting a good PC Smith very early into his shift on a day without a hideous production quota. They can obviously do it right when they want to.

 

[Fishslayer]

S&W doesn't even have a QC dept for its PC firearms.

Sure they do! The end user!

 

[JayFramer]

But isn't Smith & Wesson supposed to be making the best handguns it's ever been?

That's what the gun writers are saying, anyway.

 

[chief38]

But isn't Smith & Wesson supposed to be making the best handguns it's ever been?

That's what the gun writers are saying, anyway.

That's their job. If S&W doesn't sell more guns due to the advertising in gun magazines, then they will pull their advertising from said publication. Any gun writer working for a "Gun Rag" is not going to trash a Company and cause them to pull their $$ out of that publication. Their career would be very short lived indeed.

IMHO any Gun Writer who truly thinks today's S&W quality is the best they have ever made - looses my respect!

Yes, there have always been and will always be a percentage of goods manufactured by any Company that falls short, but in general it's my opinion that S&W's quality peaked in the 1950's to 1970's and started the slide after that. Hence the high prices we see (many times they are more than same model brand new guns) on the used gun market.

 

[noro]

Late to this discussion but in general, when you deal with an online vendor (Buds) you have 2 options. Should you find a
problem on delivery, just refuse it. Buds will take it back and send another.

Should you have problems after the signed delivery, contact Buds first, and then SW should Buds not take care of the problem.
either way, you're safeguarded against any problems, provided
you're willing to take the time to resolve any problems.

 

[chief38]

I'd check it real carefully! If you are not very familiar with how S&W's are SUPPOSED TO BE, bring a friend who knows. While there is no such thing as a perfect specimen, as close as possible is the goal.

 

[Tony2much]

I read somewhere that when a fixed sight barrel doesn't shoot to POA, gunsmiths will tweak the barrel one way or another to adjust. If the barrel was straight to begin with and the slight tweaking allows it to be more accurate, wouldn't the barrel now be slightly canted? My 681 has a slight cant, but shoots fine for me. This makes me wonder if it had been adjusted and sending back to S&W for perfect alignment will only make it shoot worse.

 

[shocker]

I read somewhere that when a fixed sight barrel doesn't shoot to POA, gunsmiths will tweak the barrel one way or another to adjust. If the barrel was straight to begin with and the slight tweaking allows it to be more accurate, wouldn't the barrel now be slightly canted? My 681 has a slight cant, but shoots fine for me. This makes me wonder if it had been adjusted and sending back to S&W for perfect alignment will only make it shoot worse.

Never **** with a working system. Or as I tell my students, sometimes the more you try to fix it the worse it gets.

 

[wpriest]

Warranty?

What's the story regarding the warranty. I thought it was lifetime for original owner-but on their web page (at bottom) says 1year yet if you look at a revolver from their products it says lifetime service policy I've bought 2 629's in the past year-so far no problem

 

[Bubba2014]

After buying two of their new revolvers, I decided from now on I only buy the older ones in good condition. I hate to be negative, but there is no comparison to the old guns. Sadly, it's not just S&W guns. Colt is not any better.

 

[NMPinNYC]

FWIW, I looked at a 627 snubbie at a LGS. The rear sight was proud at the front screw. The LGS salesman took it to the back to take a look and see if it would snug down. It would not. He did not have another in the store, so I passed on the S&W 627 and bought another firearm. So sorry S&W!

 

[noro]

Sure, the quality of the older S&W's is quite different than today. Fitting issues, canted
barrels, MIM parts, training issues are all here now. However S&W will go much further in trying to please their customers than other firms. They
most sincerely will go above and beyond to please their customers in regard to warranty issues. Bemoaning the "Good Old days" is pointless. Give them a chance and if they don't resolve the problems, trade it or sell it off. Nothing is made to the standards of yesteryear today. If it was, you'd surely pay a lot more for it, or the firm would be out of business.

Have to add that I've bought 4 brand new S&W's the past year. 3 of the 4 were perfect and only 1 required warranty work. It was
returned in a reasonable amount of time with all issues corrected and no charge at all to me. Just be reasonable and give S&W a chance.

 

[ladder13]

Have they fixed them?

Apparently not since this has been an issue for 5-6 decades or more according to posters here with real life experiences.

 

[Bumpus13]

Sure, the quality of the older S&W's is quite different than today. Fitting issues, canted
barrels, MIM parts, training issues are all here now. However S&W will go much further in trying to please their customers than other firms. They
most sincerely will go above and beyond to please their customers in regard to warranty issues. Bemoaning the "Good Old days" is pointless. Give them a chance and if they don't resolve the problems, trade it or sell it off. Nothing is made to the standards of yesteryear today. If it was, you'd surely pay a lot more for it, or the firm would be out of business.

Have to add that I've bought 4 brand new S&W's the past year. 3 of the 4 were perfect and only 1 required warranty work. It was
returned in a reasonable amount of time with all issues corrected and no charge at all to me. Just be reasonable and give S&W a chance.

Um - I own a "newer" M686-6+ that is insanely accurate and I love, so not bashing but ...

In your case - A 75% success rate is not "reasonable" at all. When 25% of the new guns you buy from a company have to be sent back for repairs, there is a problem.

You should be livid, not making apologies for them.

 

[shocker]

Apparently not since this has been an issue for 5-6 decades or more according to posters here with real life experiences.

I found some numbers. By the time Bangor Punta finished running S&W into the ground the return rate of revolvers was 4% and semi-autos 6%.
Can you imagine what this forum would be like if it had existed then??

 

[Mrnurse]

In your case - A 75% success rate is not "reasonable" at all. When 25% of the new guns you buy from a company have to be sent back for repairs, there is a problem.
Well then you'll really hate Spring field Inc M1a, Remington and Marlin rifles. Without question QA needs to improve at SW but they are going through multi Bank loan re-org the past 20 years. Many Many folks Itch about stupid Ship like the Lock, or a sleeved barrel. My New Mdl 66 is accurate and locks up tight with the new ball detent system... I like my older smiths also.... But Folks are becoming like a lemming , and just bloviate Pablum some know nothing says about a weapon.