Horror Story: M&P 10 and S&W Customer Service

[WYoung]

It speaks to the character of the posters on those threads as well when they take the OP's story as gospel and say things like, "Well that takes the M&P 10 off of the table for GOOD!" or "Based on this story, I'll never buy another S&W product EVAR!"

Oh yeah? Are you sure you should be a gun owner?

Maybe S&W is better for not having a reactionary customer such as yourself.

Not to mention getting on the forum that is about that brand and bashing the brand. Kinda like going to a Ford or Honda forum and saying which ever brand it is, is junk and the manufacturer won't back it up. It generally doesn't go well for the OP...

It speaks to the maturity of these people. Somebody that will believe a "Horror Story" about S&W customer service and parts availability to swear off all the products of the brand is a child.

Somebody that will post this over-dramatic childish rant on a handful of different forums is desperate and speaks to him being more angry at himself than the manufacturer. The child is angry at the parent because of something the child has done.

Ridiculous. I'd like to see people like this banned and their post title edited. Then again, like you say, if somebody is too ignorant to read the entire thread or swears off the brand anyway, the brand and the problems they create are better off on somebody else door step.

 

[teezer]

i wonder if S&W would rebuild/restore this rifle, thusly replacing any non stock or modified parts, so it's factory fresh ??



..

 

[sgtsandman]

It speaks to the maturity of these people. Somebody that will believe a "Horror Story" about S&W customer service and parts availability to swear off all the products of the brand is a child.

Somebody that will post this over-dramatic childish rant on a handful of different forums is desperate and speaks to him being more angry at himself than the manufacturer. The child is angry at the parent because of something the child has done.

Ridiculous. I'd like to see people like this banned and their post title edited. Then again, like you say, if somebody is too ignorant to read the entire thread or swears off the brand anyway, the brand and the problems they create are better off on somebody else door step.

I've had some bad Taurus products but I haven't written off the brand and I don't go bashing the product or the people who still have them (not saying the op has bashed anyone here). I also still have some Taurus products that I'm very happy with. I still belong to the forum and if asked I will relay my experience with what I have or had in the past. I will also note that many others that had or have the same product have been very happy with them. My experience may have been different but it doesn't warrant disparaging the product, especially on a forum who's main focus is the brand of said product.

 

[Rick_A]

I don't know if you read what I posted, but I completely understand S&W's decision not to warranty it, and I don't even care if they do the barrel (and bolt if necessary) replacement. All I want to do is buy a barrel from them. That is by far the most shocking part of all of this... they won't sell you parts for this rifle, period. This means that once you shoot your barrel out, you will be in the same boat as me. Not a condition due to defects in workmanship or materials so warranty work is out, they don't replace just barrel assemblies so that is out... and they won't sell you the parts to fix it yourself, so what are you left with?

Even if they think the customer is totally at fault for the damage and won't warranty it, I have never heard of a gun company just straight out telling a customer to go pound sand and just buy another $1100 rifle as their only "fix."

Sir, when it happens that somebody shoots out their barrel vs blowing it out and Bubba gunsmithing has not been done on the rifle perhaps the story may very well end differently.

I suspect that if S&W refuses to replace the barrel or repair the rifle they may consider it a total loss as historically not backing their products is not their policy.

 

[MistWolf]

What bothers me is that on ARF.com he mentions altering the rifle with a drill and an old cleaning rod and choosing the drill size simply because that was the next largest size he had on hand

While I disagree with how henschman is handling his difficulties getting his rifle repaired, drilling the gas port has nothing to do with the barrel splitting. For the record, there have been plenty of rifles that have had their gas ports opened with the next size up drill bit. Strangely, the reason it's the next size up is because there isn't a drill bit in between those two sizes

 

[hoc9sw]

I'm sending a pistol back for a $10 spring. S&W is footing the fedex costs to return / replace it, because it is not in the system, or they would send it to me.

I've had to call them more than I would like, and they recognize my voice. But they do the right thing, and sometimes above and beyond. I don't know all the background on the rifle products, but I have been treated with respect and good service on my Shield 9 and Compact .22.

Service would not be a negative factor in my next S&W prospective purchases.

 

[Bat Guano]

I have watched this from afar. My 10's barrel had some minor cosmetic (?) issues in the barrel but shot well. I called it in and S&W said send it in. It took a little longer as it was vacation time, but they did right by me. I have sent in three K frames and a Sigma in the past few years for various things, and to give credit where credit is due, I was well treated and the work done correctly.

Some of these tales of the Internet sound like country and western songs sometimes. Google up Heinlein quotes on "bad luck".

 

[henschman]

While I disagree with how henschman is handling his difficulties getting his rifle repaired, drilling the gas port has nothing to do with the barrel splitting. For the record, there have been plenty of rifles that have had their gas ports opened with the next size up drill bit. Strangely, the reason it's the next size up is because there isn't a drill bit in between those two sizes

As far as I am concerned, my "getting the rifle repaired" process was over when S&W made it clear to me that they wouldn't warranty it, they wouldn't let me pay them to fix it, and they wouldn't sell the parts to me for me to fix it myself. What I have been doing since then is just letting as many people as possible know about their policies and business practices. I figured I would surely have liked to know about these things before I made my purchase, and that others who are considering one of these rifles might also. What do you disagree with about my approach? Do you not think potential buyers might not want to know about these things?

It is true that the gas port work had nothing to do with the barrel rupture. I put several hundred rounds through it after that, trouble-free. It fixed all the malfunctions I was experiencing. In short, the gas port is a non-issue, and since it had nothing to do with the barrel rupture, I saw no reason to include it in my OP. I'm not sure why a couple folks are fixating on that issue so much, other than as a distraction from the very real and troubling issues surrounding parts availability for the M&P 10. But since we're on the subject, and since I have been branded a "Bubba gunsmith" by one poster, As you eluded, using the very next smallest drill bit size to enlarge the port is the most sensible and conservative way of going about such a job. Drill, reassemble, test for function, and if undergassed issues still occur, take it down and drill it one size larger. You want the smallest gas port that will work to achieve reliable operation. It turned out my rifle needed very little material removed to function correctly. I'm not sure what method the person who made that comment thinks would be a "more professional" way of going about it -- presumably picking a larger bit and saying "that looks bout right?" As for sticking the old cleaning rod down the barrel, this is done to keep the bit from breaking through and nicking the bore opposite from the port. A sensible precaution, and nothing "Bubba" about it. Any professional gunsmith would do the same, with a dowel or a rod, before performing that job. Thank you for your comments on that, MistWolf.

 

[Sappyg]

This same 'horror show' thread was closed twice in another forum. Time and again OP failed to provide any reasonable evidence to validate his story. No pics, No emails, (in spite of numberous requests) have been posted. just the constant droning of S&Ws refusal to service his proprietary gun.

We may never really know the truth from the OP but I'd wager that more than that precious barrel was damaged by his wrecklas behavior. Sounds like he totaled his proprietary gun to me.

 

[Veeper]

As far as I am concerned, my
It is true that the gas port work had nothing to do with the barrel rupture.

You're correct there, I suppose. Next time I wrap my Ford Edge around a tree, I'll be sure and bash Ford on a Ford forum for the fact that they won't replace my vehicle. Sure, I replaced the stereo, but I can't figure out why they won't at least sell me an engine and body and steering column.

 

[bergermeister]

...Sure, I replaced the stereo, but I can't figure out why they won't at least sell me an engine and body and steering column.

I'll bet FORD would be glad to sell you all the parts you had money for..

 

[WYoung]

I'll bet FORD would be glad to sell you all the parts you had money for..

I didn't know Ford sold parts directly

Can you buy a new motor, heads, etc. for a two year old vehicle?

 

[howiema]

All I can Say on this one is WOW!!!! Just when you thought you have read it and heard it and seen it all.

Gunsmithing should be left to the Gunsmiths.

Pete

 

[sgtsandman]

I didn't know Ford sold parts directly

Can you buy a new motor, heads, etc. for a two year old vehicle?

The short answer is yes. The technically accurate answer is a bit more complicated but yes, you can buy a new motor, heads, etc from Ford for a vehicle much older than two years old.

 

[WYoung]

The short answer is yes. The technically accurate answer is a bit more complicated but yes, you can buy a new motor, heads, etc from Ford for a vehicle much older than two years old.

My point was that the rifle has been on the market two years. I know it's easier to find major parts for older vehicles but newer ones not so much.

 

[sgtsandman]

My point was that the rifle has been on the market two years. I know it's easier to find major parts for older vehicles but newer ones not so much.

Sorry, I missed that. It is a bit disappointing that S&W doesn't have a parts supply of some sort for the M&P10. At least for their proprietary stuff.

 

[WYoung]

Sorry, I missed that. It is a bit disappointing that S&W doesn't have a parts supply of some sort for the M&P10. At least for their proprietary stuff.

Yes it is disappointing parts aren't at least available through Brownells or Midway if they won't sell them directly. There is a thread on ar15.com where a rep said parts would be coming along but that was maybe a year ago or so. If people keep pressing them maybe they will step up to the plate.

It still doesn't change my thoughts on my M&P10 or make me want to get rid of it. I knew it's proprietary and parts weren't available when I bought mine. People would be wise to look into rifles and whether they are proprietary and if parts are available before buying.

 

[henschman]

All I can Say on this one is WOW!!!! Just when you thought you have read it and heard it and seen it all.

Gunsmithing should be left to the Gunsmiths.

Pete

What do you think I did wrong with my gunsmithing?

 

[henschman]

Also, for those who are curious, pics of the rifle are posted on another forum here: https://www.okshooters.com/showthre...mp-W-s-Customer-Service&p=2699025#post2699025

 

[red dragon]

Nobody believes you or cares. The amount of time and energy you have devoted to bashing this gun and S&W is ridiculous. At this point you've lost all credibility. All this "I just want to let people know" is bs. Most people buying the rifle already know its proprietary like most ar10 style of rifles. You sound more like a jeleous freedom group rep than a distraught customer.