Is this acceptable for S&W's fit and finish expectations?

[Erik-swf]

I just received my new 3” model 60 and noticed that the barrel serrations got a bit messed up when they were cut. It looks like the cutting tool slid off the raised part of the barrel leading up to the front sight and cut in to the barrel.

This is only my second S&W revolver so my question is if this is within the realm of what is accepted for their level of fit and finish, or should this have been picked up in quilt control?

I spend all my time at work fretting over making details look as good as possible, so when something isn’t looking the way it’s suppose to, it bugs me, and I’ll also be the first to admit that a fair share of my interest in firearms has to do with esthetics.

It was hard to photograph the issue, but I did my best and attached an image below. It's more noticeable in real life.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[colt_saa]

First,
Welcome to the Forum

It is a purely cosmetic blemish that does not alter function or performance. Personally I probably would never have noticed it.

However, it does not matter if it is acceptable to S&W or not.

You do not like it, so you should not take possession of a firearm that you feel is substandard no matter what the factory says.

This is why we inspect firearms prior to filling out and singing the 4473.

 

[Richard Simmons]

As colt saa stated above, I probably would not have noticed it either. Based on the photo it looks quite minor. If you can move past it I think you will find a lot of enjoyment in your new S&W. If you cannot then I would return it.

 

[Bob1943]

Erik - I am sympathetic to your concern, esthetics are a very important consideration on my guns as well. I have had my share of not seeing little things like this when I go to the LGS for a pickup, only to find them after getting home and noticing the scratch,dings,scuffs in better lighting.

Since these are mass-produced, production line guns, I would say that the chances of getting a pristine (no cosmetic flaws) new gun out of the box is around 60%. I say this based on the 13 new guns that I have ordered during the past 12 months, i.e., 8 of them had scratches or scuffs in the finish. The manufacturers were Ruger, SIG, and Beretta. I have no S&W guns, but I have seen several in the show cases that were scratched.

The demand is so high that they are just trying to push too many out the door without paying attention to detail, QC seems to have very low standards these days.

Beretta will not warrant cosmetic flaws on new guns at all, but SIG & Ruger have been good about resolving finish issues, Ruger more so than SIG though -Ruger has excellent customer service, SIG tends to be a little less than agreeable about taking care of finish issues.

In your case, I assume that you are talking about the ribbing that appears to partially be off the right side of the barrel. Even though that is pretty minor, I could see where that would be annoying since you are going to see it everytime you look through the sights. I would suggest sending the pictures to S&W and explain your dis-pleasure and see if they will repair the finish or replace the barrel. That is about all you can do at this point, other than learn to live with it. I have a Ruger revolver that has about a 1-degree cant to the barrel that is driving me crazy - I am in discussions with Ruger as we speak to see how best to resolve that.

Like everyone else here will probably say, you really need to perform a critical inspection before accepting the gun. I have kind of learned that the hard way.

Best of luck in getting a satisfactory resolution.

 

[regalsc]

That would have gotten by me. I found a 340pd no lock & examined the finish the lockup the barrel alignment & the timing by dry firing it. When I got it home & cleaned it I saw that it had a lump in a groove & scored lands. S&W installed a new barrel so I'm happy now but there might not be such a thing as perfection.

 

[Rick_A]

Look close enough and you'll find cosmetic flaws in every firearm you own.

If everything else is good I'd leave it as is.

The only cosmetically perfect S&W's I had were purchased during the Clinton years when nobody wanted them. Go figure.

 

[Rpg]

That would not be acceptable to me in a factory new firearm.

It suggests poor QC throughout.

I'd get rid of it, hopefully S&W will replace it with one someone actually inspected before shipping.

If S&W tells you it's within factory specs, don't be surprised.

It would still bother me enough to get rid of it.

 

[BSA1]

The first question is how we'll can you shoot it?

The second question is what is it going to be used for? J-Frame for me are carrying guns which means holster and dings.

 

[cal50]

Its hard to tell from the pic but it looks like chips or dirt in grooves. Use a stainless brush and take a couple passes and see if it looks better.

If the gun shoots well and function normal I would keep it.
If it does not shoot well I would call S&W for a call tag and send it back for any issues with the cosmetic detail notes as well.

 

[Camster]

I'm too much of a perfectionist to live with that.It appears that the serrations are not milled squarely to the rib.On the right side,it runs off the rib.On the left,the last ridge widens.
That said, an attempt to correct it,via a barrel exchange,may result in it coming back with a more offending defect.
It can be a flip of the coin if you want to risk a greater problem.Been there with a few guns sent back to various manufacturers.

 

[slabside2]

I would say send it back. As long as we keep accepting things like this they will keep pushing them out the door. I hope this not considered bashing because it's not meant to be. Smith Wesson make some nice guns I just wish they would look them over better before sticking them in that blue box and saying by by.

 

[MarkAlt]

Welcome Erik and congrats on your model 60!

This one is really your call. I used to be very OCD about things like this. 10 years ago, I would have sent it back and probably not slept until it returned. Today, I wouldn't notice, nor care if I did notice.

I called, years ago about a cosmetic lettering issue on a cheap 22A. The S&W CSR was very professional and offered to make it right. I think if you politely explain the issue, they will take care of you. Or ...you could spend that same time on the range.

Either way, enjoy it and why not post some photos of the whole gun for us to see!

 

[snubbyfan]

My recommendation is to put the magnifying glass down and take the gun out and shoot the living daylights out of it.
Then again I was a saw operator at a factory where the QC standards were 3 seconds at 3 feet, if it looks ok, out the door it goes.

 

[Arik]

Am I missing something? Where is the imperfection?

 

[27 Man]

I think it looks terrible. Send it back. What an embarrassment. Must have had the milling done late Friday afternoon or early Monday morning.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I got it! I enlarged the image and counted the lands and grooves.
Think M.C. Escher.
10 at the top, 10 at the bottom and 11 in the middle.

I would keep it and show it off. Ask people "Notice anything unusual?"

 

[M29since14]

I guess I am with Arik. Looks normal to me.

 

[gutterman]

Ok-- I'm not as nice about things like this as some others are. I'd send it back if the cosmetic part bothered me (which it does) and have SW make it right. A previous reply States if we allow this go on unchallenged then SW QC will not change.

 

[Edmo]

IMHO, S&W should not let something like this out the door.

You paid for straight milling, not "I'm learning to operate the big machine" crooked milling. If you wanted less attention to fit and finish there are several overseas handgun makers you could go to... However, you bought a S&W and the assumption of quality which the company has built a reputation for.

Of the four new S&W revolvers I've owned in the last two-ish years, three had to go back for repairs. Two of them ended up being melted down and replaced. This is a snapshot of my personal experiences with current production quality.

They have great customer service and warranty repair/replacement policies, but I really shouldn't need that service for three out of four of my guns!

I think they need to slow down the lines to allow a little "quilt control" to catch this kind of stuff.

It is your call, but if it were mine it would be on the way back. Let us know how this shakes out.

Just one man's thoughts...

Edmo

 

[kozmic]

Welcome!

Boy the 3" M60 is such a great gun. If for some unknown reason it's going to be safe queen, then send it back. If you're intention is to shoot the snot out of it as was intended, then have at it and smile the whole time.

If you find you can't live with it, post it here for sale and I'm sure it will get rescued in a heartbeat (flaws and all).

Good luck!