Made the mistake of ordering a brand new Performance Center 627

[ver2cal]

Well I just bought a brand new 627 and wasn't able to inspect it. The dealer agreed to exchange it if I didn't like the one that arrives from their warehouse. Fingers crossed!

 

[Kingspoke]

627-5 Pro Series

I sent my 627-5 Pro, back to S&W because the cylinder stop was galling the cylinder notches. I just got the gun back last friday, a month from when I sent it in.

The work sheet indicates they "fixed the carry up, replaced the hand, refinished the cylinder, and test fired". It appears thus far that the gun is slightly smoother and is not galling the cylinder notches as previously.

I also requested a "Master Revolver Action Package", on my accompanying letter, which was totally ignored. However, since they took care of the warranty work, I'm very satisfied with the job they did. I might be better off taking it to a gunsmith or doing it myself at some point, in any case.

My 627 was pretty much flawless in terms of quality of finish, balance, and beautiful overall appearance (except the IL). I consider the galling a minor issue, that has been addressed.

I hope you have a favorable outcome as well, OP!

 

[ameridaddy]

I sent my 627-5 Pro, ....
I also requested a "Master Revolver Action Package", on my accompanying letter, which was totally ignored. .... I might be better off taking it to a gunsmith or doing it myself at some point, in any case.
...

Based on my experience with a "Master Revolver Action Package" two years ago on my 25-5, I'd say take your gun to a pistol smith.
My hammer and trigger appeared to have been just shoved into a buffing wheel to the point of removing the case coloring, no evidence of stoning, resulting in terrible single action trigger creep, the over travel stop was a roll pin drilled into the back of the trigger, then sawed off with a Dremel cutoff disk at an angle and not deburred, the frame internal machining marks were not touched, the hammer/trigger pins were not polished, the cylinder loading chamfers were rough, and the side plate was boogered by a screw driver.
Workmanship aside, it seemed strange to me they put a non-adjustable over travel stop on the back of the trigger that will mar the bluing on the frame, when an N-frame already has a simple pin in the rebound slide for an internal stop that would be easy to make into a custom length to adjust trigger over travel.
Send it to a pistol smith.

 

[riverrat38]

Based on my experience with a "Master Revolver Action Package" two years ago on my 25-5, I'd say take your gun to a pistol smith.
My hammer and trigger appeared to have been just shoved into a buffing wheel to the point of removing the case coloring, no evidence of stoning, resulting in terrible single action trigger creep, the over travel stop was a roll pin drilled into the back of the trigger, then sawed off with a Dremel cutoff disk at an angle and not deburred, the frame internal machining marks were not touched, the hammer/trigger pins were not polished, the cylinder loading chamfers were rough, and the side plate was boogered by a screw driver.
Workmanship aside, it seemed strange to me they put a non-adjustable over travel stop on the back of the trigger that will mar the bluing on the frame, when an N-frame already has a simple pin in the rebound slide for an internal stop that would be easy to make into a custom length to adjust trigger over travel.
Send it to a pistol smith.

Sounds like "Bubba" got a job at S&W's PC shop.
How unfortunate!

Best,
Rick

 

[Dr. Marneaus]

Well been over 2 weeks and no news...which I guess is good news? The wait continues

 

[PALADIN85020]

In order to appease the moderators, I will make

NO COMMENT.

John

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

Well been over 2 weeks and no news...which I guess is good news? The wait continues

I was just told that they are in a 3 to 5 weeks turnaround right now for warranty repairs. Had my 69 there since the 12th June

 

[gman51]

Just for being curious I got my 627-5 Pro out of the safe to compare to your PC model. Thank goodness mine doesn't have any of the flaws of your PC.
I changed out the stock black rubber grips but that was all I changed out on mine. I adjusted the hammer tension spring and the trigger pull is so sweet now.

The one thing I really think S&W could have done was polish the SS instead of the dull blasted look. I think for what this gun costs that S&W could have at least made it a polished finish and put good looking grips on it. Other than that I really like the gun.

Sorry to say but IMO the Ruger GP100 Match Champion is a much better looking gun and it doesn't cost as much as the S&W either.

 

[dwever]

The point I will make below in no way mitigates the aggravation and disappointment a bad sample inflicts on the person it happens to. Dr. Marneaus' situation is nothing short of appalling, and I wish a great outcome to the OP.

At the same time I am reminded that it is mostly the bad experiences that find their way on to these forums. And those bad experiences help us all learn. While there appears to be real QC issues at the PC, those issues may not represent the extreme comments represented at points on this thread and other threads like it. My own personal experience, anecdotal like anyone else's, would suggest the majority of PC weapons are delivered without issue and with good if not heavy action.

Since 2007 I have bought eight Performance Center .357 Mag's and one .44 Mag. Four have been PC 627's, one with the 5" barrel and three 2.625" barrel UDR's, each one being absolutely fine at delivery, three of which went on to TK Custom for various levels of modification, two for competition (one pictured). I have also taken delivery of the following PC revolvers without issue: 629 Stealth Hunter, 586 L-Comp, 686+ (2.5" Barrel), TRR8, M&P R8. I have never had to send any purchased revolver back to S&W for any warranty issue.

My good luck certainly doesn't help the OP, and it is not intended to rub salt in what is a real wound, only to say while the OP's weapon was dreadful at delivery, hopefully it is atypical.

Best of luck towards a full resolution Dr. Marneaus.

 

[Kiwi cop]

My first thought was how well did the dealer check the gun on arrival?

The dealer I make many of my purchases through once called me to say the gun I had ordered had arrived but he was sending it back for replacement due to some fairly minor, but annoying, issues. I had to wait another week but got a beautiful gun when I picked it up.

Another time a different dealer offered me an upgraded model he had on his shelf when the distributor reneged on delivery times twice over a month long period. While I appreciated the offer his efforts in making something beyond his control lead me to wait a bit longer, and he too gets repeat business from me.

 

[Mr.Harry]

My first thought was how well did the dealer check the gun on arrival?

The dealer I make many of my purchases through once called me to say the gun I had ordered had arrived but he was sending it back for replacement due to some fairly minor, but annoying, issues. I had to wait another week but got a beautiful gun when I picked it up.

Another time a different dealer offered me an upgraded model he had on his shelf when the distributor reneged on delivery times twice over a month long period. While I appreciated the offer his efforts in making something beyond his control lead me to wait a bit longer, and he too gets repeat business from me.

Quality purveyor trumps all. Has been my experience as well. Amen.

 

[kas9412]

Hang in there, OP. Not a Performance Center revolver, but I sent in my 686 Talo Edition (from three years back - another story) in mid May and just received it back about a week ago. It was gone a total of 6 weeks, minus one day, including shipping. Didn't hear from them the whole time they had it.

Mine was in for accuracy issues, including a lopsided chamfer on the crown. They replaced the barrel, citing bad rifling and a bad crown. Anyway, I'll shoot it on Friday and see how it does. I actually think they worked on the trigger a bit too, because it feels a bit smoother and lighter than it did before I sent it in, more like my PC 686. They also cleaned the burn marks off the front of the cylinder. So if it shoots, I will be very happy. I'm betting that S&W did me right!

 

[harrydog]

Well It got to them on Monday and today I called just to ask what the procedure was. Guy told me I just wait and it should be 4 weeks door to door and they will explain what they did to get it back to factory condition.

I just got mine back on June 27 which was just over 3 weeks after I shipped it back. The crown now looks like it should have in the first place.
As a long shot I had also asked them to smooth up the trigger when I sent the gun back. The paperwork they sent back with the gun didn't indicate what was done so I doubt they did anything with the trigger. I think it feels a little better now but it might just be my imagination.
At any rate, at least the crown is fixed and I'm happy with the gun now. Hopefully you will be also.

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

They have always treated me good and repaired exactly as I would hope. Like anything made by man it can have flaws. We pay for the warranty when we buy the gun. Even if it takes longer than expected or shouldn't need work done at all. We are all human. When it comes down to it we should be glad they even make revolvers anymore as the black plastic has all but consumed the market.

 

[Dragon 1]

EAGLE SECRET SERVICE GRIPS NEVER HAD MUCH LUCK WITH THEM. I SHOULD HAVE GIVEN UP AFTER 3 SETS. AHRENDS MUCH BETTER BUT THAT WHAT COMES ON GUN. SORRY YOU GOT A LEMON I HAD THIS WITH S&W ON A 340 PD GUN WAS OVER 800. SMITH SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING BUT THAT'S NO EXCUSE FOR QUALITY CONTROL. THAT GUN SHOULD HAVE NEVER LEFT THE FACTORY LIKE THAT. THAT GUN IS BIG MONEY FOR THIS TO GO OUT DEALER SHOULD HAVE NOT LET THAT GO INTO ONE OF HIS CASES. I KNOW I HAVE A GUN SHOP LOG IT IN CALL AND LOG IT OUT WHEN THEY SEND CALL TAG. BRING IT BACK TO DEALER LET HIM DEAL WITH SMITH

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
I am to the point that ANY gun that I buy is just a starting point.
It is the raw material you start with to make a good gun.
By the time the sights , action , and grip are correct the gun is different.
AND my smith knows what I like and makes any problems right,
RIGHT NOW...........

 

[Dr. Marneaus]

It was delivered over 3 weeks ago to then so I called for a status update. The response was 'looks like they replaced the grips, fixed the barrel, and fixed the frame. They should be wrapped up with it shortly and then will send it out to be returned to you'

So, of the above is true, and they didn't even touch the hammer, in okay with it. Hopefully fixing the barrel included straightening the front sight.

So, here's to hoping!

 

[686-380]

This forum is another avenue, to demand quality

The only way to force S&W to improve there quality is stop buying there product. As long we purchase there guns and send them back it will not improve. This is a numbers game it is cheaper to fix the few that are sent back than to improve the process. How many people don't even notice the poor workmanship compared to the few that complain on this and other forums. We will have to do without for a wile till they get the message but in the long run every body wins. I spent 45 years in manufacturing and I can tell you the know how is there. This is a numbers game and the only way to too put a stop to it is look over the gun at the store and if you don't like what you see walk away after you tell the shop owner why. I for one won't buy a gun if I cant cycle the action and test the trigger with snap caps if they won't remove the trigger lock because of store policy I walk out. I don't buy a car without driving it nor will buy a gun without dry firing it. I for one won't play the send a new gun back to do what they were paid to do when they built it game.

The OP is doing everyone a service by sharing his misfortune.


Hopefully the bad chatter on the "Interwebz" that S&W receives, will get back to them.

I am still learning about firearms and trying to share my experiences through forums and YouTube. One of the main reasons why I discovered this forum was when my 686-6 locked up with one particular brand/type of ammunition. I sent a nastigram to the mothership and they made it right.

I have to admit, I was impressed with Ruger's proactive recall for the Mark IVs. Perhaps S&W could take a lesson from this.

 

[Rock185]

Dr. M, Sure like to hear your thoughts after you get your revolver back and have the opportunity to evaluate the repairs. I've been a S&W fan for probably longer than many on this forum have been alive. Still, I'm not enough of a fanboy to minimize or trivialize what your photos show.

That level of quality would not be acceptable to me even on the cheapest revolver S&W makes, much less a PC gun. I've owned several of the earlier PC semi-autos. Had to send a couple back, but overall their build quality, reliability, accuracy,etc. was just excellent, comparable to the SIG P210, etc. in quality IMHO.

Some pretty knowledgeable people have commented that the PC is not what it once was, and now just adds "features" rather than producing superior quality. Since the PC's main emphasis now seems to be plastic pistols with creative designs machined into the slides, I tend to agree that the PC is not what it once was. Didn't see this coming, and now wish I'd kept all my earlier PC pistols, and glad I kept the 2 or 3 I still have.

BTW, had one of the S&W Pro .357s a few years ago. At 25 yds. it patterned like a shotgun, a really bad shotgun, rather than producing anything identifiable as a group. I checked timing, bore, frame barrel alignment, sights,etc. All looked excellent. Yep, discovered the terrible muzzle crown. They must have let the shop mascot, had to have been a monkey of some sort, use the Dremal on my gun. S&W recrowned it and all was well. Good luck with yours.

 

[Dr. Marneaus]

Thanks. We shall see hopefully next week.this just kinda sucks. I had the gun for Jess than 24hrs and didn't even get to shoot it and I'm already kind of soured on the whole thing