I purchased a 640-1 357 Magnum from a forum member in late September. In the past I have had mixed results purchasing firearms from photos online. About 8-9 years ago I purchased a 6" 629 that was supposed to be in good condition from a forum member. When it arrived it had a loose yoke and cylinder end shake. I paid what as then top dollar, 500 bucks.
Some bearings and a hammer to the yoke button brought it into reasonable shape. And as the market has went bonkers over no dash 629s, I probably made out okay.
This time I found this revolver was only 150 miles away.We agreed on a ftf.
The gun was just as promised ( I thought ) very tight and apparently not shot a lot. We both left happy.
It took me a few days of fondling my new prize before I noticed a very, very faint line in the frame yoke cutout. I took a small piece of 800 grit sandpaper to this blemish and a full fledged crack appeared.
I was stunned, how could I have missed a crack in the most common place a crack would appear. I kicked myself for two days.
I decided I would call Smith and Wesson, after all what that did I have to lose.
The customer service rep listen to my explanation of what was wrong with the weapon and sent me a return tag . He never asked me if I was the original owner of the revolver . About two weeks later I got an email from Smith & Wesson customer service telling me that I need to give them the contact info of a FFL dealer in my area.
I immediately called Smith & Wesson and talk to the customer service rep who informed me that it was indeed a crack and they were going to replace the frame. Hallelujah.
It took about 6 weeks before I received the weapon back. I was apprehensive because the one I sent in was a no lock version. Lo and behold when I open the box it was just like a new gun, no lock.
I believe they used my original cylinder and grips, but other than that it looks like a brand-new weapon.
I can't say enough about Smith & Wesson warranty and customer service. I wasn't the original owner, so I really wasn't eligible for this warranty service but they replaced the gun anyway .
I have also decided I prefer to believe that the forum member I purchased this gun from was not aware of the frame damage.
Some bearings and a hammer to the yoke button brought it into reasonable shape. And as the market has went bonkers over no dash 629s, I probably made out okay.
This time I found this revolver was only 150 miles away.We agreed on a ftf.
The gun was just as promised ( I thought ) very tight and apparently not shot a lot. We both left happy.
It took me a few days of fondling my new prize before I noticed a very, very faint line in the frame yoke cutout. I took a small piece of 800 grit sandpaper to this blemish and a full fledged crack appeared.
I was stunned, how could I have missed a crack in the most common place a crack would appear. I kicked myself for two days.
I decided I would call Smith and Wesson, after all what that did I have to lose.
The customer service rep listen to my explanation of what was wrong with the weapon and sent me a return tag . He never asked me if I was the original owner of the revolver . About two weeks later I got an email from Smith & Wesson customer service telling me that I need to give them the contact info of a FFL dealer in my area.
I immediately called Smith & Wesson and talk to the customer service rep who informed me that it was indeed a crack and they were going to replace the frame. Hallelujah.
It took about 6 weeks before I received the weapon back. I was apprehensive because the one I sent in was a no lock version. Lo and behold when I open the box it was just like a new gun, no lock.
I believe they used my original cylinder and grips, but other than that it looks like a brand-new weapon.
I can't say enough about Smith & Wesson warranty and customer service. I wasn't the original owner, so I really wasn't eligible for this warranty service but they replaced the gun anyway .
I have also decided I prefer to believe that the forum member I purchased this gun from was not aware of the frame damage.
