New 442-2 with "Crooked" Barrel?

[Robinett_11B]

Hi Robinett,

Yes, just put the gun back into its plastic box and put that box into a cardboard box and send it back.

Over the years I have dealt with many real gentlemen in CS at S&W, and only one real jerk. In my experience, the odds of getting a helpful CS guy at S&W are far greater than with any other manufacturer or service provider that I deal with. (Just try to get a Kahr fixed!) Recently, I sent back my 20-year-old 640 no-dash with a frame problem and they are replacing it with a new gun. But it took some time for them to decide to do it and I didn't get any immediate satisfaction on any of my many phone calls.

I hope that they make it right for you.

Jeffrey

Thanks, Jeffrey. I just sent the 442 off last night, so hopefully I'll be hearing something sooner than later. This is my first time using a firearm company's warranty or CS, so it's all a little new to me. I'm sure I just got "that guy" that works at every CS center...I'm not letting that muddy my opinion of S&W's service. How long did it take you to get your gun back? Thanks for the input. ***Anyone else have any thoughts/experiences, good or bad, with S&W's customer service or warranty?***

 

[Gun Smoke]

Hi Robinett 11b, Sorry about your pistol but you did the right thing sending it back...I have only had to send one S&W back which was a 629-6 .44 mag that the hammer could be pushed forward from single action cock...The rep was very nice and I had my return slip in 3 days...I packed it in the plastic box and then into a cardboard box...Had it back in 9 days and they replaced the trigger and it works great now...It's a good idea to write a detailed letter to explain what the problem is but in my case it was pretty obvious...I think they will be able to repair your revolver but if not and they replace the gun your dealer will have to do the paper work and forms just like buying a new gun the first time because the serial number changed...If the dealer tries to charge you a transfer fee there's not much you can do about it other than to tell them you will never do business with them again...An honest reputable dealer won't charge you and should have handeled it for you in the first place....Let us know how it works out and good luck and thank you for serving your country....

 

[alde]

I have had to send 2 revolvers back to S&W for warranty work and both came back in less than 2 weeks and fixed perfectly. One was a 642 that would not rotate the cylinder (a spring broke after owning it for a month) and the other was a 686 that had timing issues from day one. Both times CS was great and it only cost me gas to the UPS service center.

It is always strange sending a 4 or 500 dollar gun off. You will worry about it but all will be well in the end. The 442/642 are great little revolvers. I would not be without mine.

 

[jeffrey]

Thanks, Jeffrey. I just sent the 442 off last night, so hopefully I'll be hearing something sooner than later. This is my first time using a firearm company's warranty or CS, so it's all a little new to me. I'm sure I just got "that guy" that works at every CS center...I'm not letting that muddy my opinion of S&W's service. How long did it take you to get your gun back? Thanks for the input. ***Anyone else have any thoughts/experiences, good or bad, with S&W's customer service or warranty?***

My old 640 isn't coming back as it turned out to be a frame problem. I'm getting a new gun with the old serial number, so I don't have to go through an FFL. I haven't gotten it yet because the August break at S&W.

My other two warranty experiences at S&W went quicker. The hand broke on my new 37-2 (after maybe 100 rounds) and they turned it around in less than a week when I told the CS guy that it was my carry gun. Then the hammernose broke on my 629-4 -- that took about a month -- which was fine as it is definitely not my carry gun.

But unlike most gun companies, they always pay shipping both ways for warranty work. I once sent in a gun on their nickel (as we both thought it was a problem covered under warranty) and when they determined that the warranty did not cover the work -- they still paid shipping both ways. Can't beat that!

 

[NavyFrank]

I had a 696 that had a barrel clocked into the frame high and to the right. At 15 yards wouldn't hit point of aim with the sights all the way down and over to the left. I sent it back to CS and they sent me a replacement but it had the frame mounted firing pin which was current production at the time.

 

[Robinett_11B]

Thanks for all the replies, guys...I really appreciate all you sharing all you experiences. My Fedex tracking # says S&W should recieve my 442 tomorrow. What should expect from the CS service process? Will they notify me when they recieve my gun? Will they keep me informed on what work they'll be doing? Thanks, guys.

 

[Robinett_11B]

Hey, everyone. I just got off the phone with S&W and they said my 442 should be back in my hands by friday. They didn't consult me before they did any work....but apparently they replaced the barrel, that was the only work the CS rep had listed for my gun. I don't know how comfortable I feel with a "fixed" gun with a replaced barrel. I'm new to revolvers, so I may just be paranoid. ***Would you guys trust a 442/642 that comes back from the factory with a replaced barrel?*** I'll be sure to post new pics when I get the gun back...

 

[JSR III]

First of all, I would have had the dealer send the gun back. They are a larger customer to S&W than you are and especially if they are a stocking dealer. I would think that they would want to keep you happy so that you will come back to their shop often.

I would have no problem with S&W replacing the barrel. No different than buying a new car and finding out that the oil drain plug was cross threaded and they replaced the oil pan. Car would still work just fine.

That is the reason for a warranty and S&W usually stands behind their products. It is especially important to companies today to maintain good customer relations due to the Internet. When you comment on a site like this, 1,000's of potential buyers read about it and judge the company accordingly. 30 years ago only your 5 shooting buddies would have heard about your problem.

PS: Make sure you post some after photos....

 

[Moondancer]

This may be comparing apples to oranges, but in regards to worrying about barrel replacement, I had a Ruger Blackhawk in .45LC that I bought from a buddy that had a 7-1/2" barrel (IIRC). I've never liked anything longer than a 6" tube on any handgun so I sent it off to Ruger to get a 4-5/8" barrel put on. They turned it around in less than two weeks, sent the old barrel back with it, and that gun was superb in every respect afterwards. Of course, I sold it, and have regretted it ever since, but that's another story.
Anyway, if the OEM replaces the barrel, I'd shoot it without giving it another thought.

 

[photoman]

Check the frame, under the barrel after EVERY range session.

 

[Robinett_11B]

Thanks for the replies...I just want to make sure I can still practice regularly and be able to depend on this gun still after the warranty work. *Anyone else have any thoughts?*

 

[Robinett_11B]

Thanks

Check the frame, under the barrel after EVERY range session.

Thanks for the heads up, Photoman. Would that be a particuarly weak spot for the alloy frame after having the barrel replaced? Are there any other things I should look out for...like warning signs or anything?

 

[Robinett_11B]

Checked my tracking #, my 442 should be here any minute now! I'll be sure to post pics when it gets in....

 

[Robinett_11B]

What do you guys think?

So, I got my 442 back today. It looks a lot better than it did, but (at least to me) it still has a perceptible downward slant. There is no longer a gap that I can see any light through now, though. The barrel-cylinder gap look straight now too. It seems like several of other 442/642's I've seen online appear to have a slight downward decline like mine seems to have now. I just want to make sure this gun is going to be good to carry. Of course if it looks alright to those with more experience than myself, I plan on putting at least 500 rounds through it before I trust my life to it, then carrying it. ***So, what do you guys think? Does it look good to go?*** If you need anymore pics, just let me know. Thanks, everyone! -Rob

 

[BubbaGubber]

Looks "straight as an arrow" to me.....I would be very pleased. Did they give you specifics on what they did?

By the way...the slight downward decline you see is completely normal. It's just the contour of the barrel.

 

[Robinett_11B]

Looks "straight as an arrow" to me.....I would be very pleased. Did they give you specifics on what they did?

Thanks, BubbaGubber.....every vote of confidence helps. Like I said in my original post, I'm new to revolvers; so I am grateful I have this forum to turn to for answers and info from those more experienced than myself. The repair receipt says my original complaint was "finish barrel" (I guess?) and apparently they replaced it. *Anyone else? How's it look? Would you carry it?* Thanks!

 

[BubbaGubber]

Thanks, BubbaGubber.....every vote of confidence helps. Like I said in my original post, I'm new to revolvers; so I am grateful I have this forum to turn to for answers and info from those more experienced than myself. The repair receipt says my original complaint was "finish barrel" (I guess?) and apparently they replaced it. *Anyone else? How's it look? Would you carry it?* Thanks!

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Cool...looks like they just put a new barrel on her (best fix you could possibly have other than getting a completely new gun). I would be 100% confident in that revolver. I'll bet S&W checked her over well...along with a test-fire. NO WORRIES in my humble opinion!

 

[-db-]

Looks like mine does now, with only a slight notch, for lack of a better description, at the top where the barrel meets the frame.

As for the slant you're seeing, that's likely just an illusion of sorts. The barrel is tapered and will look a bit odd from certain angles. If you look at your gun from the bottom or top, you'll see what I mean.

 

[Robinett_11B]

Thanks, guys...you're making me have more and more confidence in this 442. I feel much better about trusting this gun. Appreciate all the input. *Anyone else have any thoughts?*

 

[Combat_Diver]

Get out and shoot it!!!! I just purchased a 442 Pro last month on leave to replace my old 442 that I had for 15yrs before I sold it. Never had any issues with them. Only bad part is mine is sitting in the safe as I'm down range and not sitting in my pocket. Damn Army regs!

CD