NEW 617 3 steps away from perfect

[stashu]

Just picked up my new 617 last night. This is my 1st S&W, so I have some issues.

1. Cylinder "back" has metal chips and burrs-see pic
2. Barrel is "off a little" see pics-one side is closer than the other
3. Small multiple scratches on side--can be buffed out I think.

I am curious please see pics, if this normal of S&W? am I expecting to much? from S&W. I hope a S&W rep reads this and assist me. I really do like the 617 and its a keeper, but I think these issues should be resolved since this is a brand new gun.

Thanks

Stash

 

[Maximumbob54]

WOW. Just WOW. Take that back.

 

[pctech]

stashu,

The barrel being torqued "slightly off center" seems to be fairly normal these days. My 617, purchased new December 2010, looks exactly like yours, but is a great shooter and very accurate. I've also looked at 6-8 other new 617's at gun shows since buying mine, and they all look similar. None of them have had perfectly straight barrels.

Mine also has some very minor finish scratches on the sideplate, which would likely buff out.

The cylinder burrs are however concerning and I would consider sending the gun back for that, if I was you.

James

 

[cal50]

That part had to miss the deburring station. No excuse for that one. Easily fixed over a cup of coffee or let S&W do it.

Is your front sight canted? If so that makes sense. If not they torqued it to align the front sight but the contour milling is off center. If its canted definitely request a call tag on S&W dime to fix it.

 

[stashu]

Thanks for your replies.

Good to know that about the Barrels being off is normal for the 617 , but still I do not like it. I will contact S&W and send them pics and see what they say. I'll let all know what happens.

thanks


Stash

 

[redbos]

Yeah, send it back. For what 617's sell for they should be right from the factory for God's sake!

 

[carl3989]

Just picked up my new 617 last night. This is my 1st S&W, so I have some issues.

1. Cylinder "back" has metal chips and burrs-see pic
2. Barrel is "off a little" see pics-one side is closer than the other
3. Small multiple scratches on side--can be buffed out I think.

I am curious please see pics, if this normal of S&W? am I expecting to much? from S&W. I hope a S&W rep reads this and assist me. I really do like the 617 and its a keeper, but I think these issues should be resolved since this is a brand new gun.

Thanks

Stash

Gee Stash those are geat photos, I bet you could photograph a pimple on a tick. For my 2 Cents, if it shoots great I think I could live with it. Lots of luck.

 

[moonwilson]

Good heavens. The burrs on the ratchet are ridiculous. That looks like a Taurus, for crying out loud. That is one of the things I always check for before buying a revolver. You see quite a few Smiths with that (although not often that pronounced). It should smooth out eventually, and I don't think it will affect function any, but it sure doesn't look nice.

 

[stashu]

I contacted S&W, they are sending me a return label.

To those who have used S&W repair before, what am I looking at for turn around time??


I sent another Email to S&W showing the pics, I asked for a NEW gun-lets see what happens.
I had a CZ-75 once and it also had poor machine marks on it, CZ sent me a new gun without questions.

Thanks

Stash

 

[one eye joe]

TURN AROUND TIME 3 WKS........

 

[checkenbach]

I sent my 686 SSR back for various issues- canted barrel, poorly finished crown, forcing cone had some VERY poor machining, excessive cylinder gap on left side, (as if barrel had been dropped), spitting lead, and poor groups.
It took me much longer to get a label(three weeks) than to get the gun fixed(shipped, fixed, and back in a week). It looks much better, haver not shot it yet, hopefully this weekend.

 

[WHS 5906]

I contacted S&W, they are sending me a return label.

To those who have used S&W repair before, what am I looking at for turn around time??


I sent another Email to S&W showing the pics, I asked for a NEW gun-lets see what happens.
I had a CZ-75 once and it also had poor machine marks on it, CZ sent me a new gun without questions.

Thanks

Stash

I sent a 617 in a couple of weeks ago. I had it back in eight days!!

I would let them fix it rather than replace it. You know all the flaws with this one and they will fix them. A replacement might not be as good as they can make this one.

Smith & Wesson service is second to none. They are the best in the buisness.

 

[6pack]

Good luck.

That absolutely stinks...paying top dollar for a. 22 and it looks like that from the factory.

Hope they make it right.

Aggravating.

Another reason to by directly from a lgs. You can look 'em over nicely beforehand.

 

[stashu]

Thanks to all for your replies. I will let all know how things go.

So far:

1. I received a return label in 6 days--includes weekend, so 4 business days.
2. S&W received the 617 on 5/25--I checked the tracking #
3. Saturday 5/28--Received a letter from S&W acknowledging they received it.


I did ask for a FREE sweatshirt for my inconvenience; let's see what I get


Stash

 

[rbert0005]

Gee, I never looked to see if there were any burrs on the extractor star on mine. I just went out and shot the snot out of it.

If I ever get around to looking for burrs and find some, I guess I'll just stone them off.

Bob

 

[stashu]

A replacement might not be as good as they can make this one. /QUOTE]


I kinda agree with this. It's like when you see for instance a recertified/reconditioned printer for sale. You know that it has been thoroughly checked, unlike a NEW one which maybe 1 out out 100 is pulled off the assemble line and checked.

Thanks

Stashu

 

[CALREB]

I am a Smith and Wesson guy,I love the old revolvers,and performance center autos,and I know and understand that there can be some issues with a new gun. I have had several where the barrel wasnt straight ,no big deal. BUT especially if its a gun you always wanted,and you buy a new one,and then get one like that ,That barrel is ridiculous,didnt anyone look at that gun,I would definitely send it back and then when you get it back it will(or should be) perfect like you would expect. Good luck. REB

 

[stashu]

617 is back.
The 617 was at S&W for 7 business days. S&W received it on a Wednesday and 7 business days later S&W shipped it back to me.
Results "from S&W invoice":
1. Replaced barrel
2. Replaced star ejector
3. refinish complete gun


My observations/input.

Gun is scratch free
star ejector perfect
barrel is still off a little but acceptable, better than the previous barrel.

I will have to accept the barrel slightly off is normal for S&W as someone earlier said many of the S&W's revolvers have the barrel canted.

I am extremely pleased now with the S&W repair time, even with the barrel being off just a little. Can't wait to go shoot it.


Thanks to all who responded.

Stashu

 

[Maximumbob54]

Can you take a pic or two to show the new barrel install? I'm curious as to why it can't just line up correct??? That is good to hear the star is finally right. I would love to see the fix.

 

[stashu]

Pic of NEW repaired barrel 6/9/11
I can take pics of new ejector star but I see no need it's fine and the scratch(s) were buffed out.




Stashu

 

[Nightowl]

With the modern machinery and measuring devices made today, I wonder why they cannot put a barrel on perfectly clocked to the frame??????

I have handled a lot of Smiths over time, and have seen only a couple of the pinned ones that were off a bit, but the sight was still verticle enough that it still had a good sight picture.

 

[mtscout]

That's fast turn around for service!
I hope your 617 shoots as good as mine does.

Did you get the free sweatshirt?

 

[photoman]

The barrel being off center is standard procedure and nothing to worry about. The machine work on the other hand... Wow! That was pitiful!

 

[stashu]

That's fast turn around for service!
I hope your 617 shoots as good as mine does.

Did you get the free sweatshirt?

No sweatshirt :-(
any S&Wreps here????

 

[617X10]

I sent back a M&P 340 for a canted barrel and inaccuracy. It came back with the barrel still canted, but upon the acid test (actually shooting it) the accuracy was unquestionably much better. I don't care if they don't throw in the obligatory bumper sticker as long as they fix the problem.

 

[Gebe]

Good for you and glad you didn't meekly accept the gun with all those defects!

I love S&W guns and I know a clunker now and then can slip through quality control but it sure seems like S&W has been letting a lot of them slip through lately.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Is it just me or does it look like they torqued that barrel down so hard they bent the ends of the milled center??? It looks like they rolled to the left against the frame...

 

[Mulefoot]

I shipped my 686 out yesterday for the same "cantered"barrel issue,mine shot great after adjusting the rear sight,it just kills me it was off center,my friends GP100,SP101 ETC are perfect,if it comes back less than perfect its going bye bye.
I guess it may be a lesson learned

 

[stashu]

Poll, sent it back?

Just curious as to "would you sent it back".
Personally I am SOMEWHAT OK with the barrel but should I sent it back? Would you? Should we sent a message to S&W that this is not acceptable, because if we don't more may follow?
Sorry just need to know what to do. I do plan on shooting it within a couple days.
PLEASE no smart remarks, I am just asking advise for all of us because you may have the same issue someday.


Thanks

 

[pctech]

stashu,

I know I commented earlier in the thread, but I will do so again... Shoot the gun and see how it groups, and if it is accurate. I suspect you will be very pleased with its performance, especially now.

The barrel on my new 617 is also slightly canted, but is a very accurate revolver and I see no reason to send it in. I'm well aware that it may come back in worse condition than when I sent it.

Also, as mentioned before, I've probably looked at least a dozen new 617's since buying mine, and they all have some amount of 'cant' to the barrel. As long as it's very minimal, which mine is, and yours looks to be, I would leave well enough alone.

I'm going to a local gun show this weekend, and one next weekend, so I'll be sure to look at any new 617's I can find, and will report back.

James
(PS- Don't think I'm giving S&W a pass on quality control issues. I bought a new S&W 625JM last year that was so rough and had so many defects out of the box that S&W ended up buying the gun back from me for full purchase price plus FFL fees. I expect quality!)