I picked up my factory new 640-1 Pro Series (2-1/8" 357 with fluted barrel and night sights) yesterday.
I ordered this online, and had a local FFL friend handle the transfer. When I went over to pick it up, I was pretty disappointed to find that the "finish" was far from perfect (or new looking). The stainless has at least 100 "pin prick" size "dings" in the side plate, the cylinder has very noticable "scratch / scuffs" that look like someone at the factory lightly dropped the part during assembly, and the barrel finish (to either side of the front sight ramp) has discolored/pitted/spalling looking finish issues.
**I tried to get pictures, but my 8 year old digital camera just produces a blurry smudge when I zoom in close enough to pick these problems up**
My FFL friend is a retired Deputy Sheriff who was a firearms instructor for the department, and also worked on S&W revolvers back when they were issued. He said "three of the five cuts are wrong because the hand is pushing through them". I can feel a VERY slight difference when dry firing the gun.
I've had a Handgun License for the past 18 years, and have carried a fair share of different S&W revolvers during that period. I sold a pair of 642 Airweights to fund this purchase, but am starting to wonder if this gun's "fit and finish" is below Smith's standard.
As a side, the 642 Airweight I daily carried for the past two years had the dreaded IL, but ALWAYS worked (in spite of hundreds of miles in an ankle holster). The finish on that gun, however, did not hold up - the paint had peeled, chipped and worn off about 30% of the frame by the time I sold it.
My question is...
I paid $630 for the new 640-1 Pro Series. That's nearly twice the cost of a 642 Airweight. Both of my $329 Airweights were in perfect condition when I bought them. Should I be upset about the "fit and finish" of the so-called Pro Series gun?
I'm reluctant to mention where I bought the gun, but to prove it was "factory new" - I ordered it from Cheaper Than Dirt.
I ordered this online, and had a local FFL friend handle the transfer. When I went over to pick it up, I was pretty disappointed to find that the "finish" was far from perfect (or new looking). The stainless has at least 100 "pin prick" size "dings" in the side plate, the cylinder has very noticable "scratch / scuffs" that look like someone at the factory lightly dropped the part during assembly, and the barrel finish (to either side of the front sight ramp) has discolored/pitted/spalling looking finish issues.
**I tried to get pictures, but my 8 year old digital camera just produces a blurry smudge when I zoom in close enough to pick these problems up**
My FFL friend is a retired Deputy Sheriff who was a firearms instructor for the department, and also worked on S&W revolvers back when they were issued. He said "three of the five cuts are wrong because the hand is pushing through them". I can feel a VERY slight difference when dry firing the gun.
I've had a Handgun License for the past 18 years, and have carried a fair share of different S&W revolvers during that period. I sold a pair of 642 Airweights to fund this purchase, but am starting to wonder if this gun's "fit and finish" is below Smith's standard.
As a side, the 642 Airweight I daily carried for the past two years had the dreaded IL, but ALWAYS worked (in spite of hundreds of miles in an ankle holster). The finish on that gun, however, did not hold up - the paint had peeled, chipped and worn off about 30% of the frame by the time I sold it.
My question is...
I paid $630 for the new 640-1 Pro Series. That's nearly twice the cost of a 642 Airweight. Both of my $329 Airweights were in perfect condition when I bought them. Should I be upset about the "fit and finish" of the so-called Pro Series gun?
I'm reluctant to mention where I bought the gun, but to prove it was "factory new" - I ordered it from Cheaper Than Dirt.
