New M&P 340 Finish Worn - should I bother?

[hdh]

Hi All,

I purchased an M&P 340 yesterday - great J-frame and I look forward to years of reliable ownership.

The attached pics show rub marks where the cylinder comes close to the frame (don't know the exact name of those areas) - the finish appears worn down to the metal. In opening and closing the cylinder it does not appear to be touching the frame so I don't know how the finish is worn away in these areas.

Thing is, I saw no less than five brand-new blued or matte j-frames of various flavors in my range today - they all had the same exact wear spots.

The gun is brand new and I have not shot it yet.

Should I bother calling Smith about it or just accept it as 'normal'?

Thanks,
Howard

 

[Firehouse]

I have one of these that I carry everyday. I purchased with the intent to use it. Not save it for later. It isn't worn in those particular areas, but it is worn in several other places a lot worse. Especially around the muzzle where the pocket holster rubs. If you plan on using it and carrying it a lot, and the gun itself functions fine and isn't touching in those areas that you have pointed out and it doesn't effect function, then personally I wouldn't worry about it. It's going to get rubbed a lot worse the longer you have it and use it.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

 

[Butchbird]

My early 442 has the same marks -- Never noticed them before -- I have carried it most every day since I got it so no telling when they happened -- The gun works fine and has a lot of other scrapes -- Just learn to love them

 

[MADEUCE50HB]

its not going cost you anything to enquire why the wear marks are on a brand new gun. whether or not those marks are inherent with that particular model s&w revolver, you have paid for the privledge of making those marks yourself. good luck...let me know how you are treated by customer service t jones

 

[Mule88]

It would be nice if Smith could put a bit more durable finish on their guns that would hold up better than they do.

 

[Snowbandit]

The marks on the back are where cartridge cases are probably going to rub a little bit when the cylinder is opened and closed. Mine appears to barely touch but not enough to leave any marks yet.

If you bought it as a collector piece you might want to call S&W to see what they say. On the other hand, if, as most of us I think, you bought it to use, and it works okay, I wouldn't give it another thought. Mine rides in a pocket holster from pants on to pants off every day for almost 3 years now. It's got lots of little character marks on it. Somebody else can worry about that when I'm done with it.

 

[VermilionSTi]

My 340 looks just like that plus more from pocket carrying it for 2 years straight. All the finish on most edges is gone. I think it gives it character

 

[Gearhead Jim]

The newer guns must have a softer finish. My 340PD was purchased when they first came out, maybe 8 years ago? It spends all day every day in my right front pocket in some variety of pocket holster, currently Safariland.

It has some white showing along the edges of the trigger guard, and at the top right rear of the frame where the holster does not cover. That's all. I'm very impressed with the durability of the finish.

 

[hdh]

Thanks for the replies. I emailed S&W the pics, they are sending me a pre-paid fedex label to send them back the gun and take care of it.

I was on the fence about it but ultimately, this is not an inexpensive purchase and brand-new in the box, the gun should not have these wear marks. MADEUCE50HB put it well above - I paid for the right to make those myself.

Thanks again,
Howard

 

[Alx]

Something has to stop the cylinder from falling out of the crane when it is open.

.

 

[Alx]

Something has to keep the cylinder from falling out of the crane when it is swung out, open.

Every modern Smith revolver made has its cylinder bear against a the frame ridge there, and slightly older Smith's have a half-ground pin that traps the cylinder.

That is the only thing that prevents the cylinder from falling out of the crane backwards. Any metal-to-metal contact will eventually wear the finish, so it is normal that a blued or anodized frame will show wear there.

Normal play in the fit of the cylinder allows it to move forward slightly and miss hitting the pin when the gun is opened while tilting down / forward.

No matter what Smith does to your gun, it will happen again, soon. It's normal unavoidable wear for a revolver.

 

[Goffman]

Hdh, I have the exact same wear on my 340PD that yours shows on the frame nearer the grip, but not the wear that yours shows on the frame nearer the barrel. In the case of the former, as Alx mentioned, the cylinder sometimes rubs against that sliver-like face of the frame nearer the grip. I would be curious to hear S&W's diagnosis, when you receive it back from them.