New Model 19-9 Classic purchase

[stansdds]

Turn lines on S&W revolvers:

These are S&W revolvers, not Colt. The lockwork between the two is vastly different. All S&W revolvers will have a turn line, even when they leave the factory. Colt revolvers will not. The Colt lockwork pulls the cylinder bolt down and keeps it down until it is near the next stop notch. The S&W design pulls the bolt down just long enough for the stop notch to be rotated far enough that the cylinder can freely turn, then drops the bolt onto the side of the cylinder.

Since the revolver must be dry cycled numerous times during assembly, then go on to be test fired before being packaged for shipping, all S&W revolvers will have a turn line. A sharp edge on the bolt will make the turn line even more visible.

 

[Harry Callihan]

FWIW. Here are pics of my 19 Classic I purchased new about a year ago from a local, small gun store. Nobody handled this gun in the store and I have never fired it. I have pulled the trigger a couple times just to cycle it. Only other thing I did was change the grips. My cylinder does have a turn line.

Another small local gun store in my area had issues with Smith sending brand new guns with prevalent cylinder turn lines. The owner sent them back to Smith.

 

[Harry Callihan]

Here are pics of my 629 Classic I bought new and it's unfired. The cylinder has a turn line. Plus there are factory markings above the cylinder on the frame. Unfortunately and to my stupidity, I did not see these until well after the purchase while at home. These marks upset me naturally on a brand new thousand dollar gun. The one is prevalent enough that you can feel it in the stainless. I'm not bad mouthing Smith at all, I love their guns and own many of them. Unfortunately these things happen during the manufacturing process. Needless to say I now really inspect a new gun before I purchase it.

 

[dsk]

Interestingly I watched a video last night from a former S&W armorer regarding the new Model 19 classic. He gushes about how superior they are to the old revolvers:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h9l2ipiKf4[/ame]

I think what he failed to point out is WHY so many of us prefer the old guns. The hand fitting required to build them made them works of art, and when built correctly they were masterpieces. The new guns obviously require a lot less hand fitting, but as we've been seeing lately what little hand fitting and finishing there is isn't being done very well. I wonder what he'd have to say about the OP's revolver.

 

[Luke Duke]

I must have got LUCKY, I bought a new 629-6 this year and it's a great gun. Super solid and very accurate with any load shot through it. I inspected closely at the gun shop, but still was having worries from the complaints I've heard on the web. Now after putting 500 hundred rounds through it I have no complaints. I really wanted to trust S&W again. This 4" 629-6 gave me hope it's perfect in every way. I've owned their guns my whole life and never had a problem. So, hearing these stories are dis-heartening! At the cost their asking anymore Every gun they send out should be perfect. I was thinking of pulling the trigger on a new 19 Classic, but I think I will hold off.

 

[scruffy]

Here are pics of my 629 Classic I bought new and it's unfired. The cylinder has a turn line. Plus there are factory markings above the cylinder on the frame. Unfortunately and to my stupidity, I did not see these until well after the purchase while at home. These marks upset me naturally on a brand new thousand dollar gun. The one is prevalent enough that you can feel it in the stainless. I'm not bad mouthing Smith at all, I love their guns and own many of them. Unfortunately these things happen during the manufacturing process. Needless to say I now really inspect a new gun before I purchase it.

The turn line is acceptable to me, but not the marks above the cylinder on the frame. I had chewed up frame marks like that on a NIB 642 PC. I returned it to S&W primarily due to a B/C gap of .014" and also told them about the dings. They the corrected B/C gap to .004" and refinished the entire frame on the gun. I would have requested a return on your 629.

 

[mod57]

It has been obvious, to me at least, that LGS handle the weapons we buy. These revolvers are not made and kept in hermetically sealed environments until you come along and open it. People handle guns all the time. They can't help them selves. Store clerks, customers they take them in and out of the display cases to show, relocate, look at, fondle and yes dry fire. The more desirable, hard to get, rare types get it more often. Everybody wants to hold that "Dirty Harry Gun". When all this handling takes place someone it going to eventually smack it against another gun, mar it while taking of the trigger lock, knock it against the display cabinet door or...well you get the picture. Of course no store owner or clerk is going to admit to the damage, some MIGHT give you a small discount if your lucky.
Point is once it leaves the factory, anything can happen to it. It does, IMO essentially become a sort of used gun, lost in that Twilight Zone of not being fired (maybe) but still not NIB.
YMMV,
Ralph

 

[dsk]

It has been obvious, to me at least, that LGS handle the weapons we buy. These revolvers are not made and kept in hermetically sealed environments until you come along and open it. People handle guns all the time. They can't help them selves. Store clerks, customers they take them in and out of the display cases to show, relocate, look at, fondle and yes dry fire. The more desirable, hard to get, rare types get it more often. Everybody wants to hold that "Dirty Harry Gun". When all this handling takes place someone it going to eventually smack it against another gun, mar it while taking of the trigger lock, knock it against the display cabinet door or...well you get the picture. Of course no store owner or clerk is going to admit to the damage, some MIGHT give you a small discount if your lucky.
Point is once it leaves the factory, anything can happen to it. It does, IMO essentially become a sort of used gun, lost in that Twilight Zone of not being fired (maybe) but still not NIB.
YMMV,
Ralph

Maybe ten years ago there was a gorgeous high-polish blued MKIII Hi-Power at a LGS. The price was fair but I was broke at the time. But I kept it in mind and would occasionally go back to see if it was still there. The second time I looked at it I noticed a scratch across the flats that I know wasn't there before. The next time I went it had a few more marks on it. When I saw it for the last time it was noticeably beat up, and I feel bad for whoever finally bought it. I decided against buying it myself after I saw the first big scratch on it.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

Has anyone had similar experiences buying a new S&W?

I have been just reading some horror stories online. Quality assurance processes seem to be lacking as well as final QA.

Oh yes. I decided I wanted to add a new 10-14 Classic to my collection of older Model 10s. This was in February of this year. Out of the box new: mainspring strainscrew completely buggered up, rough double action and hard cocking on 3 chambers. A couple of minor finish imperfections such as on yours.

Back in the day, the trigger pull issues would probably have been due to "long ratchets", which were hand cut. Today, nothing is hand-fitted. The parts are either MIM or CNC cut and require either minor final fitting. This was part of the redesign, to reduce labor costs of essentially hand-fitting every part in the gun. However, S&W has obviously taken this too far, and turning minor fitting into no fitting. And threw out quality inspection as well. Sad.

I called S&W, asked for a return label, and sent the Model 10-14 back. The CS rep understood, they get a lot of calls on poorly made revolvers. Four weeks later they called and said the frame was bad and the entire revolver would be replaced. I'm not sure whether that was the case; more likely there is no one at the factory that can actually repair a revolver. Easier to destroy it, make a new one, and have it actually inspected before shipping. Another 4 weeks later the replacement arrived.

The replacement is absolutely perfect, better trigger pull than anything out fo the box from back in the day, finish perfect, and very accurate plus shoots right to the sights. Amazing but true.

Send that 19 classic back.

 

[686Oz]

Hello to everyone on this thread.

Thank you for the input and support on this issue. It took over a year but I have finally been able to get a warranty replacement. The replacement believe it or not has some defects in the finish but far less than the original. I'm glad that this chapter is over. Have a great 2024 on the range all.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Hello,

I have recently taken delivery of a new Model 19-9 Classic revolver. So to say the least, I am disappointed with the quality. On opening the box I discovered the following issues.

1) Poor bluing. On the frame in two places the bluing is missing and has a matt finish similar to the top strap is present. The bluing overall seems blotchy.
2) Scratches in several places including frame, barrel and trigger guard.
3) A slither of silver steel is protruding on either side of the front sight.
4) When the hammer is pulled back for single action it becomes stiff and an unusual in the last section of travel before it locks in.
5) The pistol grip screw head slot is damaged, bent and burred.

Has anyone had similar issues and how was warranty handled?

Thanks,

Why did you take delivery of it with all those defects. Then come here and complain........Wouldn't have been wiser and cheaper to refuse it and leave it at the store?

 

[686Oz]

1) Why is the product shipped with such defects post QA?

2) If you read the thread you will understand that the revolver was covered in shipping grease and I cleaned as best one can on the store counter to check the finish. If you have purchased new you would know that it has to be properly cleaned with solvents to clearly see the finish.

3) As a new purchase of stock from factory there is an expectation. Yes?