Problems!!

[emilprizefighter]

So I bought a new gun. It is a SW Shield Plus. I had to order it and wait to get it in my local store through this dealers internet site. They were supposed to email me when they got it in but never did. So, I called and was told they did have the gun so I went in to pick it up. I always I inspect my guns before I fill out the paper work. Thing is a forgot my reading glasses. Gun looked ok to me from what I could tell so I bought it. Got it home put on my glasses and found to what looks like, for a lack of a better term, ware or scuff next to the front sight. Looks like to me it's when they install the front site. It also had a slight scratch on the slide but with an oiled cloth I can make it blend in. I could live with all of that but this is where I have a problem. When I was in the store I looked at the magazines. The orange followers on BOTH magazines had a heavy shoot streak running down them. In the store without glasses they looked like some kind of ink design printed on them. It looks like someone took gun cleaner and heavily sprayed it down the barrel and soaked the gun causing it to drip down to the mags. Buy why both?

Let me state I have bought many guns in my time. Most of them came dirty and needed to be cleaned. Let me also say this store I bought from has firing ranging in all their stores. Makes me wonder. Did this come from the factory this way or did I just buy a renter? Bate and switch? Funny thing is the day after I picked up the gun I got their email telling me the gun was in? I called (it takes many, many calls before someone answers the phone) and said I got your email just to see if another gun came in. They said they found no gun in my name.

SO I called the main number this time. They told me basically to pound salt. If you have a problem, talk to Smith and Wesson. They had no want to hear my story. When I asked them to speak to a supervisor, they told me supervisors don't get on the phone with customers! I was talking to their main office in Columbia, SC. I called S&W direct and told me a gun like that would never pass their QC. I'm reading very similar stories just like what I have been talking about on the BBB. There are 488 complaints with mine yet to be written. Can we all be wrong? I bought my gun at their Greenville location. Of course I don't recommend their stores. Here's a link - an interesting read-

//https://www.bbb.org/us/sc/columbia/profile/gun-dealers/palmetto-state-armory-0663-34084856/complaints

 

[hardluk1]

Well it would seem you bought a USED handgun and since you did not have your "reading " glass alone for your detailed close inspection your now po'd !!

Did it come from S&W that way . Well the dirty part , maybe as all new guns are test fired buy Doubtful they did the unknown damage as we see nooo photos but then you show no photos . Maybe a PSA sales person sold you a used handgun instead .

Bottom line is You could not see what you bought >

 

[Funflyer]

Sounds like someone needs to invest in more reading glasses than guns. Another lesson in what NOT to do when picking up a new firearm.

 

[The Mighty S&W]

I don't mean to be blunt about it, but there is no other way to say that it is the responsibility of the buyer to inspect their firearm before completing the purchase. I understand that you were unable to see small details due to not having your reading glasses with you, but it is not the responsibility of the retailer to ensure that you have your glasses. You told them everything looked to be in order, you filled out the 4473, you paid them, and you left. As far as the store is concerned, any damage on that firearm may have occurred after you took possession. After all, you inspected it before purchase. See what I mean?

And yes, I am sure Palmetto State Armory does have quite a few Better Business Bureau complaints. The sheer volume of sales that they handle almost ensures that. I suspect that a lot of their complaints come from people who have purchased their AR15 parts kits, and been unsatisfied when they were not able to assemble them without screwing something up, then got mad that the company wouldn't send them free parts to compensate for their mistakes. Also, I know of quite a few people who have been very unhappy with PSA's AK rifles, but guys who have been into AK's for any period of time will tell you that they are one example of a time when you don't want to "buy American".

I'm not trying to make excuses for Palmetto State Armory here, but just pointing out that they do a tremendous amount of business for such a relatively small operation. I live halfway across the country, and I've purchased two complete firearms, a rifle kit, a lower receiver, and several cases of ammunition from them over the years. They are almost always slow to ship and their customer service is terrible in my opinion, so they are one of those places that I tend to only buy from when their prices simply can't be ignored on something I want.

Ultimately, they may have sold you a used gun, but I can't imagine that they'd have done so intentionally just trying to get one over on you. Unless the pistol doesn't function as it should, I would chalk it up as having been a frustrating lesson and move on. If there are problems with function, I'd call Smith & Wesson back, and let their warranty people handle the issue. Try to enjoy your new gun.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I Unless the pistol doesn't function as it should, I would chalk it up as having been a frustrating lesson and move on. If there are problems with function, I'd call Smith & Wesson back, and let their warranty people handle the issue. Try to enjoy your new gun.

Words of wisdom right there.

I shop the Greenville PSA store regularly, and finding knowledgeable customer service is hit or miss, but they have enough counter staff employed there that taking your sweet time with a thorough pre-purchase inspection is never a problem.



Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

 

[sawman556]

The black streak on the mag follower is magic marker that is done at the factory for some reason. It will come off with some CLP or rubbing alcohol. Not sure why S&W does this, but they do. If you by new boxed mags they won't have this. One of my Plus's was heavily oiled and the other was dry as a whistle. You didn't post pics of the scratch and the sight mark so, I got nothing to add.

 

[Duckfood]

I think every new S&W firearm I have ever purchased had that black streak on the followers... It cleans up easily...

 

[emilprizefighter]

I totally agree. My fault. I have glasses in all my vehicles. I just cleaned the truck the night before and never put them back in. When I deal with my regular dealer and get something ordered in from another dealer he looks the gun over also. My mistake. The company I bought the gun from was fast to say it might have been a remanufactured gun from SW. SO? I bought the gun from you not direct from SW. Make it right. I have since got in touch with the CEO of the company. He wants all of the information and pictures of the situation. Will see what comes of it. I also let him know about his customer NO service. Thers not one person that I have talked to that didn't say the same.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Welcome to the forum!!

I see your 2nd & 3rd posts have to do with your problem with PSA. Over the years I have purchased quite a few firearms and components from them, albeit not from one of their retail locations. Never had a problem or question that wasn't dealt with. Your purchase is serialised: they should have records available. If their CEO is now involved you should probably expect some answer.

Be sure and let us know how that works out...?

 

[emilprizefighter]

Just got off the phone with the CEO. He explained to me that they have been growing so big and with Covid they have a hard time keeping up with customer service. They plan on hiring more people along with better training. (I guess nobody wants to work anymore) He said straight out they messed up. He don't know what happened with this gun but he is going to make it right. Just in case he's going to order Two guns and I can have my pick. Let me add he was very apologetic. I can't bitch about that. I'm good. Thanks to everyone on the forum. Sometimes tough love is a good thing Now where are my glasses??

 

[sawman556]

I'd like to see the pictures??????

 

[benf1]

Without pics it's hard to tell how bad the marks on the slide are. The mag followers on my Shield purchased several years ago (from PSA by the way) and my son's recently purchased MP 2.0 compact (not from PSA) all had what looked like someone marked them with a Sharpie, maybe as part of S&W's checklist before shipping? I also like new purchases to be pristine, and the customer service rep's responses do sound dismissive, but stuff happens and it sounds like the CEO is going above and beyond in his efforts to resolve the issue. Good luck, and enjoy shooting your new (whichever one it is) gun.

 

[Ranger17]

A decade ago I used to live near the main PSA location and frequented its range and store. Even then, like with any retail location, good staffing could be off or difficult to find. But generally I was taken care of as needed. I can only imagine now how hard hit a retailer like that has been when considering the high volume they continue to do mixed with 2 years of Covid and the trouble in finding good workers. That is an issue everywhere.
So glad to see the OP's concerns are being looked into and not just shrugged off.

 

[seldon14]

From initial description it sounds like there is probably nothing wrong with your gun. The guys you talked to on the phone probably should have been more patient with you though.

If I had a dollar for every complaint about "rust" or "dirt" in glock rails, "scratches/cracks" on the side of revolvers, "mismatched" FDE on the SCAR, "soot" on Smith followers, "somebody already shot this" on pretty much any gun ever, "it's missing a mag" on any gun that only comes with one, and plenty of other things that are not actually problems.

 

[wormraper]

lol, I'm gonna say it, but this just sounds like nitpicking for the most part.

scuff mark by the site? annoying, but understandable. sorry you missed that one.

the scratch? ok, a scratch.

the mags? you haven't picked up many s&W's before have you? They magic marker a line down the center of each mag after QC inspect. then they test fire the gun at the factory and it gets smudged. possibly a little oil got on them and they smudged more than usual. I doubt you got a used or re-manufactored gun. This is normal

 

[gwpercle]

Glad to hear your problem is getting resolved .
I learned a long time ago when an employee wasn't giving you the help you need ... just say those magic words ... "Let me speak to your boss !"
I've only had to go up the chain of command one or two people before reaching "the boss" ... And the Boss treats customers totally different than employee's do ...Usually !
Gary

 

[BigDog48]

As others have said the marks on the mag followers are on almost all S&W. They test fire them before they're packaged for sale.

After you get one and fire it some you'll see this marks show up again. It is especially noticeable on an orange follower.

On your other issues, PSA sounds like they're taking care of you. Glad to hear it; They are one of my favorite large dealers. I've never had an issue with them.

 

[shovelmike]

Working out OK

It looks like it's going to work out OK for you. Looks like the mark on the follower is a non-issue. The CEO is going the extra mile regarding the scuff on the slide. I bought a Canik TP9 Elite SC during the worst of the gun shortage, and in my haste, failed to notice a spot where the blackout finish didn't get applied. A failure on my part...the gun shoots great...as a carry gun I expect holster wear with time.

 

[emilprizefighter]

As I said, totally the blame falls on me. The CEO is making it right. I am 66 years old and have been buying guns since I was 21. I'm not posting pictures because I think that would only exacerbate the situation. Why do that? I'm being taken care of. I did send him the pictures and he agreed with my assessment. Case closed. Thanks all.

 

[skeezix]

Marks on orange magazine follower

I picked up my new M&P 9 Shield Plus yesterday and also noticed the marks on the orange followers. So, I put the magnifying glass to those marks. And guess what --

If you look closely, it says "SHIELD 9", and that black mark looks like Magic Marker.

I'm sure my gun was probably test fired at the factory -- there's a slight "scuff" mark on the feed ramp and a very light case head circle on the recoil shield, but the the bore is clean.