Rust in new SW 432UC?

[Snub Nose Sasquatch]

This is a copy of the letter I mailed to Smith and Wesson along with the firearm:


11-05-2024


Dear Smith and Wesson Warranty Department:


I purchased a brand-new Smith and Wesson revolver from **** in ****, on November 1, 2024 (serial # ****). I have not yet fired this revolver. There are four known problems: (1) Rust: There is rust all over the ejector rod, inside the cylinder chambers, and under the extractor star. I removed as much as I could without taking apart the cylinder. (2) Scratches: There are multiple scratches on this revolver around the screws and on the cylinder. (3) Signs of prolonged use: The cylinder turn line indicates wear consistent with prolonged use. The wear line doesn’t appear normal for what would occur from just test firing a dozen rounds at the factory. (4) Dirty: The cylinder and barrel arrived in a condition that was noticeably dirty, beyond what would be expected from test firing. Revolver appears to have fired 100+ rounds.


I wanted to test fire it to see if the gun has light primer strikes, as is reported on the forums and YouTube, but decided to just send the revolver back to S&W because problems one through three are so severe and disappointing. The gun could, potentially, also have an issue of light primer strikes. Based on the current rust issue, who knows if there is rust inside the firearm under the grips or inside the guts. I never took it apart to find out.


I am uncertain if this revolver is truly new, as it shows signs of some extensive use, abuse, and neglect. If the revolver is new, it is disturbing how it could leave the Smith and Wesson factory covered in rust and numerous scratches all over it.


Besides this 432UC, I own one other Smith and Wesson firearm, a 637 j-frame which I carry, shoot, and enjoy a lot. When S&W and Lipsey’s launched the Ultimate Carry j-frame, I could not have been more excited about it. I want the S&W Ultimate Carry revolver and the .32 H&R Magnum cartridge to find success in the market. However, given the number of problems reported on the internet with the Ultimate Carry lineup, I’m deeply worried this won’t happen at all. Taking a chance, I ordered one anyway and received a S&W revolver in the worst possible condition. I would like to know what actions Smith & Wesson plans to take to fix/replace my 432UC and to restore customer trust and confidence.


Sincerely,


****

 

[Beju]

FWIW, my father got his 632UC back from S&W after about 3 weeks with a new night sight and yoke.

 

[Alk8944]

Your revolver has only one issue of concern and that is whatever the red on the extractor shaft is!

You say the gun was purchased new. Did the dealer have to go in the back room to get the gun, still in the box and wrapped in VPI paper, or was it on display in his gun counter? If it was on display that could account for everything you complain about as those guns are often handled multiple times before they are finally sold. Displayed guns are often bumped against others removing and replacing them in a display counter, as well as anyone asking to handle the gun will usually cock and even dry fire it several times. These things can account for all of the issues you are making such a big deal of except for whatever the red substance is. There is nothing to indicate the gun has been "used" except for the signs of factory test firing! Besides handling by customers the revolvers are functioned many times at the factory during the assembly and fitting process by the fitter and inspectors, as well as the shooter doing the test firing.

Your exaggeration of the "rust" is not helpful! You state that it is all through the cylinder but also state that you didn't dis-assemble the gun to clean it! Some of the areas you claim there there to be "rust" or whatever, could not be seen if you did not dis-assemble the cylinder and yoke!

I worked in the business for many years, as gunsmith and counter clerk for several gun shops. I copied your photos to my computer and blew them up as large as possible to look at the turn line and "numerous scratches" which are all extremely minor and can easily be explained as above. None of my comments are without sound basis in personal experience!

S&W undoubtedly has problems without question, especially with the Lipsey contracted 432UC model for some reason, but your exaggerations in the letter sent to S&W will not help the situation!

My bet is when you get the gun back in two months or more it will be exactly as it was except the red something will be gone! There will be no explanation for that or anything else given except they found no problem. There may even be more small marks on it from its time on the repairman's workbench!

 

[diyj98]

If it was on display that could account for everything you complain about as those guns are often handled multiple times before they are finally sold Displayed guns are often bumped against others removing and replacing them in a display counter, as well as anyone asking to handle the gun will usually cock and even dry fire it several times.

I once heard a customer ask a gunshop owner if it was o.k. if he snapped a 642 he was looking at. The shop owner told him "Sure, that things probably been snapped 500 times already". They do tend to get played with.

 

[Snub Nose Sasquatch]

It was a firearm shipped directly from the distributor. It was not a gun in the case.

 

[offensive]

Sweaty hands handling guns on display will show rust. Who knows. If it came of easily. Keep it properly lubricated.

Mine. Saw the videos of light strikes. Put a $30 Apex kit in and went out and put 1k rounds through it over a weekend. no issues..

Waiting on my dies to show up so I can reload.

Great little j frame. You guys get bent on stuff very easily. Its a tool, not a show piece

 

[Snub Nose Sasquatch]

Great little j frame. You guys get bent on stuff very easily. Its a tool, not a show piece

You're right that the j-frame is a tool. And as a tool, it will get wear along the edges from being holstered/re-holstered, dropped, and tossed around a bit. I get that and accept that. But new handguns at $700+ should never arrive with scratches on the face plate or with rust.

 

[Ggunb]

Sweaty hands handling guns on display will show rust. Who knows. If it came of easily. Keep it properly lubricated.

Mine. Saw the videos of light strikes. Put a $30 Apex kit in and went out and put 1k rounds through it over a weekend. no issues..

Waiting on my dies to show up so I can reload.

Great little j frame. You guys get bent on stuff very easily. Its a tool, not a show piece

Imagine walking onto the snap on truck and paying $700 for an impact thats already scratched and rusty. Totally acceptable right?

 

[Snub Nose Sasquatch]

Imagine walking onto the snap on truck and paying $700 for an impact thats already scratched and rusty. Totally acceptable right?

I missed the scratches because my glasses were not on, the store wasn't bright inside, and the gun is black. For the extractor rod, I admit I did not see the rust because I didn't look at it from the side, only top down facing the chamber. I expected better from SW - and would not have imagined a firearm in this condition would have ever passed their QC, as that is their daily job.

 

[wrangler5]

I have a 442 that will show rust spots on the yoke overnight if I wear it IWB with a cover garment (that keeps the body heat and humidity in around the gun) unless at the end of the day I open the cylinder and wipe off the tiny beads of moisture between the frame and the yoke. I don't see rust spots anywhere else on the gun if I just wear it and take it off then put it on again the next day (IOW, treat it like I treat my Glocks), but the yoke will rust if I don't wipe it down every night after a day's carry.

I do not get rust anywhere on my all stainless 640 or alloy/stainless 638 and 632 no matter how I carry them, without any attention other than cleaning after (occasionally) shooting them.

 

[Ggunb]

I missed the scratches because my glasses were not on, the store wasn't bright inside, and the gun is black. For the extractor rod, I admit I did not see the rust because I didn't look at it from the side, only top down facing the chamber. I expected better from SW - and would not have imagined a firearm in this condition would have ever passed their QC, as that is their daily job.

I agree with you, and it's easy to overlook stuff at the time of purchase. A new gun should not be in that condition, even if it's just a "tool". Especially for the price they command.