S&W made a believer out of me, about thier lack ofquality control!!!

[StatesRightist]

I recently bought a new 3" 686 that would hang up once in a while, sent it back, it got fixed, no further issues. It happens, you send it in, if it's new S&W gives it express service, they send Fed Ex out to pick it up etc. It's not the end of the world, no tears needed.

No company is perfect.

 

[bpeddicord]

Currently I own 30 S&W revolvers. Very few of them are older guns. Most have been manufactured in the past 10 years or so. Many have the dreadful lock. I would carry any of them as a defensive gun. I've only had one issue with a fairly new gun. I bought a new model 64 with the two piece barrel and the lock. It continually would misfire on at least one round every cylinder full. I took out the lock, put in a new extended Brownell's firing pin and since then, I have put about 5000 rounds through it with no more mishaps. I can't say the same for some of the other gun manufacturers' revolvers. One certain brand is so bad that I wouldn't take one if it was given to me. I owned 4 and broke all 4 in less than 50 rounds. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I have never bought a new S&W revolver that was bad.

 

[Nlmadog]

Well I have to jump in too !!! I have 29-2/25-5/27-2 and a 559. I say that because I am a steel and wood guy. I think the new S & W's are fantastic,I want a new 1911 SE , friends have had great shooting with theirs. S & W is an iconic brand for a reason. Roll Royces come with warranties too!!! Love your guns who knows what the future will bring !

 

[shawn mccarver]

I think there is a pretty big pattern of evidence posted here with in the last few years. It's not like this was an isolated incident.

On the other hand, we tend to hear from the people who have had a bad experience, while the people who have no complaints rarely post a good review. Plus, the "all access" nature of the internet allows all of us to hear about all complaints, whereas such was just not available widely before the internet. I remember in the 80s when I had to send guns back before ever even putting them out for sale because of issues like failure to carry up, triggers that would not return forward because the hand would bind against the ratchets of the extractor star, and other stuff that was hard to imagine how it made it past quality control. I do not really believe the incidence of problems is any greater now. I think we just hear about it more.

 

[GetSmith]

if the grips were taken off the 629 and the strain screw tightened...i suspect that one would not even be here on the board

That would require some knowledge of that to which you speak.

Oops!! I posted again!

I sorry to have bothered this illustrious forum full of knowledge. Obviously I'm new to guns and not worthy of your time.

To those of that that offered help it was appreaciated. My brother will probably let a local smith look at the revolvers, hopefully its a quick, cheap fix.

I will give smith another shot but am done with this forum. I frequent other sites that aren't full of gun snobs. Sorry to waste your time with my accusations about S&W. Obviously my brothers $2000 in revolvers aren't working due to operator error.
I wont bother to post back, don't see the need.

 

[StatesRightist]

I sorry to have bothered this illustrious forum full of knowledge. Obviously I'm new to guns and not worthy of your time.

To those of that that offered help it was appreaciated. My brother will probably let a local smith look at the revolvers, hopefully its a quick, cheap fix.

I will give smith another shot but am done with this forum. I frequent other sites that aren't full of gun snobs. Sorry to waste your time with my accusations about S&W. Obviously my brothers $2000 in revolvers aren't working due to operator error.
I wont bother to post back, don't see the need.

The guns are under warranty, taking them to a local gunsmith is not the brightest idea, it will void the warranty. Call S&W, let them fix it and let it go. If you are really that freaked, sell them after you have them repaired.

For what it's worth, you are taking this way too personally. You are the victim of people whining all the time on here over a small percentage of issues. No one's doubting your tale, just your conclusion. It's a frequent argument on here about whether S&W quality is down, you unknowingly walked into a mine field.

 

[vytoland]

i get ALL my S&W revolvers older and used.............i like everyone of them...

 

[jaymoore]

I sorry to have bothered this illustrious forum full of knowledge. Obviously I'm new to guns and not worthy of your time.

To those of that that offered help it was appreaciated. My brother will probably let a local smith look at the revolvers, hopefully its a quick, cheap fix.

I will give smith another shot but am done with this forum. I frequent other sites that aren't full of gun snobs. Sorry to waste your time with my accusations about S&W. Obviously my brothers $2000 in revolvers aren't working due to operator error.
I wont bother to post back, don't see the need.

Well, that speaks volumes about this fellow's and probably his brother's view on things. Most of the folk on this thread seem to have been on his side, and he focuses in on the few that might not see the situation quite the same given the small amount of info available.

Very sad. And $2000? good grief. That doesn't even cover some folks' ammo costs per year...

 

[Delos]

In the past 6 months I've bought a 686+, two M&P .40, M&P 22, and have a Shield on order. I've read the bashing about the lack of quality control coming out of the S&W factory within recent years and have read the opinions to only buy used, older model S&W revolvers. I didn't believe it myself until tonight.

I was at the range with my brother tonight. He was shooting his PC 629 and a model 60. Both guns malfunctioned. Both of these revolvers were bought new within the past year and have less than 100 rounds through them.

The model 60 has an intermittent hammer lock issue. Only when loaded when you pull the hammer back it will get stuck before it locks. I had to use both thumbs to lock the hammer. When pulling the trigger in double action it must be a 30 lb trigger pull. I could not pull the trigger with my index finger, again I had to use two fingers to pull the trigger. On a few occasions with many pulls a few rounds did fire but more than 90% of the time I would have considered it a failure in a self defense situation.

The pricey PC 629 had 90% light primer strike rate. We used 2 different ammo types, Magtech and Hornady. I one occasion he loaded it and ran a rapid fire double action drill, only 1 of 6 rounds fired. All were light primer strikes. This was with two seperate boxes of different ammo. The range closed up before we had a chance to try the ammo in another gun. Our next step was going to be renting a 44 mag and trying the ammo in the rental gun. We will follow up on that next week but it looks like the gun is giving light primer strikes.

I don't know what to say. We are both heavily invested in S&W from a financial and self defense aspect. Our confidence has been shot. I realize any mechanical device can fail but his only 2 revolvers at over $2000 have failed. Sure he can send them to S&W and only be left with his Berreta 9mm. Not good. IF I buy another revolver I think I'll be in the market for an older model. Back when S&W did it right. What say you.

Sounds like you got a little gravel or sticks in it over the last year. I am a little concerned about rapid firing a revolver that only fired once in six hammer strikes. Light imprints on primer indicates time to get off the range and check it out.
You do not want to void your warranty so do i right and send it back. If it was me I would remove the grips and side plate and clean out the garbage causing your 30 pound trigger pull. But you would need supervision because the hammer block easily falls out and anyone familiar with them can show you how easy it is to drop it back in the groove. I have not had any new ones apart so can only say that you should find a gunsmith that will show you how easy it is to take off the side plate, loosen the hammer spring (if it's a leaf spring) and watch it work as you pull trigger and lower hammer. A little oil can work out dirt without getting over your head trying to remove any parts. I love smith&wesson because they are so easy to diagnose or clean. But watch someone else who knows how do it first on his own revolver.

 

[Delos]

You also stated
"Only when loaded when you pull the hammer back it will get stuck before it locks. I had to use both thumbs to lock the hammer"

As one person said before that can be a high primer or dirt under extractor. It can also be thick rims on the shells perhaps. It can also be that your cylinder is a poor fit. But if it was working well on any previous occasion it is not the cylinder head spacing.

I have only had that problem twice. Once is was a new colt detective special, and I did not know enough about the issue to try other ammunition. The second time it was range reloads with a large bur under the lip of one shell.

Once I had cheap foreign made shells and one had a shell casing about one eight inch longer than others. I did not try it in my pistol but it probably would have jammed it up.

Hang in there and it will all make sense. Like your first bicycle and having a loose chain. Really simple after someone shows you the cure.

 

[jaymoore]

The guns are under warranty, taking them to a local gunsmith is not the brightest idea, it will void the warranty. Call S&W, let them fix it and let it go. If you are really that freaked, sell them after you have them repaired.

Not even his revolvers! Second hand griper, he is.

For what it's worth, you are taking this way too personally. You are the victim of people whining all the time on here over a small percentage of issues. No one's doubting your tale, just your conclusion. It's a frequent argument on here about whether S&W quality is down, you unknowingly walked into a mine field.

In actual fact in his initial post he laid the groundwork for just this sort of ...stuff, shall we say? Knowing full well the pile-on likely to ensue. I used to wonder if the "troll" thing was a myth, but my usual site (military surplus forum from Canada) must be unusually polite. It's only recently that the horizons have been broadened. Too many folk seem "entitled" or, conversely, just looking to "stir the puddin'". I don't mind reasoned arguments, but there's not much of that in the internet world, it seems.

I'm taking him at his word that he won't be back to this forum, BTW...Not that my comments or suggestions would in any way be different!

 

[TheMystro]

Older guns are NOT more reliable if putting them on a level playing field with todays guns. There is a very simple reason that explanes why older guns may seem more reliable........Older guns have had enough time to be fixed by now. Most gun defects show up right away so it stands to reason that these older guns have had enough time for their problems to surface and be addressed. Newer guns don't have this factored in yet.

 

[Cruiser RN]

I can understand this reaction because in my postings of the 640 Barrel launchers there was a forum member who esssentially called me a liar.Many of my friends here came to my defense and I realized that I am not going to go because of the accusations of one person.There are alot of good people here so try to let it roll off your back.It is hard for some who never had a problem to understand your fustration but from a member who had lightning strike 3 times I feel your fustration because I've been there and done that again and again.Call S+W, get a shipping label and have them resolve the issue because if someone else works on the gun your warrantee may be voided.JMHO......Mike

I sorry to have bothered this illustrious forum full of knowledge. Obviously I'm new to guns and not worthy of your time.

To those of that that offered help it was appreaciated. My brother will probably let a local smith look at the revolvers, hopefully its a quick, cheap fix.

I will give smith another shot but am done with this forum. I frequent other sites that aren't full of gun snobs. Sorry to waste your time with my accusations about S&W. Obviously my brothers $2000 in revolvers aren't working due to operator error.
I wont bother to post back, don't see the need.

 

[ladder13]

The only thing out of control has been S&W's stock price.

 

[VaRecon]

I can understand your disappointment. I would certainly be upset.
I have owned both new and old S&W revolvers.
Never had a failure I could blame on the gun.
Send them back, if they don't fix it that is when I would be upset.

 

[big_gus]

Sorry to hear the OPs problems, but cant say it surprises me. I had a huge problem with one of the last new 2.5 inch 66s ever made, it broke 3 times, same part every time within 10 to 25 pulls of the trigger each time. I took it to a semi-retired Master Gunsmith who still builds a couple custom guns a year. He went through it and said it was a piece of trash and should be disgarded. He give me the lowdown on the "New Smiths" and strongly advised me to buy the older ones which he loves also.

 

[RGMoore]

I sorry to have bothered this illustrious forum full of knowledge. Obviously I'm new to guns and not worthy of your time.

To those of that that offered help it was appreaciated. My brother will probably let a local smith look at the revolvers, hopefully its a quick, cheap fix.

I will give smith another shot but am done with this forum. I frequent other sites that aren't full of gun snobs. Sorry to waste your time with my accusations about S&W. Obviously my brothers $2000 in revolvers aren't working due to operator error.
I wont bother to post back, don't see the need.

Read the title of this thread. This guy is just spoiling for a fight and gets his panties in a bunch when he is called out. Instead of asking for advice/input he is making an accusation. If I had a similar issue (after 50 years of gun ownership, I might add) I would be posting "What am I doing wrong?" Not "S&W sucks"
I had a problem with a recent S&W purchase. They replaced the revolver and I am satisfied. What's the problem?

 

[Delos]

At first I did ponder that he allegedly rapid fired a revolver with a 30 pound trigger pull using two fingers on trigger - that did not fire most of the time. And his claming that so many new guns had problems at the same time.

I have never seen any new Smith&Wesson revolver have any trouble at any range or informal firing session - that was the fault of the pistol. And I do not know anyone who has seen several new handguns fail the same day.

Oh, wait. I do recall one large and loud young man that was going to show us all how to shoot when we got to the range. Once there, his new Smith and Wesson 357, loaded with target 38 special wadcutters - could not hit any part of a silhouette target at 15 yards. It took him and the instructor over half an hour to train that gun how to hit anything. Once the gun was properly trained it was a real shooter. (The instructor was a gun-whisperer?)

(If that instructor would have gone to the bathroom or something for a few minutes I bet I could have bought that beautiful pistol for half price)

 

[66er]

I will start by saying that im a proud parent of 60+ smith revolvers and shoot local matches with a m&p9! I also own a retail shop that looks like a smith and wesson sponsored show room (no thanks for free advertising pieces from them). Love the guns and the company, but i recently hashed it out over a brand new model 60 5" adj gun that my customer waited 3 months to get. When the gun came in the rear sight cut was centered at the rear and completely ran off the front rt side of the frame on the front corner!!! I was not impressed in the least as i make my living bragging up their quality and service to find out both of my opinions was way off coarse! I called to see about getting a diff gun and was told ceo had to sign off on new gun swap and turn around was aprox 5 months? At least the girl was kind enough to ask me to pay to ship the gun in on my dime and they could look at fixing it??? I had to explain that the frame was shot! Long story short my wholesaler hooked me up with overnite gun and fixed my delema. Just my lil story. In short i still sell aprox 60 percent smith products from my shop, as its what i choose to still believe in.

 

[ladyT]

I sorry to have bothered this illustrious forum full of knowledge. Obviously I'm new to guns and not worthy of your time.

To those of that that offered help it was appreaciated. My brother will probably let a local smith look at the revolvers, hopefully its a quick, cheap fix.

I will give smith another shot but am done with this forum. I frequent other sites that aren't full of gun snobs. Sorry to waste your time with my accusations about S&W. Obviously my brothers $2000 in revolvers aren't working due to operator error.
I wont bother to post back, don't see the need.

Operator error is usually the case and please dont ask how I know. Just dont want to relive my embrassment again. Now before you go I'll offer $10 for each of those low quality non functioning guns if you pay shipping and insurance.

 

[The Tourist]

I feel your pain, I just don't know what to do about this. All manufactured items have variances and flaws. But if you think times are tough now, you should have purchased Smiths during the Bangor Punta era. Yikes, it was like the Harley AMF 'bowling ball' era.

My recent Bodyguard .380 had issues. It had to go back to the factory. While within spec, my magazine release button was still a tad touchy. However, my recent 642 and 360PD were/are flawless.

My recent high end knives? Well, let's just say there are also "issues." I think Q/C is slipping for all manaufacturers. Look at it this way, imagine if we all liked ocean going cigarette boats with this failure rate.

More than 10% of us here on the forum would have already drowned. So I guess it could be worse.

 

[ladder13]

On the other hand, we tend to hear from the people who have had a bad experience, while the people who have no complaints rarely post a good review. Plus, the "all access" nature of the internet allows all of us to hear about all complaints, whereas such was just not available widely before the internet. I remember in the 80s when I had to send guns back before ever even putting them out for sale because of issues like failure to carry up, triggers that would not return forward because the hand would bind against the ratchets of the extractor star, and other stuff that was hard to imagine how it made it past quality control. I do not really believe the incidence of problems is any greater now. I think we just hear about it more.

+1 ...........

 

[The Tourist]

But we should be hearing about this. Changes in tooling cost money, and a manufacturer doesn't want to wear out or modify existing conditions.

In the mid 1970s Ford Pintos were catching fire and killing people. It darn near took an act of Congress to fix the issue.

Do you really want to be holding a firearm that fails?

 

[TheMystro]

We are much more of a litigious culture today and we ever were 20 years ago. Almost to a fault we will avoid manufacturing any dangerous product. A catastrophic firearm failure is very very unlikely to happen for this reason.

Do you really want to be holding a firearm that fails?

 

[Arik]

Sorry bout your problems but i said it before and ill say it again. Problems have always existed and will continue (impossible to make everything perfect all the time) but back in the day there was no internet to complain on.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[mag318]

In my experience which started in the 60s Smith & Wesson has always been a great company. I have bought so many of their guns I've lost count over the decades. And while the quality of their firearms has lessened over that time span I've only had to return 2 for service, both later guns. (An M&P45c and an M&P15-22). They have always stood by their products and their customer service is second to none. They truly bend over backwards to take care of servicemen and police officers. And since retiring to civilian life their level of customer service has continued. Because of the way I have been treated by S&W over the decades I will remain a loyal customer. The company has changed hands a few times over my lifetime but I think the heart of the company remains the same. And although times have changed in the manufacturing world S&W continues to delight me with new and innovative products.

 

[ozo]

It's always frustrating....
anything that should be working....
but malfunctions.

I can add my experiences, but it appears
enough has been said for one thread.

Did we fix a problem?
Are any of us enlightened by this thread?
Have we learned anything?
Was the time given by us all a waste
or was/is it useful?
Jus sayin'......not a judgement.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

i get ALL my S&W revolvers older and used................

....and all of your wimmen young and fresh....

 

[slabside2]

It's always frustrating....
anything that should be working....
but malfunctions.

I can add my experiences, but it appears
enough has been said for one thread.

Did we fix a problem?
Are any of us enlightened by this thread?
Have we learned anything?
Was the time given by us all a waste
or was/is it useful?

Jus sayin'......not a judgement.

No! I say keep it going maybe one of those money making morons pushing them out the door as fast as they can may read it. Or maybe we stop and let it get even worst. If that's even possible.

 

[StatesRightist]

Are older guns, better made....YES. Does that mean a newer one that serves a purpose an older one can't is a piece of junk that should not be bought, NO.