S&W Quality Control?

[sniper]

There are several Smith & Wesson handguns I am really interested in, despite the stratospheric pricing. I read reviews on YouTube, some from otherwise seemingly competent and reliable posters complaining about improper quality control. It seems to be more than the normal background noise of people suffering from Buyer's Remorse, but there is so much negativity. I am wondering if members of the community can confirm or refute the complaints?

 

[bigggbbruce]

Like putting change in the candy machine. Might have to shake it to get what you want.

 

[eveled]

In my recent experience 10% of new revolvers I bought were lacking. Phone call to S&W, drop off at Fed Ex, less than 2 weeks later they were returned to mt house, 100% AOK.

So I say buy with confidence.

 

[GnarlsR2]

There are several Smith & Wesson handguns I am really interested in, despite the stratospheric pricing. I read reviews on YouTube, some from otherwise seemingly competent and reliable posters complaining about improper quality control. It seems to be more than the normal background noise of people suffering from Buyer's Remorse, but there is so much negativity. I am wondering if members of the community can confirm or refute the complaint.

Geezzz.. There are 10s of thousands of posts here and other places on that subject.

Confirming or refuting the complaints is an ongoing topic that most likely has no end in sight.

Of the 4 firearms I’ve purchased over past 6-1/2 years, only one was an out-of-box failure…. My S&W BG2.0.

Although I really enjoy my BG2 as my pocket defense carry, the likelihood that I will buy another S&W firearm is probably zero.

In my worthless opinion, and based upon nearly 2 years of experience with it, the release of the Body Guard 2.0 by a legendary firearm manufacturer was a disappointing failure.

 

[gnappi]

I just bought a 629-9 Mountain Gun for just north of $1k.

A $1500 appliance made in China will last maybe three years and my 629 will last my heirs a century. Not a bad deal.

 

[stansdds]

My advice is to thoroughly inspect any new or used firearm made by any manufacturer before accepting it. They are man-made products and any of them can have defects.

 

[lunger]

Geezzz.. There are 10s of thousands of posts here and other places on that subject.

Confirming or refuting the complaints is an ongoing topic that most likely has no end in sight.

Of the 4 firearms I’ve purchased over past 6-1/2 years, only one was an out-of-box failure…. My S&W BG2.0.

Although I really enjoy my BG2 as my pocket defense carry, the likelihood that I will buy another S&W firearm is probably zero.

In my worthless opinion, and based upon nearly 2 years of experience with it, the release of the Body Guard 2.0 by a legendary firearm manufacturer was a disappointing failure.

There are many quality control complaints online about Smith and Wesson along with most others . I have complained myself. And yes they should do better .You hardly ever hear from the majority that receive good ones. My last 6 have been trouble free. Even though it should not be necessary my experience with customer service has been positive.

As to the Bodyguard 2.0 sorry for your problems . Mine had some minor issues as well . But I would not say the release was a disappointing failure.

S & W does not release sales numbers but it is probably their number one seller . I would bet it outsells all other 380's . Hardly a disappointing failure .

 

[oldrookey617]

I have purchased 3 new Smiths around 2022-2023, had to send the last one back to Smith twice, but all 3 are great revolvers now...

 

[GnarlsR2]

There are many quality control complaints online about Smith and Wesson along with most others . I have complained myself. And yes they should do better .You hardly ever hear from the majority that receive good ones. My last 6 have been trouble free. Even though it should not be necessary my experience with customer service has been positive.

As to the Bodyguard 2.0 sorry for your problems . Mine had some minor issues as well . But I would not say the release was a disappointing failure.

S & W does not release sales numbers but it is probably their number one seller . I would bet it outsells all other 380's . Hardly a disappointing failure .

"S & W does not release sales numbers but it is probably their number one seller . I would bet it outsells all other 380's . Hardly a disappointing failure."

The number of sales or popularity has zero to do with design failure.

The Ford Pinto was a massive success, right up to the time safety flaws in the gas tank design killed 27 people.

The Body Guard 2.0 is pocket defense carry firearm, NOT a Black & Decker drip coffee maker.

All design flaws and quality control issues should be corrected BEFORE a consumer ever touches one.

 

[Long2guns]

There are several Smith & Wesson handguns I am really interested in, despite the stratospheric pricing. I read reviews on YouTube, some from otherwise seemingly competent and reliable posters complaining about improper quality control. It seems to be more than the normal background noise of people suffering from Buyer's Remorse, but there is so much negativity. I am wondering if members of the community can confirm or refute the complaints?

From S&W, I own four revolvers, four semi autos, one semi auto rifle and one lever action; no issues with any. All new except one revolver was used, and still, no problems even with being pre-owned. I don’t know about the rest of the ‘net but I’ve had a great experience with Smith’s.

 

[quinine]

I've bought, I guess, about 7 new S&Ws over the past few years. One revolver worked fine but I had a gun smith improve the consistency of the pull between chambers. Another revolver had a slightly loose cylinder release latch screw and extractor rod - both were fixed with a little vigorous tightening. A third gun, an autoloader, had a front sight slightly off center - which I fixed with a sight mover. So, not perfect but not horrible.

 

[KenTheHunter]

Geezzz.. There are 10s of thousands of posts here and other places on that subject.

Confirming or refuting the complaints is an ongoing topic that most likely has no end in sight.

Of the 4 firearms I’ve purchased over past 6-1/2 years, only one was an out-of-box failure…. My S&W BG2.0.

Although I really enjoy my BG2 as my pocket defense carry, the likelihood that I will buy another S&W firearm is probably zero.

In my worthless opinion, and based upon nearly 2 years of experience with it, the release of the Body Guard 2.0 by a legendary firearm manufacturer was a disappointing failure.

And on the flip side my BG 2.0 has been nothing but reliable and accurate for the purpose. Not one problem with this gun.

 

[lunger]

"S & W does not release sales numbers but it is probably their number one seller . I would bet it outsells all other 380's . Hardly a disappointing failure."

The number of sales or popularity has zero to do with design failure.

The Ford Pinto was a massive success, right up to the time safety flaws in the gas tank design killed 27 people.

The Body Guard 2.0 is pocket defense carry firearm, NOT a Black & Decker drip coffee maker.

All design flaws and quality control issues should be corrected BEFORE a consumer ever touches one.

In a perfect world yes. Is there another manufacturer without any quality control issues? Glock 42's had issues when first released . Sig also. Taurus I won't get that started .

If the design was so flawed it will not continue to sell such as the Pinto you reference (My wife drove one of those when we first met) So sales numbers will show this.

I am unaware of any reports of any BG users being injured or killed unless they are on the wrong end.

Good thing about the time we live in is there are other choices. The LCP Max Magpul Edition looks promising. If enough people buy elsewhere and sales numbers drop maybe changes will be made.

I prefer Mr. Coffee .Black and Decker is a flawed design.

 

[kev74]

I'd love to see a couple of competent youtubers team up with a distributer and go through a pile of new S&W pistols and revolvers, assessing fit and finish.

 

[GnarlsR2]

In a perfect world yes. Is there another manufacturer without any quality control issues? Glock 42's had issues when first released . Sig also. Taurus I won't get that started .

If the design was so flawed it will not continue to sell such as the Pinto you reference (My wife drove one of those when we first met) So sales numbers will show this.

I am unaware of any reports of any BG users being injured or killed unless they are on the wrong end.

Good thing about the time we live in is there are other choices. The LCP Max Magpul Edition looks promising. If enough people buy elsewhere and sales numbers drop maybe changes will be made.

I prefer Mr. Coffee .Black and Decker is a flawed design.

Hello lunger,

"I prefer Mr. Coffee .Black and Decker is a flawed design."

LOL… yes our Mr. Coffee drip coffee maker lasted about 10 years.

It had all the nice features… it beeped when the coffee for finished brewing. It beeped after 2 hours and shuts off.

We bought a Black & Decker, and I don’t remember why we didn’t buy another Mr. Coffee??

It doesn’t beep when it’s finished brewing and doesn’t beep at 2 hours, but it does shut off.

We don’t drink coffee after it's been in the carafe for 1 hour so, we turn it off after we pour our last 2nd cup

 

[wproct]

My advice is to thoroughly inspect any new or used firearm made by any manufacturer before accepting it. They are man-made products and any of them can have defects.

This pretty well sums it up. I already own every Smith & Wesson revolver that I will need and they all happen to be pre 2000 models, but if I wanted another and it had to be a newer model, I would only buy it where I could handle it and give it a good once over, and following this procedure I'm sure I could find a new model that would make me happy.

 

[GnarlsR2]

Our next range day is August 8. There will be 6 to 8 of us.
After our 1 hour of lane time, we meet for a nice casual lunch.
I will bring up the topic with my range buddies and get some feedback on the subject of reliability with their defense carries.

Although since my purchase, August 2024, my BG2 has had zero failure to fire after just over 600 rounds of 12 different ammo types.
However, I am concerned about the reliability due to my striker drag. See photo.

It is known that striker drag can cause premature firing pin and striker assembly failure.

I am aware that the early release of the Sig P365 had a striker drag issue and Sig quickly released a Replacement Striker Kit which solved the problem.

Is anyone experiencing striker drag on their BG2?