S&W Repair Questions

[white cloud]

I recently purchased a 640 Pro. I neglected to check the barrel/cylinder gap before purchasing the gun. The gun seems to spit lead and crud in larger quantities than any other revolver that I own. That said the gun is very accurate. The barrel/cylinder gap is .012. I called S&W and they will fix this problem. My question is how good is S&W repair and would you send it back?

 

[prairieviper]

No one hates sending a gun in for repair more than I do but I would send it back. I have always had a good experience with S&W customer service and repairs.

That said, it seems like there is an awful lot of brand new guns that has to be returned for repair these days. It's not only S&W either.

 

[Jimk45]

S&W Repair

I recently sent a 64-8 in for repair, it needed a new barrel insert. Smith paid shipping both ways and the whole process took about two weeks. It is now a very accurate revolver, the target was only 15 feet, That is a 50 round group.

 

[Old cop]

I only sent one new revolver back to S&W but they fixed it and had it back to me in 10 working days. That said when my department switched to the stainless revolvers in the late '70s about ten percent of the guns had to be returned b/c they could not be fixed by our own gunsmiths.

 

[white cloud]

Thanks, you all are making me feel better about sending the 640 back. It is a nicely finished revolver and I have always wanted a J Frame with decent sights. If I get the B/C gap issues solved, it will be a first class carry gun.

 

[scruffy]

I sent my newly purchased 642-1 Performance Center back to S&W on August 6th for a .012" barrel gap. Also asked them to check several other things that I felt were questionable. Still waiting to hear back.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

At 0.012''gap I don't think that you have any other choice.I consider half of that my personal max.But don't worry,S&W is very reliable.Better wait a little and have a gun that is shooting straight and safe.Send it to them.

 

[L-2]

I've used S&W repair service three times over the years.
-1st time with my used 66-2 which had excessive barrel/cylinder gap, causing failures-to-fire; there was a fee, but I don't recall how much it cost.
-2nd time was, again, the 66-2 for its firing pin breaking off. This time there was no charge. S&W also added that spring onto that pivoting external firing pin.
-3rd time was for a 442-1 which had a broken stud, needing the entire gun replaced. This did take 2-3 months. I always have spare guns or will buy another should I ever have to send a firearm away for repairs; no problems going without a particular firearm for awhile.

 

[white cloud]

I got the gun back from S&W. It took about four weeks. The notes said they replaced the barrel and yoke. It appears that they did a nice job. The trigger seems a lot better than it was before. I will try to get to the range and test it some.

 

[Old cop]

Back in the late '70s my department switched from our aging Model 15 to the new (then) stainless fixed sight .38 and about 20% that our range folks could not fix had to go back. S&W makes a good product but I don't think there's anything new here.

 

[.38SuperMan]

In the past year and a half I've sent in 4 revolvers with various issues. Only one was purchased new but that was 25 years ago. Only one repair of a 625-2 that I bought used wasnt covered under warranty. I had a second problem with the 625 that was totally unrelated and Smith covered shipping and the repair at no charge.

I purchased a new 2206 about the time they came out some 20+ years ago. It was always a problem and wound up in the safe for the last 20 years. I pulled it out a few months ago and shot some but still had the same old issues of FTF and FTE. I noticed the lifetime warranty sticker on the box and called Smith. They didn't even want to see a receipt of proof I was the original buyer. They sent a FedEx label and covered all costs. It was returned a couple of weeks later working perfectly with a new barrel.

My wife's 317 is coming back tomorrow. It started having a lockup issue an we sent it in three weeks ago. We bought it used but Smith covered it under wastes th including FedEx.

I'd say Smith is a great company with great service.

A little plug for Dillon precision too. They have comparable service. I called today asking about my Dillon scale that I bought thirty years ago. I was told it's covered under the no BS warranty and a new one is on the way at no charge.

 

[druryj]

My experiences with S&W customer service is the same as yours. They have repaired I think 3 of mine now at no charge to me, and 2 of the 3 were bought used. They stand by their products in this day and age when so many others don't. That's one big reason I don't hesitate to buy S&W guns, be they wheelies or semis.


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