Scratches on frame near lockup new gun

It would be great if those kinds of cosmetic issues never showed up. But, they are mas produced guns. Some people have a hard time accepting that they are designed and manufactured to be carried and shot, not displayed. I want my guns to look decent, but the truth is very very few people ever get to actually look at them
 
Those scratches are left over from the machining process when they cleaned up the raw forging. If the factory were to polish them out, it would require more time. That time would require additional man hours, which would equate to more $$$. Time is money, plain and simple. I would not worry about it.

Kevin
 
If you are talking about the lines that run across the frame on the bottom of the cylinder those are simply tool marks from manufacture. The cylinder window is finish-cut by a broach. As others have said that is cosmetic, the surfaces not needing a fine polish because they are not exposed when the gun is in firing condition are not finished!
 
Just from the photos
1. I would not have accepted that particular pistol. Those are not simple finish scratches, they are much deeper than that. Possibly from dull dull or chirping milling blades/grinds.

2. Look at the cut out from where the cylinder lock up slot, it also looks bad.

I'm not saying it wont shoot or is unsafe but it looks like trash.
If I posted that particular gun "for sale BNIB" some of you would be critiquing the crap out of it and probably make a lower offer.
This is a BNIB gun
My guess...a line assembler or QA inspector went into the "blems" bin and decided to use that frame because it was friday and they didn't get off their shift until their 100th gun was assembled.
 
I have to agree with those who said the marks are not scratches, just light machining marks left before the frame was anodized. Forget about them.
 
Hey Dustin I would take it back. Everyone saying no harm, if they saw it for sale they would want it below value or not at all. My opinion.
 
If your going to use it for a carry gun and firing it a lot that will wear the finish. That is exactly what it was designed for and the scratches are harmless. If you going to use it to show people and let them open the cylinder so they can admire its finish take it back. Some people have bright and shiny 4X4 trucks and ATVs that never leave the pavement, get splattered in mud, drove though spots where the brush drags down the sides. Some people have trucks with light scratches, replacement running board, a rack and a well used winch. The trailer brack controller is where the ashtray used to be and there is a set up for rifle muzzles screwed to the floor and the console has a flip up stock holders. Thats my truck. I actually use it as a 4X4. My Polaris Ranger is about the same. I don't take them to car show, I use them for camping, hunting and fishing. I ain't got much show, I got a big pile of lets go.
 
fatcat3 said:
NOT trying to be offensive. Truely that's not my intent.
"Tabletop" review videos have turned us into a bunch of nitpickers. Just like Go-Fund-Me has turned us into a nation for beggars. The blade on my $20 pocketknife isn't centered and it's not the latest greatest X super steel. The screws on my gun are not timed.
View attachment 759370 If someone wants hand fit, polished, custom work, they are not going to get it from assembly line product and expect to pay for it.
Just shoot the damn thing already :)
Click to expand...
Preach it. As the gun community has become younger, it has become just like the left-wing liberals socialist who complain about everything but do nothing. We have become our own worst enemies.
 
fatcat3 said:
NOT trying to be offensive. Truely that's not my intent.
"Tabletop" review videos have turned us into a bunch of nitpickers. Just like Go-Fund-Me has turned us into a nation for beggars. The blade on my $20 pocketknife isn't centered and it's not the latest greatest X super steel. The screws on my gun are not timed.
View attachment 759370 If someone wants hand fit, polished, custom work, they are not going to get it from assembly line product and expect to pay for it.
Just shoot the damn thing already :)
Click to expand...
In reality we should never condone or accept POOR quality control, never.
 
Alk8944 said:
If you are talking about the lines that run across the frame on the bottom of the cylinder those are simply tool marks from manufacture. The cylinder window is finish-cut by a broach. As others have said that is cosmetic, the surfaces not needing a fine polish because they are not exposed when the gun is in firing condition are not finished!
Click to expand...
To me it is unacceptable and shows a lack of pride in production of a product most of us take great pride in owning. :(
 
Dustin7743 said:
Brand new gun bought today curious about the scratches on the frame everything seems to function correctly I don’t notice rubbing
Click to expand...
I question the "brand new gun". The picture shows it to be 642-1, current production models are 642-2.
Could be new-old-stock (not previously owned or shot), or OP just means newly purchased?
Or is it a new No Internal Lock model and S&W assigns those 642-1?
 
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I wouldn't try to polish them out, you could go through the finish and then have other issues, real and cosmetic.

Lots of folks pay decent $$$ for pre 1980 smiths, but the QC on those wasn't that great either, with some failing to function out of the box and having many visible glitches that older models never had.

Remember, these are built to a price point. If they spent lots of manual labor on them they would start going up in price a LOT. Look at Pythons as an example, not the new ones.

If it's for EDC I'd say carry it, shoot it and take care of it. The marks won't get worse and it will have many more over time from holster or pocket carry.

JMHO.
 
Dustin7743 said:
View attachment 759205
Click to expand...
Personally I don’t think it anything to be concerned about but I’m a bit obsessive/compulsive and wouldn’t like it either. I bought a Ruger SP-101 327 Federal and only took it because I’d had the FFL special order it for me. It had machine marks on both sides of the frame and I couldn’t live with it so I took some “Mother’s Mag & Aluminum Polish” to it and after considerable effort and time it almost looks nickel plated and is a favorite revolver. Mothers is a very mild abrasive. Good Luck!
 
steelslaver said:
Some people have bright and shiny 4X4 trucks and ATVs that never leave the pavement, get splattered in mud, drove though spots where the brush drags down the sides. Some people have trucks with light scratches.
Click to expand...
We call it Arizona pin striping.😁
 

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Dustin7743 said:
View attachment 759205
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Can you check and see if anything else is rubbing? Like the cylinder against the frame? Maybe inserting a business card between the frame and cylinder and cycling it gently? If all clears proprely, you have only a cosmetic ...I won't say problem. My persional feeling is to shoot it and enjoy. Who besides you will know?
 
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