I just had a rather big disappointment involving a S&W repair. Although there is probably nothing that can be done to correct this situation, I just want to see if anyone else has had the same experience and perhaps I just want to vent. This is the 2nd experience that I've had with a S&W repair.
Last year I acquired a model 34-1 revolver manufactured in the 1970's that was described as new, in it's original serial numbered box, with original packaging materials (tools, paperwork, etc.). Like most people, I'm skeptical of claims of "new" and "never fired except factory test firing" because those claims can't be proven or verified. However, after receiving and examining this gun I began to believe that this gun had not been used or even handled since leaving the factory about 1977. The cylinder had no turn ring and all the tools and paper work appeared to be unhandled. It was like it had been in a time capsule.
However, upon opening and closing the cylinder I noticed that the cylinder was stiff or binding when closing and the thumb latch was stiff and scratchy. I cleaned and oiled the gun and continued to work the thumb latch and cylinder. The thumb latch began to move smoothly and normally and the cylinder improved greatly but not 100 percent. I attributed this stiffness to the gun not being used for many years and possibly the factory lubrication drying up. I then shot about 200 rounds through the gun to see how the gun worked and to see if the last tiny bit of stiffness in the cylinder would go away completely. It didn't. I seriously considered allowing the gun to remain in this condition but eventually decided to send it to S&W for evaluation and repair. S&W sent a shipping label with packing instructions that stated that the gun should be securely sent back in it's original box via Federal Express. Per the instructions I packed the gun in it's original box (without the tools and paperwork) and wrapped the original box in many layers of bubble wrap then securely packed the bubble wrapped contents into a larger box and shipped it via Federal Express. That was mid January and I received the repaired gun back yesterday. It took about 6 weeks which I feel is very reasonable especially since they didn't charge me for the repair. This surprised me because I'm not the original owner but it was probably a very minor repair or adjustment. However, the disappointing ending to this story is the gun was returned in a plain cardboard box rather than the original box. The original box with matching serial number is missing without explaination. I would think that the gunsmiths and others who process these repairs would know the importance of an original box and take care not to lose or damage it. I have since sent an e mail to S&W expressing my concern and disappointment but I don't expect to get the box back. As I said at the beginning, I just want to pass this experience on to others who may be interested. Thanks for reading.
S.K.
Last year I acquired a model 34-1 revolver manufactured in the 1970's that was described as new, in it's original serial numbered box, with original packaging materials (tools, paperwork, etc.). Like most people, I'm skeptical of claims of "new" and "never fired except factory test firing" because those claims can't be proven or verified. However, after receiving and examining this gun I began to believe that this gun had not been used or even handled since leaving the factory about 1977. The cylinder had no turn ring and all the tools and paper work appeared to be unhandled. It was like it had been in a time capsule.
However, upon opening and closing the cylinder I noticed that the cylinder was stiff or binding when closing and the thumb latch was stiff and scratchy. I cleaned and oiled the gun and continued to work the thumb latch and cylinder. The thumb latch began to move smoothly and normally and the cylinder improved greatly but not 100 percent. I attributed this stiffness to the gun not being used for many years and possibly the factory lubrication drying up. I then shot about 200 rounds through the gun to see how the gun worked and to see if the last tiny bit of stiffness in the cylinder would go away completely. It didn't. I seriously considered allowing the gun to remain in this condition but eventually decided to send it to S&W for evaluation and repair. S&W sent a shipping label with packing instructions that stated that the gun should be securely sent back in it's original box via Federal Express. Per the instructions I packed the gun in it's original box (without the tools and paperwork) and wrapped the original box in many layers of bubble wrap then securely packed the bubble wrapped contents into a larger box and shipped it via Federal Express. That was mid January and I received the repaired gun back yesterday. It took about 6 weeks which I feel is very reasonable especially since they didn't charge me for the repair. This surprised me because I'm not the original owner but it was probably a very minor repair or adjustment. However, the disappointing ending to this story is the gun was returned in a plain cardboard box rather than the original box. The original box with matching serial number is missing without explaination. I would think that the gunsmiths and others who process these repairs would know the importance of an original box and take care not to lose or damage it. I have since sent an e mail to S&W expressing my concern and disappointment but I don't expect to get the box back. As I said at the beginning, I just want to pass this experience on to others who may be interested. Thanks for reading.
S.K.
