Summer Shutdown!

[deltabowhunter]

So I decide to put a left handed safety in my brand new, fired less than 10 times, M&P15 this weekend. When installed it will not move. I take it out and try it a few more times same results. I try it in my other M&P15 and it fits like a glove. I put my original safety back in the first M&P15 and notice it has a bit of a catch in it when changing from fire to safety and back. It just isn't smooth at all. Well, I call S&W this morning already upset that I have to send a brand new gun to them for repair and learn that they are closed for their "summer shutdown" for the next 2 weeks. How does one of the biggest gun manufacturers in the nation shutdown manufacturing and customer service for two whole weeks? I can understand manufacturing maybe for equipment maintenance, but why customer service as well?

 

[GM4spd]

I remember S&W doing this since early 70s, Pete

 

[SmokeStack Lightning]

After building the most dependable, accurate, best warrantied firearms on the market today they probably deserve to take a powder.

All work and no play kinda sux, big time.

But, if I were in your shoes, I'd be disappointed too, but I'll bet you like and deserve your time off, too!

They are probably out at the range.

And you must not have seen anything obviously different in the selector switches between your rifles either, like a burr or something a little lube would cure?

 

[Plazzman]

They deserve the time off do to all the gun panic that has been going on for the past year. Probable working seven days a week for who knows how long just to keep up with the demand. I would want two weeks off too!!!!!!!!!

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I think that anyone who is a fanatic about S&W firearms by now knows about the last week of July-first two weeks of August shutdown and plans around it accordingly

 

[deltabowhunter]

I understand everyone needs time off. Let's just not let everybody off at the same time for 2 weeks. Many factories have had shutdowns where they used that time to retool and perform preventive maintenance. However, a complete shutdown is a thing of the past and is an old school business practice.

 

[Vinney47]

So I decide to put a left handed safety in my brand new, fired less than 10 times, M&P15 this weekend. When installed it will not move. I take it out and try it a few more times same results. I try it in my other M&P15 and it fits like a glove. I put my original safety back in the first M&P15 and notice it has a bit of a catch in it when changing from fire to safety and back. It just isn't smooth at all. Well, I call S&W this morning already upset that I have to send a brand new gun to them for repair and learn that they are closed for their "summer shutdown" for the next 2 weeks. How does one of the biggest gun manufacturers in the nation shutdown manufacturing and customer service for two whole weeks? I can understand manufacturing maybe for equipment maintenance, but why customer service as well?

Did the original safety lever work fine before you started tinkering with it? Sounds like you created the problem and are whining because someone isn't there to fix it for you right away.

 

[deltabowhunter]

Did the original safety lever work fine before you started tinkering with it? Sounds like you created the problem and are whining because someone isn't there to fix it for you right away.

No, the original had a studder in it before I started. I figured it was a S&W thing until I had another M&P15 in front of me that was smooth as butter. I tried the original safety, original safety from other M&P15, left handed safety intended for this M&P15, and the left handed safety out of the other M&P15. Both OEM safeties had the studder in them when cycling. Both left handed versions would not move at all. All 4 safeties functioned flawlessly in the 2nd M&P15.

 

[Ibmikey]

Lock up all the restricted goodies, call maintenance and refitting, send everyone off for a couple of weeks and then not worry about vacation for another year. I know S&w has done this since my first purchase in 1963, works for them.

 

[skipr77]

Having worked maintenance in a production facility where maintenance is constantly put off not to interrupt production. They maybe using this time to conduct maintenance or even retooling for a different production run.

 

[Denversteve]

Simply take it to local gunsmith or repair dude. It's a 5 minute repair at best.

 

[rojodiablo]

I understand everyone needs time off. Let's just not let everybody off at the same time for 2 weeks. Many factories have had shutdowns where they used that time to retool and perform preventive maintenance. However, a complete shutdown is a thing of the past and is an old school business practice.

I'll call the VP in the morning on Monday and tell him to change their 90 year old company policy for you. He'll get right on it.

 

[rojodiablo]

Simply take it to local gunsmith or repair dude. It's a 5 minute repair at best.

THIS.

Or, open it up, and see what the issue is, if there even is one. It's not rocket science, it's a rifle. A touch with some sandpaper, or a kiss with a file, and done.

OP, I have had several tight safeties on these rifles over the years. Try working the safety about a hundred times or so, to break it in. Some of them stick a touch. With the upper removed, you can look right in there, and see what is going on very easily.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Had to send my Ruger Mini-14 back to Ruger right before Christmas...only to find out they close between Christmas and New Years. How could they when I needed my rifle back ASAP!! What lousy customer service...........!!

Finally sold it and bought a M&P15 and now I find out S&W closes for a Summer Shutdown. What a fine howdy-do!

 

[rojodiablo]

Had to send my Ruger Mini-14 back to Ruger right before Christmas...only to find out they close between Christmas and New Years. How could they when I needed my rifle back ASAP!! What lousy customer service...........!!

Finally sold it and bought a M&P15 and now I find out S&W closes for a Summer Shutdown. What a fine howdy-do!

My recommendation: Do NOT buy a Ferrari. They close down for a MONTH in summer. Their race teams still work, but general production takes a nice summer break.

 

[Ibmikey]

Cancel my Ferrari order bub! I wonder if the safety worked properly before disassembly?

 

[SmokeStack Lightning]

Members of our Congress work (term used LOOSELY) 4-5 months out of 12, we pay them $173,000 per year, buy them and their families the best health insurance known to man for the rest of their lives and even they think they are entitled to time off.

Only in America!!! I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!!!

 

[Jdavis]

The two week hiatus isn't uncommon in the manufacturing sector. It serves two purposes. Employee vacations are taken care of at one time so vital employees will always be on the job. Need maintenance and equipment updates or changes can be accomplished without interruption of normal production. It is a necessary evil if you are a customer waiting for product but, isn't a problem for those who plan for it.

 

[the Ar-15 Junkie]

The two week hiatus isn't uncommon in the manufacturing sector. It serves two purposes. Employee vacations are taken care of at one time so vital employees will always be on the job. Need maintenance and equipment updates or changes can be accomplished without interruption of normal production. It is a necessary evil if you are a customer waiting for product but, isn't a problem for those who plan for it.

Good job, bumped a 6 year old thread!

 

[Alk8944]

How does one of the biggest gun manufacturers in the nation shutdown manufacturing and customer service for two whole weeks? I can understand manufacturing maybe for equipment maintenance, but why customer service as well?

You are obviously not aware that virtually ALL large manufacturing concerns traditionally shut down for 2 weeks during the summer. This is for equipment maintenance and re-tooling. It also allows all employees to go on vacation at the same time so that there are no issues with scheduling and production during the balance of the year. It used to be so ubiquitous (When cars were still manufactured in Michigan) that probably 1/2 the cars you would see in vacation destination states from out-of-state would be from Michigan! S&W traditionally shuts down the last 2 weeks of July.
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