Unbelievable quality control fail - 3 for 3

[Muffin Man]

I'm not sure what to make of this.

About 8 months ago, I purchased a new 629 competitor performance center. The dovetail front sight got loose after the first 50 rounds. Sent it in under warranty. Waited 8 weeks to get it back. They put the front sight on crooked. I sent it in again, and waited another 8 weeks. It seems like it's fixed now.

About 3 weeks ago, I purchased a new 627 2 5/8" barrel performance center. The dovetail front sight got loose after the first 50 rounds. I just received an email today saying they are sending it back to me. I found out they replaced the barrel and the crane. The customer service lady didn't know the details as to why that was done.

Two days ago, I purchased a new model 19 carry comp 2.5" barrel performance center. This time, the front sight is pinned, so I found solace in knowing the front sight should be fine. I went to the range just 30 minutes ago to shoot it for the first time. It wouldn't fire. I got 6 light primer strikes on tried and dependable ammo. Packed up, went home, and I'm now writing you all. I may call the local gun shop I purchased this from and see if I can return it or get store credit. I don't know if I want to deal with getting this gun fixed too. Any advice on my options?

What do you all think? My wife thinks I'm crazy for keep purchasing their guns. Is she right?

Edit: 1/29/2025. I received my 627 back today from having its front sight repaired. Front sight is straight, but now half of the rear sight has been severely bent out of shape. It looks like they dropped it on the rear sight if I had to guess.

Also, thank you for all the comments. I’m glad to have joined this forum.

 

[Com 45acp]

The S&W Performance Center is no longer in existence. It is simply a name added to specific inventory more or less a marketing item.
I will say it does sound strange to have this kind of luck with three separate purchases. S&W will make it right.
Welcome to the forum.

 

[toddimusnimski]

I'm not sure what to make of this.

About 8 months ago, I purchased a NEW 629 competitor performance center.

About 3 weeks ago, I purchased a NEW 627 2 5/8" barrel performance center.

Two days ago, I purchased a NEW model 19 carry comp 2.5" barrel performance center.

What do you all think? My wife thinks I'm crazy for keep purchasing their guns. Is she right?

I think I've found the PROBLEM! lol. Sorry you're having issues at every turn. From what I've been reading here their recent (and even not-so-recent) quality control has been, well, spotty. Keep holding their feet to the fire with your complaints and returns.

Crazy? Maybe just optimistic. But check out some of the earlier versions of those models and you might notice a difference.

Keep posting, and Welcome to the Forum!

Todd

 

[pantannojack]

Thanks for the heads up. I will not be buying any new equipment unless I can examine in good light prior to commitment.

No. I do not believe in fairy tales.

 

[smoothshooter]

I'm not sure what to make of this.

About 8 months ago, I purchased a new 629 competitor performance center. The dovetail front sight got loose after the first 50 rounds. Sent it in under warranty. Waited 8 weeks to get it back. They put the front sight on crooked. I sent it in again, and waited another 8 weeks. It seems like it's fixed now.

About 3 weeks ago, I purchased a new 627 2 5/8" barrel performance center. The dovetail front sight got loose after the first 50 rounds. I just received an email today saying they are sending it back to me. I found out they replaced the barrel and the crane. The customer service lady didn't know the details as to why that was done.

Two days ago, I purchased a new model 19 carry comp 2.5" barrel performance center. This time, the front sight is pinned, so I found solace in knowing the front sight should be fine. I went to the range just 30 minutes ago to shoot it for the first time. It wouldn't fire. I got 6 light primer strikes on tried and dependable ammo. Packed up, went home, and I'm now writing you all. I may call the local gun shop I purchased this from and see if I can return it or get store credit. I don't know if I want to deal with getting this gun fixed too. Any advice on my options?

What do you all think? My wife thinks I'm crazy for keep purchasing their guns. Is she right?

I’m with your wife on this one.
Taurus or Ruger gets my business nowadays when it comes to new revolvers.

 

[SLT223]

I looked at a new 3” Carry Comp a couple weeks ago. The cylinder face was all scratched up down to white steel and not concentrically from cylinder rotation. It looked like someone jammed a feeler gauge in between the forcing cone and cylinder at each chamber. Two distinct deep scratches at each. Then I looked at the face of the forcing cone, which appeared coarsely filed. I was shocked that was let out the door as a $1200 new firearm. I have guns five decades old with 3000+ rounds I put through them that look better. I have both new Mountain Guns on order and I’m holding my breath for now.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

What do you all think? My wife thinks I'm crazy for keep purchasing their guns. Is she right?

She is right.

I got a Kimber K6xs two inch .38 Special that has been exceptional for the pass year and is my EDC. Its POA / POI is perfect with 125 or 130 grain bullets.

I'm looking at Rugers and Colts more now too.

Good luck.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

... I have guns five decades old with 3000+ rounds I put through them that look better. I have both new Mountain Guns on order and I’m holding my breath for now.

My S&W revolvers except for two, date to the 1960s.

Good luck on the Mountain Guns. I like the 686 but I got a current production 686 Plus that has been exceptional.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I buy very few new firearms these days and a significant number of not new firearms. That is part of the reason.

 

[UncleEd]

So maybe it's time to admit S&W ain't it used to be though what used to be source for quality revolvers.

Buy other brands or maybe just accept revolvers are pretty much an afterthought for all makers in the U.S. and join the march to autos. Revolvers require a lot of fitting and the workforce skills don't exist any more. Autos are simply a less complicated design.

This from a lifelong proponent of the revolver.

 

[Breakaway500]

My last 3 new revolvers were Kimber, Colt and Ruger. Ill wait to see how the new hole-less S&W units are before trying a new ome.

 

[GnarlsR2]

I bought the much touted and raved about new Body Guard 2.0. Out of the box I was shocked at the poor design and quality control issues. My experience with S&W Customer Service was disgraceful for the legendary company. This was the first S&W firearm I’ve purchased and it will be the last. I’ve owned firearms since 1977, only Colt, Ruger, Charter Arms, and Sig Sauer. Women have an uncanny intuition about things that most men probably don’t understand. My lovely wife constantly fills in the blanks for me and I’m always blown away at how she can have a thought I should have had. When I ask her opinion, I listen very carefully.

 

[Baxter6551]

I sure have to agree with your wife and the others. I’ve not had the experience of having to send back a S&W other than my early 642 with cracked frame in 2021. It was a backup gun with low round count and no plus P ammo fired. I never noticed the crack and checked after reading about the problem here. Two months later I received a new 442 in its place (my choice I wanted black finish). Actually I had bought that 642 around 1995 and it was the last new S&W revolver I have purchased to this day.
I don’t handle new S&W revolvers when I am browsing gun stores - no interest. From what I read here if S&W had to rely on revolver sales to stay in business they would not have needed to move to Tenn, they could have just shut their doors.
As a public service announcement if you have an aluminum or non steel frame check the bottom of the frame under the barrel for a crack.

 

[Nomadmax]

Listen to your wife.

 

[Oldsalt66]

So maybe it's time to admit S&W ain't it used to be though what used to be source for quality revolvers.

Buy other brands or maybe just accept revolvers are pretty much an afterthought for all makers in the U.S. and join the march to autos. Revolvers require a lot of fitting and the workforce skills don't exist any more. Autos are simply a less complicated design.

This from a lifelong proponent of the revolver.

Amen.

Those who still believe that semi automatic pistols are more mechanically complex than revolvers have never removed a side plate.

 

[chief38]

I'm not sure what to make of this.

About 8 months ago, I purchased a new 629 competitor performance center. The dovetail front sight got loose after the first 50 rounds. Sent it in under warranty. Waited 8 weeks to get it back. They put the front sight on crooked. I sent it in again, and waited another 8 weeks. It seems like it's fixed now.

About 3 weeks ago, I purchased a new 627 2 5/8" barrel performance center. The dovetail front sight got loose after the first 50 rounds. I just received an email today saying they are sending it back to me. I found out they replaced the barrel and the crane. The customer service lady didn't know the details as to why that was done.

Two days ago, I purchased a new model 19 carry comp 2.5" barrel performance center. This time, the front sight is pinned, so I found solace in knowing the front sight should be fine. I went to the range just 30 minutes ago to shoot it for the first time. It wouldn't fire. I got 6 light primer strikes on tried and dependable ammo. Packed up, went home, and I'm now writing you all. I may call the local gun shop I purchased this from and see if I can return it or get store credit. I don't know if I want to deal with getting this gun fixed too. Any advice on my options?

What do you all think? My wife thinks I'm crazy for keep purchasing their guns. Is she right?

IMHO if wanting a S&W model - BUY VINTAGE! Your other great option (possibly better due to the aging of the vintage models now) is to cross the line and buy a Colt - they are now FANTASTIC! S&W has not produced quality revolvers in the last 30 years - at least IMO. I know of very few owners of modern S&W's that have NOT had to send their gun back in for repair at least once, sometimes 2 and 3 times. That is something we should NOT have to deal with! That is BS and if the Company was boycotted on a wholesale level, they would have 3 options..... get their stuff together and produce quality guns, or sell the company to someone who can! Of course the 3rd option would be to go out of business which none here would want, of course.

 

[Retired W4]

Amen.

Those who still believe that semi automatic pistols are more mechanically complex than revolvers have never removed a side plate.

Especially a Colt revolver.

Semi autos are complex once you go beyond field stripping. But then, I digress.

 

[chief38]

I only WISH the CEO of S&W would read the comments (over a year or so) on this and other Forums. When really bad reviews, negative comments, horror stories and reports come from S&W AFICIONADO's, S&W COLLECTORS & ENTHUSIASTS that has to mean SOMETHING!!!

I guess the bottom line is that either the CEO is just completely incompetent or is just too busy counting his year end bonuses.

 

[jem102]

I only own two IL S&W's. A 396 NG and a 66-8. Other than an up to date (meaning longer) firing pin for the 396 both have been champs right out of the box. Maybe both were Thursday morning guns after first break and the coffee was good and weekend plans not yet the priority of mind...

 

[Hawg Rider]

Most of my modest collection is comprised of vintage S&W revolvers (pre-1980) and they are simply fantastic! I do have a few newer pistols and revolvers (PC 627-5, 642-2, PC Shield Plus 9mm, M&P 10mm 2.0, and S&W1911) and haven't had any issues with any of them. My latest acquisition was a used 3" 686-6 Plus (2015) and it's an outstanding revolver. However, from reading Posts here on the Forum there definitely appears to be an issue with the quality of current production S&W handguns. Just look at the "S&W M&P Pistols" Forum and you'll see it's become a Bodyguard complaints department! I bought my 4.6" M&P 10mm 2.0 in 2022, and perhaps I'm fortunate that I haven't experienced any of the numerous problems described by other Forum members. Although I still consider myself a dyed-in-the-wool S&W guy, I'm afraid that any new revolver purchases will be from Colt or Taurus. My son attended the SHOT Show last week, and I'm waiting to talk with him about the new S&W revolvers. His gun shop sells a lot of S&Ws so I'd like to hear what he thinks about the quality of these new releases vs. Colt and other manufacturers. Sorry to hear about all of the issues you've experienced Muffin Man, but keep hammering S&W's Customer Service Dept. until you're happy. Good luck.