What is going on with S&W?????

I've had screws work loose on revolvers of any vintage and several manufacturers. S&W was putting a thick, orange locking substance on the yoke retention screw in the 90's. Seems like they don't use it anymore. Just put a dab of blue thread lock or clear nail polish on the threads and your problem is solved.

I've basically stopped using the modern version of Hoppes' No. 9, as it does not clean well compared to newer solvents.
Hoppes Elite/M-7 Pro work very well and do not harm modern gun finishes. Kano Kroil is great for getting lead out- it works under and big strips will just pop loose with a very tight patch.
 
It's no huge secret screws come loose. But, the fact it is happening on a brand new top tier gun within 250 rounds is ridiculous all other things considered.

You suggest I put blue loctite on the screw? I suggest s&w get their act together and put blue loctite on the screw. The person who mentioned red screw retainer material is spot on. It was used on my new pc 686+ , and is on all my other revolvers too.

Loose screws, as pointed out, are a simple fix. So why doesn't s&w just do it?

Out of everything I listed the majority discuss a loose screw? :confused:

Read the manual? Guess I should have. :rolleyes:
 
WATCHDOG said:
You mean those guys who've been making fine weapons for 160-plus years? Those folks who've given us the Model 3, the 27, the 28, the 29, and the 25? And all those semi-autos? Those revolvers called "Hand Ejectors"?

Are those guys the "idiots" you're talking about?
icon_rolleyes.gif
Just curious.
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Unless you have 75 to 180 year old employee's staffing S&W at this time, no, no they are not the same folk who produced the old classic S&W's. Management goals and employee skills and work ethics are not quite the same these days, toss in EPA rules and such into the mix and it's a wonder they can manufacture working firearms.
 
The last couple "J" Frames I worked on had the opposite problem, side plate screws so tight I had to exert a heck of a lot of pressure to break them loose to remove the cylinders. The 431PD i just worked on (to do an action job), showed me another screw slot size, so I needed to use another different bit for my screwdriver. I'm now up to about 6 different ones for various different vintage revolvers side plate screws.
 
cowboy4evr said:
Many companies / bussiness"s simply can't find enough people that can pass the drug test .
It's happening right here in " OUR " country . And it's not just the young people that can't pass !
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If the work that comes out of the factory appears to have been done by someone on drugs one has to wonder what difference it makes.

I know many that use drugs and do great work. I know many more who don't use drugs and couldn't assemble Legos.
 
Man, I thought only Glock owners were gun snobs.
There seems to be a few in this thread.
I think a lot of people need to stop living in the past & realize there are QC issues at the factory & listen to people who speak of the QC problems.
I recently had one with A S&W Shield Performance Center.
 
Jim L said:
Man, I thought only Glock owners were gun snobs.
There seems to be a few in this thread.
I think a lot of people need to stop living in the past & realize there are QC issues at the factory & listen to people who speak of the QC problems.
I recently had one with A S&W Shield Performance Center.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure anyone is denying there are quality issues, but there are a few things to remember. Some user issues are just that - user issues. Some "quality" issues are minor but having mole made of them (think a certain barrel screw here). Also, there's the propensity of the internet for people to join every group they can just to complain about a problem (real or imagined) then never post again. On the other hand, very few people post how great their Model XXXX is and how they are completely satisfied with it. Maybe someone should start a thread on that, because I've bought a few S&W's recently and have good things to say about them. :D Then there are the people who will complain about everything they can - period.

Be those reasons as they may, the bottom line is that S&W will fix any issue I've seen posted for free, in a relatively timely fashion.

BTW: I'm not just a S&W fan boy. I also love Sigs, some Colts and HK's. :p On the other hand, I'll never own a gun whose name sounds like someone throwing up in a wastepaper basket at a New Years Eve party.
 
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Tom S. said:
I'm not sure anyone is denying there are quality issues, but there are a few things to remember. Some user issues are just that - user issues. Some "quality" issues are minor but having mole made of them (think a certain barrel screw here). Also, there's the propensity of the internet for people to join every group they can just to complain about a problem (real or imagined) then never post again. On the other hand, very few people post how great their Model XXXX is and how they are completely satisfied with it. Maybe someone should start a thread on that, because I've bought a few S&W's recently and have good things to say about them. :D Then there are the people who will complain about everything they can - period.

Be those reasons as they may, the bottom line is that S&W will fix any issue I've seen posted for free, in a relatively timely fashion.

BTW: I'm not just a S&W fan boy. I also love Sigs, some Colts and HK's. :p On the other hand, I'll never own a gun whose name sounds like someone throwing up in a wastepaper basket at a New Years Eve party.
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I think the posters problem is more than a loose screw.
He even made another post and asked - you think this is just about a screw?
I think its more of a finish problem.
Because if we (as consumers) are going to settle on a $800 revolver with loose screws, than we mine as well start buying a $300 Taurus with loose screws. Because they (like S&W) will fix anything with there warranty department also.
 
BTW: I'm not just a S&W fan boy. I also love Sigs, some Colts and HK's. :p On the other hand, I'll never own a gun whose name sounds like someone throwing up in a wastepaper basket at a New Years Eve party.[/QUOTE]

Never is a very long time to not own a gun because of its name. Now being plastic is one thing but it's name? Wow
 
Sure S&W has quality problems. Read the other gun forums and the problem is located in all the other factories too. IMO it is a product of the times we live in. I have bought several new S&W revolvers in the last 15 years and never had a problem knock on wood. The only clocked barrel I have is a 586 no dash from the supposedly good old days. I adjusted the sights and have lived with it for 30 something years.
I like my S&W's but like the original poster if I spent big money and had trouble I would not be a happy camper and if it happened more than once much more so. I think a lot of todays quality problems are rooted in a decline of work ethic in some workers and management.
 
Jim L said:
I think the posters problem is more than a loose screw.
He even made another post and asked - you think this is just about a screw?
I think its more of a finish problem.
Because if we (as consumers) are going to settle on a $800 revolver with loose screws, than we mine as well start buying a $300 Taurus with loose screws. Because they (like S&W) will fix anything with there warranty department also.
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It's a finish problem, a barrel to cylinder gap problem, a possible excessive end shake problem, and after some reading appears my light strikes on the Remington SJHP ammo I zeroed my red dot in with may not be a bad batch of ammo, but possible a loose strain screw or other issue.

It's the 686+ revolver I paid 1k for last month that has a canted barrel and front sight installed completely out of whack.

It's the fact the same 686+ has a pin in the rebound slide that must have been put there by someone on auto pilot because it was graveyard shift.

The warranty is nice and all, but when I drop 1k and just over 1100 on two top tier guns I expect better.

I don't think I'm complaining too much, nor am I being unreasonable.

And.... the 627 V comp priced at over 1300.00 dollars is sitting at the LGS with a trigger so gritty it wouldn't surprise me if there is a piece of sandpaper in there.

Production guns I get it. Things happen. Top tier guns over and over..... unacceptable.
 
Sorry to sound like a broken record but I'll say it again. We keep buying and they keep pushing **** out the door as fast as they can. Why the hell should they tighten there Quality control when we keep spending our hard earned money on inferior guns and play the return label game. Spend a couple bucks more and buy old. GunBroker is your friend. The odds are below 50% you'll get a firearm you won't have to send back. Yes Ruger is playing the return lable game too as is most of the other firearm manufacturers today.
 
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I just spoke with S&W and the first thing out the guys mouth RE: the cylinder finish was the manual says not to use xxxx cleaner. He proceeded to say it's always been like that on scandium guns.

My response was it's not likely people will read a manual for a revolver when they've been buying, using, and servicing them for years. Further..... My 386 Night Guard has NO issues with Hoppes #9. NONE.

I went on to suggest that they put a big red info sheet in the box stating damage would occur if certain cleaners (that have been used for years, and still work on a lot of their new revolvers) may damage the finish. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to use common sense.

He really couldn't argue with that.

He was pretty surprised when I informed him of the trigger stop in the rebound slide, since there is one on the back of the trigger. It wasn't that both were there as much as it was the excuse the last guy gave as to why they were both there. Graveyard auto pilot.

As I was discussing the issues with him I took off my grips and sure enough the TRR8 had a loose strain screw.

The end result? Fed Ex labels. Again, while I'm glad the warranty and customer service is there, it only goes so far.

I have a message in with the supervisor so I can express my concerns with the quality control. Hopefully someone will listen if enough people let the right people know about some of these quality issues instead of just getting a label and accepting this as the new norm. *shrug*
 
On another note.... since the finish on the cylinder is ruined and I don't really want another of the same finish I'd like to polish it out. I'm thinking about having them bead blast it... even if it costs me.

I don't think I can obtain the bead blasted look with normal polishing techniques. Any input/suggestions on that?
 
Jim L said:
Because if we (as consumers) are going to settle on a $800 revolver with loose screws, than we mine as well start buying a $300 Taurus with loose screws. Because they (like S&W) will fix anything with there warranty department also.
Click to expand...

Good luck with that. A Google search on the term "Taurus service" will convince you otherwise. :cool:
 
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