What to expect when I send my revolver for repair?

[maxxer2]

I had to send in my new 610-3 the 2nd day after I got it because I encountered so many light strikes. I used both 10mm and 40s&w and with 3 brands (Magtech and S&B for 10mm and Federal for 40s&w), I got about 15 light strikes for 10mm for 100 rounds and about 3-5 light striks for 40s&w.
I took out the grip and the strain screw is NOT loose so not an easy fix.

I called the S&W customer service and was given a label to send the gun in last week. The gun was received on Monday (2/17). Does anyone have experience and can tell me what happens next and timeline? Thank you.

I called S&W Customer Service today and was told I'll be getting an email when they receive it. I told him that I haven't yet and his reply was that I won't until it's been processed.

 

[BrBa]

They'll diagnose and let you know what they find. It may take a few weeks or even a couple months, but they'll get to it. Frequent calls and/or emails don't speed up the process in my experience.

 

[dben002]

A number of things will now happen....

They will process your return and inspect the weapon.
They will test fire the weapon to confirm light strikes (hopefully they will get some like you did....
If they do, they will try to adjust the problem causing the problem
If they do not it may be classified as no problems found.

Either way in about 4 to 8 weeks it will be returned with a statement of what was found and what was fixed if anything was found and fixed.

 

[Alk8944]

You can expect waiting for 6 weeks to 6 months to get it back. It should be repaired. You would have been far better off to order a new mainspring and strain screw while you were talking to customer service and seen if that corrected the issue before sending it for repair! There is a good chance they would have comp'd the parts. They would not charge shipping.

 

[maxxer2]

You can expect waiting for 6 weeks to 6 months to get it back. It should be repaired. You would have been far better off to order a new mainspring and strain screw while you were talking to customer service and seen if that corrected the issue before sending it for repair! There is a good chance they would have comp'd the parts. They would not charge shipping.

Probably a good idea in hindsight but I don't trust my gunsmithing skill (basically nil) tbh.

 

[maxxer2]

A number of things will now happen....

They will process your return and inspect the weapon.
They will test fire the weapon to confirm light strikes (hopefully they will get some like you did....
If they do, they will try to adjust the problem causing the problem
If they do not it may be classified as no problems found.

Either way in about 4 to 8 weeks it will be returned with a statement of what was found and what was fixed if anything was found and fixed.

Makes sense. "No problems found" would be the worst outcome I guess.

 

[goldwinghg]

If you have oem factory grips. You might want to change them out. I sent my model 586 several years ago. When I got it back. Somebody there took my original target grips with the cheap looking factory grips. I contacted S&W. They said they we're sorry,but nothing they could do about it. No way of telling who might have swapped them out. So they sent me an S&W belt buckle. Like that would make it better. So if you have nice factory grips. Change them out before shipping your gun to the factory.

 

[S&W revolverman]

I always thought/knew when you sent them a revolver for repair, remove the stocks and not send them with the piece.

 

[maxxer2]

If you have oem factory grips. You might want to change them out. I sent my model 586 several years ago. When I got it back. Somebody there took my original target grips with the cheap looking factory grips. I contacted S&W. They said they we're sorry,but nothing they could do about it. No way of telling who might have swapped them out. So they sent me an S&W belt buckle. Like that would make it better. So if you have nice factory grips. Change them out before shipping your gun to the factory.

What's a target grip? My 610 comes with S&W rubber grip. I originally planned to replace it with the Hogue monogrip but changed it back to OEM grip. That's from my wristwatch experience that you always want to use the OEM straps or sometimes the company won't even service your watch unless you buy a new OEM strap. Is cheap factory grip different from the OEM rubber grip?

 

[murphydog]

What's a target grip? My 610 comes with S&W rubber grip. I originally planned to replace it with the Hogue monogrip but changed it back to OEM grip. That's from my wristwatch experience that you always want to use the OEM straps or sometimes the company won't even service your watch unless you buy a new OEM strap. Is cheap factory grip different from the OEM rubber grip?

If you have a current model gun, feel free to send it with the grips, they still have those in stock. Sending out of production stocks is potentially more problematic.

Adding to the all the above comments, they will not update you on progress nor will they tell you what was wrong if parts were replaced, just that’s what they did.

 

[SWFan27]

I went through it back in June for my new 617. It was a 5 week turnaround time. Unfortunately, their warranty gunsmiths missed an issue, and I had to send it back as soon as I received it from Smith & Wesson. I was able to contact someone in upper management and they were personally involved with keeping me updated on my new revolver's second warranty visit. They sent it back to me in 2 weeks and it works flawlessly. My 10 shot 22LR is one of my favorites now, and I have never gone to the range without it since then.

The personal attention I received when I had to send it back again made all the difference to me. I bought my new Model 19 Classic in December with complete confidence. My 617 is the only Smith and Wesson I have ever had a problem with.

 

[spad124]

It’s been a while, about 8 years, but I sent in a then recently inherited 669 with safety/decocker problem for warranty or possible recall work. First, I called and was directed to a warranty person who said he used to build 669s. He emailed a shipping label, I shipped the 669 as directed. I received an email when S&W logged in receipt of the pistol, then another when it was sent to evaluation, then another indicating it was being repaired, then a shipping notice it had delivered to FedEx for return shipping. The notices lagged a bit behind actual progress and I actually received the 669 back about the time I got the return shipping notice. Overall I recall the process took about 3 weeks from the time I dropped off the 669 at FedEx until I picked it up from FedEx. Since a signature is required I had FedEx hold it at the local service center instead of trying to guess the delivery route timing. Overall a very positive experience.

About that same time I’d ordered a M&P 15 Sport from a national retailer (yeah- I know). It came to my FFL with a blemished barrel. I sent it back for warranty. Much the same process as the 669. Only the repair action email this time said “replace upper”. I was expecting a replaced barrel. However, I think someone took the time to fit the replacement upper to the lower because the replacement upper was a much better fit than the original. That took 4-5 weeks.

 

[dben002]

what ever the outcome is please post a update and let us know what they did/said..........

 

[maxxer2]

Small update, after sending the form on S&W website, I got an email reply with the following:

The firearm is currently in the repair process. Currently, the average turnaround time is 6-8 weeks. After repair, the firearm will move to our shipping department in which it will typically take 1-2 weeks for the firearm to ship out of the factory. You will receive notification by email when the label generates and from there, you will receive the tracking information for the estimated date of arrival.

 

[SWFan27]

I received their same standard response, but usually about 5 weeks before you get it back.

 

[minconrevo]

Been a while since I needed to send a S&W revolver back, but the following still apply. This is for any firearm, to any maker BTW. Remove anything non-factory. Would include action parts, special springs, optics, etc. I would not send the revolver in with the grips on, if the factory grips were anything other than base grade. Go through the makers RA process. Usually they will provide a free shipping label. If S&W deems a gun unrepairable you likely won't get it back. Instead they will offer you a new similar gun free or near free. If they don't have that gun in the vault, you may have to wait weeks or months until they run it again. I waited 6 months on a new replacement S&W AR 15 a few years back. S&W's policy is to send these replacements with a new s/n to your FFL of choice, not direct to you, even if your state law allows.

The repaired gun may not be truly repaired or maybe it will. I recently got a friend's 686 working that had been "repaired" under warranty at S&W. No, it wasn't repaired, as it had as much as 60% FTF with factory ammo. On my end, just took understanding of how it should work and the judicious placement of a couple Powers hammer shims. Problem permanently fixed, with 100% ignition with good factory ammo.

 

[BB4XL]

I had the same problem with my 625-8 Performance center gun. Got light hits with 8 different factory rounds. Almost immediately after getting it. I would Ultra sonic clean it before sending it in. It would come back basically clean. They would say it was fixed. Then DINK light hits. It went back and forth 5 times. The last time it came back with a letter saying it there was nothing wrong with it. Still was getting light hits.

I called them and the Head gunsmith said it was fixed. I said how do you figure? I am still getting light hits. He told me to use Federal primers. I asked about factory loads, he told me Oh well. I told him I have shot USPSA for 12 years and have seen and shot and own a lot of custom guns and he would have to stand on a chair to kiss a real Gunsmith A&&.

Finally I read online that that model failed the California drop test. S&W shortened the strain screw... It is a round butt gun. I bought a square but strain screw and fixed it myself.
I will not buy a new S&W revolver. I stay with older pre lock guns. Hope you have better luck.

 

[maxxer2]

I had the same problem with my 625-8 Performance center gun. Got light hits with 8 different factory rounds. Almost immediately after getting it. I would Ultra sonic clean it before sending it in. It would come back basically clean. They would say it was fixed. Then DINK light hits. It went back and forth 5 times. The last time it came back with a letter saying it there was nothing wrong with it. Still was getting light hits.

I called them and the Head gunsmith said it was fixed. I said how do you figure? I am still getting light hits. He told me to use Federal primers. I asked about factory loads, he told me Oh well. I told him I have shot USPSA for 12 years and have seen and shot and own a lot of custom guns and he would have to stand on a chair to kiss a real Gunsmith A&&.

Finally I read online that that model failed the California drop test. S&W shortened the strain screw... It is a round butt gun. I bought a square but strain screw and fixed it myself.
I will not buy a new S&W revolver. I stay with older pre lock guns. Hope you have better luck.

Wait the strain screws are different for square and round butt guns and I can just buy a new strain screw to fix the problem? Wish I knew before I send it in...

 

[Beju]

Wait the strain screws are different for square and round butt guns and I can just buy a new strain screw to fix the problem? Wish I knew before I send it in...

FWIW, you can also buy extended strain screws from Wolff Gunsprings, then file them to fit for your desired hammer pull.

I had to do that to get my 686 to get reliable DA pulls on harder/deep set primers with Wolff's supposed standard power ribbed mainspring, even with an extended Apex firing pin.

 

[Screwball]

My Carry Comp took about 3 weeks to get back once it was in MA. Was a full refinish on the frame, under warranty.