Would you buy a S&W without seeing it first?

[jack the toad]

What few net buys I've made, I've been satisfied even w/o pics except for one time. I thoroughly got hosed from an unscrupulous dealer that misrepresented the gun and knew exactly what he was doing.
I won't mention any names because it was some time ago and I don't know if he even frequents this board.
Beware, they're out there.

 

[stantheman86]

If you have a C&R you pretty much roll the dice every time you buy sight unseen, even from the "big guys" like J&G, etc. You pretty much get the next one off the pile.

As far as S&W's, even the most honest seller may miss something or not look for something that you may look for. Be sure to look at feedback history and ask questions!

A revolver that seems in time to a seller, may not be to your standards. Just because a guy cranks the hammer back a few times and it locks up doesn't mean it's good to go. Lots of times the only answer I get is "action works good, locks up tight enough" and they won't elaborate, so I just move on. If the hammer cocks, to some people, this is "works good" regardless if the cylinder is 1/2" out of lockup. If a seller is unwilling to give me details on how the action operates on each chamber, he's probably hiding something or doesn't know what he's doing.

I guess I could say I got "burned" a couple times, one was a 4" M28-2 I bought for a decent (nowadays) price of $350 or so, guy said the "action works good" and the revolver arrived with more endshake than I had ever seen. I guess he meant the thing cocked and the cylinder revolved, but was probably purposefully "forgetful" as far as anything else. Like I said, maybe my standards were different than his. A lot of people just drop 6 rounds in, yank on the trigger, if it goes bang 6 times the gun is perfect mechanically........even though it may be out of time, have a sprung yoke, etc.

One guy was great, he actually gave the the degree measurements for how far the hammer traveled back after the bolt dropped, on each chamber. And how much movement the cylinder had "at rest" and in lockup as well as endshake. And sure enough, he was right!

 

[BE Mike]

Hello all,
I just found my way to the S&W forum and joined. Just started reading posts/replies and came across this one. I have always been leery of buying a "pig in a poke" and I learned one lesson about sight unseen. I had a gun shop order me a PC 629. Checked out fine at the shop and got it home in its case without a scratch. Checking everything that came with it again, I noticed the scope rail was missing. Called the gun shop and was told I would have to contact S&W since it was a warranty issue. I called S&W's parts dept., told the guy I was talking to my tale of woe and he ask for my name, address, etc. and said he would put one in the mail to me that day at no charge. That was my first issue with Smith and they handled it beautifully. Didn't even ask for a serial number. That was my last dealings with that gun shop. At the time, I had 6 Smiths, bought new and used and had never had any problems with them.

I'm curious as to what the gun shop did wrong. Were they rude or curt with you? Do you think that the gun shop should have called S&W and asked for a scope mount on your behalf?

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

I've bought several from Forum members, one from GB and one from an out-of-state BBS. As my intent is to shoot them, I can live with a few bumps and bruises. The guns I've purchased from Forum members have been for the most part safe queens, LNIB. I have been most pleased.

 

[old bear]

Would I buy a revolver without holding it first?

Only if the revolver I wanted could not be purchased locally, the seller had a strong return policy, and the seller accepted American Express.

 

[mhg2tld]

Buying any gun without holding it first is a roll of the dice if you don't know who is selling it to you in my oppinion. Having said that I have bought two fine S&W's from GunBroker and was extremely satisfied with both guns. It could have gone the other way though. There is only so much you can tell from a picture and description.

 

[kidneystones]

couldn't help but put my own 2 cents in. new guy here, sharing my own experience.

i have a 6 inch plain 686-6 that i bought last year. after shooting it a while, the rear sight had to be moved to the extreme right to get it to shoot point of aim at 25 yards. sent it back to smith, they rebarreled it, shoot great now, the only gun i have that i can use to shoot single holes at 25 yards.

after realizing i can't afford to shoot 38 all day long, i got a 617, also in 6 inch. shot over 30K and counting, no problems whatsoever.

wanted one more gun (always just one more), found a 686+ pro series at local gun show. traded for it, brought it home. after the excitement wore off, i noticed that the barrel wasn't only turned to left slightly, but it was also pointing to the left, off-axis. sent it back to smith, they told me that it was within their tolerances. i couldn't stand it and got rid of it.

not having learned my lesson, i ordered a 686 ssr, sight unseen. this time, the barrel was turned still slightly to the left, and the result is that the front sight is higher on the right. barrel is not off-axis. took it to the range, it was pretty accurate, using whatever ammo wal-mart happened to have at the shelf. cleaned it and noticed that after cocking the hammer, the cylinder still had a bit of rotational play. checked by plain 686, no play on that one. i am debating whether or not to send it back to smith. customer service may have been good before, but with my 686+ pro series, they were a bit snippy.

so, to sum it up, the more discerning the customer, the better off you are inspecting the product closely before buying. if you can overlook small details as long at it goes bang, just go ahead and have your local shop order you one. older smiths may be an investment, newer ones are a little bit of a gamble. have to add, i don't know if the slab sided barrels accentuate small flaws in alignment more than the regular round ones.

and in case anyone was curious, i still want a performance center 627, but only if i can examine it first.

 

[buck460XVR]

My last three new Smiths were special ordered by my LGS. Two were PC models and the last a Talo 3-5-7. All were cosmetically flawless and all have performed without incident. I'm lucky tho....if upon their arrival at my LGS, had they not been perfect, I coulda refused them.

 

[cal50]

I would and do.

A good photo shows how the gun was treated. Unless it was dragged behind a car or improperly cleaned (damage by owner) everything else should be factory warranty. I am a DIY guy anyway and of there is an issues I usually repair it myself. Gun shows or FTF is always preferred but when you cant find the gun you are looking for ordering one at the right price is always a good option. Usually there are many to choose from online.

 

[PA Reb]

Just recently, I ordered a new 629 from a local and well known sporting good shop. When they called me and told me it was in, I went up to get it and they showed me two that had arrived. The one I didn't buy, almost looked like a combination nickel / stainless finish to it and it didn't impress me at all. The one I took looked like a typical stainless S&W finish. I was glad I at least had two to choose from.