S&W's slipping quality

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wvfarrier
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S&W's slipping quality

Post by wvfarrier »

I recently sent 2 new/unfired S&W revolvers to gunsmiths.
#1- S&W Performance Center 627
Issues addressed:
Bent ejector rod
Unevenly machined throat, jagged edges
Mis-timed cylinder
Cylinder gap was .008 too large, yes it matters
DA trigger was 11 pounds and gritty as heck. Now 6# and smooth

#2- S&W Talo 686+
Issues addressed:
Another bent ejector rod
Unevenly machined yoke
It had no throat AT ALL!!!
Uneven chamfer on cylinder holes
DA Trigger pull was 14# !!!! Now 5.4# and awesome

I was really annoyed that the PC gun had so many issues. Ridiculous for their "top of the line" revolver.
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2ndovc
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Re: S&W's slipping quality

Post by 2ndovc »

I had a Model 610 that I bought new last year. The cylinder would over ride the stop and come out of the frame. Sent it back to S&W, they returned it with a note that said "within specifications, problem: user error". Sold it after that.

I sent an email to Colt yesterday about my new Python. Single action trigger is nearly Six Pounds! We'll see what they say,


jb 8)
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ollogger
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Re: S&W's slipping quality

Post by ollogger »

I too have had my fair share of problem S&W & Colt SAA & will never buy another
have a S&W 629 with 427 cyl. throats & a 425 bore, leads like crazy until i ran 8 cast bullets
thru it laced with valve grinding compound, sink or swim sucker i thought, guess what it worked
pretty good, now i like the gun and it shoots my cast bullets with out leading the full length of bbl.


ollogger
stretch
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Re: S&W's slipping quality

Post by stretch »

Unfortunately, that's the way it is these days.

I bought a HiPower - last of the Brownings.
Trigger was unusable. I fixed it with a spring kit,
the mag disconnect removal, and some polishing.
Not a target trigger, but then it's not a target gun.

Still, I shouldn't have to fix it on a gun that cost a grand.

I had to fix a Rossi revolver some years ago - same issue.
Trigger was unusable. I replaced the mainspring with a
Wolff srping from a J-frame tuning kit, polished the heck out of the
recoil shoe, and cleaned up various burrs and chips. Now it has a
very nice DA trigger indeed. But with a Rossi, it's not unexpected.

S&W should be much, much better.

-Stretch
MingoKid
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Re: S&W's slipping quality

Post by MingoKid »

They may be trying to get around the "AFT" by selling kits that you need to have assembled?! LOL
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Ysabel Kid
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Re: S&W's slipping quality

Post by Ysabel Kid »

wvfarrier wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 8:32 am I was really annoyed that the PC gun had so many issues. Ridiculous for their "top of the line" revolver.
I'd say that is ridiculous for any firearm produced by a major manufacturer... :evil:
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stretch
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Re: S&W's slipping quality

Post by stretch »

Some of the trigger issues are exacerbated by the California drop test. Easiest
way to get the gun to comply is to make a stiff trigger with a spring that could
hold up a corner of an F350...... I get that.

But - burrs, poor finishes, bent parts and like that - there's just no excuse on
a gun going for $1,000.

- Stretch
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crs
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Re: S&W's slipping quality

Post by crs »

Makes me sad to hear, but glad that all my S&W revolvers are well used and well broken in.
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Ysabel Kid
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Re: S&W's slipping quality

Post by Ysabel Kid »

crs wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 9:56 am Makes me sad to hear, but glad that all my S&W revolvers are well used and well broken in.
And older! :D
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elmo123
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Re: S&W's slipping quality

Post by elmo123 »

S&W quality has been a problem for decades. I lucked into a 4" 5 screw Pre-29 44 Magnum revolver years ago that had been purchased new by a local police officer in 56 or 57 to use as his duty weapon. His Chief wouldn't allow him to carry it so he sold it to an older friend of mine who wanted a 357 instead. Since it wasn't marked with a model number none of knew what it was. I traded a 6" 686 for the Pre-29 along with a box of the original Remington 44 Magnum loads with only 12 rounds missing. This revolver looked like new and came in a black/blue presentation case. I loaded up some 240 cast loads with 231 and fired them in our range. After a few cylinders full the cylinder was dragging on a high spot on the end of the barrel just enough to clean a bit of the carbon off. I trued up the end of the barrel with our Brownells kit and problem solved.
I have seen numerous 686's come in new that were so far out of time that the cylinder wouldn't carry up. One had a loose barrel so they defiantly were not test fired.

I purchased a new 69 that had the grooves milled off center on the top strap and S&W said it was within specs.

I was in the local gun shop last week and asked the owner how the new Pythons were and he said he has to return one because the trigger wouldn't return forward.

I think the beginning of the Tupperware pistols put an end to quality control the parts don't have to be fitted in most cases so the manufactures don't have to train as extensively as they did when parts were required to be fitted.

Oh yeah the Pre-29 was sold at a hefty profit to fund my daughters braces, I wish I had it today and I think of it occasionally when my daughter smiles.
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