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Post by tentcamper on Feb 10, 2024 7:44:09 GMT -5
Local dealer ordered a new Smith 25-15 for me and I was pretty excited when he called telling me it had arrived. However, it didn't take long to see during even a cursory inspection that this gun had some problems. The action had some issues with the cylinder being a bit loose and when cocking the hammer in single action not only did the hammer have severe over-travel but the action made a noise I've never before heard a gun make. Instead of a click it was somewhere between a thud and a clink. Very strange.
The holy grail however was the very noticeable inch long scratch on the frame's left side, the bizarre looking small v cuts all in a row on the frame's right side (looks like a high speed tool went bouncing off the frame over and over) and inside the cylinder window on the frame's bottom was a spot about the size of a dime totally scratched up (looked like a todler took a crayon to a wall) and all the blueing gone. It was a horrible mess. It was supposed to be a brand new gun but already had quite a drag line on its cylinder as well!
I told the guy no thanks and suggested he send it back. I've not ever seen this kind of butchery on a $400 revolver let alone on a $1100 revolver from a reputable manufacturer.
A year ago I bought a new Smith 57. It also has a small scratch on the frame's left side but I overlooked that as the rest of the gun was quite excellent and it has proven to be a very nice gun to shoot.
This same FFL also has several 629s and none of the stainless guns exhibit any mechanical issues nor cosmetic damage.
Did Smith hire blind monkeys to build their Classic line of revolvers? I hope this is a one-off example of "craftmenship".
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sharps4590
.30 Stingray
I'm a Christian first, husband and father next then a patriotic, veteran, firearms aficionado.
Posts: 195
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Post by sharps4590 on Feb 10, 2024 8:04:40 GMT -5
Perhaps they're suffering from the same difficulty so many businesses are? Few want to work and among those that will, they don't care, have no pride of workmanship?
I don't know but, today it seems no business or profession is immune.
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kooz
.327 Meteor
Posts: 618
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Post by kooz on Feb 10, 2024 8:49:46 GMT -5
Perhaps they're suffering from the same difficulty so many businesses are? Few want to work and among those that will, they don't care, have no pride of workmanship? I don't know but, today it seems no business or profession is immune. Amen ! we have lost a generation . As a ranch manager , my job is getting near impossible these days as it is so difficult to find people who are willing to work or that poses any skills . I will also add that men are not men anymore . Mini rant over |
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davt
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 22
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Post by davt on Feb 10, 2024 9:05:56 GMT -5
I have found that I will only buy off the shelf guns off the shelf where I can inspect them in detail. I recently purchased a S&W 686 4". Cylinder gap was 0.003 on each cyclinder. Throats were perfect as was cylinder and barrel alignment. The trigger was better than any revolver I have owned. Why this one slip who knows. It has now had about 900 rounds through it and it remains perfect. Because of this I only buy from stock where I can inspect. Unless it is a custom 1911 or one off custom.
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Post by x101airborne on Feb 10, 2024 9:38:32 GMT -5
Perhaps they're suffering from the same difficulty so many businesses are? Few want to work and among those that will, they don't care, have no pride of workmanship? I don't know but, today it seems no business or profession is immune. Amen ! we have lost a generation . As a ranch manager , my job is getting near impossible these days as it is so difficult to find people who are willing to work or that poses any skills . I will also add that men are not men anymore . Mini rant over If anyone feels your pain, brother, I stand shoulder to shoulder with you. They whine and complain about simple things and when you try to teach them they dont want to listen or learn. Hence why I am a one man operation. Most hands never make it to the hard stuff and get their feelings hurt when they get chewed on for messing up. On top of that they think they deserve 30 dollars an hour to peeve me off. |
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pleadthe2nd
.327 Meteor
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Posts: 883
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Post by pleadthe2nd on Feb 10, 2024 9:45:36 GMT -5
I just got my new M57 back from S&W yesterday, it had a deep cut/scratch running down the side plate, and the big turn line on the cylinder, the letter that came back said they did a complete refinish on gun, the gun did come back looking great, except the cylinder still has the turn line, so not a complete refinish, also an $1100 gun, don't know what's going on at Smith, but probably going to avoid them now
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Post by hunter01 on Feb 10, 2024 10:02:37 GMT -5
Amen ! we have lost a generation . As a ranch manager , my job is getting near impossible these days as it is so difficult to find people who are willing to work or that poses any skills . I will also add that men are not men anymore . Mini rant over If anyone feels your pain, brother, I stand shoulder to shoulder with you. They whine and complain about simple things and when you try to teach them they dont want to listen or learn. Hence why I am a one man operation. Most hands never make it to the hard stuff and get their feelings hurt when they get chewed on for messing up. On top of that they think they deserve 30 dollars an hour to peeve me off. I used to put up small squares for friends that had horses. Worked out great. I decided to put up more and sell them out of the field. First year was awesome. Everyone showed up for their hay and weather held off. Second year, a couple didnt show and we had a few hundred bales that dad and i were able to handle. Third year, couple of BIG orders didnt show and it was far too much for us to handle and we had no storage area. I started reaching out to local kids thinking it would be no problem getting some help. WRONG! I was offering $.50 a bale and my equipment to get the hay out with no takers. 2 kids could have made hundreds of dollars a piece in a single day. I eventually did find one kid that was interested but he didnt show up on 3 occasions and finally said "i just have too much going on in my life"! The weather came in and i had a mess from hell. That was the last year of small square bales for anyone but myself. |
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Post by x101airborne on Feb 10, 2024 10:11:32 GMT -5
.50 cents in the barn is big cash money!! Hell, even my slipped disc self woulda been throwin them things for you!!
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 10, 2024 10:27:50 GMT -5
S&W is the same as most revolver builders these day. Quality ranges from spectacular to fishing weight.
I've added several Classics they were great. But, these were hand picked and I'd never order one or buy without thoroughly inspecting it first...
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Post by hgunhtr on Feb 10, 2024 10:59:47 GMT -5
Trey, I know little about ranching but grew up on a farm around animals. After reading your turtle story i would come down and pee you off for $20/hour if i could watch you do that again from upwind and 20 yards away! Ha Ha! seriously, the statement "men are not men anymore" is getting more true everyday.
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Post by x101airborne on Feb 10, 2024 11:12:32 GMT -5
Trey, I know little about ranching but grew up on a farm around animals. After reading your turtle story i would come down and pee you off for $20/hour if i could watch you do that again from upwind and 20 yards away! Ha Ha! seriously, the statement "men are not men anymore" is getting more true everyday. Aw heck, for you? I'd let you peeve me off for free. LOL! And yes, unfortunately it is becoming true more and more every day. |
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samuse
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 48
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Post by samuse on Feb 10, 2024 16:13:47 GMT -5
S&W is the same as most revolver builders these day. Quality ranges from spectacular to fishing weight. I've added several Classics they were great. But, these were hand picked and I'd never order one or buy without thoroughly inspecting it first... I bucked wm by the thousand for $0.10/bale back around Y2K! |
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Post by sixguntech on Feb 10, 2024 17:00:46 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about this, I buy original Performance Center guns, not the current crop but early 2000’s to avoid this as much as possible. 2-3 months ago I picked up a like new 25-11 Heritage 45 Colt for $850, it is as good as any Smith I have owned. Hate to say it, but the only other revolvers I will buy, uninspected, are Uberti’s, I am sure they have duds, but I have bought 4-5 online and all have been very good to excellent. Not meaning to say they are perfect, but they seem very consistent, consistently good. I guess Freedom arms would belong in the conversation and to a higher degree of “almost” assured quality, nearing perfection. Steve
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sharps4590
.30 Stingray
I'm a Christian first, husband and father next then a patriotic, veteran, firearms aficionado.
Posts: 195
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Post by sharps4590 on Feb 10, 2024 17:42:42 GMT -5
Firearms, the only thing I've bought new in years is a couple percussion revolvers. Most of what I buy is pre-war or older, usually German and, the quality is rarely in doubt. It's also incomparable to today.
We got $0.03 a bale and thought we were crapping in tall cotton, mid-60's. On my farm, after about the 2nd year, the only thing I put up in squares was my alfalfa. The last few years my wife would drive the tractor and I'd load the wagon and stack 'em in the barn. I was glad I only had 7 acres of it. I would have rolled it up but most of the leaf would have been shaken off.
I'm also glad I retired and closed my business 5 years ago. Even so, the last 4 years I worked I was a one man show. Made more money and had fewer headaches....and expense!!!!
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Post by Encore64 on Feb 10, 2024 18:56:08 GMT -5
I'll order Uberti, Magnum Research BFRs and Freedom Arms. Beyond those three, they get a thorough inspection before I commit to buying...
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