Current S&W Revolver Quality?

[Oneaudiopro]

Hillary hole?

[hermosabeach]

One can get nerdy

No one wants price increases- so manufacturers get creative.


Toilet paper roles get narrower or call one roll - 2,3 or 4 rolls.

It's the same size TP holder so we know it's fake.



Guns:

Mossberg removed parts from the forend on the 500.

It still works fine for 99% of the people.


Metal

The AK was milled from a block of steel. I recall over 100 cuts were made.
Then modernized into 1.5mm stamped steel and they are better


A trigger can be milled.... or you can use metal powder, pour into a form and heated. That's a child explanation of MIM


Carve a large piece of ice into a shape or add water to a mold and freeze it into shape.



Again - most don't shoot enough to have any issues with MIM parts.



Billet metal costs more than MIM powder

Labor for a cnc to mill is not high but some CNC are a million dollar and eat electricity. Cutting tools also wear out.


There are $500 1911s and $1000& up USGI style 1911.

Both work. Some better than others.



If smith and Wesson had a ton of warranty work they would improve as warranty work destroys the reputation and bottom line.



If you have not watched the midway USA series on inspecting and repairing an S&W, it is a fantastic series.


New guns can have issues- and customers who drop them.

[sealocan]

I posted this thread below a while ago and I'll give it a bump today because it might help people buy a Smith & Wesson, American-made revolver.
(Not that I have anything against Ruger revolvers, other than they sometimes weigh a bit more depending on the model and can also be more bulkier. In my mind Rugers are perfect if you're going to be doing lots and lots of powerful hand loads.)

"Smith & Wesson revolver rebate, J,K,L,N, frames, Feb 1 thru APRIL 30, 2024 " (* edited to correct. It ends in April 30th, Not August 30th.)

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=28404953#post28404953

If anyone is thinking about using that rebate maybe make a comment on that thread and bump it up to the top for others to see.

^^^ for the person who asked, the term "Hillary Hole" refers to the hole in the side of the revolver frame, to use a key to turn the safety lock on and off.
It's really unnecessary and it was something pushed politicians (like Hillary and her cronies) and possibly Smith & Wesson's own liability lawyers. Thankfully that's now an option on some of their models, as I have read that it could allegedly turn itself to the "safe position" preventing the revolvers from firing and some of the big bore more powerful calibers.

And I would prefer buying a Smith & Wesson revolver over a Ruger revolver for a few minor personal reasons, but either should be a fine choice.

[hermosabeach]

One of the videos

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=95xjizDOrcc

[IVC]

Hillary hole?

It's an obnoxious name for the lock-safety on the left side of the frame that was implemented during Clinton years, when S&W was in bed with the politicians and tried to appease them. Similar to what Bill Ruger was doing at the time.

The lock can be rotated using a small tool and it would result in locking the action. There were some reports that it could self-engage under heavy recoil, but I don't think it has been confirmed or established as "true."

The locking mechanism is easy to pull out and there are plugs that will close the hole so no debris gets in. It is visible, though, and rubs some people the wrong way. To me, it's on par with some text that is stamped on some handgun frames - not needed, but not a big deal. To each his own .

[beerman]

Why buy new when there are so many great, low mileage older quality built S&Ws out there?… Rugers are solid too but they all need wolf spring kits installed. Both companies have great customer services.

[acaligunner]

To the OP, keep saving your money for a while longer.
When you have enough, buy a European make such as Manurhin or Korth.

If you want a S&W, Ruger, or Colt, they will usually work in a basic sense, but all three may need some basic refinement if you area serious revolver shooter. Sometimes you may get a good one, but watch out for some of the defects as others have described.

After I bought my Wilson and then was about to buy my 1911 Nighthawk ~ I looked at the Korth / Nighthawk 357 revolver and I must say I it is a damn fine revolver.

After going back and forth I chose the Nighthawk 1911 45acp, but that revolver is gtg also.

[jayhuh]

I have purchased 5 new S&W revolvers and one used since June of 2023. All being newer models with the lock. Three (all new) have had to go back for repairs. Two for adjustable sights running out of adjustment and not being able to regulate 158 gr ammo. One of these guns also froze up after firing 25 rounds and had to go back twice for yoke adjustments to get it right.

Now I am dealing with a 617, .22, that will not extract empties after a couple cylinders full (regardless of ammo brand) a trigger that stacks badly and light strikes, again with varied brands of ammo.

I am a big fan of S&W. Have been since my first revolver in 1973. I carried a M66 on duty for years that never let me down.

That being said, I have bought a new Python (4.25 in) and King Cobra in the last year and they have been perfect. I am looking to get another Python (2.5 in) before the tax thing kicks in. I doubt I will ever buy another new S&W revolver.

[ARDude]

It's an obnoxious name for the lock-safety on the left side of the frame that was implemented during Clinton years, when S&W was in bed with the politicians and tried to appease them. Similar to what Bill Ruger was doing at the time.

The lock can be rotated using a small tool and it would result in locking the action. There were some reports that it could self-engage under heavy recoil, but I don't think it has been confirmed or established as "true."

The locking mechanism is easy to pull out and there are plugs that will close the hole so no debris gets in. It is visible, though, and rubs some people the wrong way. To me, it's on par with some text that is stamped on some handgun frames - not needed, but not a big deal. To each his own .

It did happen with my 625PC. Promptly removed it and installed a plug.

[Tim padilla]

All ammo during failures with mine or others was factory .It is really nice to see others have had good luck with new production.

[Killer Bee]

Why buy new when there are so many great, low mileage older quality built S&Ws out there?? Rugers are solid too but they all need wolf spring kits installed. Both companies have great customer services.

exactly!

there are thousands of older great high quality S&W revolvers waiting anxiously for adoption

just recently picked up this over 50yo model 15 combat masterpiece for $430



over 30yo model 10 w/ factory target stocks



over 50yo model 34 kit gun



WWII issued model 10 Navy Victory and Australian lend/lease



even the not so pretty ones over 80yo still run flawlessly

[beerman]

Love em all killerbee. But those M15s are (to me) the pinnacle of revolver design and ergonomics.

[Ruber]

It did happen with my 625PC. Promptly removed it and installed a plug.

Same here with my 69. And yes, only with heavy loads. But that is a feature you don't want to have on a pack gun...

Other than that, I have been very happy with the last three S&W's I've bought. Cylinders were fit well and locked up tight. Barrels were straight. I kept the locks on my 22's and they haven't had a hiccup. I fitted a 22lr cylinder to my 351pd and now have a nice da convertible.

I had a bit of bad luck with Ruger and the M69 replaced my GP100 and the 351 replaced my LCR. Both Rugers had issues with fit and finish that i could not get over. The GP100 would hang up once or twice a cylinder. I pulled it apart to find flash still hanging on the frame in the action. My LCR had the older firingng pin which was bent from the factory. I couldn't get through a cylinder without a misfire. Smith's qc is not what it once was, but it is still not as bad as Ruger's.

I had problems with some bad machining on one of their 1911's when they first moved to Houlton, but they took care of it. The slide had not been fully cut in one spot on the breech face causing failures ro feed.

[hambam105]

The OP said he wanted .357 Magnum and 8 round capacity. This kinda of narrows the choices down, just a bit.

I do not believe Ruger's quality control is in as steep, or steeper, dive as compared to Smith & Wesson. I think,
when working properly, S&W Revolvers handle much better than Rugers. Period. Full Stop.

Take your chances with Smith & Weasel. Be prepared to pay a qualified revolver gunsmith to put in the
craftsmanship that S&W left out. Five hundred should do it.

[bergmen]

Can anyone here speak on S&W?s current quality control for their revolvers?

I?ve been saving up for an 8-round .357 mag and right now I?m trying to decide between the 2.75? Ruger Redhawk and the 2.6? S&W 627. Really I want the 627 but, keep hearing from some older heads I know that the Ruger is the way to go because Smith quality has been slipping over the last decade.

I wanted to hear some other opinions/experiences before giving up on the idea of the Smith because man, it just looks so much better than the Redhawk.

This piece will mostly just be a range toy but, who knows, maybe I?ll go through the hassle of adding it to my ccw permit so I can carry it in the Sierra?s during the winter.

I personally think the Redhawk is beautiful, nearly went for one a few months ago. It would have been an impulse buy, I already have my .357 bases covered (two Rugers and a Kimber).

The website does say it is currently unavailable:



Dan