Smith & Wesson, quality or catastrophe?

[Sandiegosurf1]

I'm considering getting a S&W 686 and was reading reviews on this gun and the company earlier today. My brother has this gun and likes it a lot. There are some articles I read that imply that quality has slipped at Smith & Wesson. I'm curious, do people on this site think that S&W Still makes a high quality product?

PS this article from www.chuckhawks.com was probably the most negative one I read. I'm not sure when this article was written but wow! What a hit job.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/smith-wesson_dark.htm

The Dark Side of Smith & Wesson

By Chuck Hawks

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

I've never had any particular desire to do an article about the dark side of Smith & Wesson, but it's time someone in the outdoor media called a spade a spade, so to speak, rather than sugar-coat it as a "manual digging implement." I'm sure that I will be accused of all sorts of bias after speaking out in this article, but the fact is that I have no personal motive, nor do I stand to profit in any way, from an S&W hit piece. Quite the contrary, as I will undoubtedly alienate some readers and a large potential advertiser.

Please do not post whole articles or substantial quotes from articles - see http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=363956

We are still in the "one (short) paragraph and a link is low-risk." mode, despite appropriate legal action against the major risk provider. Righthaven is not the only offender…

See the stickies http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=394912

// Librarian

[brettkeating]

Just bought a 627PC 5" today. Could tell the quality was there after inspection. I guess the PC models are pretty top notch. It might depend on whether you get the standard, pro or PC model. From what I've been reading lately, quality has been pretty great in the very recent past.

[brettkeating]

BTW I also recently bought a M&P 22 pistol and it is a sweet, accurate gun that fires extremely reliably and is very accurate.

[brettkeating]

Ugh "reliable" eats all my 22 ammo with no sign of any issue

[Mr. Beretta]

Sounds like Chuck had a bone to pick with S&W.

Everyone entitled to their opinion.

Been shooting S&W revolvers & pistols for over 40 years. Haven't had one break on me yet.

If you find a cheap 686 in town and don't want it, please PM me.

Thanks.

[skosh69]

No offense OP, but there's not a manufacturer in the world, no matter what the product, that has not had 100% reliability of all of it's products. Doesn't matter if it's Toyota, Vizio, Cuisinart, Mercedes Benz, Samsung or Kitchen Aid. If there is, I hope someone proves me wrong.

We you manufacture the volume that S&W, Kimber, Glock, etc...you are going to have some issues, that's just how it is.

Sound to me like the author just has it in for S&W.

I've got 3 S&W's, 2 M&P's and a revolver, all run great...got another one at the LGS now waiting to be DROS's.

If they weren't dropping like fly's from the roster, my safe would contain every model of M&P in every caliber.

[The Mad Mule]

Funny timing, I was just over at LAX Firing Range, and the employee was telling a few customers that the 686 wasn't available because the cylinder had cracked.

[jdg30]

I've personally had 3 smith and Wesson revolvers that had to be returned to the factory for repair/frame replacement. Two were brand new. A new 640 with the sight groove milled off center, a new 627 PC shooting erratically inconsistent groups, not from my technique, and another older 640 shooting way off target even at close ranges.

I do however have a 2.5" 686+ that works perfect and very accurate and a couple other .38 special j-frames that shoot great. For me, smith and Wesson quality is about 50/50. It's a shame I had to return 3 guns to the factory for repair.

[brettkeating]

When did you buy them? Just got a 627PC today and you're making me nervous

[Fishslayer]

Sounds like Chuck had a bone to pick with S&W.

Yup. That's a really old writeup, too. Holds no weight with me.

And who is Chuck Hawk?

[Your ad here]

Just inspect the gun before taking delivery. I had to send a 686 back to get a new barrel because the forcing cone still had machine grooves in it.

[Excaliburr]

the 686 is a fine firearm, especially pre-lock imo. you should get years of good service and if there is a problem, S&W stands behind their product.

[Colt 1911]

Smith & Wesson, quality or catastrophe?

I'll bail you out and give you a fair price for it.

[03fatboy]

I really really like S&W's, just wish they could get the barrel crown right on the current model runs. Oh well, I still like them just don't support stuff that isn't up to par.

['ol shooter]

They did have some issues with the 617, timing and forcing cone. The Customer Service has been reported to be ambivalent at times, and I have experienced that aspect personally, with my 617 and P-22. I have many Smiths, most older, but my newer ones get he job done too. I have respect for hawks opinions as well.