So, what is it with S&W lately and should I even care about this about this?

[flip180]

As you know, I recently bought another 642 to replace the one I sold over a year ago. I picked it up yesterday and cleaned it last night. It appears that the barrel looks as if it was put on by a set of pliers. Three or four of the serrations on the front sight ramp are dammaged and there are marks underneath the barrel. It really looks like they used a clamping tool like a set of pliers to but the barrel on. I bought a 520 a few months back and sent it back to factory for blemishes on the barrel which they ended up putting on a new barrel. I was miffed (unhappy) about that one because that gun was going to be a range only safe queen. I wanted it to look nice plus it cost almost 600.00. Now the 642 cost me 359.00+tax. It is going to be a carry gun and will see wear and tear. Hell, it may be dropped a time or two. I'm sure these marks won't effect shootability but why is it that two brand new guns from S&W have things wrong with them. I called the gunstore I bought it from and asked them to look at another J-frame and they noticed marks on the barrel on that one on both top and bottom of the barrel.

Flip.

[Powderman]

Send it back.

[flip180]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/flip180/j-frame.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/flip180/-2.jpg

Flip.

[Standing Wolf]

...why is it that two brand new guns from S&W have things wrong with them.

Smith & Wesson doesn't seem to realize it has competition, and definitely doesn't realize the way to compete at the high end of the market—any market—is to deliver the highest quality.

I think it's the General Motors of the firearms industry.

[Mulliga]

Smith & Wesson doesn't seem to realize it has competition, and definitely doesn't realize the way to compete at the high end of the market—any market—is to deliver the highest quality.

SW, I have to respectfully disagree. Who else makes a current-production, lightweight .38 like the 642? Taurus makes them, but I'd hardly put them above S&W, especially in the customer service department. If somebody made an old-school 642-type revolver (P&R, no lock, better finish, etc.) and sold it for $500, they'd make a killing - but no one's doing that.

[RON in PA]

Looks like they have a chimp putting in the barrels using it's teeth.

Question, why did you even walk out the door with that poor excuse of gun manufacture. Smith needs to be taken over by either Honda or Toyota, Americans can produce well made products if management demands it.

[flip180]

"Question, why did you even walk out the door with that poor excuse of gun manufacture."

I didn't even notice until I cleaned it later on. Believe me, I would have left it if I had saw it before leaving.

Flip.

[juneau803]

There's no excuse for that kind of workmanship. The only way for them to get the message is if people send stuff back. Sooner or later they will figure it's better to do it right the first time.

[Majic]

SW, I have to respectfully disagree. Who else makes a current-production, lightweight .38 like the 642? Taurus makes them, but I'd hardly put them above S&W, especially in the customer service department.
Customer service doesn't make marks on brand new handguns. That is a scarred brand new handgun. It's hard to brag about a S&W when they look like that from the factory. The M642 has been a cosmetic nightmare ever since it was first brought out. First it didn't sell because it was 2-tone. To correct the finish it was spray painted and that peels off. Now here's an example of metal damage. Plus IMO the action of the M642 doesn't equal that of the Taurus M85.

[KTM]

I just bought a s&w 642 and mine looks fine, no marks at all. I paid $399 (a little more than you paid). I looked it over real good before buying and was real impressed with the quality. I would expect more from S&W than say from taurus? If I had a dealer selling banged up guns - I'd buy from another dealer.

[absolute0]

I recently picked up a used 642 and the fit and finish are first rate.

The trigger however, is another matter :uhoh:

[Jim Keenan]

Not saying S&W can't screw up, but are you SURE the gun really was new?

I have worked in enough gun shops to know that new guns get looked at, tried, played with, dropped, then put in the case, where they will be looked at, tried and played with some more. They always get put back in the box to be sold as "new". Sure they are new, as in never sold at retail, but that doesn't mean they are as they came out of the factory.

Jim

[flip180]

It was ordered from their distributor the day prior to me picking it up. I've already called S&W and they are sending me a call slip to send it back. In addition to the marks on the barrel, there are three small bumps on the right side of the top strap where there appears to be dust that settled on the gun prior to them putting on the finish and there is a semi circular scratch on the front of the frame that appears to be put there when the barrel was screwed on.

Flip.

[Highland Ranger]

Don't assume that Smith is responsible for all the marks . . . .

[SouthpawShootr]

Go over the gun very carefully before sending it back. Include with it, a list of the problems you found.

Don't assume that Smith is responsible for all the marks . . . .

You are so right. I picked up a used gun last week for an excellent price. It was at a shop I frequent all the time and I know most of the guys who work there. One in particular I try to avoid. He likes to play with the guns. He picked up my revolver (another guy was waiting on me and I had already committed to buy) twirled it around by the triggerguard and shoved it several times in and out of the holster that came with it. I've seen him exhibit this kind of behavior several times. Once I was all set to buy a Steyr M9. I asked to see it, he took it out, telling me cool this gun was and proceeded to field strip it (I didn't ask him to do it). Then he reassembled and promptly dropped it on the floor. It was a carpeted floor but, damn :cuss: . After that I just told him to put it back and left. I'm sure every gunshop and even distributor has somebody on staff like this, some better behaved, some worse.