[def4pos8]

For the first, and last, time I purchased a firearm via the internet. I had found a Thunder Ranch Special at Smith-WessonForum.com. My other TRS (purchased new) is serial number 0666. I didn't look forward to 'splainin' to a jury how I destroyed a perp with The Devil's Gun!:evil:

The seller ("crash700" -- although he's likely changed that tag by now) claimed this TRS/Model 21-4 was in excellent condition. The photo looked OK, so I bit. On delivery, the bore was completely lead fouled for more than one inch. Heavy lead fouling showed at the forcing cone, forward frame/crane area and the freebores of the charge holes. Several hours were spent in cleaning before firing. A mild load of JHP rounds were used for final cleaning of the bore. Accuracy was very satisfying -- until I couldn't close the cylinder.

At that point I noticed that the frame had cracked at the lower, forward point where it mates with the crane. The frame was battered/deformed enough to skew crane alignment.

I suspect that prior owner(s) had abused the TRS by pushing Elmer Keith-style, high-pressure .44s through this very light revolver.

Even though I was a secondary (tertiary?) owner of this TRS, S&W accepted it as a warranty repair. They were NOT obliged to do so. S&W paid for shipping both ways. They repaired the revolver by replacing the frame, crane and ejector plunger. The new frame is marked with the original serial number.

The finish of the replacement frame isn't as nicely polished at the original Performance Center piece, but I'll not complain. I was stuck with a $500 paper weight and Smith returned a wonderful duty/carry gun to my armory -- AT NO COST!

I am a Ruger (RGR) stockholder. The next time I have ten or fifteen thousand dollars laying around, looking for something to do -- I may just purchase a few shares of Smith & Wesson!

This was all accomplished in twenty calendar days, including the Thanksgiving Holiday. I am extremely pleased with S&W warranty services and thank them for the resurrection of my second Thunder Ranch Special!:D

[The Lone Haranguer]

Car makers and their dealership network could take a lesson from many gun makers. (Granted, a car is much more complex, as well as difficult to ship back to the factory.;)) But, considering you were not the original purchaser and it showed clear signs of abuse, they could have charged you for what amounts to a complete overhaul.

[Ala Dan]

Gracious there pal (No I'm not hispanic~!) :D

The new owners of S&W are try'in their dead level best to treat S&W's
customers right, everytime. I must tip my hat to them, as I'm glad that
they repaired your S&W Thunder Ranch gun too your liking~! ;) :D

[Deanimator]

The new owners of S&W are try'in their dead level best to treat S&W's
customers right, everytime.
They've got a ways to go to achieve THAT.

They damaged the barrel of my Model 29 when I sent it in to have the forcing cone recut and the barrel set back. The gun had to be reblued (and the barrel replaced, which they didn't want to do, but I wouldn't bend on that demand). Reblueing of course DESTROYED any collector value the gun had. I've now got a Model 29 worth about as much as a police surplus Glock. Admittedly, they (or whomever they contracted the work out to) did a good job on the refinishing. The gun now is still pretty much worthless though.

I had to fight them every step of the way, which took right on six months and the threat of a lawsuit. I finally got reasonable treatment when their head of Customer Service got involved, but until then it was one finger in the eye after another. It was like dealing with AT&T.

And I'm not claiming they treat everybody that way.

Sometimes they do an excellent job the first time.
Sometimes they screw up and bend over backwards to fix things.
Sometimes they screw up, lie about it, and try to stonewall.

Which one of those three things will happen is COMPLETELY impossible to predict.

I can't explain how or why they do things. Neither apparently can they.

[Majic]

Did you not inspect the revolver before you took possession?

[def4pos8]

--as best I could: internet photo.

The damage was subtle. My receiving FFL/gunsmith didn't notice it either. The lead fouling hid it from casual observation. Near the end of cleaning, a q-tip snagged on the crack but I thought that it was just a minor burr.:o

The cylinder only failed to close after Round #200 of very middle-of-the-road JHPs. Even with things moving/failing, accuracy was very good.