New S&W 396 Night Guard Woes

For my birthday, I ordered the above alloy-framed 2.5" L-frame .44 Special. The concept is fantastic, and I am really pleased with the overall "package", with the Big Dot tritium front sight, the Pachmayr Compac grips, and the overall compact size and lightness of the gun.

I was going to post a review of it, but haven't shot it.

Unfortunately, the ratchet is defective, having peened, razor-sharp uneven/irregular/mis-shapen edges. It seems functional, but cocking the trigger in SA is too hard and crunchy, and the DA is somewhat heavy and unpredictable. Sometimes the cylinder won't close completely without simultaneously wiggling it and applying excessive force to close it.

As a huge fan and supporter of S&W products, I can't understand how this gun ever left the factory. I detected the problem in the first 3 seconds of handling, and someone actually fired the gun at the factory. What a tremendous disappointment for what I paid for it. I would expect this from Charter Arms, but not Smith.

I e-mailed them today explaining in detail my problem and requesting a UPS shipping label be mailed to me. We shall see if I get it.

Having salivated over this gun for a while, I can't in good conscience recommend it yet. I have not fired the weapon yet due to massive disgust with it. Something tells me I should shoot it just to make sure nothing else is wrong with the damned thing.

You know, that was my first thought - that maybe something was just gumming up the works, even though the ratchet damage was pretty obvious.

So I cleaned it thoroughly in the desperate hope that sending it back wouldn't be required. Unfortunately, it didn't change things much.

The sad part is, the gun is probably functional, it just doesn't function smoothly like a revolver should. I realize this because I've owned countless sixguns, especially S&W's. So even though it is technically functional, it is far from acceptable. I actually have a sore thumb from trying to cock it and the hammer resisting. And there aren't any sharp edges on the hammer.

My overall impression is that someone at the factory hoped the action would sort itself out with use while discounting the inevitable problems caused by errant slivers of metal breaking off inside the revolver.

I am so sick of "good enough" workmanship in guns these days.

So what is an acceptable time frame for S&W to reply to my e-mail? No experience with this, so I don't know how long to give them before I break down and call.

Well not all their guns are this way, so I wouldn't say they produce "Junk" exclusively. In December I bought an SW1911 es that is fantastic.

Also, I watched the gun come out of the carton and was the first to handle it.

Thanks for the advice about the slow e-mail. Tomorrow I'll break down and call if no reply.

I will post my results here.