A LGS I tend to do business with from time to time when there not way over priced does there own inspection of all weapons they sell before they go in the sell storage vaults and on display. The owner does set on a S&W retailers quality board and also sets on a board of some sort that tracks quality over all concerning the civilian weapon market.
They cull out about 1/8th of there purchases on average every year. And either return them to the distro or back to the manufacture's for replacement or repair before they are allowed in the for sale vaults or counter.
He has been at this game all his adult life and his family is right there with him. His wife is one of the sweetest women I've ever met. But a real no junk allowed type lady.
Of all the weapons I have handled at this LSG I've only ran across one that was a lemon under glass. And that was a Glock G20. They were so upset that this pistol got through that I was offered a discount on my next purchase. They never dicker or haggle over the price of a weapon. Priced as marked period. I used that discount on my PF-9 purchase.
I wish other LGS owners and retailers had such a culling program concerning there wares. A lot less junk would get into the end users hands.
His bottom line is they all put out junk from time to time and he will not knowingly pass that junk on to his customers. If he can help it. They also encourage there customers to fully inspect the weapon of choice prior to purchase and will allow dry fire if you are serious about purchasing the weapon if you have your own snap caps with you. They want you happy with your purchase within the scope of the given purchase.
This LSG has a direct link to the CEO, upper management, engineering, manufacturing and sales dept. at Smith. He is very picky with Smith and darn sure lets them know if the product is a pain in his bum. And I have personally seen some of this communication with Smith.
I have personally purchased four new Smiths in the last two years.
Sigma 9VE purchased through a FFL buddy. $200 out the door after rebate. Yep the trigger was crunchy and heavy. Trigger job fixed that. Of note it has the best barrel bore I've ever seen in a mass produced fire arm. A true beauty! I did break a extractor at the 5k round mark. Smith was more than eager to fix it even after I admitted to the trigger work and slide polish work and shooting several thousand rounds of max or above reloaded ammo through it. I declined since they would not just send or sell me a extractor. And purchased one at NUMRICH. No reason what so ever for me to purchase a M&P or Glock 9mm.
Next was a M&P .45. Late 2007 production for $500 OTD. Bought from the LGS mentioned above. Perfect NIB with a great trigger. But after some trigger time it turned into the fabled M&P .45 trigger. A quick trigger job fixed that. So easy a cave man can do it using the factory parts. No Apex needed.
I then picked up my 686P 4" from a LSG down the street. It had been on the gun show circuit and had some case wear and a few nicks from safety zip ties being cut off. $500 OTD. It was a perfect candidate for a mirror polish job, trigger work and such.
Fantastic shooter!
Last but not least was the purchase of the wifes 60 Pro. Bought through a local FFL new in the box at a price to low to mention more as a gift from the FFL to my wife to welcome her to the shooting community. To pick the 60 Pro apart in finish, fit and function found it to have a few very small burrs as a result of the target crown and the side plate fit is not perfect, but well within reason. With a trigger job and a bit of Fluff and Buff It's a fantastic shooter. Even the wife can shoot full house mags out of it and not cry about hand pain like so many grown men do now days.
I will continue to purchase new S&W product and make it mine/ours from reputably sellers. And why not when I can buy them at Ruger prices, or below what the local market will bare.
Buyer beware.
