Dissapointing new 629 PC

[ArchAngelCD]

The seller probably took your gun to GunBroker because nobody would buy it after a firsthand inspection. This reflects more poorly on the seller than S&W. I say let Smith do their thing. These PC snubs are sweet!

That right there is a handful of truth! That dealer should have sent the gun back to S&W instead of selling it on the NET where the buyer can't see it.

Also, I would have inspected the gun before I did the paperwork and in that condition I would not have accepted delivery so it's partially your fault too. Also, your FFL should have noticed the damage before you did and told you about it. If anything S&W is forth in the blame line in this case.

Put your big-boy pants on and handle it. Contact S&W who can fix the problem instead of crying to people on a forum who can't help you.

 

[daehawc]

Did you even read any of my posts? In my original post I said I had already contacted smith and was in the process of returning it. In my post today I had received it back and commended them.

In the end, no one knows what happened to the gun. It was new and the flaws were not obvious until a more thorough inspection later on.

Sure I guess I should do a 50 point inspection on every new gun that comes through but I barely get time to stop by the FFL after work as it is. I did a basic check and didn't see it.

While it would be easy to say the seller was trying to move a bad product, I have no proof of that. I tend to default that people are honest until proven otherwise. I feel it is far more likely that a company that produces the number of guns that Smith does simply made some errors and one got past them. I was simply pointing out my experience and seeing if others have seen anything similar.

 

[RealGun]

Most of my guns bought new over the last 12 years have had a trip back to the manufacturer. That includes Springfield US production, Kimber, and Ruger. One Smith required a trigger job and a cylinder throat reaming at my expense. My best luck has been with Taurus...go figure. The one that impressed me was my Glock model 22RTF...smooth, accurate, and perfect action right from the box.

The 1987 Smith 657 .41 Magnum has the most stagy double action trigger I have ever encountered. We'll work on that, even though it is typically fired SA.

I don't think I can be accused of whining about any of these. I fix it, one way or the other. The guns were never gone to the manufacturer more than 10 days, and I didn't pay for shipping. The gunsmith work is a different story...frustrating at how long it can take at times.

Just to review, perfect quality costs more.

 

[340PD]

Wow, I must be lucky. I have owned dozens of firearms over the last 50 years and not one of them has ever needed a trip back to the factory.

 

[B!ngo]

Yes, I think PC just means options not available on base revolvers.

Agreed. I recently documented my purchase of a new PC .44 wherein upon receipt I was able to adjust (and then remove) the front sight with my thumb and forefinger. Absolutely inspiring.
B

 

[CraigC]

Situations like this can be easily avoided by simply thoroughly inspecting your new gun before you fill out your 4473.

Different gun = new serial number. It MUST go through an FFL

Wrong. Replacement guns can be sent directly to the owner, no FFL required. Some manufacturers just choose to do so to avoid any possible issues.

 

[RealGun]

I am skeptical of that pronouncement, because I believe BATFE wants at least a paper trail (FFL log book) for chain of custody by serial number.

 

[ultratec1]

I voiced my opinion on S&W PC once before and got the read the riot act. S&W PC has drastically gone downhill!!! This is coming from 2 PC guns that fell apart, one of them to the point that S&W said that the gun was not repairable and a new gun was issued. Their customer service is great but the guns are really taking a downhill slide

 

[Waveski]

"Replacement guns can be sent directly to the owner, no FFL required."

A good friend of mine recently had a replacement sent directly to him from Chiappa.

 

[CraigC]

I am skeptical of that pronouncement...

That is your prerogative. Research for yourself. The manufacturer handles all paperwork. Do you think manufacturers would be sending replacement guns with new serial numbers directly to their owners if it were not 100% legal?

 

[benzy2]

It seems to violate Michigan law to send them directly with a new serial number. A permit is required here for each pistol owned and it is directly tied to the pistols serial number. While you do not have to get the permit before you purchase the pistol, you do have to have it before the pistol is possessed in Michigan. It may not be a federal issue but it may not be legal everywhere either to simply ship a new serial numbered handgun to a civilian.

 

[RealGun]

Quote:
I am skeptical of that pronouncement...

That is your prerogative. Research for yourself. The manufacturer handles all paperwork. Do you think manufacturers would be sending replacement guns with new serial numbers directly to their owners if it were not 100% legal?

I guess I didn't appreciate that you would know what they do? How do you manage that? If truly a loophole for injecting serial numbers into their system, I would bet that BATFE would jump on that, if they caught on.

 

[CraigC]

It seems to violate Michigan law to send them directly with a new serial number.

And that is why it is Ruger policy to ship to an FFL regardless. As 'some' do not understand, there is no federal requirement. If there is no state law regarding this, it is perfectly legal and acceptable to ship a replacement firearm directly to its owner.

I guess I didn't appreciate that you would know what they do? How do you manage that? If truly a loophole for injecting serial numbers into their system, I would bet that BATFE would jump on that, if they caught on.

It's not a loophole. The manufacturer reports the serial number of the first gun as destroyed at the factory and issues the replacement. I don't know why you would think this to be a "loophole" or an attempt to manipulate the law. I would suggest researching for yourself rather than assuming it's incorrect, just because YOU have never heard of it. It is a very common practice and several people in this thread have posted about receiving a replacement firearm with a new serial number directly from the manufacturer. It is pure myth/misconception that they 'must' go through a dealer.