Gun quality and replace/repair?

[White_Wolf]

Every newbie such as myself is tempted to ask "what's the best gun in the world?" which is a ridiculous question for obvious reasons.

So I am going to concentrate on quality and repair issues.

A gun is a machine, and thus it is prone to wear and breakage. Craftsmanship, Usage, and Maintenance, are the only three things I can see that go into what makes a gun last a long time.

Since I control usage and maintenance, my concern when purchasing the gun is the factory quality itself. So I am wondering:

1. With the exception of ltd editions and antiques, is it true you get what you pay for? Or is it like trendy T-Shirts where you pay an extra $50 for the brand name?

2. What is the most likely component to stop functioning in a revolver?

4. Not including gunsmith labor, what is the most expensive component to replace in a revolver?

5. Which repair, replacement, or adjustment is typically the most expensive to pay a gunsmith to perform?

6. Which Revolver models are famous for being built tough and durable?

 

[sm]

Welcome to THR.

Allow me to answer your questions this way if I may.

Up front, I am old school, nothing wrong with new technologies or advancements, the bottom line is - what are your getting for monies spent? I do not care about Rebates, discounts or deals - what did you get for monies spent.

A new gun once fired is a used gun. A gun is only worth what one is willing to pay for it when buying it, it does not matter is a Commerative, a Special Run or if so well worn with little bluing - buyer's market - Just like the fellow was that bought it brand new.

Personally- I like the OLDer guns. I feel the metallurgy, craftsmanship and goes without saying , the Quality Control was better. Mfgs built a better gun, with better materials and with craftsman and not parts changers. Lawyers and Accountants didn't meddle so much, if at all back then.

Some guns have external wear - called Character while internals pristine.

Give me $400 , and I will buy a used K frame, over a brand new spanking gun any day of the week. Saw a Model 18 for $350, can't afford it, but I would have paid it. I know a lady bought a Model 10 for "real great price" (not gonna say) LNIB, and I mean NICE. She stole this gun for what she paid...seller needed the money to buy a new offering seen on the Internet or gun mag or somesuch...

Progress sometimes I gotta wonder if we are progressing forward or backward with some of what we are doing with some firearm offerings...

Get a OLder K frame S&W, classic, proven example being a Model 10,and you will never regret it.

 

[RON in PA]

If you buy a revolver from the major manufacturers you will be covered, especially Smith and Wesson and Ruger, both have reputations for standing behind their products. Taurus seems to have a less than good reputation for service, but they ultimately come through.

The above was in regard to guns that need fixing for the original owner.

What parts are most prone to go, maybe a pistolsmith knews, but revolvers tend to be trouble free. In my personal experience I've had one S&W break a firing pin and that's one out of approx. 35 Smiths. It also depends on what caliber your shooting, a 38 special is easier on a gun than a .357 magnum.

If you visit a lot of forums you will find that there are many who feel that the older, used guns are better. They may in fact be better polished and look like they have had more handwork, but that does not make them more accurate, rugged or trouble free. Fact is that to keep costs down most products have changed over the years by using newer materials and manufacturing processes that reduce labor. Gunnies tend to be a conservative lot and like things the way they used to be.

Tough and durable models: Smith model 10/64 and 15/17 in 38 special (the second number is the stainless steel version). The 586/686 in 357 magnum. Note the models 15 and 586 are available as used only. In Ruger there is the GP100 plus many models of single action guns. Both companies have extensive web pages. No comment on Taurus as I've had only one experience and I give the now dicontinued model a C+ to B rating. Many seem to like them, especially their lower cost.

 

[OH25shooter]

Is a brand name manufacturer costing more a better investment? It depends. I like S&W revolvers. My "new" 44 magnum model 629 had a cylinder timing problem. I had to ship it back to S&W for repairs. I called and they provided the free shipping label. When I received it (less than a week) it was noticably corrected and rotated much better. You said it correctly, these are man made manufactured machines. So, if man is involved, things can and do get screwed up. I think most gun owners would agree. What pisses us off the most is how some guns slip by quality control and are allowed to be shipped out to the public. That's my biggest complaint with any product. If an inspector sees a flaw with the product, stop it from going any further. Fix it at the starting point, then ship a good reliable product out for sale. I've never gone the "cheap" route with any of my firearms. And I've still encountered defects. I won't mention names, but S&W and Ruger are both brand name manufacturers.

 

[rockstar.esq]

The single most likely thing to fail on a revolver bar none is timing. This is not saying that one particular part gets worn out. It's just the nature of the beast. I find a shocking number of revolvers with a chamber or two that aren't timed properly. Fact of the matter is, given a slight timing error you'd have some lead cut from your bullet by the forcing cone but the gun would still hit POI at 7 yards so many many revolver fans are convinced that revolvers are more robust than they really are. If the timing gets worse you could end up with a blown gun or at a minimum broken forcing cone. Semiautos tend to be fussier given all the sliding and camming which opens up large areas for dirt and grit to settle. In semiautos the single most likely to wear out / fail part is the magazine. Either the feed lips get banged or the spring wears out but there's very little that so universally jacks up an auto's performance as a crappy magazine.