In praise of Smith & Wesson

[Loki7154]

So I had to send in my (basically brand new) M&P340 due to some nasty-looking discoloration on the cylinder. Looked like little flecks of rust. It was rust-colored, anyway. Whatever the case, I called Smith & Wesson customer service two weeks ago last monday (so Nov. 16). I had a FEDEX shipping label in hand the following Wednesday. Dropped the revolver off at FEDEX on Thursday. Figured it'd take a while given the holidays. Got a letter yesterday acknowledging reciept and quoting 2-3 weeks service time. FEDEX fellow just came by and dropped off a package--yep, she's already back!

And not only did they refinish the cylinder, but they also replaced (!) the crimson trace grips that I'd managed to muck up by not taking off when cleaning the 340. And they sent the old grips back.

Consider me VERY impressed. Way to go Smith.

P.S. Anybody got any ideas what could have happened to the cylinder? I use a desantis nemesis for pocket carry--could that have caused the cylinder finish to tarnish?

 

[Oro]

Two ideas:

1) If you have the 340PD, I have heard many instances of the anodizing on the titanium peeling and flaking from common solvents like Hoppes, etc.

2) If you have the 340CT (sounds like it), it has a stainless cylinder, not titanium. It is blackened to match the frame and it likely wasn't a perfect job. Yes, the holster probably accelerated it, but it shouldn't do it that quickly. In reality, the flecks you saw were probably oxidation of materials in the finish and not cylinder since it's stainless.

 

[Loki7154]

M&P340CT--though the CT designation just means it came with the crimson trace grips. Scandium frame, steel cylinder. So you think the finish oxidized? No way it should have happened that fast, right? Think spraying some silicon gun preservative on the inside of the nemesis would help the issue?