New S&W 637 from Cabela's. Sad state of affairs.

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Rugerlvr

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I posted a couple of days ago asking how the prices on new stock were at Cabela's. Lots of folks said that it is about MSRP. Well, I've been interested in getting a 637. I went down there today, with my $20 off $150 coupon and $71 in Cabela's Club points to look. They had a sale on All J-Frames (sans CT grips) for $399.99. So having browsed online, I knew that was a decent price. I took a look at the one under glass, and said "I'll take it." Well, the one under glass is not the one they sell you. He pulled a presumably new one from the stock room, and stupid me, I did not inspect it. Here's what I found when I got it home.

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637-2.jpg
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Is that the worst crown & rifling you've ever seen on a new gun? What's S&W coming to these days :(

The lockup doesn't seem very tight, and the cylinder release is very stiff. Anyway, they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee right on the reciept. I called them and told them I was bringing it back in the morning. I hope they have a nicer one for exchange, because frankly I really do want it.
 
You won't know until you fire it - maybe it'll shoot great?

I had a 642 w/ a front sight that didn't line-up with the rear notch - looked like they just screwed it in too far. It shot fine, but didn't make me happy. Sold it for something else.

I recently bought an AR and when I got it home to do a detailed inspection, it had missing finish/coating, tool marks, etc. Not very happy about spending that kind of money for a gun w/ cosmetic problems. Took it out shooting today and it ran flawlessly. Suddenly, the other issues don't seem to bother me quite as much.

Good luck with your gun.
 
The current crown manufacturing details show up regularly--do a google in this forum for more discussions.

IMO, the general consensus seems to be that 1) it does look lousy, but that 2), it doesn't seem to have a measurable impact on shootability.

Part of the reason S&W makes this gun the way they do is because of the (retail) price point it's sold at: it sells for about $57.00 in real (1967 CPI) money.

Jim H.
 
The crown on my three-year-old 637 looks virtually identical to yours.

Someone who's a FAR better shot than I am put three of three Speer 135 gr +P Gold Dots into the X at 25 yards with it, single action.

Mine tend to be minute of pie-plate at 7 yards. :p
 
The rifling on the barrel of my 642 goes all the way to the end, just like your pictures show. It hasn't been any kind of a problem; the little thing is extremely accurate. I think the length of the barrel might have something to do with the appearance of the crown-- they're trying to maximize the rifling's effect in a very short length.
 
I haven't had occasion to test Cabela's return/exchange policy on firearms but have heard it is pretty generous. If you decide to exchange the gun, it would be interesting to hear about the results. You would have to fill out another 4473 and do another background check, but this should not be a problem in Utah. Before doing any of that, however, I would clean and lube the gun as much as possible/accessible, then take it out and actually shoot it - it may not be as bad as you think. :)
 
there's just no excuse for that. poor quality control. i had similar experience just this past week with a fresh from the farm SW 60. there was a gouge on the right side frame where the barrel connects with rough edges, not like a tool had dented it in but more like something rough stamped it or a piece just fell out. i wasn't going to put a .357 load through that, took it back, and got a full refund. i'll do business with that shop again for that very reason. almost any other shop would have said, "sorry, but maybe we can send it back to SW for warranty work." why a handgun is treated differently from almost any other product when there's a clear manufacturer's defect, i can't fathom (i.e., if it's clearly a mfr defect and i haven't even used it once, give me a replacement or give me my money back). i know this is a little off topic, too, but cabela's gave me 75%+ in cash of what i paid originally from a different shopfor a revolver i sold them (just a basic ruger). my usual local shop, at best and for a trade, might give 65%. anyway, go get a new gun; that barrel's a disgrace to SW.
 
Back as far as the late 1960's I knew a very wise retailer that inspected new handguns (Smith & Wesson in particular) when they came in, and prior to putting them into inventory; for visual or mechanical flaws. Clearly, if the companies still had final inspectors they were wearing dark glasses after turning out the lights.

This saved a lot of trouble with customer relations, as the flawed guns were returned to the distributor, and this occured before the buyer had filled out any paperwork. In fairness to the firearms manufacturers not a whole lot of guns were returned, but it did happen. :(
 
I took the gun back to Cabela's and they exchanged it no problem. The new one has a proper crown. I figure with a snubbie, any impediment to accuracy is a huge drawback.

I did have to fill out a new 4473. They said had I returned it the same day, I wouldn't have had to. But since it was the next day, the ATF requires a new form.
 
Rugerlvr

Glad to hear everything went well with your return. You're right; that has to be one of the worst looking barrel finishing jobs I've ever seen. Just to verify, I took out my Model 649 and the crown still looks perfect after all these years. Hope the new one works out fine for you.
 
I have a new 642-2, bought 2-07, that is nearly the tack driver that my 2" 10-11 is with my homebrews or Remi 158gr LHPSWC +Ps, shot DA. I guess the snubby 10 is a bit better at 100yd - in SA (Hard to do with a 642...). The 10 has a 'perfect' looking crown, the 642 practically the same. My two-piece - SS barrel liner/Al shroud - 296 is better, still - the separate barrel liner/shroud may permit a better crown more easily in mass production.

Your original was just poor - and inexcusable. The 442/637/642 were all dropped by $100 several years ago at a SHOT show - to enhance sales - it worked! They, particularly the 642, are S&Ws best sellers. And - the street price is finally getting close to what it was five years ago. Get one, 637 or 442/642, if you don't have one - great protection! Of course, look it over carefully...

Stainz
 
Can you post pictures of the new revolver? I would like to see the difference...

I've seen threads like this before and the consensus is what you are looking at is an illusion. Because the rifling comes all the way to the crown and because of the light colored materials used in the barrel you get the impression the barrel is out of round. It's really only an illusion common to the M637, M638 and M642 and possibly similar revolvers. I don't know if this is true but that's what I've read over the past 2 years. Comparison pictures would help.
 
I'd like to see a comparison as well. I had no idea anything was wrong with it, so I'd like to see normal one. Consider it educational purposes.
 
Ok, here's the new one. This is the best pic I could get. Hopefully you can see that each rifling groove is distinct at the crown, and the rifling inside the barrel doesn't look so beveled off. As you can see, I've taken it to the range :D

newcrown.jpg
 
That crown does look better. Unfortunately I've seen many like the first revolver you posted although not quite as bad.

Thanks for posting the photo...
 
Rugerlvr,

Thanks for this brief but important educational post.

It made me pull the Scandium J-frame out of my bathrobe pocket for inspection. Its stainless barrell insert looks well-finished.

Merci,

leVieux
 
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