S&W 637 side to side play in yoke

[usnavymasterchief]

I bought this gun on 03/04/04, it is brand new and has not been fired.
When the yoke is locked closed in the ready to fire position, I have noticed when I hold the grip in my right hand, with my left hand I can move the "locked" yoke side to side opening a gap of approx .003 to .004 between the closed yoke and frame at the front of the gun. From what I have learned over the years, this is not a good thing, correct? I want to bring it back to the dealer but I want to be sure I know what I'm talking about.
The 637 is one of S&W's "promo" economy models and it shows. I should have been more careful the day I bought the piece but like a lot of other folks, I trust a well known brand to be good. My inexpensive Taurus revo locks up better than this S&W.
Those of you who know, please tell me if this is a problem or should I ignore it. If it is a problem is there a name for this condition that I can use to describe what's wrong when I call S&W?
Thanks for your assistance and recommendations. John

 

[stans]

I have three S&W revolvers, all are well used. With the cylinder locked in the frame, I can push the cylinder out maybe 0.001 to 0.002"...maybe. It is almost impossible to see. As soon as I release pressure, the cylinders go back to where they belong. If yours appears to be springing open, then that is a problem. It may have left the factory in such a condition or a gunshop commander spent a little time flicking the cylinder open and closed and bent the yoke/crane assembly.

 

[1911Tuner]

Sprung Yoke

stans said:

or a gunshop commander spent a little time flicking the cylinder open and closed and bent the yoke/crane assembly.

Bingo...probably.

Over the years, I've seen two Smiths and one Colt revolver leave the factory in that condition...and that's been a lotta years. Brownells
doesn't list a yoke assembly, so it's back to Smith & Wesson. If they
call abuse on it, they may or may not fix it, and it might become an issue between you and the dealer...if he'll admit that somebody could have done the "HotShot P.I. Flick" with the gun.

FWIW, I walked into a gunshop in another town just in time to watch a guy
doing the same thing with a vintage M-29..with the 6.5-inch barrel. The
dealer and I had cardiac arrythmia at the same instant as we both dove
for the guy to stop the slam-shut move...both too late. The "expert" was
actually a little hostile about it, insisted that it wouldn't hurt a thing,
and proclaimed loudly that he would just take his business elsewhere.
Good luck, Chucky...

Lesson:

Check the gun out thoroughly before you buy. Ya just never know how its
been handled.

Luck!
Tuner