"The Dark Side of Smith & Wesson"

[Twiki357]

I didn't bother to read the article, but it sounds like it's the exact opposite of my opinion of S&W. I have 7 S&W's ranging from a model 27, NIB in 1961 to the 637 Airweight I just bought NIB two weeks ago. I can't comment on the customer service since, over 50 years, I've never had a reason to contact them. The only negative I have about S&W is the way their rubber grips "don't" fit my hand.

 

[shiftyer1]

Never had a problem with smith and wesson quality, I did have a problem with a rebate offer they had on a newer model handgun. I wasn't impressed with their customer service at all. That was about 3 years ago so it may have changed? I'll buy used smiths but I will never buy a new one again.

I've never had to contact any manufacturer for a malfunctioning gun so I can't comment towards that side of it.

 

[rskent]

He is entitled to his opinion and I am entitled to mine. I think S&W is a company trying to survive and thrive in a sometimes good, sometimes bad economy and or political climate.
They are as a whole a good company with a good product line. Have they made some less than perfect choices? Of course, (who hasn’t) but I think they were made with the best
interest of S&W in mind. I think S&W puts out a very good product at a decent price point. Perfect, hardly but who is? Very good, you bet. Defiantly a top tier gun manufacture.
Just saying.

 

[the_hustleman]

Never had a problem with smith and wesson quality, I did have a problem with a rebate offer they had on a newer model handgun. I wasn't impressed with their customer service at all. That was about 3 years ago so it may have changed? I'll buy used smiths but I will never buy a new one again.

I've never had to contact any manufacturer for a malfunctioning gun so I can't comment towards that side of it.

you're just the opposite of me, I won't buy a used one. The warranty doesn't apply for the second owner :-(
*swyped from the evo so excuse any typos*

 

[itchy1]

I think that all S&W owners should heed the words of this highly esteemed gun author and begin the immedidate liquidation of their S&W collections--especially 3rd gen autos. In my ongoing efforts to be of better service to my fellow man, I will dutifully volunteer to receive these defective and dangerous guns absolutely free of charge(not including $50.00 hazardous material removal charge). So there's my generous offer, send all your autos and pre-locks with a $50.00 money order to me and I will properly dispose of these heinous contraptions. You can thank me by not delaying and acting NOW!

 

[gym]

My good friend hates them, he sold guns and is a marine, "carreer retired. He was selling them during the timeframe when they had the "qc" issue, and he told me every other gun was being returned. He finally stopped selling them, and even though that is behind us, he won't go near them, it left him with such a bad taste. He buys Taurus revolvers and swears they make a better gun or just as good. He never had a Taurus revolver come back. Go figure. I on the other hand haven't never has a problem with S&W and carried a 60 for 22 years. But also had an excellent lightweight scandium Taurus 38. That gun was so light it didn't feel real. They made it for 1 or 2 years back in the early 90's. I rcentlly traded it at a show to a dealer who was searching everyware for one for his wife, as he already ownde one for himself. Great little gun.He traded me a taurus slim in 40 for it and that had more stopping power and was as light and slimmer.Also held 7 instead of 5

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I have had problems with b/c gaps being excessive and uneven. I have sent several back and they were fixed on their dime. I had a .22 pistol that my brother gave me. My oldest son was shooting it when the entire rear sight flew off and almost put his eye out (yes, no shooting glasses). The tiny screw that held the entire sight on had come loose and dissappeared. I called S & W and they sent me the fedex label and put a rivet in place of the screw.

I had a 63 revolver that the chambers were too tight and the darn thing doesn't shoot well. BTW every single s & w .22 revolver I've ever shot suffered from this problem.

I once shot a new 66 about 350 times with Rem. 125gr magnums. It cracked the forcing cone and the timing was off. I sent it back and they replaced the barrel, cylinder and some other parts free of charge. In all honestesy to S & W those Remington loads were a lot hotter than today's ammo.

All of my S & W revolvers have endshake - it's just the nature of the beast.

 

[buck460XVR]

For the last coupla years, that article has been the first thing many Smith bashers bring to the table anytime there is a discussion about S&W quality. Thing is it didn't hold water then and it doesn't hold water now. One wonders why he has such an ax to grind with S&W. Maybe they wouldn't pay him for a positive review? Ol' Chucky knows a lot more than guns, just ask him. He's also an authority and writes reviews on audio equipment, astronomy and photography equipment, fishing, travel, motorcycles and motorcycle riding. Quite a accomplishment to be such an authority on everything.

The great thing about America is we all have the right to our opinions and we have the right to freely express them. That don't make 'em right nor does it mean it's the opinion of everyone.....even it it is on the internet.

 

[Ole Coot]

All my Smiths are BC(before Clinton). The new ones may be OK but hold no appeal for me, some just don't have the solid feel and action of the old ones.

 

[lizziedog1]

I believe there must be a thread dedicated to bashing just about every gun company. If some poor soul was going to use THR to research the purchase of a new gun he might be a bit discouraged.

I haven't seen any threads bashing Daisy BB Guns.

I guess getting a Red Ryder should be a good bet.

 

[wyohome]

I bought a new Model 36 in about 1974. It would fail to fire on occasion, sent it back and after repairs were made it was the same. A friend took it apart and polished the sear and it has not misfired since. I also have a K-22 that has been cycled many thousands of times since the 1950s with very little problem...

 

[Archaic]

I like my Walther PPS, but I don't own any S&W pistols. I do have a S&W MP-15 that I have enjoyed so far.

**I have to caveat this by saying that Chuck Hawk's website is my go to source for gun information, so much so that I've paid the subscription price**

 

[willypete]

Chuck Hawk's website is my go to source for gun information

What about that website makes you feel like it's a good enough source of information to justify paying for it?

 

[swinokur]

I own 4 Smith 10xx 3rd generation autos made in the early 90's. No finer pistol ever made IMHO.

 

[Denderwuz]

New guy here, hello all, My self imposed S&W boycott from their 90's Clinton "arrangement" is slowly beginning to thaw... I know they are different owners from back then but I don't forgive too easily... FWIW

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

**I have to caveat this by saying that Chuck Hawk's website is my go to source for gun information, so much so that I've paid the subscription price**

If he is your "go to source" for firearms information, I seriously feel sorry for you! The man wouldn't know an honest opinion if it bit him on his privates! He is paid for his opinions as most anyone with any knowledge knows. What little "research" he does is usually wrong. I, and many other shooters I know, have all offered to go into an in depth discussion with him on some of his various articles as well as offered him some range time at a few of our spots. For some odd reason he has always declined. I guess he doesn't want us to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt what most of us already know, he is a hack. Plain and simple. If you are reading this Chucky, the offer still stands there buddy. You are more than welcome to come prove us wrong with your vast knowledge

 

[9mmforMe]

I have owned several older S&W revolvers in the last 20 years and all of them were great shooters, no problems at all. Unfortunately, for the last few years, whenever I would pick up a new J or K frame to handle at the GS, I was very disappointed with the triggers, fit and finish seemed to be not as good as on my revolvers and I noticed there were some timing issues as well. Presently, I would not buy one of the cyclops Smiths, but an older one might catch my interest.