What repair have you sent your revolver in for?

[mattz357]

Other than trigger work, refinish or other cosmetic issues, what "repair" have you had to send your revolver in for? I've only had one, a NIB 642 with a gritty cylinder release that I couldn't fix. Just wondering what some of your horror stories were. Thanks in advance for sharing!

 

[lee n. field]

Taurus Model 66, busted firing pin spring.

 

[Preacherman]

No real "horror stories", just guns that needed a refresher.

I've sent two S&W Model 29's back to S&W for factory restoration - in other words, I told them "restore to factory new condition". This involved checking all functions and replacing parts where needed, re-finishing, etc. Typically costs about half the price of a new revolver: but that classic old Model 29 blueing just can't be duplicated today, and it comes back in NIB condition. Lovely workmanship.

I've also had several revolvers out to Clark Custom Guns for action jobs, DAO conversions, round-butting, caliber conversion, etc. None of these can be classified as "repairs" - they were modifications or improvements.

 

[mainmech48]

Older model 625 for a broken hammer nose (FP). Failed after semi-extensive dry firing using empty cases in a moonclip.

Repaired by S&W under warranty with no problems and no expense to me. Took about two weeks, IIRC.

Bought snap caps for dry firing practice. No further trouble.

 

[mec]

Have sent in two Model 29-2s for restoration and (1) refinish over a period of about ten years. Both came back perfectly timed and the one I had blued looked very good. A previous owner had done something to the trigger and they replaced that with a MIM part.

Sent in a Mountain Gun for engraving and thorough check out. They didn't like something about the barrel threads and installed a new barrel. At that time,there were some forged carbon steel hammers an triggers still around and they installed these.

Very fine work and reasonable turn around.


Sent in a Ruger SBH with detached ejector assembly. (happens with heavy loads) . I sent it in without grips and they put on a new set and restored the stainless finish to current standards and one of the current yellow boxes. They will always replace non standard parts and did this with the lightened trigger return spring in the revolver.
Perfect work and fast turn around. As I recall, there was no charge.

 

[JNewell]

Returned a Model 60 3" to S&W because the trigger occasionally locked up during DA shooting. (Very odd behavior.) They fixed this gun for free under warranty, and never asked if I was the original purchaser (I wasn't). Total turnaround time, door to door was eight days. They paid shipping both ways. The gun has as good a trigger now as any J-frame is likely to, at least outside the shop of someone like Teddy Jacobson.

Fast, free, right the first time.

Have sent a Python back to Colt several times for a mix of timing problems. They never fixed it, made it worse before they made it only as bad as it started out. Echh, never again will I send a gun back to Hartford.

 

[bpisler]

I returned a Taurus 605 because it shot well to the right at 15 yards.It was dead on when i got it back.

 

[dmftoy1]

S&W Model 500 - broken trigger return spring.

Back in a little over a week at no charge to me and with a complimentary trigger job.

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[mec]

"Have sent a Python back to Colt several times for a mix of timing problems. They never fixed it, made it worse before they made it only as bad as it started out. Echh, never again will I send a gun back to Hartford."

Never had the occasion to send a Colt back but they were nice enough to send me a free passive safety spring for one I lost in the carpet.

I've seen pythons from the 70s and 80s that were out of time straight out of the box. Haven't seen a python that had been fired a little that wasn't out of time.

 

[deereman]

S&W 325PD. First sent back for gritty feeling double action. Then for cylinder going by the stop when ejecting stuck shells.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

You know, I don't have any horror stories about handguns. I guess I
have been lucky (or blessed), cuz I've always gotten quality guns;
but not always at the best price.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[JNewell]

I've seen pythons from the 70s and 80s that were out of time straight out of the box.

Yep, that is one of 'em. 1986, during the strike IIRC. Never got shot enough to get out of time, spent too much of the time I owned it in a box going back and forth...

Ruger, S&W and SIG have been pretty good about sending small parts gratis.

Oh, yeah I forgot one. I have a SIG P228 that had the front sight literallly fall out of the dovetail at the range one time. One shot it was there, next shot AWOL. They fixed that free. I guess there is a difference between "adjustable for windage" and "adjustable by the wind"?

 

[Atticus]

Hammer stud snapped off my S&W model 19 (S&W did a nice repair job). I sent a Colt AA2000 back to Colt twice. It still wasn't reliable, so I asked the dealer to trade me back, and he did.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Colt Diamondback, currently back at Colt (again).
1) at about 38,000 rnds bolt spring broke
2) at around 42,000 rnds out of time (probably out of time earlier, just I did not know any better)
3) Now at around 45,000 rnds, bolt screw head broke. Also haveing it retimed "again". Colt says it needs it again. By the way, $38 to ship it there, $79 to fix it (I will authorize the repairs at 10am this morning), 35 days to fix (estimated) and another $30 to ship it back. I only paid $225 for it originally 26 years ago if I remember right.

No other revolver I own (out of the say 20 or so) has this many rounds or problems. I think after I get it back, it will see only occasional use at the range and I will shoot my pre-war 38/44's more!

 

[Mikul]

Ruger Redhawk
200 rounds: Adjusted Barrel for Windage (I swear that is what the repair sheet said). I picture a Ruger tech with my revolver's barrel wedged between two trees. "There! That oughta do it." They also fixed a cylinder binding issue.
600 rounds: Fixed the cylinder binding problem AGAIN.

It has been fine for the next 5,000 rounds.

 

[aug e. dog]

Sent in two old S&W's even though they said they probably would not have parts for them. One was an old M&P that was out of time, the other was an older Model 17 that had too much cylinder play. Despite not having parts, S&W fixed both at no charge. That's great CS in my opinion.

 

[Black Snowman]

None. I'm to impatient to send something back to the factory for repair. Normally I'll fix it myself. If it's something I can't handle I'd send it in but luckily nothing that major has ever come up.

Problems I've had: Hanging up in my S&W 646. Just took a detail strip and clean. Was using a particularly dirty powder.

Really bad and gritty trigger and occsional fail to reset on my Taurus 445 Ti: Detail strip and clean. There was silica sand in the action. A lot too.

My used Taurus 669 and Ruger Super Redhawk have been fine.

 

[tbeb]

Light firing pin hits on an older Taurus Model 85 (which I purchased new), and on an older Charter Arms Undercover .38. Two trips to the Taurus factory did not fix problem. Taurus gave me a full refund, and I bought a Smith & Wesson Model 49. Got Charter Arms back from the factory, and problem was not fixed. They then sent me an extra heavy hammer spring which I installed myself. Problem fixed.

 

[larryf1952]

I had a NIB S&W Model 29 Classic on which the hammer would not fall when the trigger was pulled in DA. Single action worked fine. Sent it back, and they fixed whatever the problem was, as well as refinished the gun.

It's not a revolver, but I also have a Ruger P89 that lost its front sight blade, due to mis-drilling of the retaining pin holes. They had to replace the entire slide on that one to fix it.

I've fixed a few others myself by ordering parts.