Will S&W keep a record of serial # if I send for repairs?

Status
Not open for further replies.
1KPerDay

1KPerDay

Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2006
Messages
20,888
Location
Happy Valley, UT
Now, let me begin by saying I'm NOT a conspiracy theorist. I just would prefer the government to know as little about my guns as possible for obvious reasons.

I have a nice S&W model 28 4" that has a too-tight cyl/barrel gap (diagnosed correctly by THR members; thanks!). I haven't been able to learn how to properly shim it myself, and would prefer not to ship the gun anywhere. I don't know any gunsmiths locally.

My question is, if I send the gun to S&W, will they keep track of the serial # and owner? I inherited the gun from my dad, and don't know if he bought the gun new or second-hand.

Thanks for any advice.:cool:

P.S. I could also use some advice re: good grips for this model... the originals leave the space behind the triggerguard bare and I find the gun rides too low this way.

P.P.S. I have purchased many other guns the normal way and they're "in the system"... I'd just prefer the ones I inherited to stay "under the radar" if possible.
 
No way of telling. Even if it is "in their system", it's not like they do a research into NICS to find out if you were the buyer. I bought one secondhand that had some problems, sent it in, they didn't take issue with it. It wound up being broke and we worked it out where I'd get a 620 in return, and they didn't do a NICS check because the calibre was the same, etc etc etc. I wouldn't sweat it.

as for grips, look up "hogue"--they're amazing and comfortable, and soak up recoil.

as for hte "under the radar"---i don't think anyone's going to hold that against you.
 
I'm pretty sure they're going to log it in. Jiffy Lube logs your car in when it goes in, I think it's just standard business practice.

You can order the shims from Brownells and give it a shot yourself or else it'll get logged in somewhere.

I understand your concern. However, better to have a fully functioning revolver that's been recorded in Smith's book than one that might fail.
 
It's my understanding that any FFL or gunsmith that keeps your firearm overnight or does not do the repair while you wait is required to log the firearm in and out of his bound book.
 
But do they log the owner? I'm sure the serial # is written down somewhere, but as of right now there's nothing that says I own that serial number. You see?

BTW, if anyone can explain to me how to shim the gap properly I'm all ears... I asked about it quite a while back but was never able to get an explanation.

Original thread FYI
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=180726
 
Yes, they do need to record who it came from, and where it went after it leaves them.
 
I totally understand your wanting to have as many "off the radar" firearms as possible. Registration always precedes confiscation, and I think the government has no business knowing what we do and don't own.

BTW, if your salary is $1K a day (like your name), then donate some $$ or firearms to a man in need (me!)! :D
 
too-tight cyl/barrel gap

Wouldn't tell you what to do but my re-barreled Single Six suffered from too tight a gap. A simple fine cut file and some careful strokes......problem solved.

God Bless
Creeker
 
That worried? Brownells sells a tool kit that you can fix it with.

Not on paper? Jeesh think they will find it with the Papered guns you store with it.

Paranoia will destroy ya.

What are you going to do bury it before they find it? To the powers to be, your buried guns are as good as gone to them as you will never have the guts to use them.

Buired is as good as confiscated.
 
Not only will S&W record all of your personal information, in league with the government they will install a tracking system under the grips and the FBI will follow you for the rest of your days.
 
1KPerDay:

The 1968 Gun Control Act requires that gunsmiths, and service departments of gun companies, must record in a bound book the name and address of a gun’s owner and the make, model and serial number of the gun, if they keep it on their premises for more then 24 hours. I have known of many instances where prior arrangements were made for a minor repair that wouldn’t require keeping the gun for more then say… an hour and a half.

Your first post has me a little confused. Are you saying that the cylinder/barrel gap is too tight, or that the cylinder is suffering from end shake (back & forth movement) and needs to have a bearing (aka “shim”) installed?

If you are contemplating doing any work on your own Smith & Wesson you need to log onto www.brownells.com and order a copy of their hard-copy catalog. Then buy a copy of a book entitled: The S&W Revolver – A Shop Manual, by Jerry Kuhnhausen. It will explain just about anything you might need to know about ‘smithing a Smith & Wesson revolver, except the current ones with MIM lockwork. Brownells will have anything you might need to buy in the way of tools or supplies. If there is a qualified gunsmith in your area that will do whatever is needed while you wait, that would be the best solution. If not you’ll either have to return the gun to the factory knowing they will log the required information, or do the work yourself.
 
Sometimes the paranoid folks can be amusing. I recall one guy telling me, in strict confidence, that he had an M1 rifle that the government didn't know about. I assumed he had stolen it, and asked him outright if that was the case. He assured me that he was no thief and that the rifle was certainly not stolen. Again, in confidence, he told me that "the government" had no record of it because he got it "from the NRA."

I didn't have the heart to tell him where the rifle really came from, and that they surely did have a record.

Jim
 
Old Fluff, that's interseting, I though I read somwhere that Kel-Tec doesn't do this, since Florida law prohibits it. Maybe that's computerized records though.
 
Even if the law didn't require it, any repair shop will keep a record for its own protection against fraudulent claims by a customer.

Jim
 
kludge:

I am not sure what Florida statutes might say, but they can't overrule a Federal law. Kel-Tec (and any other manufacturer) is licensed to do business by the Feds. and the BATF&E could yank that license if they, or any other company didn't keep the required records..
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Z
  • Locked
Dating a S&W revolver by serial number
Replies
14
Views
51K
Old Fuff
O
M
  • Locked
S&W revolver questions
Replies
3
Views
474
Radagast
R
S
  • Locked
Looking for info on 32 S&W CTG
Replies
4
Views
389
simonejh
S
J
  • Locked
serial number search S&W model 1-1/2
Replies
0
Views
639
Jeff22
J
L
  • Locked
Smith & Wesson Model 63 Serial Number
Replies
9
Views
6K
Stainz
S
Back
Top