New S&W Revolver QC

[SwampDweller]

With all the excitement about the new lockless Smiths coming out, I'm seriously considering taking the dive into a new production Smith. I don't own any recent production S&W revolvers besides a no-lock 642. It's not had any problems but I haven't shot it that much (and not really sure what round count without problems is sufficient to declare it vetted).

I'm heavily considering a no-lock Model 19 Classic and/or a Model 629 Mountain Gun when those become available, but the various QC issues reported here and elsewhere give me pause.

I'm the kind of weirdo that will never trust a gun that came from the factory with a defect affecting reliability. Yes, I know Smith could make it right, but I'd still end up getting rid of it because I don't keep guns I wouldn't trust.

How likely am I to get a good one vs a bad one? Should I take the plunge and try out a new lockless 19, or should I just stick with older Smiths? I like the idea of getting a current production Smith that has currently-produced replacement parts and more widely available reputable people to work on them vs the increasingly few that work on old Smiths. I also would feel a little less bad shooting the hell out of it, though with the 19 it'd be mostly .38 loads.

[rathos]

I bought a recent 19, but it was on of the performance center ported models. No issues with it really other than I expected the trigger to be a lot better being a performance center gun. While it is better than a production version, I have older 19s that have butter like triggers that feel much lighter than the weight on the trigger gauge shows. Other than the trigger being just ok, I have had no issues. It has handled full power .357 and .38 loads with no issues. I am personally going to get one of the pencil barrel model 10. I have always wanted one and it seems like a crap shoot trying to find a used one that is in decent shape.

[FrankB]

I’ve purchased several S&W revolvers in the past decade, and they’ve all been 100%. All but 2 were purchased in a local shop, so I had a chance to examine them. One shop told me they examine the new shipments, and send back the duds.

The older S&W revolvers I’ve nabbed have all been fine, for whatever that’s worth.

[SwampDweller]

I guess these replies are somewhat encouraging. Part of me wants to get a new 19 and an old 19 at the same time, if I get disappointed by one maybe the other can make up for it!

[WDR]

I'd really like to hear that some of initial UC issues were taken seriously, and things have been corrected for the future... from someone like Jason and/or the top dogs at Smith & Wesson. From what I've seen Smith was pretty good about taking care of folks, but it'd be nice to know they are being proactive and not reactive.

I've been really happy with my UC, despite it needing some minor stuff. I'm very interested in a .357 Mountain Gun... and not to just leave in the box at the back of the safe. If I get one, it will be shot... possibly a lot.

[SwampDweller]

I'd really like to hear that some of initial UC issues were taken seriously, and things have been corrected for the future... from someone like Jason and/or the top dogs at Smith & Wesson. From what I've seen Smith was pretty good about taking care of folks, but it'd be nice to know they are being proactive and not reactive.

I've been really happy with my UC, despite it needing some minor stuff. I'm very interested in a .357 Mountain Gun... and not to just leave in the box at the back of the safe. If I get one, it will be shot... possibly a lot.

I have a Model 19 Classic No Lock in my cart right now. I'm trying to make a final decision.

[DamonL]

If you buy it in a store, you can inspect it before you buy it.

[SwampDweller]

If you buy it in a store, you can inspect it before you buy it.

Unfortunately I can't find it anywhere in my state of residence (let alone within reasonable driving distance in my state of residence), only online at places like Tombstone Tactical, Smoky Mountain Gun Works, etc. However, I would be counting on the ability to reject the transfer and send it back for a refund if there's something obviously wrong with it.

[WDR]

I have a Model 19 Classic No Lock in my cart right now. I'm trying to make a final decision.

For me, I felt like both Lipseys and Smith were trying to get things right... by their responses to issues on this forum and elsewhere. I didn't send my UC in for work, but fixed the minor stuff myself. That said, I wasn't afraid to take the side plate off the gun. Not everyone is willing to do that though. And you really shouldn't have to with a new gun.

I'd guess if you did have an issue, it would eventually get resolved. Those Model 19's are good looking guns.

Ruger has had their own QC issues, and Taurus too. And both also seem to be willing to make things right.

[SwampDweller]

For me, I felt like both Lipseys and Smith were trying to get things right... by their responses to issues on this forum and elsewhere. I didn't send my UC in for work, but fixed the minor stuff myself. That said, I wasn't afraid to take the side plate off the gun. Not everyone is willing to do that though. And you really shouldn't have to with a new gun.

I'd guess if you did have an issue, it would eventually get resolved. Those Model 19's are good looking guns.

Ruger has had their own QC issues, and Taurus too. And both also seem to be willing to make things right.

Well, looks like I'm going to be one of the first guinea pigs of the new Model 19 Classic No Lock. I just ordered from Smoky Mountain Gun Works. They have a specific policy that you can reject the transfer and send it back as long as you haven't taken possession of the gun yet.

Can anyone provide me with some kind of checklist to go through to find any potential defects that can be caught before accepting the transfer?