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Bad Luck with New Guns

wmg1299

wmg1299

Professional
My recent experience with new guns is making want to switch to a "used-only" policy. I already posted about my new SA-35 needing to go back to the factory due to extraction issues. When Smith & Wesson advertised their Shield Plus "Bug-Out Bundle", which includes an optics ready Shield Plus with night sights, a 1st aid kit, a sling bag, and 5 magazines for $500, I went ahead and made the purchase. I don't usually purchase new guns so close together, but I thought that the Shield Plus was too good a deal to pass up.

Right out of the box, there was a scratch in the finish and the front tritium sight was dead. I inherited my Uncle's Model 10, which was made sometime in the early 1960's, and the finish on that gun looks better than on the brand new Shield. I keep my carry guns meticulously clean and maintained, but I don't baby them, so little scratches don't bother me too much. S&W mailed me a new sight within a week, so I wasn't too mad.

I've been swapping sights for years without any problems, but the front sight on the Shield Plus was a beast. By the time I had the old one off I'd bent part of the metal on my sight tool. I'd been seriously considering buying a second Shield Plus as a truck gun before my experience with this one. I remember when S&W were considered to be high-end guns and it seemed like the company took pride in their products.

Am I just having a run of bad luck, or have the big manufacturers thrown quality control out the window in order to meet demand? Are any of you having similar experiences with new guns?
 
wmg1299 said:
My recent experience with new guns is making want to switch to a "used-only" policy. I already posted about my new SA-35 needing to go back to the factory due to extraction issues. When Smith & Wesson advertised their Shield Plus "Bug-Out Bundle", which includes an optics ready Shield Plus with night sights, a 1st aid kit, a sling bag, and 5 magazines for $500, I went ahead and made the purchase. I don't usually purchase new guns so close together, but I thought that the Shield Plus was too good a deal to pass up.

Right out of the box, there was a scratch in the finish and the front tritium sight was dead. I inherited my Uncle's Model 10, which was made sometime in the early 1960's, and the finish on that gun looks better than on the brand new Shield. I keep my carry guns meticulously clean and maintained, but I don't baby them, so little scratches don't bother me too much. S&W mailed me a new sight within a week, so I wasn't too mad.

I've been swapping sights for years without any problems, but the front sight on the Shield Plus was a beast. By the time I had the old one off I'd bent part of the metal on my sight tool. I'd been seriously considering buying a second Shield Plus as a truck gun before my experience with this one. I remember when S&W were considered to be high-end guns and it seemed like the company took pride in their products.

Am I just having a run of bad luck, or have the big manufacturers thrown quality control out the window in order to meet demand? Are any of you having similar experiences with new guns?
Click to expand...


Well, for starters I would be very surprised if the damage to that gun happened at the factory. And I can tell you S&W has an excellent CS department and is very responsive to customer's needs. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one if I were you.

My guess is whatever happened to your Shield happened during or after delivery to your point of purchase. Which is by the way the first call I would make about getting the gun repaired or replaced.
 
I purchased a Shield EZ for my wife from my LGS, it shoots like a dream, have had zero issues with it and she loves it as well. Sounds like bad luck too me, I am personally a SA fan myself. I carry the SA EMP4 and I just love it. Hope it gets better for you. Safe shooting!!
 
S&W is currently running a rebate for the Sheild Plus. I was in the LGS today looking for a PC 4" ported Sheild Plus with CT optic (which I frequently get emails from S&W about (among other models)). Unfortunately they didn't have this piticular model configuration (I already have the PC Sheild Plus 4" but not optic ready nor ported). Oh well, maybe one day soon. Rebate info below for those interested.

Rebates | Smith & Wesson

CURRENT PROMOTIONS SMITH & WESSON EZ HOLIDAY REBATEOffer valid between November 1 - December 31, 2022Offer limited to one rebate per each NEW eligible Smith & Wesson® M&P® SHIELD EZ® pistol purchased between November 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, as follows: $50.00 USD prepaid card for each...
www.smith-wesson.com www.smith-wesson.com
 
Well I have purchased 5 new handguns over the last few years. Not bad generally average one new gun a year, I have 3 kids under 3, so spare money for more than that won’t be a thing for around 18 more years or so. Granted 4 have been Springfield’s, xds mod 2 45 ACP, xdm threaded barrel 45 ACP, RO compact, p365, and the new operator. Haven’t shot the new operator yet since I got a few days ago and had some family stuff going on. The 4 I have shot have all have all been flawless. I assume it was bad luck. Glad to hear smith and Wesson sent a new sight. My buddy has a shield, he said it was a nightmare to try to change it himself and finally just took it to gunsmith. I did the same for the XDM just because I had heard a few stories.
 
wmg,
Don't go "used-only". You might consider buying new after a model has been out a year or two (SA-35).

Even though this is a SA forum, Smith is clearly a VERY reputable company in my locale. Every dealer I visit has TONS of Smith products in stock relative to any other brand...and I see the local factory rep calling on these guys more than any other factory reps. I understand that's not a fair assessment, but the fact that I've seen the Smith rep several times and have NOT seen any other reps, combined with local inventory of Smith pistols being larger than other brands....

Unless it's a truly "WW2 used 1911 or M1 Garand", don't shy from new....your streak will end...
 
javbike said:
I still think smith and Wesson is a quality company I would buy a gun from them for sure next I am looking a 357 revolver model 686 blued 6 inch
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Blue is model 586 and I don’t think they make it in regular production, but there still have it I think in there Classic configuration
 
I took a S&W SD40VE on trade, it looked brand new. Lots of people buy guns then really don't shoot them very much.
Took it to the range and it was one FTF after another. Took it home, downloaded a manual, and lubed the 6 spots it called out for good operation. Back to the range- much better. No problems. Since then I got it some lighter springs, a night sight front, a standard metal 2 dot rear, a Hogue rubber grip and it is a very good gun now. As long as it is wet in those six places...

Years ago I bought a Kel Tec PLR-16 brand new. Wouldn't feed, bolt hanging up..
Took it apart and there was a tiny nub left on the bolt that was digging into the polymer frame, like the machinist failed to finish whatever he was milling. Cut it off, polished it up- fixed another one- sold that one.

Another Kel Tec Sub 2000 (everyone else's work great!) would jam and FTF. Regularly. It was the hammer not clearing the bolt somehow, interfering with its operation. Sent it back, they fixed it, sold that one too.

I have bought 3 new Uberti SA revolvers. An 1858, a .44 Bad Boy (stupid name) and a .38 Stallion with a bird's head grip. The first two are perfect and look great.
The .38 was rough, jammed a lot, the bluing on the front face of the cylinder was bare in spots.
I know how to slick up colt clones so I spent a couple weeks of spare time in the evening polishing the action and certain surfaces on the cylinder and inside the frame. Now it's the nicest SA I have. Not for sale. The bluing is still messed up but you can't notice it unless you're inspecting it closely.

In 2000 I bought a Marlin Cowboy Limited .357 with a long barrel. 24" IMS. That rifle spewed lead in all directions, I couldn't even admit it to myself for a year, I just kept trying to hit with it. I put on a peep sight. I tried umpteen handloads and bullet types. I had the bore re crowned. Nothing. I told a work bud about it but he bought it anyway.
It was so darn pretty he didn't care. I have no idea what was wrong with that rifle.

I got a new Ruger .480 SRH with a 7 1/2" barrel that had to go back to get re-timed. They fixed it. Sold it, too.

I've bought a whole lot of new ones over the years that were fine. And some just weren't.
I think they are getting careless. Profit margins are all that matters to the bean counters at these companies.
I have heard Henry rifles are slipping down the tubes, but the two I have are fine but there's a forum where the crying is getting pretty bad.
 
wmg1299 said:
My recent experience with new guns is making want to switch to a "used-only" policy. I already posted about my new SA-35 needing to go back to the factory due to extraction issues. When Smith & Wesson advertised their Shield Plus "Bug-Out Bundle", which includes an optics ready Shield Plus with night sights, a 1st aid kit, a sling bag, and 5 magazines for $500, I went ahead and made the purchase. I don't usually purchase new guns so close together, but I thought that the Shield Plus was too good a deal to pass up.

Right out of the box, there was a scratch in the finish and the front tritium sight was dead. I inherited my Uncle's Model 10, which was made sometime in the early 1960's, and the finish on that gun looks better than on the brand new Shield. I keep my carry guns meticulously clean and maintained, but I don't baby them, so little scratches don't bother me too much. S&W mailed me a new sight within a week, so I wasn't too mad.

I've been swapping sights for years without any problems, but the front sight on the Shield Plus was a beast. By the time I had the old one off I'd bent part of the metal on my sight tool. I'd been seriously considering buying a second Shield Plus as a truck gun before my experience with this one. I remember when S&W were considered to be high-end guns and it seemed like the company took pride in their products.

Am I just having a run of bad luck, or have the big manufacturers thrown quality control out the window in order to meet demand? Are any of you having similar experiences with new guns?
Click to expand...
I also don’t think it left S&W like that, my guess would be from the distributor or the dealer, I hardly ever buy used unless I know the person, I buy new
 
conax said:
I took a S&W SD40VE on trade, it looked brand new. Lots of people buy guns then really don't shoot them very much.
Took it to the range and it was one FTF after another. Took it home, downloaded a manual, and lubed the 6 spots it called out for good operation. Back to the range- much better. No problems. Since then I got it some lighter springs, a night sight front, a standard metal 2 dot rear, a Hogue rubber grip and it is a very good gun now. As long as it is wet in those six places...

Years ago I bought a Kel Tec PLR-16 brand new. Wouldn't feed, bolt hanging up..
Took it apart and there was a tiny nub left on the bolt that was digging into the polymer frame, like the machinist failed to finish whatever he was milling. Cut it off, polished it up- fixed another one- sold that one.

Another Kel Tec Sub 2000 (everyone else's work great!) would jam and FTF. Regularly. It was the hammer not clearing the bolt somehow, interfering with its operation. Sent it back, they fixed it, sold that one too.

I have bought 3 new Uberti SA revolvers. An 1858, a .44 Bad Boy (stupid name) and a .38 Stallion with a bird's head grip. The first two are perfect and look great.
The .38 was rough, jammed a lot, the bluing on the front face of the cylinder was bare in spots.
I know how to slick up colt clones so I spent a couple weeks of spare time in the evening polishing the action and certain surfaces on the cylinder and inside the frame. Now it's the nicest SA I have. Not for sale. The bluing is still messed up but you can't notice it unless you're inspecting it closely.

In 2000 I bought a Marlin Cowboy Limited .357 with a long barrel. 24" IMS. That rifle spewed lead in all directions, I couldn't even admit it to myself for a year, I just kept trying to hit with it. I put on a peep sight. I tried umpteen handloads and bullet types. I had the bore re crowned. Nothing. I told a work bud about it but he bought it anyway.
It was so darn pretty he didn't care. I have no idea what was wrong with that rifle.

I got a new Ruger .480 SRH with a 7 1/2" barrel that had to go back to get re-timed. They fixed it. Sold it, too.

I've bought a whole lot of new ones over the years that were fine. And some just weren't.
I think they are getting careless. Profit margins are all that matters to the bean counters at these companies.
I have heard Henry rifles are slipping down the tubes, but the two I have are fine but there's a forum where the crying is getting pretty bad.
Click to expand...
Wow, my SD40VE eats everything I feed it, interesting
 
FWIW I have heard the Sub 2000 referred to as a "Dumpster fire". And my son in law has one of those SD40Vs and I don't like it in the least. Runs fine, I just don't care for it. Both of these things convince me that not everything made by even reputable, top quality companies is going to be a home run. Although not many people are doing too much complaining about the Shield line.
 
wmg1299 said:
My recent experience with new guns is making want to switch to a "used-only" policy. I already posted about my new SA-35 needing to go back to the factory due to extraction issues. When Smith & Wesson advertised their Shield Plus "Bug-Out Bundle", which includes an optics ready Shield Plus with night sights, a 1st aid kit, a sling bag, and 5 magazines for $500, I went ahead and made the purchase. I don't usually purchase new guns so close together, but I thought that the Shield Plus was too good a deal to pass up.

Right out of the box, there was a scratch in the finish and the front tritium sight was dead. I inherited my Uncle's Model 10, which was made sometime in the early 1960's, and the finish on that gun looks better than on the brand new Shield. I keep my carry guns meticulously clean and maintained, but I don't baby them, so little scratches don't bother me too much. S&W mailed me a new sight within a week, so I wasn't too mad.

I've been swapping sights for years without any problems, but the front sight on the Shield Plus was a beast. By the time I had the old one off I'd bent part of the metal on my sight tool. I'd been seriously considering buying a second Shield Plus as a truck gun before my experience with this one. I remember when S&W were considered to be high-end guns and it seemed like the company took pride in their products.

Am I just having a run of bad luck, or have the big manufacturers thrown quality control out the window in order to meet demand? Are any of you having similar experiences with new guns?
Click to expand...
I dont know a maker that hasnt had issues.

Face it, and I’ve said it before, that companies do well with a specialty and mediocre to fit a need for the crowd.

Wine for example. Winemaker is a red trained specialist in those grapes and makes awesome red wine. Makes white wine to fullfill a need and their whites are mediocre.

Same for Auto makers with trucks and cars . Truck gets A+ and their sedan gets a C-

Firearms are no different. Make a compact pistol to “fit a niche” and gets a C- reviews and a full size 1911 is your forte that gets rave reviews .

These are just examples.. you get the idea.

I personally dont care for S&W semi auto pistols. They are world class Revolver company. IMO. Same for SA with me.
They are a world class 1911 and rifle company.

Sig. Awesome semi Auto pistols. Rifles are overpriced for what they offer.

Once again, my opinion.
 
KillerFord1977 said:
I dont know a maker that hasnt had issues.

Face it, and I’ve said it before, that companies do well with a specialty and mediocre to fit a need for the crowd.

Wine for example. Winemaker is a red trained specialist in those grapes and makes awesome red wine. Makes white wine to fullfill a need and their whites are mediocre.

Same for Autos makers with trucks and cars . Truck gets A+ and their sedan gets a C-

Firearms are no different. Make a compact pistol to “fit a niche” and gets a C- reviews and a full size 1911 is your forte that gets rave reviews .

These are just examples.. you get the idea.

I personally dont care for S&W semi auto pistols. They are world class Revolver company. IMO. Same for SA with me.
They are a world class 1911 and rifle company.

Sig. Awesome semi Auto pistols. Rifles are overpriced for what they offer.

Once again, my opinion.
Click to expand...
Ironically I have kind of the opposite opinion on one thing. The SA 1911 thing. I wouldn't buy one. There must be 40 threads here about guys having issues with them. As far as SAW semi autos, other than the M&P line I'm not a fan either. Likewise I have no use for any Ruger semi autos.
 
Bassbob said:
FWIW I have heard the Sub 2000 referred to as a "Dumpster fire". And my son in law has one of those SD40Vs and I don't like it in the least. Runs fine, I just don't care for it. Both of these things convince me that not everything made by even reputable, top quality companies is going to be a home run. Although not many people are doing too much complaining about the Shield line.
Click to expand...
The SDVE series pistol took place of the ill fated Sigma series, the SD pistols are supposed to be an improvement over the Sigma, incorporating design from both the Sigma and M&P pistols, S&W got sued by Glock for patent infringement even though if you look closely at a Glock and compare it to the SD pistols, there are still a good bit of similarities between them
 
Annihilator said:
The SDVE series pistol took place of the ill fated Sigma series, the SD pistols are supposed to be an improvement over the Sigma, incorporating design from both the Sigma and M&P pistols, S&W got sued by Glock for patent infringement even though if you look closely at a Glock and compare it to the SD pistols, there are still a good bit of similarities between them
Click to expand...
That may explain why I don't like it. I don't like Glocks either, although they ( Glocks) are much better looking.
 
Bassbob said:
That may explain why I don't like it. I don't like Glocks either, although they ( Glocks) are much better looking.
Click to expand...
1647653622385.gif

Could this be a secret pic of @Bassbob shooting a gun he doesn’t like, notice he didn’t show his face……Glock Perfection! 😲😲😲😲
 
Annihilator said:
View attachment 25750
Could this be a secret pic of @Bassbob shooting a gun he doesn’t like, notice he didn’t show his face……Glock Perfection! 😲😲😲😲
Click to expand...
Wouldn't have been that one Anni. I am not a fan of the 2-tone.

So we're straight, I love the way Glocks look. I went specifically to buy one because I think they are great looking and bombproof. They just didn't feel right in my hand. Instead I ended up buying an XD Mod 2 4" .45. Which if that wouldn't have happened I would not be here on this forum right now. So if I had bonded with a Glock you guys would never have met me. :)
 
Annihilator said:
Wow, my SD40VE eats everything I feed it, interesting
Click to expand...
Mine does fine now. I always ran pistols with a very thin film of oil inside. That wasn't enough for my SD40. Before I go shooting with it I do the 6 drops of oil first. Then it runs perfectly with any ammo. It may loosen up after a thousand rounds or so. I have only put about 300 through it.
 
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