S&W new lows

[pintopete]

I wonder how they were test fired at the factory?

Good point. I thought they test fired everything, at least when they were in Springfield.

 

[SSL]

Good point. I thought they test fired everything, at least when they were in Springfield.

That question was raised at the time...sound of crickets.

 

[shoot4fun]

Good point. I thought they test fired everything, at least when they were in Springfield.

Uh, they are STILL in Springfield, MA. A couple of models (M41 for example) are built in Hilton, ME. At last I knew that plant also did handcuffs and had done some work with 1911's (IIRC).
The Maryville, TN location is yet to open but they are currently seeking employees for the new location.

 

[pintopete]

Uh, they are STILL in Springfield, MA. A couple of models (M41 for example) are built in Hilton, ME. At last I knew that plant also did handcuffs and had done some work with 1911's (IIRC).
The Maryville, TN location is yet to open but they are currently seeking employees for the new location.

It's been many years since I was there, but when you enter the factory, and go to the left in the main factory, walk all the way to the end, then on the right, that is where the test firing was done. According to what the employees say, every gun that left there was test fired.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

It's been many years since I was there, but when you enter the factory, and go to the left in the main factory, walk all the way to the end, then on the right, that is where the test firing was done. According to what the employees say, every gun that left there was test fired.

Every handgun mfrd today will be test fired to get the empty case that maryland requires

 

[shoot4fun]

It's been many years since I was there, but when you enter the factory, and go to the left in the main factory, walk all the way to the end, then on the right, that is where the test firing was done. According to what the employees say, every gun that left there was test fired.

My point was not about test firing, as I know they do that, but about your statement that inferred they were no longer in Springfield. The test fire is indeed done at the factory location and, IIRC, they go in and out of the TF Range via conveyor.
New models are torture tested with as much as 50,000 rounds before release and must pass established criteria before going into production.

 

[shoot4fun]

Every handgun mfrd today will be test fired to get the empty case that maryland requires

True.
BUT, I once bought a very expensive bolt action rifle that was "FBI Contract". Imagine my surprise when I discovered it shot two feet right no matter what scope was on it. But that can't be possible!? The test target enclosed was a nice small cluster right in the center!
As it turns out, my contact at that company finally told me the truth. They had caught employees sabotaging rifles. One trick to pass them on was stack a dozen or so targets for a "good" rifle and drop those targets in not so good rifles. Yes, I quickly got a replacement and one that was an upgrade from what I had purchased.

 

[mongo chicago]

That's sad to hear. I've owned a lot of S&W revolvers over the past 50 years but haven't purchased any in the last 20 years or more.

Their high quality out of the box was always what distinguished them. Colt was the same. Not to say that an occasional defective one wouldn't slip out of the factory, but it was rare and when it did happen you could be sure they would fix it promptly and perfectly.

Several of mine are approaching 50 years old and still shoot terrific and I've shot them a lot - one of my Model 17's, 22 rimfire revolver has over 100,000 rounds through it and it still shoots terrific.

Even sadder is if one of yours breaks, S&W won't fix it. Too old. I recently went through that with them on a Mod 48 that needed a firing pin. On a second sad note is what used to be standard quality out of the box is now "performance center or custom shop" with manufacturers.

 

[pintopete]

My point was not about test firing, as I know they do that, but about your statement that inferred they were no longer in Springfield. The test fire is indeed done at the factory location and, IIRC, they go in and out of the TF Range via conveyor.
New models are torture tested with as much as 50,000 rounds before release and must pass established criteria before going into production.

My question about location came from here. As I said, I have not been there for many years.

Smith & Wesson Moving HQ to TN

I just seen where smith and wesson is leaving Springfield mass. They are headed to Maryville Tennessee. They are moving headquarters and some manufacturing.

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[shoot4fun]

My question about location came from here. As I said, I have not been there for many years.

Smith & Wesson Moving HQ to TN

I just seen where smith and wesson is leaving Springfield mass. They are headed to Maryville Tennessee. They are moving headquarters and some manufacturing.

forum.accurateshooter.com

Take that to mean "we are no longer able to legally manufacture MSR's in MA"?
I use the ? for the simple fact I am not sure if that provision actually passed.

Massachusetts has a ban on assault weapons. Some lawmakers don't want them made here, either.

For several decades, it has been illegal for individuals to sell or possess assault weapons in Massachusetts. At the same time, the state has an even longer history as the home of Springfield-based Smith & Wesson, one of the largest gunmakers in the country, among roughly two dozen other firearm...

www.boston.com

 

[Franko]

I received a model 41 performance center pistol as a gift last year. Fit and finish was mediocre. Function wise, within a year it developed a burr on the inside of the slide (which rendered the pistol inoperable) that I had to remove. Just a few months after that the disassembly mechanism broke and I had to send the gun to a gunsmith.

The gun has been a real disappointment considering what it cost.

 

[jcm800]

There's a reason why the old pinned barrels command a premium, most custom gunsmiths won't touch any of the newer stuff. Want something to drive nails, find an old PPC / Bullseye 38 K frame. A lost art, unfortunately.

 

[shortgrass]

There's a reason why the old pinned barrels command a premium, most custom gunsmiths won't touch any of the newer stuff. Want something to drive nails, find an old PPC / Bullseye 38 K frame. A lost art, unfortunately.
View attachment 1386028

Not really a "lost art"! 'Cause I'll still work over a S&W. As I get older, I get more picky about what I'll do. But, S&W is not on the "I'm not interested in that", list.

 

[K22]

Even sadder is if one of yours breaks, S&W won't fix it. Too old. I recently went through that with them on a Mod 48 that needed a firing pin. On a second sad note is what used to be standard quality out of the box is now "performance center or custom shop" with manufacturers.

Wow - didn't know that - hope that parts are still available. Perhaps I need to take up spear throwing.

 

[1911nut]

The old Smiths were very well fitted. I wanted one of these for a long time, got this one awhile back. The story was - Fired 30 rounds at a match and put away, it looks like it.

5 screw 38/44 Outdoorsman

 

[1911nut]

Wow - didn't know that - hope that parts are still available. Perhaps I need to take up spear throwing.

Several years ago I called S&W about getting two 5 screw K22’s repaired. They wouldn’t touch them. Something about not having the frame studs for hammer, trigger,etc.
I had a hard time finding a smith that would work on them and then $90 one way shipping UPS.

 

[wildcatter]

I left any interest in S&W over 40 years ago. I cant count the revolvers that stretched out of spec using just loads from the manuals the other big two had no problems digesting a steady diet of. I'm actually stunned they survived this long!

I owned my last S&W product over 36 years ago, and have never looked back, and only enjoyed success doing so! I discovered like dating the prom queen,,,, upkeep is more than the subject is worth!! Function over Beauty has always been my priority!

 

[Doug Casner]

I always heard that if you want to shoot heavy loads in a 44 mag. get a super blackhawk instead of a 29. I didnt listen bought a 629 performance center, ported from the factory, wouldnt trade it for 2 blackhawks. Doug