S&W ...... New Walnut and Steel Revolvers vs Plastic Pistols

[Wiley]

After reading virtual horror stories on here and other sites regarding the flaws/failures in current production S&W revolvers vs their semi auto pistols, I have reached an opinion. It appears that S&W no longer have ANY pistol smiths/craftsmen employed. The era of true pieces of craftsmanship must be over. I suspect that revolver repair may even be subbed out to others rather than being done in-house. That might explain the horrendous wait times for some repairs. Revolvers have numerous parts that need to be hand fitted even after the best CNC or other lathe work. The craftsmen who did this, at the top of their game, for several decades are long gone. All of this makes me wonder if other revolver manufacturers are having the same experiences. There's probably at least some employee sniping going on between Colt, S&W and a couple of others as they try to employ the best craftsmen. OR, maybe not and that may be the issue with S&W.

Now, to the other S&W market..... the semi auto pistol. Very little fitting of any kind required (if at all) and most any employee that's not blind can probably get it done. No doubt this market sells more than the revolver side, so this is where management focuses. Makes me want a revolver even more, but NOT necessarily a S&W. YMMV.

Anyway, just some Saturday morning ramblings from an old man that has a few S&W and wants a few Colts

 

[DaveTN]

Revolvers are still being made in MA. Semi-autos are being made in the new facility in TN. I suspect MA losing their people and employees knowing its coming to an end there, is causing them a problem getting good help. But that's just a WAG.

However, it seems like everywhere, if you get a good product, you will be good to go. But if you have an issue with a new product, you will be hosed. S&W was the gold standard for customer service in the gun industry. They aren't anymore.

I've never been a Colt guy, not because they aren't great guns, but because I owned three Pythons and couldn't shoot them as well as an S&W. But when they released the new Python in 2020 they had all kinds of problems. I don't know how well Colt handled it.

 

[WTM]

i think the lipsey exclusives only have a 1% return rate. not sure why those models would have any better quality control but it appears they do but at a more premium price.

 

[Lt.Dan]

i think the lipsey exclusives only have a 1% return rate. not sure why those models would have any better quality control but it appears they do but at a more premium price.

Well crap, it only figures I was in the 1% when it's the bad stuff. Now if that were reversed and only 1% were good, I would have been in the 99% bad lot. Go figure.

 

[SSlater]

All I know are the new Colt revolvers are smoother than they have ever been. The new anacondas are obnoxiously smooth. Much better than the original. I will definitely be buying at least one in 45 Colt

 

[DaveTN]

Well crap, it only figures I was in the 1% when it's the bad stuff. Now if that were reversed and only 1% were good, I would have been in the 99% bad lot. Go figure.

In past decades quality people were usually taken from the top people in the shop. That's just not true anymore. Hire them off the street, give them minimal training, all you need them for is a signature or a stamp. I know that's true with automotive and aircraft, and I'd bet it's true with firearms.

 

[Lt.Dan]

All I know are the new Colt revolvers are smoother than they have ever been. The new anacondas are obnoxiously smooth. Much better than the original. I will definitely be buying at least one in 45 Colt

I'm gonna have to look into them

 

[SSlater]

I'm gonna have to look into them

I ordered one last week. Came in Saturday. It's absolutely flawless and much much better than the original anacondas. I should know, I had two of them.

I'm going to change the grips though. I hate finger grooves.