Bad Experience w/the 632 Ultimate Carry

[mark_lives_things]

I was really excited when this revolver was released, and I finally bought one. Oof, not good, gents:

1. The barrel is not in alignment with the frame -- see pic. Viewed from the rear, it's canted a few degrees counterclockwise.
2. Probably because of #1, point of impact is way to the right of point of aim.
3. The trigger doesn't feel right. Instead of the long, even double-action trigger I'm used to on S&W revolvers, this one is mushy to a hard wall, and then breaks crisply. I suppose this could be subjective, but not what I expected/wanted.

This gun is definitely going back to S&W, hopefully they make it right. Totally unacceptable QC failure for a revolver at this price point.

 

[Shibadog]

I never “order” a gun sight unseen for this very reason-a visual inspection up front can identify a lot of issues on the front end and keep you from getting an obvious dud. Hopefully Smith’ll make it right, but that should never have left the factory in that condition.

 

[Mannlicher]

what Shibadog said.

 

[mark_lives_things]

I never “order” a gun sight unseen for this very reason-a visual inspection up front can identify a lot of issues on the front end and keep you from getting an obvious dud. Hopefully Smith’ll make it right, but that should never have left the factory in that condition.

I don't know what prices and availability are like where you live, but if I never ordered a gun, I would have never had the opportunity to own a lot of my favorite guns, and I would have overpaid for the ones that I did manage to buy.

 

[joebuck]

The current S&W crap quality stories never seem to end lately. If you must buy one now for sure check it out in person before buying. Sad.

 

[Countrycuz]

I don't know what prices and availability are like where you live, but if I never ordered a gun, I would have never had the opportunity to own a lot of my favorite guns, and I would have overpaid for the ones that I did manage to buy.

Same here. Not many stocking dealers close to me and they all tend to have the things. I haven't found an Ultimate Carry in stock anywhere to examine.

 

[BrBa]

I also wish I could examine one thoroughly before buying. Here the local stores look at you like you're from outer space when you ask about revolvers.

 

[Beancounter81]

One of the advantages of the two-piece barrel design used on these was supposed to be an end to improperly clocked barrels. The tab on the frame is supposed to fit into the slot on the barrel shroud for perfect alignment. I wonder how they already figured out how to mess that up.

 

[mark_lives_things]

One of the advantages of the two-piece barrel design used on these was supposed to be an end to improperly clocked barrels. The tab on the frame is supposed to fit into the slot on the barrel shroud for perfect alignment. I wonder how they already figured out how to mess that up.

I'm not much of a revolver guy and had no idea this was something I even had to worry about.

 

[Dave Lively]

3. The trigger doesn't feel right. Instead of the long, even double-action trigger I'm used to on S&W revolvers, this one is mushy to a hard wall, and then breaks crisply. I suppose this could be subjective, but not what I expected/wanted.

The trigger on the no-lock, no-dash 610 I bought in the early 90s was that way. I liked the heavier but smoother DA pull of the 69 that replaced the 610 much better. Not sure what causes this but it is not something that only happens with new production guns.

It is subjective though, there are some people that prefer that sort of trigger pull. It lets them stage the trigger by pulling until they hit the wall and then pull through the wall when they want to fire. Which to me makes little sense on a gun that has a DA/SA where you can pull the hammer back and use the light, crisp SA trigger pull for precise shots.

When I first started shooting I was much more accurate shooting SA. But after many years of mostly shooting revolvers DA that difference in accuracy is much smaller. On some guns like my 617 I can shoot it DA and SA with the same accuracy unless I am resting it on a bench. But shooting DA well is easier for me when my guns have a smooth DA trigger pull with no wall.