New gun back at factory. New gun back at factory.

Update

Looks like Ruger is replacing the crane and the ejector rod (I'm not sure about the cylinder); and polishing the frame. I'll check back with them next week, though a good part of me is hopeful it'll be back by then.

I haven't contacted s&w yet, so no update there.
 
The long back up for service may be because they've sold ten times what they usually do in the last year. They've probably even hired more people to help. I've not seen, owned or used a Ruger newer than the late nineties. However my brother bought a new GP100 a few months ago and would have said something if there were the slightest issue with it.

Now you guys have made me curious as I've seen too many of these threads regarding Smith and Wesson and Ruger having a higher than normal quality control problems. It could be a case of haste makes waste as they've been trying to keep up with demand.
 
I'm not wishing to yank yer chain..

But my trusted TAURUS Aluminum alloy Ultralite .38spl has been going strong since it rolled off the Brazilian production line in 1998!!!

Equally, my M605 has been the same since it was born in 2003.

My point is that there may be some shread of truth to the theory that there is a systemic quality control problem throughout the gun industry!!! :eek:
 
I called Taurus today and spoke with customer service about sending an oooold pistol of mine in for a small repair. He said the turn around right now was about 5 weeks... so I guess it's everybody.
 
Update #2

It's Friday night and my 3" 629 is home, tested and cleaned! Poor guy needed a new hammer block. I dropped it off Tues. night at the factory and picked it up this afternoon (Fri.). Needless to say, but I will anyway, I'm very happy. :D
 
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"Anyone who has collected and shot the old S&W and Ruger firearms should remember when each gun was a masterpiece; virtually without flaws."

I certainly don't. I started shooting in the 1950s and they've both always had their share of problem guns.

John
 
Update #3

I called Ruger this morning and was saddened to hear my gp100 was still in the same part of the shop, getting a new crane installed. The confusing part is their system now only showing the new crane and not the other items discussed with me the last time I called :confused:

At least my 629 is right where it should be.... in a holster on my side!
 
win-lose

I called Ruger this morning and was saddened to hear my gp100 was still in the same part of the shop, getting a new crane installed. The confusing part is their system now only showing the new crane and not the other items discussed with me the last time I called
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How many times have you called them?
 
How many times have you called them?
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I have been calling them once a week... so 3 times in all, so far. Funny you should ask as today was the first time I wasn't told to "call back next week". :(
 
Savage 12 at factory now, barrel out of alignment with receiver, third gun to be returned in 40+ years of buying, not bad.

Having said that I do believe quality control over all is much worse then previous years most just minor items but still disappointing.
 
I'll cast my lot with JohnBT on overall quality control.

There's always been issues. The primary difference between 'Nam era Bangor Punta and today is the existence of the internet.

A secondary difference is that pushing new employees is a dicier proposition than running a CNC machine a few extra hours a day.

In addition to our fallible memories of the time, American Handgunner has made PDF copies of their Nov/Dec 1978 issue available. Anybody thinking that was the golden years of QC should check out Mas Ayoob's Industry Insider column.

If you got a stinker 30 years ago who'd know? You, your dealer, some folks at the range and your bridge club. There was no reasonable means of posting a notice at a place with over 8000 active members.
 
I have been calling them once a week... so 3 times in all, so far. Funny you should ask as today was the first time I wasn't told to "call back next week".
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That doesn't sound to bad.;)

I was just wondering, because sometimes people like to call every other day when costumer service already told them it won't be ready anytime soon, but they still like to tie up the lines for other costumers that have not been served yet, and they stress out the staff which make's it hard for everybody, If you know what I mean.

I've been that staff.

I guess I'm one of those overly patient people, I had a motorcycle in for warranty work, and called about 2-3 weeks later because they didn't call me (I had a back-up bike, like I do guns), and they said it was ready two weeks ago. Funny thing is, I ended up working for them years later, and found out how impatient people really can be.
 
The most disheartening element of this post is the frequency with which such quality

I to am in need of counselling. Bought a new S&W 22a and the slide started locking up when I pulled the trigger with a bullet in the chamber. Emailed S&W said to send it in for a look see. Sadly I was hoping they were going to give me a quick (do this) fix.

Then (before I even got it back) I went out and bought a brand new M&P .40, guess what... Shot it one time at the store/range day I bought it (nice weapon) and that night realized the front tritium night sight wasn't glowing! Took it back to the store they said they had never seen that happen (my luck). Took the slide to send back to S&W.

Really want to get them back... Thank goodness my third handgun is a S&W (they are habit forming) 686 revolver. That one cant be broken no way no how.

Anyway I feel your pain. Hopefully we will both get our guns back soon!
 
Update #4

My gp100 is still making its way through Ruger's factory... Customer service has been very nice and very forthright with me. It seems that when they say 4-6 weeks, they mean 4-6 weeks.
 
Bottom line is that calling them every day, every other day or once a week isn't gonna get your GP out of the factory any quicker. Rather than harassing them, let them do what you asked them to do. If they say four to six weeks, you start calling them after six weeks. Not two. Just remember when you're being so impatient that if they're on the phone with you, they aren't doing anything productive.
 
Bottom line is that calling them every day, every other day or once a week isn't gonna get your GP out of the factory any quicker. Rather than harassing them, let them do what you asked them to do. If they say four to six weeks, you start calling them after six weeks. Not two. Just remember when you're being so impatient that if they're on the phone with you, they aren't doing anything productive.
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It was their instruction for me to call back in a week... that occurred 2x. This week I called as it is now 4 weeks and wanted to ensure that the ticket reflected a request to call me prior to shipping so I could make arrangements for an adult to be home to sign for it. Turns out, it is a good thing I made this request as it is not their standard policy.

There are two other points... 1) They are not doing me a favor fixing a defective product, they are fulfilling a contractual obligation; and 2) customer services' production is to service customers. I call a dedicated extension called REPAIR STATUS whose function is... wait for it.... to provide REPAIR STATUS' to customers. If they did not want me to call back in a week, it is unclear why 2 different reps, on 2 different weeks would tell me the same thing????

Considering how many Rugers I own... using their customer service for 1-2 minutes a week is not what I'd call abusive.
 
Anyone who has collected and shot the old S&W and Ruger firearms should remember when each gun was a masterpiece; virtually without flaws. Smith and Wesson thoroughly inspected every weapon, made by masters who cared about what came from their factory. Ruger revolvers were built to the highest quality and were completely reliable. One could expect to pick up any box containing one of those firearms, walk out with it and find that it met one's highest expectations. The most variation one might experience might be the trigger pulls on different examples.
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When was that 1933???? :) or in a dream you had last night?? No internet in 1933 so we would never know about any problems.
 
Update #5

My gp100 is home. I ran some 38's and 357's through it and all seems fine. Turns out the gun needed a good bit of work... They replaced the crane, ejector spring, and "internal components". They also repaired the cylinder and front site. Lastly they refinished the gun.

I'm very happy. Although... the trigger is now gritty, but some shooting should clear that up.
 
S&W had a spotty record under Bangor Punta years ago, but the company still produced some spectacular guns. While Bill Ruger was alive, he also made sure quality control was a top priority. Failures weren't unheard of, but they were rare.

Now one has to watch where parts and materials come from. China is nothing but bad news as steels and materials are fraught with impurities.

Mark my words. The price of a decent handgun in this country will rise dramatically, and the time is not far off when they won't be available for under a grand. (We're already seeing it on some guns.)

I think good quality handguns are a good investment and an excellent hedge against inflation. Back in the 70s and early 80s, you could buy a handgun, shoot it a few months and then sell it for almost what you paid for it. I expect this will again be true.
 
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