There is nothing new about this level of QC from S&W, and I say this as someone who likes S&W. My first duty sixgun in 1984 was an L-frame ordered though a law enforcement distributor; it seemed to have gravel in the action, and the barrel was not installed straight. On a timetable to complete firearms training at the academy, I had to make do, until graduation day, when I immediately started carrying a different S&W sixgun that I hand-selected from a local dealer. (The rear sight had to be cranked over to its extreme limit to get windage correct; admittedly, it shot accurately enough.) To be clear, I am not picking on S&W. It seems just about every maker has managed to ship something that makes one wonder if the QC guy was paying attention that particular day.
My worst QC issue was with a 3rd-Generation Colt SAA, that the dealer insisted had to be kept slathered in the factory oil, and remain uncocked/unturned, lest its collector value be compromised. Well, the hammer would not fall unless prodded from behind, there seemed to be gravel in the action, and the front sight was too short. The action was an easy-enough fix, but a too-short fixed front sight is a major problem. The thick goo of oil covered a dismally-done finishing job.
An HK-Benelli M1 Super 90 was missing a lock washer, which was necessary for function.
A Knight Armament SR-15 was missing a step in the machining, and had to go back to the factory for a fix.
I now only order a firearm sight unseen if that is the ONLY way to get one like it, and I always inspect an individual weapon at a retail store when I buy it. If I cannot inspect it to my satisfaction, I will not buy.
Regarding the individual weapon shown in the original post, well, if it shoots well, I advise keeping it. Of course, if it is fired by the buyer, the dealer might not accept a return, so find that out before shooting it. If a fired weapon will only be taken back as a trade-in, not a return, then return it unfired.
My worst QC issue was with a 3rd-Generation Colt SAA, that the dealer insisted had to be kept slathered in the factory oil, and remain uncocked/unturned, lest its collector value be compromised. Well, the hammer would not fall unless prodded from behind, there seemed to be gravel in the action, and the front sight was too short. The action was an easy-enough fix, but a too-short fixed front sight is a major problem. The thick goo of oil covered a dismally-done finishing job.
An HK-Benelli M1 Super 90 was missing a lock washer, which was necessary for function.
A Knight Armament SR-15 was missing a step in the machining, and had to go back to the factory for a fix.
I now only order a firearm sight unseen if that is the ONLY way to get one like it, and I always inspect an individual weapon at a retail store when I buy it. If I cannot inspect it to my satisfaction, I will not buy.
Regarding the individual weapon shown in the original post, well, if it shoots well, I advise keeping it. Of course, if it is fired by the buyer, the dealer might not accept a return, so find that out before shooting it. If a fired weapon will only be taken back as a trade-in, not a return, then return it unfired.
