I have bought a bunch of new S&W's, all made in '01 or later, and two used items - a twenty-year safe queen 24 from the Bangor Punta era and a police trade-in 65 m '88. All of the new ones were/are perfect - and standards to compare by. The '83 vintage 24 had obvious manufacturing defects (spattered brazing remnants from the various frame mounted pins/axles rubbing against the lockwork) which rendered it a safe-sitter... it didn't have a cylinder ring when I got it! The 65 was mechanically perfect, although it looks as though it saw duty as a wheelchock. I love the 'new' S&W's... you can have the 83-vintage one - it has a poorly blued finish, too. I have something to compare that with - a 2" 10 from 1/03 and a year older Heritage 24 - great examples of what blued guns should look like.
Now, you want poor QC? See my posts, mainly on the Ruger forum, re my new Ruger 5.5" SS .45 Colt Redhawk... I called them for a return the day after I bought it new - they have had it in their shop for over three weeks now. By comparison, a fellow revolver-loon couldn't stand it - he had to go buy a 4" 625 like mine last year. He bought if from a dealer - no telling where they came from, but he found some pin-pricks in the extractor shroud - and called S&W (800# - calling Ruger is on you!). They had it picked up from his house (and delivered there as well) - he got it back quickly, albeit with a 5" barrel. He called them - back it went - and back to him with a proper 4" barrel - and chamfered charge holes/trigger job gratis apparently for his patience. We went to the range a day or so after he got it back... it had been two weeks to the day since he bought it! Yep - two trips in less than two weeks! That is service.
I am sure that some have had problems with S&W... but not me or any of my friends or acquaintances (... and I work as a part-time weekend RO - I see a lot of new 637/642's). On the other hand, I won't buy a GP-100 Ruger, no matter how badly I want one, until I find one that is nick, toolmark, and ding free - not likely anytime soon - I have rejected a few. Oddly, my BH's, Vaquero, and SRH were fine!
Stainz