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S&W Talo 3-5-7 #185191 10/18/2017 11:48 PM
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KRal Offline OP
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Last week, my lovely wife gave me my first Smith and Wesson revolver.



It was an early 25th wedding anniversary gift and one that I'd been eye-ball'n for a while. When I received it, I only had two days before I was going to be out of town and I didn't want a brand new revolver setting in the safe unfired. So, the next day I immediately stuffed it full of some loads I had loaded for my GP100. It was a new load that I hadn't fired yet. It consist of a 158gr Speer Deep Curl over a max charge of H110.

I set up a 25 yard paper target to check point of impact and the first 3 round group was nothing to brag about. I figured it just needed a little seasoning and me getting used to the grip. I fired the second 3 round group and it was much better - measuring about 1". The group was about 3" high and about 5" to the left. I made appropriate adjustments and was going to reload and couldn't get the cylinder open. I messed with it a few minutes and it finally opened. I then shot another 3 round group. Group got a little tighter, but adjustments still needed - I made appropriate adjustments and fired again. This time all 3 rounds were one ragged hole. Now me and the gun are getting settled in. Time to reload and the dang cylinder won't open again! Well, finally get it open to reload and decided it was zeroed close enough to move to my 50 yard steel to fine tune the sights. (Sorry for not taking pictures of all this, but I was pressed for time.)
First 3 rounds measure about 2.5" - not bad for me with new gun and iron sights. The group was still high (about 4") and left (about 3") so I made more adjustments. This adjustment bottomed out my rear sight, so I'm hoping it's going to be close (I wanted about 2" high at 50 yards). Shot next 3 round group measuring about 1.5" - now I'm liking what I see, but still about 2" left. I now make my last windage adjustment and it's pegged out (Something ain't right!). I get ready to reload for one last cylinder and, you guessed it....can't get the dang cylinder open. Bye now I'm getting really aggravated!!! This is a brand new gun! After I finally get it open, reload, and shoot that last group, it's almost zeroed, but I'm all out of adjustments.
I fight with the cylinder again, get it opened to clear gun for inspection and realized the barrel is canted to the right from the perspective of looking through the sights while shooting. It wasn't noticeable while shooting, but when I looked from the muzzle end it was easily noticed. Well now I'm a real happy camper - got a brand new gun (Smith and Wesson), the cylinder latch is having issues and the barrel is canted.
I later researched this cant issue and it seems to be a problem from S&W for better than 10 years (That's how far back I found issues on various forums). You'd think if it's been an issue for 10 years or better, S&W would make a few adjustments with their QA/QC department. I thought S&W was supposed to be the Cadillac of double action revolvers. I've got to say, my first one has put a bad taste in my mouth! Hopefully their customer service is not as bad as there production guns. I know every company can produce a lemon from time to time and I'm not labeling S&W according to my first one, but........It's just very frustrating. If I was planning on scoping it, I prolly wouldn't worry as much about the canted barrel but I want to leave it with irons and I'd really like the cylinder to open when I need it to. I'll be contacting them for the return of my gun and will post the results.
Anyone else run into these issues?


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: KRal] #185196 10/19/2017 1:16 AM
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s4s4u Offline
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Well ain't that a b***h, Kim. Your problem is not unheard of by any means; Ruger, Smith, Taurus all seem to have issues overtorquing the barrels at times. I know Ruger takes care of this issue without hesitation and I'd expect S&W to do the same. Hope for the best for you.

Real sweet of your better half tho. Does she have an older sister???
\:D
;\)


Rod, too.

Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: s4s4u] #185202 10/19/2017 3:00 AM
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Well, DANG 😉Kim...Jennifer and I just celebrated our 20th Wedding Anniversary last week. She surprised me with a certain ram from Africa to be killed at Salt Creek in March in addition to my Watusi 🐂🐏...here's to having married Good Women 😎


The Eyes are Useless, When The Mind Is Blind
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: Franchise] #185206 10/19/2017 4:12 AM
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Chance Weldon Offline
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That sucks. Hopefully customer support will get you taken care of.


Formerly TN Lone Wolf

"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: Chance Weldon] #185209 10/19/2017 4:46 AM
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One of my shooting buddy's just got a new 45 Colt/45acp RedHawk. It had one chamber that it would not ratchet around on. Locked Up the gun. He got a replacement, and it had the same issue. Note: The dealer got the replacement before sending the first one back, so same problem with 2 different revolvers.
If Old Number Three is not perfect, he has already asked about trying out my S&W 625.
You get a Lemon now and again, but it seems to be happening more frequently on newer production revolvers.

UPDATE: He is now the owner of a JM625 Smith & Wesson. He used it in the last ICORE Revolver Match, and it worked just fine.

Bob

Last edited by Bob Roach; 12/08/2017 4:00 PM.

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Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: Bob Roach] #185222 10/19/2017 1:11 PM
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Okie Hunter Offline
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Great looking revolver.
Congrats on 25 years. The wife and I celebrated 25 years this last June with a trip to Glacier National Park.
Good luck with the Smith. I had the barrel on my used SBH twist far enough to shear the ejector housing screws off. Sent it to Ruger and they replaced the barrel and all at no charge.


With God all things are possible. Matt.19:26
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: Okie Hunter] #185245 10/19/2017 6:31 PM
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H2OBUG Offline
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The barel is one issue but the not opening may be due to a loose ejector pin. If the ejector pin is not tight it will back out and hang on the detent and not allow the cylinder to open.

May be something you want to check. As for the barrel that is something I would send back.


If it jams force it! If it breaks it needed replacing anyway.
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: H2OBUG] #185247 10/19/2017 6:53 PM
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KRal Offline OP
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 Originally Posted By: H2OBUG
The barel is one issue but the not opening may be due to a loose ejector pin. If the ejector pin is not tight it will back out and hang on the detent and not allow the cylinder to open.

May be something you want to check. As for the barrel that is something I would send back.


I checked it for tightness and it was not the issue. I could prolly figure out and fix the problem, but I'm not. I'm gonna make them make it right.


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: KRal] #185256 10/20/2017 1:09 AM
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Kim, being the nice guy that I am I will send you a text with a generous offer for that gun. Kinda like the "generous" offer you made me for my Linebaugh. But only bc im a nice guy like that..

I have a feeling they will make it right in every way. It does suck having a NIB gun and its not up to par


Bigger ain't always better....according to who???
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: WiseGuy] #185259 10/20/2017 1:20 AM
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KRal Offline OP
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 Originally Posted By: WiseGuy
Kim, being the nice guy that I am I will send you a text with a generous offer for that gun. Kinda like the "generous" offer you made me for my Linebaugh. But only bc im a nice guy like that..

I have a feeling they will make it right in every way. It does suck having a NIB gun and its not up to par


Ha! I've got a good idea - why don't we just trade?


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: KRal] #185273 10/20/2017 1:33 PM
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Congratulations on 25 years. Beautiful gun, Smith will make it right Im sure, it sure is aggravating though. I traded for a new Taurus Raging Bull in 44 Magnum earlier this year and after showing it off to 6-8 people, I noticed the barrel was over torqued to the left. It was that unnoticeable, so it is easy to miss.


NRA Life Endowment Member


Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: BKS] #185287 10/20/2017 7:03 PM
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jamesfromjersey Offline
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Hope this has a good ending.....


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Colt-Ruger-Freedom Arms-and S&W Collector Assoc.s
"I have more guns then I need but not as many as I want" "Handgun hunters HAVE to be good"
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: jamesfromjersey] #185826 10/31/2017 1:19 AM
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KRal Offline OP
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Update...gave S&W a call today explaining the issues and they promptly emailed me a return lable and said it would be about a two week turn around. Customer service good so far.


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: KRal] #185828 10/31/2017 1:29 AM
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That's great news


The Eyes are Useless, When The Mind Is Blind
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: KRal] #186918 11/28/2017 6:47 PM
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KRal Offline OP
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Update on Talo..

Just receive my revolver yesterday. I hurried home after work to do some testing before dark. My quick visual inspection show everything looking OK. The letter from S&W showed replacing the barrel, bolt and installing a taller front sight. I requested the taller front sight because there was not enough elevation adjustment to zero standard 158 gr loads; much less a heavier load.

I shoved 6 rounds in the cylinder, which open real easy, and fired three at 25 yards. All three were in a tight little group 1" below my point of aim. I figured this should be close to what I wanted for my zero (2" high at 50 yards). So, I shifted point of aim to my 50 yard target and shot the remaining 3 rounds about 3.5" high. I adjust down two clicks on rear sight and reloaded. Next three rounds were dead center of POI, so I went back up 1 click and bingo. Got my 2" high zero. S&W had mentioned test firing before shipping and they actually had it zeroed for me, they were only one click elevation off.

Overall it's shooting great and the customer service was great.
It was a little longer than they told me to begin with (2 weeks), but less than a month; nothing to complain about. I'm satisfied.


It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: KRal] #186919 11/28/2017 7:57 PM
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I am glad it all worked out for you.


Michael Joe Moore
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: REDHAWK1954] #187135 12/05/2017 1:35 AM
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I have had 2 issues with different S&W products and my cs experience has been great. Glad yours seems to be the same. Congrats on 25 years.


"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence,try orderin' someone else's dog around" unknown cowboy
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: cottonstalk] #187147 12/05/2017 8:58 AM
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REDHAWK1954 Offline
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Congrats on 25 years. It is something that a lot of couples never make. My wife and I now have over 41 years.


Michael Joe Moore
Re: S&W Talo 3-5-7 [Re: REDHAWK1954] #187205 12/08/2017 4:16 PM
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Bob Roach Offline
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I was sure that Smith & Wesson would make it right.

I may just be lucky, I have owned a box full of S&W revolvers over the last 45 years. I have had an issue with only ONE. It was a 2.75" 44 Special Model 24 Custom Shop Gun. I had Ron Power fix it for me. He had it working perfectly in about 10 minutes.

So far no problems with 5 Super RedHawks, 5 GP100's and 3 SP101's. Make that 4 SP101's I had a 9mm several years ago. And a 45 Colt Bisley Hunter, and 3 LCR's.

Bob


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