MD, I'm sitting here with the weapon stripped down so that I can see what I'm saying as I type it.
The slide stop pin does not contact the bottom lugs. Instead, they long-linked the barrel so the top lugs mesh with the slide(the corners of the top lugs are rounded and dinged). There is a lot of wear on the slide stop pin as well as the bottom of the link wear it's apparently hitting the frame.
Also, the sides of the bottom lugs where they join the barrel are scored from slicing across the dado cut for them in the receiver. The gap between the receiver and either side of the bottom lug is immeasureable. The polished metal and fine shavings in this area also indicates wear. I wonder how long it will be before the lugs shear off.
I already had to send the weapon back once to have the thumb safety recut so the hammer wouldn't fall to half-cock and that hurt my confidence in the maker. What does more damage, though, is that these other flaws would have been overlooked.
As I explained to SA when I sent it back, this was to be a duty weapon. Unfortunately, my belief in the weapon is such that I would hesitate to use it even as a club. Now what I have to decide is, can SA renew my faith be repairing this piece, or should I simply demand a refund and go with a better maker? Should I just send it to a good smith like Clark or Burns? Is the weapon really worth it considering what might have to be replaced?
As for the sights, I simply want something better. Those black-on-black novaks are worthless for real world fighting (98% of engagements occur in low-light).
As always, your thoughts are welcome.
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When reason fails...
The slide stop pin does not contact the bottom lugs. Instead, they long-linked the barrel so the top lugs mesh with the slide(the corners of the top lugs are rounded and dinged). There is a lot of wear on the slide stop pin as well as the bottom of the link wear it's apparently hitting the frame.
Also, the sides of the bottom lugs where they join the barrel are scored from slicing across the dado cut for them in the receiver. The gap between the receiver and either side of the bottom lug is immeasureable. The polished metal and fine shavings in this area also indicates wear. I wonder how long it will be before the lugs shear off.
I already had to send the weapon back once to have the thumb safety recut so the hammer wouldn't fall to half-cock and that hurt my confidence in the maker. What does more damage, though, is that these other flaws would have been overlooked.
As I explained to SA when I sent it back, this was to be a duty weapon. Unfortunately, my belief in the weapon is such that I would hesitate to use it even as a club. Now what I have to decide is, can SA renew my faith be repairing this piece, or should I simply demand a refund and go with a better maker? Should I just send it to a good smith like Clark or Burns? Is the weapon really worth it considering what might have to be replaced?
As for the sights, I simply want something better. Those black-on-black novaks are worthless for real world fighting (98% of engagements occur in low-light).
As always, your thoughts are welcome.
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When reason fails...
