I’ve bought 2 new S&W’s in the past 5 or so years, both had to go back for barrel alignments.
A 629 Classic 5” and a 442. If I remember correctly the 629 was shooting about 5 or 6 inches to the left with the rear sight moved as far right as it would go. At 25 yards.
Some years ago, I bought a gently used 629-5 that did the same thing, and when I looked down the top of the barrel, I could see the front sight canted way over to the right. It was so obvious, I couldn't understand how I didn't notice it when I bought it.
It left the factory, and two licensed dealers and was purchased by two people (one of them, me) without anyone noticing, though it could explain why the original buyer traded it off after only shooting a small number of rounds through it.
I took it back to my dealer and when he looked down the top of the barrel, he nearly swallowed his chaw. Bless his heart, he had the barrel fixed by a gunsmith at his own expense and it's a fine shooter now.
I've had other issues with even older S&W revolvers. I'm still a fan, though.
