New DW Valor has significant peening on slide -- How normal is this?

aqualungs · #1 01-20-2015, 09:42 AM

I also don't want to start another year long war like I had with my Smith E-series after they damaged it doing repairs, and claimed they "are not resposible for any damage to firearms in their possesion." They didn't even fix the initial issue and the 4x it went back, it came back more damaged. After that they told me "they were only obligated to look at it, not fix it." I don't think DW operates like this, but I would think Keith knows his guns, unless there is an issue and they are only fixing what goes out of spec.

brownie · #2 01-20-2015, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aqualungs

I also don't want to start another year long war like I had with my Smith E-series after they damaged it doing repairs, and claimed they "are not resposible for any damage to firearms in their possesion." They didn't even fix the initial issue and the 4x it went back, it came back more damaged. After that they told me "they were only obligated to look at it, not fix it." I don't think DW operates like this, but I would think Keith knows his guns, unless there is an issue and they are only fixing what goes out of spec.

I wouldn't own it if they didn't fix it, PERIOD. I've had enough 1911's in s/s config to understand none of the former guns I owned ever exhibited that peening problem. If the slide stop is moving s/s on the slide, the slide isn't heat treated properly [ or should I say adequately ] or the slide stop is hardened more than the s/s slide.

aqualungs · #3 01-20-2015, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownie

I wouldn't own it if they didn't fix it, PERIOD. I've had enough 1911's in s/s config to understand none of the former guns I owned ever exhibited that peening problem. If the slide stop is moving s/s on the slide, the slide isn't heat treated properly [ or should I say adequately ] or the slide stop is hardened more than the s/s slide.

Keth from DW did say the slide was softer than the slide stop and something has to give. I guess the slide stop is made of carbon steel and the slide is stainless. I agree with you, it seems to be hit or miss with them and am wondering why this setup was made and why it's still acceptable. I'm surprised with all the Valor owners there haven't been more photos. I would like to see a stainless slide without peening..

Anyone have Keith's email? I wouldn't mind a second opinion from him..

aqualungs · #4 01-20-2015, 10:59 AM

Sent Keith a message. He's at Shotshow until 1/26, and I will update everyone on what he says.

brownie · #5 01-20-2015, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aqualungs

Keth from DW did say the slide was softer than the slide stop and something has to give. I guess the slide stop is made of carbon steel and the slide is stainless. I agree with you, it seems to be hit or miss with them and am wondering why this setup was made and why it's still acceptable. I'm surprised with all the Valor owners there haven't been more photos. I would like to see a stainless slide without peening..

Anyone have Keith's email? I wouldn't mind a second opinion from him..

Stainless can be hardened appropriately to prevent this. If their slides are soft enough to allow peening, IMO, there's a problem with the steel maker or DW specs are too soft. I wouldn't accept anything but a new slide that was properly heat treated if mine looked like that for the money spent.

My colt s/s 1911's never had this problem. Obviously it's solveable.

milkmanjoe · #6 01-20-2015, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownie

Stainless can be hardened appropriately to prevent this. If their slides are soft enough to allow peening, IMO, there's a problem with the steel maker or DW specs are too soft. I wouldn't accept anything but a new slide that was properly heat treated if mine looked like that for the money spent.

My colt s/s 1911's never had this problem. Obviously it's solveable.

Hell, I don't have this problem with over forty Springfields. Even though, I am looking at the Dan Wesson Valkyrie.

aqualungs · #7 01-20-2015, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkmanjoe

Hell, I don't have this problem with over forty Springfields. Even though, I am looking at the Dan Wesson Valkyrie.

Right, I'm somewhere between content and frustrated right now.. If this were another forum I would either be told this is wrong, and have them fix it, or I would be grilled for complaining.

RKP · #8 01-20-2015, 12:36 PM

Dang ... after reading this I had to pull out my just recently purchased CCO and take another real good look at it !! Have about 300 rds through it so far but no signs at all of this occurring ... do keep us posted.

milkmanjoe · #9 01-20-2015, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aqualungs

Right, I'm somewhere between content and frustrated right now.. If this were another forum I would either be told this is wrong, and have them fix it, or I would be grilled for complaining.

Lemme put this is some sort of perspective....A few years ago I won a gunbroker auction on a 1991 made Springfield Champion. It was the Holy Grail....$508 for a gun that looked like it was damn near never fired. It wouldn't feed hollow points. Dave Waits, via pictures, confirmed my suspicions.....the frame was cut "wrong" from the day the gun was new. In reality it was cut for ball ammo, back in 1991. I contacted Springfield, they instantly emailed me a shipping label, and maybe a week later they called. Yes, the frame was cut too deep in the ramp. My options were to cut it deeper and add a fully ramped barrel or get a new frame. Both free of charge. I am not a fan of bull barrels, so I took the new frame. Within a few weeks of diagnosis I had a smooth running, tight, Springfield Champion back home. It eats everything. Springfield didn't tell me any sort of "it's normal", or talk about metal hardness...they fixed the problem for free, even the shipping. This is just one reason I own so many Springfield 1911's and rifles. Most of mine never needed attention, but any that did never cost me a penny and the service was fast.

aqualungs · #10 01-20-2015, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownie

Stainless can be hardened appropriately to prevent this. If their slides are soft enough to allow peening, IMO, there's a problem with the steel maker or DW specs are too soft. I wouldn't accept anything but a new slide that was properly heat treated if mine looked like that for the money spent.

My colt s/s 1911's never had this problem. Obviously it's solveable.

Thanks brownie for all your input. I sent Keith this thread link also. Hopefully he reads through it. I'm having a hard time swallowing this pill, too. If this is normal why wouldn't they make to slide notches bigger or a different shape, or what you said a stronger slide. As you can see in Keith's earlier post he blatantly admits their slide is softer than the stop and it will peen. If they replace the slide that may irritate me too, considering the 600-700 rounds I spent $$ on breaking this puppy in.

I am expecting a "yes this is normal" reply to email and am trying to decide if this is acceptable.