Specific instruction manual

[banger]

I recently took delivery of a new 617 and was leafing through the instruction book, and it was generic to S & W revolvers -- one would think that for $800 the manual would be specific to the 617, and further, show the serial number and be signed by the final inspector . . .

If the gun had been a Taurus, Raven, Kel-Tec, etc, this would be understandable, but a discrete manual should be a part of Smith's total quality control package . . .

[DocZeus]

Smith & Wesson has been doing the "generic manual" thing for years.....some of the models are so close in features and function to each other, that it's just a cost-saving measure for them, I'm sure.

But, it would be nice to have one model-specific, or at least frame-specific with your revolver.....one more reason to buy old ones, ANIB.

DocZeus
AKA
David

[azmick]

Having nothing to do with S&Ws or any firearm, when my mom and dad bought a brand new GE 'fridge a few years back, the light bulbs in it were not made by GE. It had a total of three bulbs, each costing GE maybe $.30, if GE bulbs (or any American built bulbs) had cost GE $.50, it would have added little to the price of the 'fridge. But,,,multipley that times 3,000,000 'fridges and it's suddenly $60,000, or, the bonus awarded to the purchasing department head guy for finding a cheaper bulb built in Sri Lanka.
S&W is in the buisness to make money, they are not in the printing buisness and they pay for all that paperwork most people never read, or keep (evidenced by the number of "like new, no box or docs" guns we see).

[banger]

You are absolutely right, az . . .

Quality, in all its aspects, is what differentiates between a Rolls and a Chevy, an Einstein and a dolt, a statesman and a local pol, and my contention is that a generic instruction manual does not quite reach the mark of purported quality, for whatever reason -- when I pay $800 and get a generic manual, I get the feeling that I would rather have paid 1 % more and received a specific manual, but when the mindset of management is such that it seeks every opportunity to scrape profit at the expense of quality, it sends an inescapable message, and the message is that they are incapable of recognizing total quality, and one must ask, if they will scrimp on the quality of the manual, where else have they scrimped . . . ?

[gearchecker]

I bought a GMC Sonoma new a few years ago. It cost well on the better side of $15,000
The owners manual had no serial number, and it wasn't signed by the QC inspector either.
It was a generic book with pages for all the different options (or not). It never gave it a second thought.
My appliances and my toaster are all shipped in a similar fashion. They all have generic owners manuals.
My Colt 1991-A1 has a generic manual as well, and it cost well over $1100.
My Browning shotgun, and Lyamn .58 cal BP rifle are the same as well. It has nothing to do with quality or reputation.

Printing costs are not cheap on any level. Owners manuals are simply guidelines, not an end all.
It's not that they're so much trying to save money, it's that they need to service the greatest number of clients with common information, in the most effiecient mannor.
Every manufacturer does exactly the same thing, without regard to the actual product being purchased.

Regards,
gearchecker

[19and41]

Most auto owners' and shop manuals are printed from a single source for the U.S. manufacturers.

Service Manuals, Owner Manuals, Wiring Diagrams, Service Bulletins - Helm Incorporated

[1 old 0311]

I bought a GMC Sonoma new a few years ago. It cost well on the better side of $15,000
The owners manual had no serial number, and it wasn't signed by the QC inspector either.
It was a generic book with pages for all the different options (or not). It never gave it a second thought.
My appliances and my toaster are all shipped in a similar fashion. They all have generic owners manuals.
My Colt 1991-A1 has a generic manual as well, and it cost well over $1100.
My Browning shotgun, and Lyamn .58 cal BP rifle are the same as well. It has nothing to do with quality or reputation.

Printing costs are not cheap on any level. Owners manuals are simply guidelines, not an end all.
It's not that they're so much trying to save money, it's that they need to service the greatest number of clients with common information, in the most effiecient mannor.
Every manufacturer does exactly the same thing, without regard to the actual product being purchased.

Regards,
gearchecker

I have a kitchen drawer that gets ALL my unread owners manuals. When it gets full I throw the bottom 4-5 away to make room for the new ones.

[19and41]

One other thing, the firearm manuals shortcomings can be overcome somewhat by joining a good owners' forum.

[gearchecker]

One other thing, the firearm manuals shortcomings can be overcome somewhat by joining a good owners' forum.

+1 for 19and41 !!!

Gearchecker

[banger]

I'm not disputing the way things are -- I've been to the well enough to know how the world operates, I was simply suggesting that there are a few of us left that appreciate a little different outlook on things, but you guys are absolutely right -- A lot of manufacturers could save even more money if they would do away with manuals altogether, and put the information on the internet -- NRA done that with their magazines, and I'd say they are saving a bundle with it -- money that is likely being better spent elsewhere . . .

In fact, there is really nothing wrong with shipping a new gun in vacuum-sealed shrink-wrap . . .