Ok, I have to jump in on this one.
SO I buy an SW5, for the same reason everone else did...An HK 94 clone for less than $3000? I bought it 5 years ago, so it was one of the cast receivers.
It arrives, out of the box begins stove piping, FTE with empty brass falling behind bolt, the typical problem most had with the weapon. Shame on me, I failed to do research.
Ok, so I contact SW, who says it takes anywhere from 150 to 500 rounds to break in the gun. I'm sorry, and those of you out there who disagree can blast me, but I introduce over 100 new guns per year to my officers, and we do not "break them in" prior to distribution. This includes AR varients, HK's, Glocks, Remington rifles etc. I contact Mr. Bailey, who is a jackoff over the phone (nothing new to those who have dealt with him). Basically, I got a run around because I purchased the weapon from dealer who we buy department firearms from. WTF? How are we supposed to buy his weapons? Unwilling to do anything about it, and blaming it on anything from ammo (I was using ammo used in our SRT team's MP5) to magazines (HK date coded), I was forced to do my own leg work.
After doing some belated research, I found a reputable builder by the name of Jayson at Investment Grade Firearms (www.investmentgradefireams.com). I had Jayson install a Murry Urbach MP5 barrel (what a waste of a beautiful barrel on a POS weapon), replace the various G3 components in the weapon with appropriate HK94 items, and a new ejector to boot.
Cost: $1300 for SW5
$400 for barrel
$900 for IGF work
Total: $2600 and guess what? The weapon still FTE's!.
Jayson at IGF has offered to work on it till it functions, but he has a waiting list a mile long, and right now I just don't want to invest good money after a bad piece of equipment.
Jayson has an exremely reputable business, and is highly sought after. Even SW aka Toad Bailey can't say anything bad about him.
I have enough of a background serving as an armorer to know that problem in large part was bad design concept and execution.
To those who have functioning SW's, my hats off. Most, I am told are the newer versions, not the "cast" receivers. Ok, perhaps true. So, if I use that logic, I'm basically paying $2600 to be a beta tester for a firearms manufacturer?
I can't do anything about being screwed, but I promised Toad that I would make sure not one of his weapons were ever used in any SMG or weapons course I teach in the midwest, and to date not one agency has asked me to change my stance (MO, IL, KS or IA).
I have made it my crusade to ensure not one police officer ever has to risk his or her life with any of the garbage SW, BobCat or whatever Toad is calling himself this month is producing.
Not sure if this sufficiently cover's your question, but hope it helps.