Does anyone know what the deal is with all the barrel alignment problems with Smith and Wesson revolvers. I purchased a 629 stealth hunter. Performance center and all. I spent a lot of money on this handgun. I took it out to shoot it and at 20 yards or so it was 8 inches to the right. I did a little research and it seems to be a common problem. I contacted S/W and the rep said, "You need to send that one back in." So I thought it would be taken care of. I got it back all excited and all, and it is still out of alignment. They corrected about half of the error. I don't need any measuring device to see the error. I don't know what to think anymore. Someone help!

This subject has been covered ad nauseum on this board. Search for "canted barrel".
My experience is my 686 I bought new 26 years ago has a canted barrel, the POI is correctable by moving the rear sight. In my LGS they have a 686 right now, brand new with a canted barrel. So I assume S&W knows about the problem and chooses to ignore it or they just don't GAS.

Seems like a real problem, with no real answers. Yes, adjusting the rear sight may fix the POI, but it seems like a patch, that compensates for a major error. I'm new to the forum. In fact this is my first posting. This may have been covered before, but nobody seems to have an answer. I paid alot of money for a performance center handgun, thinking it would be all that. Should I send it back, or just take it to a gun smith? What to do? Thanks for your reply.

I've read reports that say S&W can't fix the problem. In one case on You Tube the factory actually ruined the gun with clamp/wrench marks finally replacing it, the replacement had a canted barrel.

It is a very disheartening situation.

I've seen in some military guns as a last resort they install a taller front sight and bend it till its accurate. I wonder if an offset front sight could be machined to replace it to make it right? Or an offset rear sight? The only other option i do with this on rifles is to scope it.

Robrooks: Welcome to the forum. It sucks, but I'd send it back and insist on a 12 o'clock barrel. I would keep doing it until you're satisfied. I would also start thinking about taking it up the ladder and calling Vice Presidents, being polite, but letting them know that you're serious. They will work with you.

Ruger has this problem too. On a factory gun -- even with CNC machining -- it is hard to get the barrel threads and the shoulder cut perfectly to end up at exactly 12 o'clock -- that's a time consuming hand operation. Most of their guns actually are just about perfect, but many are not.

I do plan on installing a reflex sight. I'm sure the canted barrel won't be a real issue on that. When you buy something that expensive, it just eats at you that it isn't right. If the sight works out, I may just consider the issue resolved. At least the handgun groups well.

It might be a good idea to get it fixed correctly while the issue is fresh. I'd be thinking about resale value if it's not done right.

Good point. I guess i need to make that phone call again. Thanks for everybodies input.

One of my pet peeves for sure.

I can not abide by a clocked barrel.

Back in the late 80's I had to send several back to the mothership and at the end of the day, they didn't always get it right, so I turned to Mag-Na-Port. They got it right when S&W wouldn't.

Keep them in mind if you need an alternate.

At the price of their handguns you would think Smith and Wesson would be able to get 99+% of them right, it sad that they can't or won't. To the O.P be the Squeaky wheel and stay after S&W until they fix or replace your revolver.

I would never buy a clocked barrel. It's not right, plain and simple.

If Magna Port can do it why can't S&W? Because they're chasing the almighy dollar and don't care as many new S&W folks don't even notice the MISALIGNED barrel! If everyone complained and said their buying Ruger SP's (great non S&W revolvers) they might get their QC under check.

This Q was asked a few months back. I went to two men who have worked on my weapons and know their ****. J.D. Jones from SSK Industries (Contender Hand Cannons) and Bob Cogan from Accurate Plating & Weaponry. My Commander is at AP&W right now getting the front strap re-stipled and a new tritium tube for the front sight. BOTH said a misaligned barrel was not put together correctly. These guys know their **** and I trust them over ANY S&W representitive.

Send your revolver back and have them make it right! If it takes a new frame to do it, so be it! You paid good hard earned money for your .44 and deserve what you've paid for, which is a quality weapon.

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V/R
Roger / SG

18DAI likes this.

I never knew that this was such a problem. Evidently this goes way back. I have purchased a couple of Ruger SP101 revolvers before and never had any trouble. I wanted a nice hunting revolver. I love .44 mag. I did alot of research since I knew I was going to put down a large chunk of cash. Everyone was talking about S/W's triggers being superior to Ruger. I consider the SP101's to be stiff but ok. Then they talk about the Stainless cast of the Ruger compared to S/W's Forged. I almost bought the Super Redhawk, but I thought for 600 or so more, the Smith has got to be the way to go. I have other S/W handguns but never a revolver. So I thought it was going to be oh so sweet. A definite step up. The revolver is beautiful. But my faith in S/W has been ding'd for sure. I know I will get this resolved one way or another. I appreciate everyones encouragement to do the right thing and hold them accountable for their sloppy workmanship.

If a clocked barrel isn't bad enough, have you ever looked down the sight line only to discover the barrel actually angles off either to the right or left from the frame line?

I'm a fan of S&Ws, but come on guys....you can do much better than that! We're paying big money for your product.

sorry for the bad luck with your new gun...my stealth hunter shoots like a laser with no issues whatsoever...only canted barrel that i have encounteres has been on a king cobra colt....as others mentioned...keep on them even is it means a new gun

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Over the past 35 years I have noticed that the canted barrel problem has been quite common to the point I checked for this problem with any S&W, new or used that I thought about buying. Recently I acquired a 4"29-2 and a 4" 629 no dash. Both had canted barrels and I would have rejected them out of hand if they were easier to come by. Both revolvers went to Andy Horvath who reset the barrels and they are now properly centered. S&W doesn't seem to care. This is not a new problem. The only conclusion I can come to is that that they believe they can get away with it and think we the buyers don't notice. How about an acceptable Cylinder to Barrel gap of 12 thousands? when it used to be 0.007 and before that 0.005? Kinda sad to say the least.

I quit buying ruger for this very reason (canted barrel) ruger told me 6" to the left was my fault, I told ruger next time I by a ruger is when they throw the parts in a box so I can assemble them RIGHT!!!
so I decided to spend more money and buy a S&W, same ****, canted barrel on my new 63, so I got mad and turned the barrel straight like it should be myself. perfect now!!! so I bought a 60 pro and the slot for the rear sight is milled angled front to back but the barrel is right on this one. I had expected more from s&w, especialy a pro series. taurus has its problems too, BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CANTED BARREL ON A TAURUS!
I beleive you can not buy quality anymore, the only quality you seem to get any more is if you do it yourself. sorry about the RANT! but this is really getting old!

I had a nickel 4" 29-2 back in the 90's that needed the rear sight adjusted full right to get on paper at 25 yards. The original owner ended up wanting it back (and I was glad he did).

I wasn't much into gunsmithing back then, but now I would just put the gun in a barrel vise and adjust the barrel and frame alignment until it was right.

I did that on a Super Balckhawk a few years ago. With the group centered at 25 yards, the rear sight looks perfectly centered on the frame to the eye. I like that.

I called S/W on Monday and requested a shipping label. I told the Customer service rep. that it was the second time I was sending in the handgun. I told him that the previous repair was unacceptable and that I was not happy with their QC. He agreed with me that I send it back if I was not happy. He also suggested that I send in the paper that came with the returned firearm. The paper indicated that it was repaired to S/W standards. I asked the rep. if the barrel alignment problem was a common complaint. He said this was the first time he had ever heard of it. Yeah Right! I will keep everyone up to speed on the outcome.

I received the handgun from S/W almost 3 weeks ago. The barrel is straight now. They did not replace the barrel. I'm not sure if they used loctite or shimmed it. I checked the gaps on the cylinder and barrel. S/W spec is .006 on this revolver. I was able to stick a .009 feeler gauge in about halfway, but would not pass through. This was the same on all bores. I was able to pass a .007 gauge through. So the cylinder face and barrel are not square. I was a little concerned, more about the taper, then the larger gap. One of my friends said to send it back again. I decided to take it out and shoot it. Without getting into all the details, I like it. Accurate, Straight. I let another friend shoot it and his reply was, "This gun is amazing!" I didn't notice any lead splatter or noticeable discharge of gas from the sides, so I think I'm good to go. Unless somebody brings up something else that I might need to check. I am still not very happy with S/W right now. I feel their quality control lacks, big time. They again sent me a note with the handgun stating that it had been repaired to their standards. Yet the gaps are out of tolerance and have taper. One other thing is that I still need to set up my Chrony and see if the velocity is ok. Remember this: Performance Center guns originate from standard designs or are created from the ground up. From hand-cutting and fitting to fine tuning for precision. These furearns are TOP PERFORMERS. Product from the Performance Center are the ULTIMATE EXPRESSION of old-world craftsmanship blended with modern technology.

First, there is no .006" "Specification" for the barrel-cylinder gap, it is a range from ca. .004-.012" depending on period of manufacture. Most will fall somewhere in the .006-.009" range, so yours is pretty normal.

The B-C gap for S&W revolvers is set at the factory by the fitter using a hand file! Filing the end of a tube or cylindrical piece of steel is extremely difficult to do unless time is not a consideration. Unless things have changed S&W fitters are on piece-work! They are paid by how many revolvers (or??) they can assemble in an average day. As a result they are given a bit of leeway in what is acceptable, especially in areas where cosmetics are not an issue.

As with all products, the manufacturer determines what is, or is not acceptable, not the consumer! Just because a minor item is "Not what you would like it to be!" doesn't mean there is anything wrong with it. If S&W revolvers don't measure up to your requirements then don't buy them! If you can find a better D.A. revolver for anything like the price S&W sells them for then buy that brand!

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Gunsmithing since 1961

Smith and Wesson solved this problem with the two piece barrel. Unfortunately they don't use them on all models. Or fortunately as some might say.

Hey I know: pin it.

Discovered a significantly canted barrel on a 640-3 that I had for a couple of years, called the factory. From the day I dropped it at FedEx to the day I got it back, 10 days. Now it is perfect. If it cam back not corrected it would have gone back, period.

I say bring back pinned barrels. We (and Smith) never had this problem with pinned barrels. The cost of fixing these probably equals what they are saving by not pinning.

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"Sacramento" Bruce Conklin

I've wondered why top gun manufacturers find screwing a barrel on straight to be such an impossible job.

The real issue after it was returned is "does it shoot accurately," and you have not said one way or the other.

Is it a one-piece or two-piece barrel?

I would like to see a picture of the canted barrel.

Since it has a lifetime warranty, if you are not happy, send it in.

I called S/W again and asked to speak to a manager. The individual I was speaking to said he was a manager. I told him all my problems and he said he would take care of it. I sent it for the 3rd time and it came back with a new bbl. Gaps are square and at .005. I am completely happy with the repair.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Been there. My new 686 had that problem. I had to adjust the rear sight ALL the way to it's limit to hit anything and even then it was not quite right.

They corrected it and relined the barrel, but I sure didn't expect that sort of problem. I chose it over a Ruger because I thought I was getting better quality. S&W Service was quick, free, and no argument but it should not have been necessary.

I searched for months for a 4" 617 and finally found one at a shop about an hour from my house. I put a deposit on it and drove up on the weekend to pick it up. I was about to fill out the 4473, when I realized the barrel wasn't even closed to aligned. The dealer sent it back and I waited two months before stumbling into a non crooked one at another shop and taking it home. Frustrating, but I finally have my 617.