I recently bought a 686+ 2.5 Performance center gun. I had to pay up front as it was a special order at my LGS. Just eyeballed the gun and took it home. Wasn't sure whether I was going to fire it at this time or not. As I was looking it over I noticed the hole in the ejector Rod was buggered up. I decided to dryfire it at this point and the trigger was gritty and hard. Was very dissapointed if this was whats coming out of the performance center. I kept dryfiring it over a week. It got a little better but still nothing like the smooth action on one I had seen a few months earlier at another store. While dryfiring I noticed one of the chambers was out of time. On the other six were the two distinct clicks, a little,more pull and it released the hammer. On what I will call the 7th there is no second click and even if you let the hammer fall the vibration doesn't always knock it into battery. It's obvious when you hold the hammer and do it slowly. I also noticed the two piece barrel is very rough on the lands if you stick your finger on them like they could cut you. Is this what to expect from S&W now? And the performance center?
JR

That's not good. Sorry you are having to deal with this. I agree, more is expected from a PC gun.

I went down to my LGS to possibly buy the same gun about 2 hours ago. Trigger felt pretty smooth, no canted barrel, but the bead blast finish had some scuff marks on it, so I passed.

I was thinking about buying one online from Buds or KYGun Co. But after some of the accounts I have been hearing about this model, I don't think I would take my chances on a sight-unseen order. I will wait until another LGS gets one in-stock and go look at it.

Just send it back to SW. Call them and they will email you a shipping label. All on their dime. You will have it back in 4 weeks. I know it sucks.

Truth is there seems to be an issue with the timing on 7 shot revolvers from SW. I had two new ones I had to send back as well. I asked a buddy of mine who owns a gun shop and he said the same thing. Never timing issues on any new SWs but the 7 shot ones. Not uncommon for him to send a few 7 shot guns from time to time back for timing problems.

SW will make it right for sure. No hassle, just out the gun for 4 weeks.

I'm sure the 7 shots have timing problems but so do 6 shots, from time to time. My 686+ is fine. My 325NG wasn't & S&W fixed that when they replaced the cylinder for a manufacturing defect.

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OP: Sadly S&W's QC isn't very consistent sometimes & even the PC guns have issues. Once you get the RMA from S&W, type up a letter detailing everything that is wrong & include a copy with the gun when you return it. I've seen those burrs on the 2 piece barrel's crown & I think it's from the tool they insert in the barrel to screw it into the frame (my PC 460 had them too).

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Waiting for the break of day

Time to send her back to the mother ship. It sucks to have to send back a brand new one. But, like Harrishmasher said, they will make it right.

I think I would at least shoot some rounds down range, might as well find out how it functions.... before contacting them. That way if you send it in without firing it.... when you get it back you won't have to worry about another issue not up to your specs..

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Jack C

The 686+ PC does not use a 2 Piece barrel. For whatever reason when they machine the recess crowns on their revolvers they tooling only machines to the diameter of the grooves, not the lands. They'll go away with shooting.

My 625 PC also had a buggered up hole in the ejector rod, and my plain Jane 686+ doesn't carry up on one cylinder.

Finally, if you haven't, make sure you oil the lockwork. They come dry (and as a result gritty) from S&W. No idea why. That, the sloppy cut on recessed crowns, and lack of loctite on the strain screws are my pet peeves.

Read my post here.

"Picked up a strange one today."

A few threads above yours.

coach22

I have noticed the rough area on a 44 mag I bought a few years ago. When I got it if you looked straight on the crown looked crooked. I also noticed the rough lands on those also. S&W re crowned it but they still look strange compared to the old guns. I believe my 340pd which has a barrel insert has the rough lands also.
JR
Ps called S&W and have a label to send back.