Over the summer purchased a brand new 686-6+ 3". Upon unboxing the day I got it home I noticed the thumb latch/cylinder release had a lot of play and seemed very loose. I later tried tightening the screw and discovered it to be tight and secure. I've fired almost 1000 rounds through her so far with no issues, but sometimes it seems as though the cylinder takes a good amount of force to open. Is this normal on the new smiths or is this problem a cause for concern?
The play in the thumb piece is normal it mounts to the bolt, this is what is moving.
Hard to open. Is the bolt easy to push but the cylinder feels sticky? If yes, clean under the extractor and see if it helps. Could just be needing a better cleaning.
Mine is not "very loose" (though that is a more or less subjective judgment). When the cylinder is closed I can wiggle it only a tiny bit up and down (less than a millimeter). When the cylinder is open it has more play up and down, but I physically have to move it -- it doesn't move when I shake the gun.