Hi, I'm fairly new to Smith and Wesson revolvers. I wrote the below letter to customer support. He gave a quick reply and direction to send my 686SSR to be checked. This is a modified letter that I sent with my revolver ...Any thoughts, feelings, concerns, suggestions, etc..


Dear Customer Support,

I recently purchased a new 686SSR. I have shot only 275 rounds through it. I noticed that my revolver does not feel "tuned". I asked the indoor gun shooting range if he could compare it to one of his new 686's (not SSR series) in his show case. He stated that my revolver needs to be tuned and we both agree that there was little to no difference between his new 686(Not a SSR) and my SSR action. The double action feels about the same and the single action is a tiny bit lighter then his regular 686 in my opinion. I would like to get the double action pull as light as possible. Accuracy of my SSR is not impressive at 15 yards off a rock solid pistol bench, However this might be due to my revolver skills needs improving. I'm a excellent rimfire rifle shooter and have taken 1st and second places in online matches.

I also noticed there is a indentation/mar on the right side near barrel begins to flatten out. It was obviously done during your manufacturing process because the finish that was applied over the indentation/mar.

pls. help me get my revolver up to, or even better... above standard.

I am willing to pay additional for your services to get my 686 SSR above standard.

pls. inform me of my options and the necessary steps to achieve a excellent example of Smith’s Performance Center Tuned 686SSR

686SSR

Hi, I'm fairly new to Smith and Wesson revolvers. I wrote the below letter to customer support. He gave a quick reply and direction to send my 686SSR to be checked. This is a modified letter that I sent with my revolver ...Any thoughts, feelings, concerns, suggestions, etc..


Dear Customer Support,

I recently purchased a new 686SSR. I have shot only 275 rounds through it. I noticed that my revolver does not feel "tuned". I asked the indoor gun shooting range if he could compare it to one of his new 686's (not SSR series) in his show case. He stated that my revolver needs to be tuned and we both agree that there was little to no difference between his new 686(Not a SSR) and my SSR action. The double action feels about the same and the single action is a tiny bit lighter then his regular 686 in my opinion. I would like to get the double action pull as light as possible. Accuracy of my SSR is not impressive at 15 yards off a rock solid pistol bench, However this might be due to my revolver skills needs improving. I'm a excellent rimfire rifle shooter and have taken 1st and second places in online matches.

I also noticed there is a indentation/mar on the right side near barrel begins to flatten out. It was obviously done during your manufacturing process because the finish that was applied over the indentation/mar.

pls. help me get my revolver up to, or even better... above standard.

I am willing to pay additional for your services to get my 686 SSR above standard.

pls. inform me of my options and the necessary steps to achieve a excellent example of Smith’s Performance Center Tuned 686SSR

686SSR

I have a Thunder Ranch 21 that had a barrel that was rough as a corn cob. I sent the revolver back to them using the shipping label supplied by them and in 2 weeks it came back with a new barrel and my original front sight that I had serrated @ 40 LPI. Very happy with their service. I also mentioned that I had a TR 22 that shot low due to a high front sight and a low front sight was included for me to install. Excellent service.

I bought a new SSR, and even though I looked it over carefully before I took it out of the store, I found to my embarrassment that I had not noticed that the cylinder had not been chamfered.

Smith issued a UPS label and I had it back after about seven working days. While their production oversight is a real concern, their correction of the problem could not have been a better experience.

As far as the trigger is concerned, I installed a reduced power trigger return spring and the result is a double action trigger that equals most of the trigger jobs that I have had done in the past. It is clearly better than a stock 686.

I just picked up an M&P9L which went back to Smith two days ago, and I hope to receive the same excellent service this time around.

__________________
NRA-USPSA-IDPA-ICORE-GSSF

Seriously, what's up with quality control?

The cylinder not being chamfered is the rule, not the exception.I've seen three without the cylinder chamfered.

I have had the 686SSR since X-mas, I shot three shots off a pistol rest at 40 feet and they almost went through the same hole, all three touching. I have about 3000 rounds through it. The trigger pull is very smooth and the digital scale says double action pull of 8 pounds 11 oz., not way light but don't expect trigger pull like an auto pistol. The trigger pull I have can be shot accurately with practice.....I did put a 15 pound rebound spring in it, believe it came with a 16, instead of the regular 18 pound commonly found in the revolver. This is my educated guess as I tried the 16 pound, and saw no difference on the pull scale, so I went 15 pound. Someone else here may know the exact stock rebound spring rate for the 686SSR.

The standard guns run 18 Lb. I don't think the PC guns run lighter return springs.

__________________
NRA Benefactor Member

My SSR suffered from a broken trigger rebound spring after only 50 rounds. I sent it off to Smith and it was returned repaired within a week. Since then, I've had no problems with the gun. The trigger pull on it is equivalent to my other 686 after I had a Master Revolver Action Package done on it by the Smith Performance Center. My sense is that the SSR, essentially, is a 686 with the package supplied as part of the purchase price.

Wow! your service is comforting to know MaxW. I do hope I'll have a similar experience. Thank You for responding.

d625 "
I bought a new SSR, and even though I looked it over carefully before I took it out of the store, I found to my embarrassment that I had not noticed that the cylinder had not been chamfered."

Come to think about it d625. I don't think mine was done. I did look at my cylinder and thought ~is this what they call a chamfer?~ if soo it sure is shallow and I don't think it will make a difference. When S&W calls me, I'll ask him to verify if it is indeed chamfered. As you can see I am new to revolvers.(embarressed) Thanks for bringing this up.

"While their production oversight is a real concern, their correction of the problem could not have been a better experience."

Yes, it sure is a real concern. I would think when they loaded three rounds into the cylinder everyother.. that they would notice if it was done.

" I installed a reduced power trigger return spring and the result is a double action trigger that equals most of the trigger jobs that I have had done in the past. It is clearly better than a stock 686."

I thought about doing the same, but with my little experience, I figured I'll let them do it and keep their warranty on the work. Thanks for mentioning a comparison to a stock 686, I do hope mine would return "clearly better" like yours.

"I just picked up an M&P9L which went back to Smith two days ago, and I hope to receive the same excellent service this time around"

I wish the best for you I do hope to have the same.

Giz

I was wondering the same thing MMM, One to two weeks getting it serviced bums me out, but on the bright side..S&W service seems to be excellent.

Giz

I'm not sure I understand you 28gauge. I'm confused. I feel that if they advertise it with a chamfered cylinder, that is exactly how it suppose to be done. It makes me wonder if the other things on their description was done.

Giz

Interesting information Magnum12pm. I would be also be happy with your results although i would like the pull lighter if possible. I'm 5'6" with small to med. hands,, I'm sure every ounce would help me.

Giz

I'm sorry to hear your spring broke and you had to send it in Stevieboy. What a bummer. I have a idea of what you were going through,, because I'm a bit bummed out waiting to hear back from S&W and not being able to shoot my revolver.

Your impression about the package and 686 is how I took it also and I like the looks of the SSR both complementing eachother.

I do hope I get a great experience with Quality Assurance and Customer Support as you all. I'll reply here with a update. Again..Thanks all!

Giz