Just looking at the rail it seems like the barrel isn't centered. For reference, this is a model 686 with a 2.5 inch barrel. I looked at a couple other examples on Gunbroker and the rail was more centered. This one appears to be more aligned to the left. Am I wrong here?
Is this barrel off center? Thinking about buying, but is it off center.
- Thread starter ewilliams
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2017
- Messages
- 3,317
- Reaction score
- 11,186
- City & State/Province
- The worst state in the USA
I think its just the camera angle that gives that illusion.
Tough to tell in one picture, and it sounds like you have a gut feeling about it also.
Without seeing it in person, I’d pass unless you work out an agreement about a return period with the seller.
Without seeing it in person, I’d pass unless you work out an agreement about a return period with the seller.
cmj8591
Member
I think that barrel is fine. It looks like more optical illusion than actually being off center. I wouldn't let that photo stop me from buying it if the price was right.
Steep price and bad vibes = keep looking, I guess. But you may look a long time to find something that you think looks better.
I’m always more interested in how the gun shoots regarding POA/POI. Unfortunately that’s something you can never tell from a picture.
I’m always more interested in how the gun shoots regarding POA/POI. Unfortunately that’s something you can never tell from a picture.
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2023
- Messages
- 492
- Reaction score
- 1,209
ewilliams, I agree with you that it looks off center. I always include "looking down the sights" pictures in my sales adds and that looks crooked to me.
Id ask him, and ask for a better pic.
Here's a good picture of a well centered barrel (6" 686).
Id ask him, and ask for a better pic.
Here's a good picture of a well centered barrel (6" 686).
Last edited:
Shael
Member
No, you are not wrong. Yes, it is off center. I would not buy it. In fact, I am sitting on a S&W right now that I bought sight-unseen, based on pictures, just as you are contemplating doing. When I got it, I realized the issue but have no recourse other than to send it down the road. You should NOT buy this gun.
AudieMurphy
Member
so you going to"send it down the road" in other words pass the "love" along.....NICE!!
Shael
Member
I don’t appreciate your tone, sir. I would never sell it without fully disclosing the defect. I just won’t own one with that defect in place. Lots of other people could not find a f**k to give about it.
Just the slightest tilt of a camera can cause a distortion. This is why view cameras were used in architecture photography. The computer has changed all that.
But it does appear to be off center. Buyer beware. Hands on inspection is needed, otherwise a pass.
But it does appear to be off center. Buyer beware. Hands on inspection is needed, otherwise a pass.
Thanks. I agree as that photo shows a properly aligned barrel. I don't see how the camera angle can really change it. I don't know, but I think I'm going to pass. I may ask him if he has another photo, but this guy is a hot head. He wanted $1600 and would only go down to $1500 when I asked him if that was his best price and he got super po'd as well.
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2023
- Messages
- 492
- Reaction score
- 1,209
Yikes! Keep looking... I bought a beautiful 686+ 2.5" here from a forum member in Feb. $900 and it's perfect.
Last edited:
You can see here that there is a perspective issue with the photo, so not sure if the barrel is off center:
That being said, I have 3 S&W revolvers, all three PC; two I bought new, one used. Only the used one has a fully centered barrel. The two new PC guns (one of them a 2.5" 986 - very similar to the one in the photo) both have clocking errors from the factory. I don't mind as I use the guns, will never sell them and the error can be easily corrected with the rear sight.
Roland.
That being said, I have 3 S&W revolvers, all three PC; two I bought new, one used. Only the used one has a fully centered barrel. The two new PC guns (one of them a 2.5" 986 - very similar to the one in the photo) both have clocking errors from the factory. I don't mind as I use the guns, will never sell them and the error can be easily corrected with the rear sight.
Roland.
My two cents I would not buy it for the price. Seems more than a tad bit high. I have found in my collecting life that patience pays off greatly. Another one will come around.
JwesleyN
Member
I would ask the seller for a better picture or 2 at different angles. It does look off center to me in that one. If this is a current production S&W it’s not the first one I’ve heard of off center or canted barrel. These days I don’t like buying guns that I can’t get my hands on and give it a good going over. I check the action timing, barrel cylinder gap on new or used guns.
cmj8591
Member
I would not pay 1500 for that gun even if the barrel isn't off center. But it is your money of course so if it is talking to you, then go for it. That photo is not enough to tell you that the barrel is off. The camera is taking a photo of two different planes. The top of the barrel and the top of the sight. Unless they are completely perpendicular and the gun and camera are both level, which they are not, it is almost impossible to tell the orientation of one from the other. If you look closely, it looks like the sight extends out over the front of the frame. It doesn't, it just looks that way because of the angle.
I agree it is off center - easy to tell by looking at the lines on the rear sight leaf and for those that say optical illusion, why do other barrel lines look straight? Barrel needs a little “tweaking” by factory or “competent” gunsmith with proper jig.
A miss-aligned barrel can drive you nuts. Having barrels not perfectly aligned is rather common with either Smith & Wesson or Ruger. I've had some not aligned right and some you can see right away and others you had to study to see it. My 2 inch bbl model 64-2 is slightly off a little but with fixed sights and that short of a barrel I don't worry to much about it. If you buy one slightly off center and you are a worrier it can drive you nuts.
sparkyvega
Member
Jim Watson
Member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2001
- Messages
- 2,883
- Reaction score
- 2,163
- City & State/Province
- Florence, Alabama, USA
The only picture looks to me like it is maybe a half or one serration off to the left. But that is just one picture, probably from a phone.
I don't know how common it is, but I got stuck with a slightly offcenter barrel 686. This was a gun I bought for IDPA, I had its 6" barrel shortened to 5" in the original rules, then had it cut off AGAIN when they reduced maximum barrel length to 4". Somewhere in there my FLG noticed the misalignment and rather than torque the barrel to line up, he remachined the rib. It is now flat and not serrated but it is straight and square.
I don't know how common it is, but I got stuck with a slightly offcenter barrel 686. This was a gun I bought for IDPA, I had its 6" barrel shortened to 5" in the original rules, then had it cut off AGAIN when they reduced maximum barrel length to 4". Somewhere in there my FLG noticed the misalignment and rather than torque the barrel to line up, he remachined the rib. It is now flat and not serrated but it is straight and square.
stansdds
Member
$1500 for a 686? Even though the 2 1/2" barrel is highly desired, that is too much money considering the firearms market has softened significantly since the record high prices of 2020-2024.
Law-dog
Member
Multiple issues. #1 how does it shoot? You have no clue. You do not use the lines in the sight or on the barrel to shoot the gun. They cut glare, otherwise are cosmetic.
Is the barrel canted or is the lines on top not proper. I had the problem once and sent gun back to the factory on another brand. Pretty funny, they fired 40 rounds of factory 44 mag through it using a Ransom Rest. The group of 40 rounds was about 2 inches, with the barrel appearing to be canted.
It did not affect accuracy of the gun in the rest or the gun fired by me, just looked off when looking at it closely.
If you are buying as a collectors item of for possible future resale pass on it. The next guy will notice too.
Like others, at that price I would pass on it too. But then again, I only buy new guns with a warranty or guns with a warranty that passes along. And on used guns, I never buy one unless I can hold it and check the action, timing, trigger and such myself. Why would I?
As an attorney, I have been telling people for about 50 years, never buy anything subject to the laws of another state. And also, when you buy off the net from another state, you are the only person who will be angry if you later discover a flaw and then you will remember that forever and be angry about your choice. And I certainly agree with you. Never sell a gun or anything else without disclosing what you think might be a flaw. Fraud and passing on flaws have gotten so common that in real estate law today, there is a required form addressing dozens of issues. From termite damage to hazards and even the presence of former meth labs, flaws you cannot see. It is a matter of integrity as you have stated.
Good luck and let us know your decision.
Just some thoughts.
Is the barrel canted or is the lines on top not proper. I had the problem once and sent gun back to the factory on another brand. Pretty funny, they fired 40 rounds of factory 44 mag through it using a Ransom Rest. The group of 40 rounds was about 2 inches, with the barrel appearing to be canted.
It did not affect accuracy of the gun in the rest or the gun fired by me, just looked off when looking at it closely.
If you are buying as a collectors item of for possible future resale pass on it. The next guy will notice too.
Like others, at that price I would pass on it too. But then again, I only buy new guns with a warranty or guns with a warranty that passes along. And on used guns, I never buy one unless I can hold it and check the action, timing, trigger and such myself. Why would I?
As an attorney, I have been telling people for about 50 years, never buy anything subject to the laws of another state. And also, when you buy off the net from another state, you are the only person who will be angry if you later discover a flaw and then you will remember that forever and be angry about your choice. And I certainly agree with you. Never sell a gun or anything else without disclosing what you think might be a flaw. Fraud and passing on flaws have gotten so common that in real estate law today, there is a required form addressing dozens of issues. From termite damage to hazards and even the presence of former meth labs, flaws you cannot see. It is a matter of integrity as you have stated.
Good luck and let us know your decision.
Just some thoughts.
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2010
- Messages
- 232
- Reaction score
- 347
Here is the key for me: "He wanted $1600 and would only go down to $1500 when I asked him if that was his best price and he got super po'd as well."
^^This shows of a seller that really does not want to sell..He has it over priced to start with and not in the mood to move..
No use to be PO'd when a person offers the going price..Bill.
$1500 is outlandish!
At least with a 686 if the gun shoots a bit off from a misaligned barrel you can compensate with sight adjustment. I have a 442 that shoots off center, and the barrel is almost imperceptibly canted. Side note- is it possible for a gunsmith to correct the cant easily? I know it could be tricky with alloy frame sensitive to damage?
At least with a 686 if the gun shoots a bit off from a misaligned barrel you can compensate with sight adjustment. I have a 442 that shoots off center, and the barrel is almost imperceptibly canted. Side note- is it possible for a gunsmith to correct the cant easily? I know it could be tricky with alloy frame sensitive to damage?
Similar threads
