Hello all,

I have a 686, and if you look down the business end you can tell the barrel is a bit unaligned in relation to the frame. Also, I can even see that the muzzle sight is off or tilted to the left when i aim it. It shoots well, the only problem is that I know it is crooked and it eats me alive!

Do you think I should send it back to S&W to get it corrected?

I'd call customer service and let them know. There have been reports of cracked frames due to barrels being overtightened at the factory.

On this site do a search for canted barrels. Must be a thousand replys by now.
Mike

Is the rear sight centered? If it shoots well I'd leave it alone, if it is only "a bit". Change the position of the front sight, and you'll need to compensate on the rear, that's pretty much a given.

But, if it is triggering a OCD episode, by all means get it corrected.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I will call S&W, But what if Im not the original owner?

They won't know that. They won't even ask, so don't mention it.

Send it back with a list of everything you can find wrong.

We should send every defective gun back for them to fix on their dime.
Flood them with defective guns and maybe they'll figure out that it's easier
and cheaper to do it right the first time.

Just curious, what dash # is it? Thanks

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Sure you did

the model number is 686-6 ...

Seems to be a pattern here with the newer Smith's. Here's how I look at things, if I'm unhappy with the function and/or the asthetics of the gun, it's going back. You don't want to look at a gun,that you're unhappy with, every day. But, I'm reasonable, nothings perfect except for the Creator who became man, so I don't send it back if it has a buggered grip screw or something minor.
As stated, they don't know if you're the original owner or not, I just sent back a gun that I was at least the 2nd owner of. The ownership question never came up.

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Sure you did

That being said, I will pursue sending back to S&W.

Thanks everyone for the help!!! I will keep you posted on the progress.

Here's their contact info:


Shipping/Returns - Smith & Wesson

You could also just fill out a form and they'll send you a label in 2 days. Most people prefer to speak with CS. Either way you're good.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...4_757812_image

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Sure you did

Is this really a problem?? After seeing all these canted barrel posts, I took both of my pristine .500 Mags and looked at them with the intent of finding fault.

Well...PERHAPS, I repeat perhaps, I could think that the barrel alignment wasn't perfect but then again, I might be imagining it.

Are some really overdoing the inspection and expecting absolute perfection in a commercial product made by humans? A half degree of misalignment might be detectable but would it in any way impact the performance of the gun at any imaginable distance? Shooter error would be VASTLY more significant.

I'd bet if finding fault was my intent, I'd guess I could find fault with a Rolls Royce or a Ferrari but what would that prove? Don

I recently bought a new model 29-10 that I thought was perfect.

That is until I had it about 2 weeks and had put several hundred rounds through it.

Then I noticed that the trigger was not centered in the trigger guard.
It was so far left of center that it protruded from the left side of the bottom of the trigger guard.

It bothered me more and more, so I sent it back.
S&W has it now.

Perhaps I should have added that nothing in my post should be interpreted to suggest that owners accept shoddy product. Don

Clocking the barrel changes point of impact (right or left). If your gun is shooting to point of aim, having it "fixed" will require a substantial rear sight adjustment. If your rear sight is centered and it shoots to POA, leave it alone.

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"I also cook."

On the 686-6 I've had here from about last November, the barrel is over-torqued & I had to move the rear blade very markedly to the right. If it were my gun I'd be returning it.
Denis

Thanks all for the information. .

Everyone knows that there's a line to cross whether its just being too picky and noticing this thing is off big time. I can measure it by looking down the top of the barrel. It is Two- Three lines off the rear sight to the right. (I am talking about that 3" long black plate that the rear sight is on in relation to the groove down the barrel)

For you that have a 686 or even a revolver for that matter, take a gander and let me know if it is similar. and maybe you can give input.

I personally don't want to be the "Thorn in the Side" type of guy.

I am a proud owner of S&W, Which every hand gun i own is a S&W and will not purchase another make.

Thanks

Attached Images

SS850565.jpg (52.4 KB, 60 views)

The days where craftsmen take pride in their work is
gone forever. America no longer has many skilled trades
left where a fellow not going to college can produce a fine product.
Very few apprentice programs offered to our young people. Industry
is what makes American strong.

Could you post a pic of the area where the barrel meets the frame? I betcha every barrel ever assembled is off by .0000000000000000000001 inch, but who's measuring. If it's really noticable, like some of the ones that have been posted here, just send it back. You're not being a "thorn in the side" or "bothering" anyone, if it's not to your satisfaction, it's your perogative.
I probably have a few guns with torqued barrels, all my guns shoot fine and are accurate, so it matters not to me. Your mileage may vary. And despite popular belief, quality issues are not solely with the newer guns. More issues? Probably, no one knows since there wasn't the internet in the 50's, 60' and 70's.
Btw, you have a real nice collection there, but you need more.

Try posting a picture of the topstrap area.

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Sure you did

I had the HVAC guys over my house yesterday to check my AC units, prepping for the summer. Got to talking with the older gent, mainly about the state of our country, but also about the business he's in. He told me they have as much work as they can handle, and the boss is looking for more people. 3/4's of the resumes submitted are from college graduates. None of the prospective new hires have any HVAC experience.
Btw, the younger guy did all the work, and he was excellent and thorough. I gave them a tip.

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Sure you did

I sure will take a picture when I get home.... posting in a couple hours.

"Btw, you have a real nice collection there, but you need more."

I'm have a small budget, but I will soon build a large arsenal. My goal is to have way too many that my wife will suggest a large liberty safe .... Its cool if its her idea, right?

Sorry but I think that's an exaggeration of the situation. We still build great aircraft, ships, weapons systems, ground breakers in most high tech. A large portion of the men/women in those industries are not degreed college engineers.

Modern industry is mostly computer driven, doesn't lend to hand attention where it isn't absolutely necessary.

Having said that, the fool in the White House isn't helping much.

My opinion, you're welcome to yours. Don

I recently got a new 442 with the barrel off by about 7-10 degrees. With fixed sights it does make a difference on performance.

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Daniel.

ladder13
It would be impossible to measure .0000000000000000000001 so why
would you make a statement like that. If it was canted either way it should not have left smith-wesson. I know they will try to make it right if you complain enough. Especially knowing one will look down the
sights to fire the revolver. Save cost in other ways not where one will
notice in the operation of firearm.

I hate to burst you bubble, but America is the world leader in literally every field you can think of.

We build the finest ships, automobiles, trains and just about every other mechanical device you can think of.
We grow the food that feeds most of this planet.
We create the medicines and vaccines that save lives.
It's our satellites the world uses to communicate.

What makes America strong is it's people and the freedom they enjoy.
Today America is stronger than ever and getting stronger.

Don't let the imbecile in the White House, Smith and Wesson's quality control
or this country's current financial situation distract you from the bigger picture.

That much of a cant, I'd certainly agree with you and would also send it back. Don

I guess you didn't see the big grin, did you? It was a joke, meant for the people who send guns back for the most minor things. Get it?

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Sure you did

That's quite a claim.

Well, besides the Australians, among other foreigners, who supply the US Navy, the Finns who build the world's cruise ships and the Danes who supply the world's cargo ships. What other ships might you be referring to?

This might be true if we ignore the world's largest automaker, Toyota. China has us beat as far as total production. If you mean quality, which is rather subjective, I'm not sure Lincoln or Cadillac's finest cars can really compete with the top European marques.

I'm afraid both Europe and Asia are far ahead of the US when it comes to rail transportation. In fact, of the World's Top 25 Trains, only two N. American lines make the list, both Canadian, not US, companies.

Yes, except for the rather exhaustive list of those devices others make better. See above, for starters.

China's rice crop alone dwarfs the US' entire agricultural output. 2/3rds of the planet lives on a rice, not corn, -based diet.

China and India are the world's top vaccine producers. Merck, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies, is German, of course. GlaxoSmithKline, the other big name in the trade, is British.

Besides Russia, who has more satellites orbiting than the US, and countries like Japan, China, France, Germany and India, not to mention a number of private companies, who also have their own.

-------------------------------------------------

Now, don't get me wrong- there's nothing wrong with patriotism. It's the blind type that can be problematic. It tends to lead to complacency, among other things.

Nobody supplies much in the way of ships to the US Navy. Arleigh Burke destroyers, Aegis cruisers. Tridents?? Seawolf, the fastest and probably the quietest sub ever. Multi mission Virginia class subs.

Satellites?? Unless you have a TS/SCI clearance (I did on active duty, don't of course anymore), you're ill qualified to talk about our satellite programs.

We do damned well in RDT&E. Don

I don't want to take this thread too far off-topic but here's an interesting read critical of US reliance on foreign military suppliers. One short paragraph stands out: Outsourcing U.S. Defense: National Security Implications - UPDATED

Don: Years ago I bought a Ruger SP101 -- with a slight cant. No biggy -- you had to look real close. Similarly I've had a S&W 65-3 with a minor cant (really had to squint to see it). But there are some guns out there where the cant hits you over the head. I was looking at a new 686P last Summer and the cant was obvious as soon as I looked down the sights (so I bought a 3" GP100 instead). At the range where I volunteer as a RSO a guy had 3" 65 that I started to admire. He told me he was not very happy with it -- that it shot way left. I looked down the barrel and there was a 12:02 cant. Other guys have posted photos in other threads, so when it's bad it's bad.

That said, 99% percent of the revolvers I see have no perceptible cant (when you look at it from a galloping horse -- as they say).

No disagreement with you at all. Like many have said, the internet and access to it gives the opportunity to easily spread complaints. Those who are pleased with their guns are far less vocal than those who are not.

Enough right now, leaving for the range, have a pressing need to check some ammo for a new Remington R-15 in 30 Rem AR and some .300 WSM in a Browning ShortTrack!! Don

I've read that sometimes 'smiths have had to give a barrel a little extra (or less) twist to 'adjust' the sights. Does the gun shoot to POA, or do you have to use 'hold-off'?

shep,

I am not one to be a good judge on it's POA. I am horrible on consistency.

I can tell you this, I can shoot better with my Highway Patrolman than this 686. Now that being said, does that say anything to you?

I plan on taking it to my local gun shop and get his opinion on it, being that he can actually hold it and use his judgment. I tried to take pictures so you all can see. (My camera is aweful)

Like I said, I will keep all posted.

cody

I hope you are able to get it repaired quickly, on their quarter!

Shep,

I took no offense. I haven't shot it too much, which shows that I need to do it. I need to grab a couple hundred rounds and analyze it greatly. But I plan on getting a guy to look at it this evening.

If it comes down to it and need to send it back to S&W. Would there be a possibility that the frame be messed up? The reason I fear for this is because it is a limited edition revolver and if the frame is jacked, then I no longer have a limited edition.

Whats your thoughts?

This one is far enough off that it requires the rear blade to be adjusted to within about two clicks of being flush with the sight base's right edge.
I find that annoying enough to be unacceptable.

Gun shoots well, but....
Denis

Bottom line: it's your gun--if there's something about it that bugs you, go ahead and get it fixed.

Had a Ruger 22-45 for bullseye shooting that the front sight was canted. I never used the irons, mounted a red dot as soon as I got it. I sold it about a year later, I just couldn't stand that canted sight, even though I didn't even use it. I think I just didn't trust the gun. I know exactly how you feel, I wouldn't even hesitate to get it fixed.

Hey, I submitted for warranty work online. They are going to pay to & from S&W.

If I want them to do a trigger job on it, what would that cost? & would it be worth it?

Yea,you!!
Glad to hear they are working with you. I hope they are quick.

I received it back, Looks ... OK.

It is better than before. Not quite as noticeable. I will be shooting later this weekend.

My father has been a gunsmith for many many years and when he is doing work on a gun for a customer he does not accept "pretty close" or "probably not noticeable." If there is something on a gun that he does not get 100% right the first time then he takes the time on his money to make it that way. I don't feel that it is unacceptable to expect the same thing from gun manufacturers when their products are leaving the factory that we are spending our hard earned dollars on. I don't expect every gun to have a Performance Center finish or a 1/2 ounce trigger pull (exaggeration for point) but I do expect everything to be straight and aligned with all parts fitting properly in accordance with the schematic. Many of us have made note that in recent years S&W has loosened their QC in order to make their current manufacturing more acceptable. I personally don't accept that as good business practice and if you look through my collection you won't see any revolvers with the hole in the side.

Just my $.02 worth!

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Son of a Gun...Smith

Hello all,

I have taken it out last weekend, had to move the rear sight over to the right, and it is almost on!!! Lack some tweaking to make it precise, and still need to learn it more and more.

Despite what I went thru, I started having my doubts about S&W's current manufacturing. I think they continued to make a wonderful piece.

Thanks

Mine was just received by S&W yesterday. Yup, 686-6 4" - canted barrel, hope they make it right...

They will take care of shipping to & from for sure, as I know you will see above in this thread.

Have patience and S&W will make everything alright. It’s just a pain that it didn’t get taken care of in Springfield.

Good luck

Why don't they go back to the pinned barrels?

Can anybody say when the canted barrel started to be a common occurrence?

How long ago?