Is there any additional tuning, trigger jobs, etc?

I own the 686 PC with 2.5 inch barrel. The current PC model. The barrel is tapered or flat on the sides. It has a 7 shot cylinder. The diameter of the cylinder is the same as the 6 shot so it fits standard 686 holsters. The front site is dove tailed and looks bright red orange. My favorite front site on all my guns. The action is as smooth as my Python. The performance center does work their magic on the action. I know this because it is much much lighter and smoother than any of my other Smiths and they are regular production models. The hammer and trigger are chrome flashed and the trigger has a trigger stop. I have started collecting new in box old and unfired revolvers. I own the Royal Blue Python and my next on the list is to buy a new and unfired 66-1. These old guns don't have MIM or locks. I'm mentioning this to say that even though my 2014 686 PC has MIM and a lock, it is still my favorite revolver. I really like it. I carry it everyday. All day on weekends. Even though it's a 34 oz gun, I don't even feel it on my hip. This is because I have a sturdy gun belt and holster. Galco belt and Galco Combat Master holster. The PC 686 is worth the $1k. Hope this helps.

Actually the old 686's from the 1980's are all Performance Center guns to me. PC guns are just Smiths way of saying we are going to try to make this one as good as we did 30 years ago. Just avoiding a canted barrel today takes a lot of searching and effort.

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Dr. B

Gotta disagree. These aren't quality checked, either. My own 686 Plus PC went immediately back to the mother ship for extensive repairs, including a new barrel, a new ejector rod and star, and a full refinish.

There are a few differences in addition to those the initial responder stated. The hammer is tear drop shaped for easier carry. The cylinder is cut for moonclips, and 3 clips are included with the revolver. It has custom (laminated) wood grips, which are very slim for added concealment. I doubt we should have to mention the unfluted cylinder.

One more thing. I agree with the folks talking about poor initial quality. I had to send mine back for new extractor. It's perfect now but bad QA. I looked at one at LGS last week that had poorly centered front site, super rough finish and rifling protruding through forcing cone. It's a super gun but you have to really look some over to get a good one.

Well this is quite interesting to say the least! While I personally do not own any PC Guns, I have a few Range Buddy's that do and have read right here on this Forum about the many others that do. I have seen an uncanny and unbalanced amount of these PC Revolvers that have to be returned for repair.

My personal opinion is that the more special work and the more special features the Factory does on a gun the more likely it is to have a problem.
I would imagine it is because more people handle a said revolver and more tools are used on tuning it which in turn gives more of a chance to a screw up.

Of course this is NOT the way it is suppose to work (especially at the higher cost charged) but I would bet that the best Gunsmiths the Factory now employ do not hold a candle to the middle of the road Gunsmiths of 40 or 50 years ago. Gunsmiths are relying too much on CNC machinery, computers, and robotics rather than just being experienced "gut - Gunsmiths".

If anyone else here has a better theory, I'd sure like to hear it..........

I'd say that, plus the fact that they don't seem to have any dedicated QC checkers anymore, AND their standards as to what is "acceptable" to go out the door has lowered. You can't tell me that the guy test firing the guns doesn't notice the canted barrels and misaligned top serrations. Both the guns I've had to send back were produced on the same day and test fired by the same employee ... and both had to go right back. It's pretty frustrating.

I just got an email this morning that the gun I sent them last Tuesday, and which they received last Thursday morning, has been "received." Six freaking days just to acknowledge receipt ... my lucky streak continues. I'll say one thing, though: if that gun doesn't come back as the fully and properly functioning, defect free "new" gun I paid for, it is the very last new S&W I will ever buy. I'll go used or Ruger if they don't make this one right. Three new S&W revolvers ordered in the last four months, two I had to send right back for repairs, and the other was so bad I flat out refused to take delivery at the FFL and got a refund.

The only "tuning" PC guns get nowadays is a reduced power ribbed (probably sourced from Wolf) mainspring. That's why your gun's trigger is lighter than your other Smiths.

I've been "forced" to purchase three PC guns over the last few years for various shooting sport disciplines. ( 5" 627, 5" 327, 4" 625) and everyone showed NO evidence of ANY internal action work. All they do is throw in a reduced power mainspring and call it a "Performance Center tuned action".

Talking to many well respected gunsmiths who cater to competitive shooters, they all say the same thing. The PC guns they are seeing show no evidence of any action work, just the ribbed mainspring.

Two of my three PC guns had canted barrels from the factory. The 625 had undersized chambers. All three forcing cones were improperly cut and the crowns on the 625 and 627 were hideous. Fortunately for me, I had my revolversmith, fix the above issues when he was doing his race tuning. That way I knew it would be done correctly, the first time. I feel for owners that are forced to send their guns back to the factory for repair by the same group that built them improperly in the first place.

Dr. BS

I don't have words.

Is that the Wolf Type 2 reduced power MS? I've read a lot of complaints about light primer strikes after installing those. Would the Wolf Type 1 standard power MS make any positive difference in trigger pull?

My PC 2.5inch 686Plus was cut off very rough also, with the forwardmost jagged edges scrapping the face of the cylinder. Shooting it has knocked down most of the rough edges. I inspected three other 2.5PC's at various LGS, and they all had the jagged faced forcing cone. It was a Christmas gift from my husband, so I didn't say anything at the time to ruin the moment. Seems to shoot fine.

I'm sorry, I don't know the differences between Wolf mainsprings. My revosmith doesn't use them. He uses standard S&W mainsprings that he bends to get the desired results.

So would they need the action upgraded or a radius trigger?

And also would sending this to a gun smith void my warranty?

The PC gun's action won't need upgrading. Mine is awesome right out of the box. The trigger won't need to be radiused. It is wide, smooth and feels great. The gun has a lifetime warranty. Smith pays shipping both ways. If you need a gunsmith for a problem, Smith will take care of it. The QA at all the gun manufacturers is poor these days, so you really have to examine the gun and walk away if you find problems with it. I almost bought another PC 686 last week. I decided not to because the front site was way off center, the finish was very rough, and the rifling extended to the edge of the forcing cone. Don't buy a gun off the internet because you won't have a chance to look it over first. Be willing to travel to 2-3 gun shops in a day to inspect more than one gun if you have to. Make sure the front site is centered, the barrel isn't canted, the muzzle crown looks good, the forcing cone is smooth and not dragging on the cylinder, make sure the cylinder opens and closes correctly, make sure the timing is good SA and DA, make sure the hammer doesn't push off with your thumb when it is cocked, and that the beed blast finish is smooth. If all these things are good then buy the gun. You will really love it. It is worth the extra $ for the PC version of the 686.

Thank you all for the replies

I've just went to see it today, it just arrived and I was actually right there moments after it's arrival . . (ya, I had the text message alerts from USPS sent to my phone) . . I went in there with my two copies of utility bills. I filled out my paperwork now I have a 10 day hold

After reading a bit about the Performance Center models I was worried that I was going to be receiving a fun that was going to be coming with issues

First thing to note . . this gun is actually very heavy . . I'm going to looking forward to getting use to it

Anyway, while I wait out my 10 days I have a question. Is there a way that I can look up the manufacture date with the serial number? . . me and my 686 shall celebrate it's birthdays every year at the range

Date of production is on the case label.

Thank you, I guess I'll be getting that in 10 days

Walky, you beat me by one day. I pick up mine on the 2nd.

The PC has been turning out some marginal stuff as of late. The good news is, S&W will take care of the problem but I think they may be doing more re-works up there than they should.

Monday I went to my local LGS to pick up a 640 Pro Series I bought online because they could not obtain one locally. The gun had the tightest tolerances of any S&W revolver I have ever seen. Everything was perfect EXCEPT, the flutes in the barrel had some very visible pitting. I suspect whoever did the final inspection thought they were removable marks and sent the gun out without attempting to remove them, which is interesting since the gun started life in the PC center, went to the main assembly plant, and then back to the PC center for a final check. Lots of eyes looked at that gun before it went out.

I accepted the gun because that model is relatively hard to find and everything else, especially the trigger, was 100% perfect. I got home and immediately called S&W who e-mailed me a shipping label and I sent the gun back to them that day.
I suspect they will need to replace the barrel so I sit here hoping it gets screwed on straight and has a nice cylinder gap.
I am not complaining because I know it will be fixed but I hope someone up in Mass. is monitoring the number of returns of PC Center guns.
They said three weeks. I am not holding my breath.

The tables have turned . . I'm just learning my FFL won't be open on Sunday OR Monday so I'll be getting it on Tuesday the 3rd, the day after you

Comment like these revolving the PC guns are so commonplace that I am actually really worried I'm going to have to send mine back as soon as I pick it up

l buy slightly used guns for the same reasons l buy slightly used cars. l usually get a better price and ''hopefully'' the first owner got all the BUGS out...

Dow side..There are a few miles on the speedo and that dreaded Turn Line on the cyl.. No worry tho... l plan on improving them both with lotsa miles and lotsa LEAD

Picked up mine today. The only complaint is the handle fit. I'll probably go to the range tomorrow to see how ****** I am.

Is there any good holsters for the 6 inch 686 Performance Center model?

I own a couple from Wright Leather Works, so I ordered one from them for this weapon. Problem is the 8 to 10 week lead time.

Did you have to send it in for them to make it?

What?

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

I recently picked up one of these myself, and I agree that the action is very smooth.

Other differences are, unglued cylinder, cylinder cut for moon clips, and of course the grips, which fit my hand well.

I agree on the used philosophy. Guns get used way less than cars.

I wouldn't want the cylinder to come unglued!

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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36

The PC guns are customized to a particular task such as carry, competition, or hunting.

Action wise, there were plenty that left the factory 30 years ago rough as a cob. Probably more since the forged parts were not as consistent dimensionally as MIM. Hence the need for all that wonderful "hand fitting".

The main difference is, 30 years ago, there wasn't a World Wide Web to report every problem and have it repeated and reposted.

Among my favorite "PC" guns are models 1950, 1955, 357 Magnum and Highway Patrolman. All are pre model number guns from the 50's when the whole factory was a "performance center". Great fit and finish with incredibly smooth actions. I encourage anyone contemplating a more modern PC gun to plunk down the cash for any of these models. You will not be disappointed. Sorry, none of them are stainless, just an amazing deep blue. Shoot what you like, and like what you shoot. Good luck to all.

I have a 686 Pro series.
I'm not particularly impressed, I would rather have a second regular 6" 686.
I cannot, for the life of me, figure why they cut all the weight off the barrel.
How is that an improvement ?

Methinks you may be over thinking this.

One is 'a gun'.

The other is 'a cooler gun'.

(you can replace 'cool' with rad, outtasight, maz-maz, totes-magotes, or whatever - depending on your age...).

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But then, what do I know?

No, just mention the barrel size if it's less than the 4" you order it by.

I went looking up the rules for the IDPA revolver division and it appears that the maximum barrel length is 4.2 inches . . which leads me to wonder why the 6 inch 686 Performance Center model is called a Competitor model when it can't be used in the revolver division

Some would consider it an improvement in balance. Obviously, others do not.

News Flash.... IDPA is hardly the end all of shooting sports.

Their QC department is the customer. If it doesn't come back to the factory, it's a good gun.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I'm very unhappy to hear about some of the less than satisfactory recent PC guns. The only solid information that I can share are about two PC guns that I have considerable experience with. I had purchased a used pre-lock 627 PC some years ago that has among the smoothest action of any revolver that I have ever handled (untouched from the factory, per the original purchaser). There are no issues, and I don't imagine that I would ever sell it. The other one was a 66 3 inch ported PC model from a few years ago, that had the dreaded lock but, was of similar quality and craftsmanship as my beloved 627 PC. Have things really gone to pot recently, or has the digital age made it so that hundreds of satisfied customers are drowned out by a few mistakes getting through? I can't say for sure.

Mine seems to be in exceptional condition, I was very relieved as I didn't want to be tasked/burdened by sending it in for warranty - I really like the gun but haven't been able to take it to the range yet. I'm kind of still lusting