I recently bought a new 686+ via the web that has a very, very, slight cant in the barrel alignment. I may not have ever noticed the cant if I didn't already know about this issue with some S&W revolvers, but it shoots very well so i'm keeping it.
Having said this, I am interested in purchasing one of the newer "Classic" line of S&W revolvers, namely the model 25 in 45 colt. These will cost considerably more so I want to make sure it is pretty darn perfect. I wanted to get your thoughts on these and if you've seen any with canted barrels?
These particular "classic" models are hard to come by in local gun shops, so I'll most likely be ordering via the web if I get favorable responses, What do you think?

The only way to be sure is to examine it in person.

An alternative in these internet sales days is to have a knowlegable agent you pay to check the gun in person

Absent one of these alternatives, it's a xxx shoot.

Don't imagine that Smith can't screw up a Classic just as they do other lines.

Another approach is to buy the genuine article.

I just sent my 29-10 back because the barrel was canted... it shot 16" to the left, and the rear sight was so far adjusted over it couldn't compensate for the barrel. The gap between the ejector rod shroud and the frame was so large two playing cards could slide into it. Also, the trigger had an awful burr on it, and the lands on the crown were so sharp and rough it would snag on the inside lining of my cloth range bag.

I held a 25 Classic and it was nothing short of flawless. Would have took it home if I could, couldn't tell the difference between the trigger (other than being slightly heavier) than the 625 JM they also had. Just a freak'n beautiful gun!

But as always, your mileage may vary.

Here's my experience. J-frame are all over the place; I've examined 10 new ones at one time and found only 1 that had a straight barrel. Lockup was also shoddy.

L-frames, I've had good luck on barrels being indexed. On the other hand, I've seen new ones out of time, and very loose lockup.

Performance center guns and a JM .45 I've had good luck with. Barrels look good, and lock up were tight.

Just my experience

I have bought 3 of the classics , all were as good as you would want . Have bought 3 j-frames , all 3 were " good " . I read all the criticism and sometimes wonder if it's just one persons unskilled opinion . I don't take all the criticism seriously , having had nothing but good experience buying the new ones from S&W . My post is from my real to life experience . Yours may vary------

My experiences with Smith and Wesson products have been stellar since I bought my first one in 1974. All of my Smiths ARE, seeing as I have never sold one, in my eyes works of art. Fits are perfect, operation is flawless, and they are everything they should be.

I own a CNC machine shop and do know how items like guns are manufactured. 25 to 40 year old "Machinists" are very rare in 2017. So the crafts men and women who built my 1974 M28-2 are long gone.

It was quite an experience to see the Smith and Wesson repair center in 1975 when I brought my M28-2 there for a custom/factory trigger job. I was 23 years old and I was watching a lady, who reminded me of my Grandma at the time, holding my gun up to her ear and cycling it through. Back to the bench for another adjustment or something and more dry firing at he bench and back up to her ear dry firing until she decided. NICE!. You could see the expertise, professionalism and pride in her work. That gun is still one fine piece that I use regularly.

The skill level and pride factor of today has changed for much of the workforce. There will be some issues with guns that will get fixed in house. There will be some that get out to the customers. The guns with issues will always get more press than the perfect guns. Just human nature.

It is my belief that for every gun I hear about that has an issue. There are thousands that are works of art.

Larry

First of all, many thanks for the great input you've all shared. I'm thinking that if I'm going to pay that kind of money, I'd better ensure I get what I want. Bottom line is I need to adjust my buying practices to include traveling to some larger gun shows or find vendors on the web that can check a product out for me and maybe send some pics. It really sounds like a "luck of the draw" type deal and I pretty much need to inspect before I buy. Again, thanks for all the valuable comments!

I purchased a 25-12 .45 Colt in October of 2012. I have never fired it but it looks perfect. A real work of art. I have tried to find a flaw & I can't. S&W did a fantastic job building this one!

__________________
I'm 67. I don't do timeouts.

I got my 29-10 back from the mothership today. They re clocked the barrel, replaced the rear sight, and the trigger. MUCH better. Now to see if it still shoots 16" to the left... I suspect it will be fixed.

I have another "new" smith with the key lock... a 686-6 (IIRC) and it is probably the best smith I have of 4 (including a 15-4 and a 657 no dash). My 686 has gotten many trade offers from friends including a cherry 28-2 my buddy offered me straight after shooting my 686. Needless to say, the 686 is still safely with me. So one can never tell if a new gun is good or a dog.