Modern 600 series fears/help...

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cold blue steel

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First off I absolutely LOVE all of my S&W revolvers, mainly early 70's to mid 80's issues, even love my classic series 48 and 586 even with the lock, but being blue guns they are not AS bad. SO I love my Smiths, BUT my question and fears go with the modern 600 series, in particular the 617 10 shot and the 686 7 shot. The internet is filled with 686 canted barrel, misalignment issues and the 617 horrible issues of misfires, lock ups. (Understandably brass issues with certain ammos). BUT lock ups still seem to be an issue. I don't currently own any ss revolvers and those are two of my top ss wants. SO are these problems concentrated to a certain dash model of each one, certain year of production, or all IL models? Or am I totally paranoid and majority have NO issues? I also understand S&W would most certainly resolve any issues with these, but hey when I buy a gun I want to shoot it, not lock it in the safe or have to send it back once OR twice in some folks cases to Smith for repairs or replacement. And finally, when did 10 shot 617s come about, would I be better off to find an older issue? Same with the 686, are there older 7 shots out there? Like I said please don't misunderstand me, I absolutely love mine and all smiths, but these are concerns I have purchasing these beautiful 2 revolvers based on internet posts, videos. Thank you
 
You always hear about those that had a problem, but very seldom about the thousands that people buy that have no problems. I have a 686 no dash that other then the recall has never had a problem since 1984.

My 617-6 (with IL) has been flawless with the normal exception of tight chambers which nearly all S&W .22 revolvers have always had. (They are built to match tolerances). This is easily resolved by the Manson Standard Finishing reamer, and 30 minutes work.

My 63, 940, 640 in stainless have zero problems.

A thorough inspection when you buy one should point out any flaws and you just don't buy that one.
 
Understandable, and thank you, are there older prelock 7 shot 686's? Same with 10 shot 617's? If so, what dash numbers? Like I said earlier nothing against the locks on my blue guns, but on ss I would prefer no locks. Just wondering if and which models in 617 were 10 shots and 7 shot 686's. Thanks
 
Ever notice how some people, often times new owners, are constantly having problems with their guns? While others, such as myself, hardly ever have a problem; and when I do, it's usually not the gun's fault but something I did - reassembling the gun incorrectly, aftermarket magazines, using dirty rimfire ammo, not fully understand the proper operation of a new gun, cheap lead bullets that were soft and undersized, etc.
 
Oh I haven't had any problems out of any of mine at all, all of mine, even the blue classic line are fantastic, I'm just curious about the two mentioned ones, and in particular which ones in those round specs are availiable without IL. But I have already found my answers.
 
Hello, cold blue steel. Your concerns are certainly understandable; I've read about a number of the problems people here have experienced with the newer revolvers, and I would definitely be upset if I found myself in their shoes.

H Richard's last sentence expresses the approach which most likely will help you avoid most of the problems. Of course it presumes that you will be able to find the models you seek in your own state or within a reasonable driving distance, so that you will be able to handle and examine them.

Many of us have found that to be impossible. There are around half a dozen gunshops in my general area which I periodically visit. In the fourteen years that I've bought or sought to buy S&W revolvers, I've not seen a single one of the models that have interested me on any of those shop's shelves. I have left my name and phone number with them along with the models I've looked for, and have never received a call either. In a situation like that the only options that I know of are to travel to gunshows or, like me, accept the risks of the online auctions and classifieds, etc.

You said that your questions were answered, but maybe I can provide a tidbit or two that may help. First, I've never owned a model 617 so I don't know much of anything about them. However I do have a few 686s, including a dash 4, 7-round model. This was the first, and one of only two, prelock 686 models with the 7-round cylinder. The other was the dash 5, which featured MIM hammers and triggers but no lock.

The dash 4, because it was produced only a year or two, and because it preceded the switch to MIM components and locks, is generally considered to be the most desirable of the 7-round models. I agree that it is a good one; but interestingly enough my dash 6, the first 7-rounder with a lock, has a much smoother trigger pull and overall is the equal of my dash 4 if not superior to it.

And so there appear to be no absolutes in these matters. One just has to decide which negatives he/she can tolerate and which she/he cannot, and buy accordingly.

Hope this helps some -got to hit the hay now.

Best wishes,
Andy
 
Andy, thank you very much for chiming in, yeah upon investigation, I found that the dash 4's in both models are what I'm wanting, like you though, my area is not blessed with very many older smiths. Most of mine have come from gun broker, so yeah I prob should have stated that earlier, as eye balling one in the shop is nearly impossible, that's why I was asking so much about those two. Also feel like those two would compliment my 17-3 and 586-8 really well. The search is on!
 
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