White outlined rear sight and barrel asymmetry .

[Hithev]

Good morning everybody.
The white line on the rear sight of my 686 is off centered, as shown in the picture. Most of the time I don’t even see such a line, but with the proper conditions of light and background it appears clearly and maybe misleading about the center.
Similarly, the barrel looks slightly asymmetrical, i.e. only one side is evenly aligned with the frame, while the other is slightly inset, as shown in the picture as well.
It doesn’t seem a matter of clocking, since the barrel is narrower than the frame; rather than rotated, it seems that to be symmetrical the barrel should be shifted horizontally, so to leave the same inset on both sides.
The ribs on the frame and barrel look aligned.
Is this what is called a canted barrel? Or what is it?
After adjusting the rear side to the right and upwards, the gun seems shooting well.
BTW, there are also some noticeable of carelessness and imperfections that I won’t detail being just aesthetical/finishing issues, that have already been the matter of debate about price and QC.
Thank you.

[Protocall_Design]

Both conditions are easily cured with the right tools. Just take the blade out and turn it around if you want black only, or get a new white outline one. A proper frame wrench and padded jaw vise can correct the barrel position in minutes.

[Alk8944]

Originally Posted by Toolguy

Both conditions are easily cured with the right tools. Just take the blade out and turn it around if you want black only, or get a new white outline one.

Or even easier/quicker, unless they have gone to an Epoxy or polymer paint for the white outline. Wet a patch with brake cleaner, acetone, MEK, and wipe the paint off in about 3 seconds! Even "Break Free" will remove the paint. Loosening the barrel slightly is a bit more difficult. Unless you have done this before have it done, even if you have to send the gun to S&W.

[Hithev]

Good morning,
thank you for the answer. The rear sight should be easily changed, it’s just a further example of the care people and QC put in their work..
The question about the barrel is partially unanswered.
First: not being clocked on a vertical axis , but rather left-shifted on the horizontal axis, is the barrel “canted”?
In any case, given that after rear sight adjusting the gun shoots straight, is it worth/necessary to fix it, or it just represents an aesthetical issue?
There are several different opinions in the forum about this: some think the canted barrel is a potential functional damage; some think it is not but can’t stand it; some seem to live happily with it.
Once I can accept scratches, dings, abused screw heads and finishing imperfections as a part of the present standard of the American craftsmanship, I wouldn’t like to wait months just to unnecessarily add a few more…
What’s you qualified opinion, gentlemen?

[old bear]

I wouldn’t like to wait months just to unnecessarily add a few more…
What’s you qualified opinion, gentlemen?

Not sure my opinion is qualified, but you asked. If I was in a hurry to have my revolver fixed, and I had a qualified local gunsmith who would do the work for a fair price, I'd pay to have the work done. If not I'd send it back to Smith and Wesson for a warranty fix.

[Protocall_Design]

The barrel being overclocked a bit (there are a lot of names for this) won't hurt the gun any. As long as the rear sight can go far enough to get sighted in, then it becomes an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.

[Lou_the_welder]

I've had clocked barreled revolvers shoot worse than non clocked ones.

The fix was to send it in for repair.


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[gwpercle]

Shoot it. If it makes nice groups and shoots to point of aim,( yes, it may require adjusting the adjustable sights but that's OK) .
Keep it .
Nothing in life is perfect, especially where humans are involved in the construction.
How it shoots trumps perfect parts alignment...trust me !