Opinions on this new 686+ 3-5-7?

Hi guys,
I am new to revolvers and I Just bought my first. It's a really nice gun, but a few things have caught my attention that I didn't notice when I was making the purchase in the store.

There has been talk about S&W quality control and I'd like to ask if these observations of mine are "normal" or should I contact the seller or S&W.

1. The front sight is slightly canted to left
2. The frame has couple of sharp edges (purely cosmetical)
3. When cylinder open it slightly touches the frame and drags a little bit
4. Barrel to cylinder gap seems little bit uneven (wider in upper section)

I visited range today and shot 50 rounds of S&B .38 special. The barrel end of cylinder made a strong black "flower pattern" which didn't come clean with normal oil and wipe -cleaning. Suppose that's normal?

Also the accuracy was not what I had expected, but this can be also because I'm so new to revolvers.

In addition, the stainless steel looks kind of scratched in bright light. I noticed it in the shop but I thought it could be supposed to be this way? It was sold as brand new.

Any thoughts?

Welcome to the S&W Forums!


1. The canted front sight is because the barrel was turned past the 12 o'clock position in order to get the required torque to prevent the barrel from loosening. It's just poor fitting by the assembler.

2. Sharp edges is just poor quality, which seems to be more common on S&W products made during and after the pandemic.

3. The back edge of the cylinder is supposed to contact that part of the frame. That frame lug prevents the cylinder from falling off of the yoke when the cylinder is open.

4. Uneven barrel-cylinder gap, just more poor fitting by the assembler.

2. Is normal. That’s the frame lug doing its job at keeping the cylinder from sliding off the yoke when open.

The “flower” pattern on the front of the cylinder is also normal. Yes, the burn/blast rings don’t just wipe off, they take a little work. On stainless guns I use a little solvent and bronze brush first before gently polishing with Mothers metal polish. Not important to completely remove them. Many use a lead removal cloth from, I believe, Birchwood Casey. The remainder of your observations amount to poor QC and should be repaired under warranty.

I use a spark plug gap tool to check barrel/cylinder gap. If you don't have one, a local car part store should have one. I bought mine so many years ago that I'm not sure they still sell them.

In the old days, the factory fitter filed the back of the barrel by hand for proper gap. So most of them were off a little bit, but usually not much. I've seen videos where they not use a tool to square the back, but apparently not much better! I would want to check the gap before sending it back to the factory, so they could fix all the problems at once. That front sight would drive me nuts!!

Welcome to the Forum! The L-frame Model 686 Plus revolvers are very nice and sturdy .357 Magnums, and the quality is usually very good. Did you buy the revolver new or used at the shop, and what is the barrel length? In either case, new or used, I would contact S&W Customer Service and discuss your issues. The 686 Plus 3-5-7s are expensive revolvers and you shouldn't have to accept poor quality, especially the canted front sight. I would expect S&W to have you ship the revolver back to the factory to have those issues fixed.

I've learned to ignore the burn/blast rings. Too difficult to get off, and they come right back after 1 cylinder.

Those other issues (sharp corners, barrel gap, canted sight) I would not ignore. I'd contact S&W for warranty repair. Your very detailed photos should prove helpful.

It's annoying to have to even go through the process for a brand new premium revolver, but they'll fix it. Once corrected I'm sure you'll enjoy your 686; it's a great gun! (I have 4 )

If it was purchased new, don't forget to get the rebate.

Welcome to the FORUM from Michigan! There is a wealth of knowledge here! Bob

stansdds said:

Welcome to the S&W Forums!


1. The canted front sight is because the barrel was turned past the 12 o'clock position in order to get the required torque to prevent the barrel from loosening. It's just poor fitting by the assembler.

2. Sharp edges is just poor quality, which seems to be more common on S&W products made during and after the pandemic.

3. The back edge of the cylinder is supposed to contact that part of the frame. That frame lug prevents the cylinder from falling off of the yoke when the cylinder is open.

4. Uneven barrel-cylinder gap, just more poor fitting by the assembler.

Click to expand...

Thank you!!

CH4 said:

2. Is normal. That’s the frame lug doing its job at keeping the cylinder from sliding off the yoke when open.

The “flower” pattern on the front of the cylinder is also normal. Yes, the burn/blast rings don’t just wipe off, they take a little work. On stainless guns I use a little solvent and bronze brush first before gently polishing with Mothers metal polish. Not important to completely remove them. Many use a lead removal cloth from, I believe, Birchwood Casey. The remainder of your observations amount to poor QC and should be repaired under warranty.

Click to expand...

That's good to know, thank you!

Nightowl said:

I use a spark plug gap tool to check barrel/cylinder gap. If you don't have one, a local car part store should have one. I bought mine so many years ago that I'm not sure they still sell them.

In the old days, the factory fitter filed the back of the barrel by hand for proper gap. So most of them were off a little bit, but usually not much. I've seen videos where they not use a tool to square the back, but apparently not much better! I would want to check the gap before sending it back to the factory, so they could fix all the problems at once. That front sight would drive me nuts!!

Click to expand...

Thanks for answering! Good advice, I'll get one. Good to have some exact measures instead of "it feels like"-arguments.

And yes, that front sight really started to bother me.

Hawg Rider said:

Welcome to the Forum! The L-frame Model 686 Plus revolvers are very nice and sturdy .357 Magnums, and the quality is usually very good. Did you buy the revolver new or used at the shop, and what is the barrel length? In either case, new or used, I would contact S&W Customer Service and discuss your issues. The 686 Plus 3-5-7s are expensive revolvers and you shouldn't have to accept poor quality, especially the canted front sight. I would expect S&W to have you ship the revolver back to the factory to have those issues fixed.

Click to expand...

Thanks! The gun itself really feels sturdy and properly heavy. I bought it new, it was CIP-stamped this year (I live outside USA). It's with 5" barrel. And it sure was expensive, almost twice the USA prices.

Another question is what kind of procedure this warranty-shipping will be...

ColumbusJBR said:

I've learned to ignore the burn/blast rings. Too difficult to get off, and they come right back after 1 cylinder.

Those other issues (sharp corners, barrel gap, canted sight) I would not ignore. I'd contact S&W for warranty repair. Your very detailed photos should prove helpful.

It's annoying to have to even go through the process for a brand new premium revolver, but they'll fix it. Once corrected I'm sure you'll enjoy your 686; it's a great gun! (I have 4 )

Click to expand...

You're right, it's too much to ignore.Thank you for answering!

bananaman said:

Welcome to the FORUM from Michigan! There is a wealth of knowledge here! Bob

Click to expand...

Thank you. I see that! What a great community, really expertise comments.