1st Handgun, 1st S&W Revolver, 1st Return

[chief38]

Chall686,

welcome to the Forum! It pains me to see how the new S&W's are leaving the Factory these days! I am a huge Smith fan but do not own any built after 1994. That's when Smith really went down-hill IMHO. I won't sit here and list all the cost cutting design and production changes - but suffice it to say the new production Revolvers don't hold a candle to the stuff they produced in the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 80's and even early 90's. Just food for thought the next time you consider a S&W.

IMPORTANT!

Before buying ANY used gun (Smith or otherwise) MAKE SURE you have it checked out by a person who knows their guns! If you get a good one (and there are still many many available on the market) then it should serve you well for a long long time to come! Although my older Smiths are not covered by the "Lifetime warranty" - they do NOT need to be

Good luck with your repair and I hope they fix it to your satisfaction. Keep us informed.

 

[jaymoore]

"Another thing I would like to ask is, why in the world did you purchase it to begin with??? That flaw should have been spotted if a proper look over of the firearm was given. Just because it is brand new one cannot expect it to be flawless and not examine the gun. Especially with the current quality control issues that can be seen on this forum."


Ok very good question. I should have noticed it ... I did not. My bad. I only noticed when I was cleaning it after I shot it for the first time. You are correct ...I did learn something from this. And oh by the way, thank you for making feel the mistake over again.

The gap may not have been there before you shot it! I have found another 686 at a LGS which had barrel threads undersized (or frame threads oversized) enough that the previous owner probably shot the barrel off the revolver. Then managed to screw it back on again well enough to trade it in. I was performing an inspection of it and unscrewed the barrel by hand. The shop was kind enough to let me take photos:

686 Drama Slideshow by dave4201 | Photobucket

Thinking it's likely the same may have happened here, but to a lesser degree.

BTW, I've seen all sorts of freaky factory defects from many mfg. starting in the 1980s This sort of thing is nothing new. IIRC, the first may have been a Ruger Super Blackhawk with a slag inclusion in the barrel that allowed it to split for about 3-4" along it's 7 1/2" length. Ruger rebarreled it free for the owner and he had no more worries with that revolver, ASAIK.