986 PC Poor Crane Fitment

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comm2679

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Hello,

I recently purchased a new 2.5" 986 Performance Center revolver and after my first range trip, during cleaning, I noticed a sizable gap between the crane and the frame when viewed from the front. It is around .015" and .020". All my other Smith guns have a tight fit in this area. This being a Performance Center gun has me a little disappointed. I've attached a photo file for your viewing pleasure. I contacted Smith & Wesson and they sent me a prepaid return shipping label but did not ask for pictures. I'm wondering what their response will be if I send the gun in, and would like your opinions on whether it is worth my time.
 

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Sorry for your troubles. The two possibilities are they will replace the yoke, or test the gun and if it functions well return it with "no defects found".
 
From here it looks as though the Frame itself is "bellied". If that is the case, you need to get a new Revolver IMHO. Since I can't physically check it with tools, I could not be certain - just going from what I can see in your picture.

Over the last few years I've noticed an uptick in complaints about Performance Center guns. Am I the only one?
 
chief38 said:
From here it looks as though the Frame itself is "bellied". If that is the case, you need to get a new Revolver IMHO. Since I can't physically check it with tools, I could not be certain - just going from what I can see in your picture.

Over the last few years I've noticed an uptick in complaints about Performance Center guns. Am I the only one?
Click to expand...

It also looks to me like the frame is bowed as opposed to the yoke. This is only my second Performance Center gun, my first being a 327 TRR8 which did not have any issues out of the box. On the non-performance center front, I have a 6.5" 500 that shoots a foot high at 25 yards and out of the box looked like someone tried to pry the side plate off with a screwdriver.

Ive never seen these types of problems out of any of my older Smiths.
 
Definitely looks like the frame is the problem and not the yoke. Unfortunate.

I just picked up a 986 PC as well and over all it is very nice. Very accurate with some plain old 115gr 9mm ball.

Hope S&W takes care of you.
 
I received an email from S&W early Saturday morning (7/1/23) stating they received my revolver. I'll provide an update when I hear something from them.
 
That is a cosmetic issue, and S&W is very clear they do not warranty cosmetics. Chances are you will get it back just like it is. This is why you need to very closely inspect any gun before buying, not after getting it home.

And the term is fit, fitting or fitted depending. Fitment is a furniture term, no matter how many use it incorrectly!
 
Recently bought a new 986 PC 5". The action and fit were great, no significant barrel choke as with the new 686 revolvers. The double action and timing were great UNTIL I dropped in a loaded full moon clip...then it would not cock single action and double action was binding up. Getting tired of sending brand new revolvers back to S&W...I worked the hand until it functions properly. There should be a statement on new S&W revolver like "Some Assembly May Be Required"
 
Ok call me old or just not in the know but I never knew S&W made a cylinder shroud. Interesting
 
Sorry to see that.
It is kind of common I believe.
This is why I did not buy a 586 classic around 2015.

I scored a beautiful 586 ND some years later.
Same price! Fit,finish and action are tops!
 
Sorry for your woes! The "new S&W" is NOT what it used to be! I'd call them and stir the pot a bit - demand (politely of course) to speak to a supervisor.

I disagree! This is NOT a cosmetic issue, IMHO and SHOULD be repaired or replaced. Good luck.

This stuff is exactly WHY I have only purchased fine vintage guns in 97% or better condition that I personally inspect. If I can find one NIB or ANIB then I am willing to pay the higher price, as long as it's not crazy of course.

What has happened to S&W, their ethics, practices and QC dept. (if they still even have one) is simply pathetic! At this point, even the true S&W aficionado's can no longer deny this. For many years it would pain me to believing they could possibly be that bad - but after many years I too gave up on their new production. Hey, I wish this wasn't the case but it is what it is, unfortunately! Hence, I'd no longer buy a new production Revolver from them.
 
I'm starting to miss the thing. I wish they made 986's in the 70's or 80's, I'd much rather have one from that era! Unfortunately this is a newer model and there's no choice but to go with new production. I suppose I could have gone with a 686 and had it re-chambered to 9mm and cut for moon clips. Maybe that would have been the way to go! ��

I was expecting about a month or so turn around time. I'll give it a few more days then I might give them a call to check on it. Take care guys! I'll let you know when I find something out.
 
comm2679 said:
I'm starting to miss the thing. I wish they made 986's in the 70's or 80's, I'd much rather have one from that era! Unfortunately this is a newer model and there's no choice but to go with new production. I suppose I could have gone with a 686 and had it re-chambered to 9mm and cut for moon clips. Maybe that would have been the way to go! ��

I was expecting about a month or so turn around time. I'll give it a few more days then I might give them a call to check on it. Take care guys! I'll let you know when I find something out.
Click to expand...

Seems like S&W's turnaround time has been running right around 6 weeks for warranty work. S&W usually has a complete factory shut down for 2 or 3 weeks at the end of July first of August. So realistically it looks like 8 to 9 weeks turnaround, due to the shut down.
I had to send a brand new CSX back without getting to fire a single shot for a horrendously defective barrel and according to tracking they received it on July 5th. They didn't acknowledge receipt of the pistol until July 11th.
I honestly don't expect to see my gun back until early to mid September. It sucks, I get madder by the day.
Good luck on your revolver's repairs.
 
Last edited:
I received the revolver back from S&W on 8/23/2023. It was out of my possession for about 7 weeks. It came back with paperwork indicating that the yoke had been "repaired/replaced". It looks like they put a new yoke on it. Bad news is that it has the same gap as before, maybe even worse now. The new yoke also doesn't match the contour of the under lug. Lastly, there were a couple of new nicks on the sharp edge of the frame where the yoke rotates. I emailed back in to customer service and sent pictures, but a different person responded each time and they offered to send me a label to send it in and have it looked at.

I decided to call in and I spoke to a nice guy who reviewed the pictures and offered to send me a prepaid label. He noticed the gap, as well as the new nicks in my photos and said he would tag a supervisor on the case. I dropped it off at FedEx again today. We'll see what happens.
 
Good luck with finding satisfaction.
I sent in a revolver that had a crack in the cylinder from locking notch to the front. (I didn't pay close enough attention and bought it that way) I offered to purchase a new cylinder and pay for the fitting. They returned it to me three times in a row stating that it had been fired extensively and they found nothing wrong.
 
jculloden said:
Was Bangor Punta a plus or Minus for S&W ?
Click to expand...

Bangor Punta and Lear Seigler both had quality problems, but Bangor Punta was the worst of the 2. There was a long period of suckage, as they were one after the other. I've seen everything from very nice to very bad from both, mostly somewhere in between the highest and lowest.
 
Last edited:
comm2679 said:
I received the revolver back from S&W on 8/23/2023. It was out of my possession for about 7 weeks. It came back with paperwork indicating that the yoke had been "repaired/replaced". It looks like they put a new yoke on it. Bad news is that it has the same gap as before, maybe even worse now. The new yoke also doesn't match the contour of the under lug. Lastly, there were a couple of new nicks on the sharp edge of the frame where the yoke rotates. I emailed back in to customer service and sent pictures, but a different person responded each time and they offered to send me a label to send it in and have it looked at.

I decided to call in and I spoke to a nice guy who reviewed the pictures and offered to send me a prepaid label. He noticed the gap, as well as the new nicks in my photos and said he would tag a supervisor on the case. I dropped it off at FedEx again today. We'll see what happens.
Click to expand...

Are you flicking the cylinder closed with your wrist, like they do in Hollywood?
 
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