Are S&W Canted Barrel Problems Getting Less Frequent

[terminator2]

I got a 686+ 2.5" last month from Buds. I just took it to the range yesterday for the first time. The first thing I noticed was that the rear sight was adjusted all the way to the left so I centered it. I then noticed that the front sight was tilting to the right when lined up with the rear sight which was level and parallel to the ground.
At 15 yards, my first shots were off paper by 15" left! I adjusted my rear sight to the right but was only able to bring the group to within 5" to the 8" shoot-n-see! Very disappointed. I've looked up the "canted" barrel issue on the Youtube and heard some real horror stories about S&W CS. I'm think I'll send it back to Smith for warranty. Funny thing, my blue box has a label on it that reads: "SHP: 8/11" If this is the month and year it was shipped from Smith, why would I be getting a new gun that is over 5 years old? Can anyone here tell me when the gun was made from the serial #?

 

[03Fatboy]

Do it right or do it twice.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Its not just canted barrels- you are just likely to get a new gun with grossly excessive cylinder gap. Some examples I have seen measure out to .015"- that works real well with .357 or .44 magnum.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

...my blue box has a label on it that reads: "SHP: 8/11" If this is the month and year it was shipped from Smith, why would I be getting a new gun that is over 5 years old? Can anyone here tell me when the gun was made from the serial #?

The current labels on new guns have the date (mmddyy) printed on the factory label, by itself with no other verbage by it. Older guns had a Spec. Order number (yddd=year & Julian date) on the label that was it's date..

If it was had before they stopped (early this year) putting the fired case envelope in the box, it will have the date on the envelope. That's the best way to find the date.

Post a picture of the box's label if you're not sure.

.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

The two & three piece barrel guns don't have canted barrels because the shroud is indexed/notched to the frame, so you can buy one of those with confidence. .

Since this post I've gotten a 325TR. Oddly the front sight is no true vertical, when looking at it thru the rear sight notch, & I've had to crank the windage to the right to center my groups. Don't know what's going on with it. Can't see any cant at the barrel-frame junction but something's off. I have half a dozen two & three piece barrel guns & also just got a 327TRR8 & they're fine. I wonder if the front sight's blade slot was not cut true vertical? Humm..

.

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[terminator2]

The current labels on new guns have the date (mmddyy) printed on the factory label, by itself with no other verbage by it. Older guns had a Spec. Order number (yddd=year & Julian date) on the label that was it's date..

If it was had before they stopped (early this year) putting the fired case envelope in the box, it will have the date on the envelope. That's the best way to find the date.

Post a picture of the box's label if you're not sure.

.

Thanks Bluedot37. I checked as you suggested and found the date on the long label. 061516.

 

[101Voodoo]

Figured I'd add a non-cant post, yesterday I picked up a Talo 686-6 with a born on date of 29 Aug 2016. Ordered from Bud's.

Barrel's perfectly aligned, no scuffs or marks on the revolver.

Other than an overly heavy trigger pull (she'll get new springs anyway) it seems to be very well done.

Must be a Tuesday gun.

 

[rwsmith]

I hope......

Wow, 5-degrees is hard to believe. I was able to get a decent measurement on my Ruger GP100 and it is right at 1-degree and it is visually noticeable - although I did not catch it when I bought the gun, was not familiar with canted barrels at that time. However, the sight picture does not look bad, i.e., the front sight blade looks pretty near vertical in the fixed rear sight notch, but you can see just a little bit of overclock where the barrel meets the frame.

A 5-degree cant would be gross looking - hard to believe something that bad would get past QC.

Due to the lack of inventory locally, I will probably end up rolling the dice and order one from Buds or Davidsons (when & if they become available) and see what it looks like before accepting it. They both have return policies where they pay shipping back to them if you find a defect upon delivery.

I hope I'm wrong. I don't remember where I read that. As far as a "barrel torquing machine" goes, they torque the barrel and then a guy with a padded monkey wrench puts the gun in a vice to eyeball the sight which is the last step in the assembly. At least that's what they showed in their video.

Personally, I've had no problems with sights, but hearing about so many complaints from my favorite manufacturer, with a LONG reputation for quality, would let that out of the factory.

I believe I understand their QC problem. Their QC looks at it and makes it has a barrel and trigger and what not. If a gun leaves the factory and doesn't come back then it's a good gun. But the CUSTOMER has to act like QC and decide whether or not it's acceptable. To their credit, they do pay for the shipping and turnaround is pretty quick on warranty jobs.

 

[Diesel Kilgore]

Currently at the factory. 442 purchased new just last month 12/16. I feel dumb for missing this in the store but I just wasn't expecting it.

 

[SLT223]

In addition, some people are prone to complain about every little machine mark, every tiny "imperfection" and yet they want to pay "Chevrolet" price for "Rolls-Royce" attention to detail. S&Ws are mass produced, not hand built. If you want hand built, go buy a Korth with your $3,995.00, if you are happy with their base model. If not, $6,258.00 will buy the top of the line Korth.*

Nope, not the sollution. One of my LGS's had to send back a brand new Korth for being out of time. That gun was almost $7k. There will simply always be flaws in manufacturing no matter the manufacture practice.

 

[sjs]

My new 637-2 does not appear to have a canted or misaligned barrel or sight, but at 5 yards it is 6" right and 6" high and it is not my shooting or my loads. Same results for a friend who tried it at the same time (who is a good shot with a snubbie) and the same loads have printed on POA for 3 other .38's, two of which are snubbies.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Currently at the factory. 442 purchased new just last month 12/16. I feel dumb for missing this in the store but I just wasn't expecting it.

That is unfortunate. I just got one on a warranty replacement straight out of the factory. Label on the box says 12/22/2016. Perfectly aligned, but I did look before I left my LGS with it . . .

 

[slabside2]

As long as we keep buying they have no reason to tighten there Q.C. as do any of the other manufacturers. This is what it's come to?? Very sad.

 

[Diesel Kilgore]

That is unfortunate. I just got one on a warranty replacement straight out of the factory. Label on the box says 12/22/2016. Perfectly aligned, but I did look before I left my LGS with it . . .

This is my first s&w revolver. It's definitely not turned me off to them though. Every other s&w pistol I've had has been exceptional. But I'll definitely look down the barrel next time i'm in the market for a s&w revolver!

 

[Muss Muggins]

This is my first s&w revolver. It's definitely not turned me off to them though. Every other s&w pistol I've had has been exceptional. But I'll definitely look down the barrel next time i'm in the market for a s&w revolver!

Just one of the many things you should check, kinda like buying anything, even bread (wrapper not torn, no mold, label free of anything you're allergic to, not crushed on one side, etc. . . )

 

[Jupiter01]

I agree, being told it is "in spec" is aggravating. What is even more aggravating is when the customer service rep for a major firearms company basically calls you a liar when you describe the problem with the gun.

Long story short, it sure leaves a sour taste in your mouth when a company doesn't stand behind their products.

Right! Or the Mechanic/technician (automotive) saying "Cannot duplicate the problem!"
I have had the same problem with gun manufacturers...sights off, needing to be adjusted full right to even get it on the edge of an 8" bullseye. Another time, having had a problem with a rifle, which numerous complaints had been registered, and the "Customer Service" rep told me I just didn't know how to use a bolt-action rifle!

Caveat Emptor applies for any major purchase, especially today!

 

[TonyS&W19]

Canted barrels, this is still happening. Just sent a 686-6 3inch back for a barrel issue. It was on straight when i sent it back to them, and they repaired the problem by sending me back a canted barrel. It is on it's 3rd trip to the factory to try and correct the issue. I would not buy anything online at this point that is made by S&W, without a once over by a qualified gun smith. Do a search online for defective S&W revolvers. You will get a idea of what people are going through to have there guns repaired. It's very frustrating.

 

[quickdrawjohn]

im VERY put off to S&W anymore.

im a licnsed dealer, and i can say that an average of 3 out of 5 S&Ws i get in have this issue. just recently i ordered a 6" 686-6 for a LE customer of mine. got it in and we went out the the range to shoot.

this brand spanking new 686 out of the box with the rear sight cranked completely to the right STILL shot 8" to the left and WAY high.

sent it to S&W for their "911" service for LEOs. it was repaired within a couple days or so, but sat in shipping for ALMOST A MONTH until i called and pitched a fit with a manager/supervisor then it went out same day. their customer service is TERRIBLE also. I had to call several times for a manager and everytime i did i was put on hold then told "manager said they would look into it and get back to you in a couple hours" never to call back, EVER i finally go on the hone, got an operator and explained to her what was going on. she got me a manager and the gun actually went out a couple hours later and she called me back with a tracking number.

I WILL NOT carry S&W in inventory anymore and i will HIGH DISCOURAGE my customers from ordering their guns. to many issues and to many problems.too bad too, cause ive always been a die hard S&W fan. all of their older stuff i have ( 686 no dash and 586-4 among others) shoots like a laser. the new stuff? JUNK

 

[Zipdog]

In addition to the above responses, having purchased several (my wife says "many") firearms through the Internet, I have a few additional thoughts on this subject:

1. I am not sure whether or not the seller has an obligation to disclose this fact in the listing. However, I certainly would, and a seller certainly should. Negative feedback regarding a non-disclosed firearm defect can be a "wooden stake through the heart" for any seller. After I have completed the required documents at my LGS I have one of the most knowledgeable people there go over the firearm with me before I walk out. If not disclosed, this is another opportunity to identify this problem, if it exists. He and I identified a Model 57 with a "trigger action job" that was never disclosed. The seller allowed me to return it for a full refund.

2. If this is a risk or concern for any buyer, I would certainly make a specific inquiry of the seller about it in the "pre-bid" questions. No matter what the listing states, I always send an e-mail to the seller or call before I start bidding regarding my own "hot buttons" - 1) trigger job or action, 2) excessive barrel-cylinder gap, undisclosed mechanical issues, 3) excessive cylinder play, etc. I have several Model 25s and I always asked the sellers about the possibility of oversized cylinder throats before I bid. They never complained to me about my request. As a seller, this has never been a "PITA Issue", resolving these possible issues before a buyer bids is far better than attempting to resolve these issues post-sale.

3. Although we all have a difference of opinion regarding the responsiveness and timely resolution of warranty issues by the OEM, I believe that, for the most part, they are eventually resolved in our favor. The S&W Holding Company sales and profits are on the rise. That would not happen if it were not for us.

I don't sell firearms on any auction sites. However I do sell some things on Flea bay. When I get questions from any potential bidder that are along the lines of your questions they receive no answer and are blocked from ever being able to bid on any of my items. Reason: I don't need one, too many people glad to be able to buy whatever I am offering. I always understate the condition of my items and my feedback proves it. The guys that ask the most questions never bid.

 

[Execpro]

I can understand your frustration when paying $$$$ for a new revolver. With some 15 plus revolvers over the years I never considered canted bbls. as long as poa=poi. With tight lock up,no end play and good mechanical function I was good to go.

Bought a new fixed site snub that shot 2 1/2” left off a rest at 7yards and back it went to factory (canted bbl and poor bbl to frame fit). What really gets my goat is buying a new gun that is defective from the LGS and you don’t find the problem until you shoot it or get it home and give it a good cleaning and inspection. You can’t return it. Your only option is to go through the hassle of sending it back to the mother ship and HOPE they fix it right the first time.

Maybe the LGS should check out the guns they sell when they receive them and THEY send them back before putting in the gun case for sale.

Went to LGS today. 2 of 3 S&W j frame (all different models) revolvers had obvious issues that the person who buys them will probably have to send back. I pointed this out, but back to the gun case they went. Also a new Colt snub that had noticeable end play and lousy cylinder lock up for only $700.

I apologize for unloading and thank you for all comments.

Be SAFE and shoot often!