Canted Barrel?

[Z-Max]

I've had this 686 for over a year now, with no reason to assume there's anything wrong with it. Haven't put many rounds through it yet, not enough to determine its level of absolute accuracy, but I know it shoots POA with 158 grain ammo.

I started doing some Saturday afternoon internet browsing and came upon this page with a guy talking about how terrible these new 686s are and the fact that they have canted barrels and a number of other defects. So I look at my gun and this is what I see:

Cause for concern or no? Should I look into anything else that might be wrong? I know people don't like the locks but I thought other than that these were supposed to be pretty solid?

 

[Rpg]

It would make a difference to resale value, if your buyer spotted the issue.

Of course you would tell the potential buyer, wouldn't you?

 

[Z-Max]

Guilty until proven innocent?

The 686 was a gift with sentimental value, I have no intention of selling it even if it's not safe to fire.

 

[Rpg]

No offense intended !

I doubt there is a safety issue.

Some canted barrels are so severe that the sights can't be adjusted far enough to bring point of impact to point of aim.

Based on your description of your success shooting the revolver, it seems things aren't that severe, although the problem may not be apparent at short range.

However, you might want to do some serious shooting from a rest at 25 yards with several different loads. Different loads ( different bullet weights and velocities) will shoot to different points of impact.

If you can get decent groups to point of aim (understanding that you will need to adjust your sights), then there is no practical problem, just a cosmetic issue.

You can also call S&W and send it in. They will either fix it or tell you that it is within their specs.

 

[Z-Max]

Yes I think more shooting is in order. I never would have thought there was anything wrong with it to begin with, but I started reading that guy's post about new Smiths and it made me nervous. The guy kind of sounds like a bit of a windbag in retrospect.

In real life there's maybe, maybe, a mm of cant, probably half that. I don't know if that's enough to impact function or not.

 

[Ashlander]

I've seen canted barrels that stick out like a sore thumb. When you look down the sights, the front sight is noticeably crooked (like a clock at 12:01 or 11:59 or worse). I am sure that is not the case with this gun. The photo shows a discrepancy of maybe half a millimeter! If you have to magnify the discrepancy that much, then there's no problem. Have fun. Don't worry.

Cordially,

Ash

 

[wproct]

I agree with Ashlander on this one. I'm thinking S&W would say this one is well within specs.

 

[thomasinaz]

I wouldn't worry or lose any sleep over it. Iternet commandos can make a huge deal out of nothing. You've shot this gun for over a year without any issues. Why let some "look at this defect that only my skills as an awesome gun inspector could find" guy ruin your positive experience.

 

[WhitleyStu]

As long as when I look through the sights I see even parallel lines of lights on both sides of the front sights I am happy. When the light on either side of the front sight is not a perfect rectangle it needs fixin'...

 

[Woodsman1]

My eyes must be bad, I cant see anything wrong with it.

 

[Sevenshooter]

As long as when I look through the sights I see even parallel lines of lights on both sides of the front sights I am happy. When the light on either side of the front sight is not a perfect rectangle it needs fixin'...

I agree.

I can see the "slight" offset to the frame in the pic, but I would have to think the sight picture would still be fine.

I have had Ruger single actions where I had to hold the gun canted to have the front sight straight up 12 o'clock.. they went back to Ruger for a factory fix right away.

If it shoots fine and you were happy with it before this caught your attention... you have to "try" not to think about it and shoot it.