Dent on recoil plate of new 686?

[jackmoineau]

Hello,

As mentionned in my presentation post, I’m a new gun owner so please forgive trivial questions.

I just got the authorizations so I went to collect my awaited first gun and revolver 2 weeks ago.

Hadn’t had the time to clean it and shoot before yesterday (btw trigger is smooth and first shot with .357 hit the 10 at 20 yards).

While cleaning it, I noticed two chips/dents. I thought that I examined it enough while in the shop, but excitation of the moment probably made me miss those...

What bothers me the most is the dent/chip on the recoil plate. You don't see it from behind nor from side view. What’s your opinion about it, a dent from a fall/knock or a chip from manufacturing process which escaped quality control at the factory?

Might this affect firing and long term life of the gun? I have to admit that pictures tend to magnify small details, it's not that big, still it's there.

For context, a simple "exchange" is probably not easily feasible here because of regulations (each firearm needs an associated authorization with the serial number so I can’t just enter the shop and ask for an exchange, I would have to introduce a new demand for a new firearm with a specific serial number).

I don't blame the seller who probably didn't see it before the sale, but for record, I'll send him pictures so we have a proof of the current state if the dent had to extend in the future due to shooting.

Thx for your inputs, shoot safe.

 

[jackmoineau]

Additional pics, dent is not seen from behind/side view and for reference, it's quite small when you see the gun as a whole

 

[Jim Watson]

Those little nicks are unsightly if you look closely but will have no effect on shooting.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Most guns will have small dings like that unless they are high value collector items to be handled only with white gloves. If you use them, they will collect more over time.

 

[lihpster]

Most guns will have small dings like that unless they are high value collector items to be handled only with white gloves. If you use them, they will collect more over time.

And over enough time they accumulate to tell a story. The gun's story. A BNIB example doesn't have a story. The owner, now he'll have a story, but the gun doesn't. I like my guns that have stories. They're like old friends.

 

[joebuck]

Shoot it some more. If you like it and hit stuff with it keep it.

 

[stansdds]

Those are dents, possibly from being banged into a piece of equipment during assembly. Purely a cosmetic issue.

 

[cololab]

As others have said, it's a minor cosmetic nick and in no way presents an issue.

 

[Invictus357]

I am quite particular about the fit/finish of my guns.

If my guns had that, I really don't think it would bother me in the slightest.

If it does bother you, however, send it back to SW to be buffed out.

I once had a GP100 that had a really deep scratch on it. Not sure what Ruger did but they fixed it.

 

[SWFan27]

357 Mag is a very power round as you know. You will probably end up with more marks and nicks over time. They don't stay new for long.

 

[familyman357oh]

Stop looking at your gun under a magnifying glass - you will be a lot happier. Contrary to advertising and wishful thinking, these firearms are mass produced on an assembly line by people being paid barely above minimum wage and you can find minor flaws in every major manufacturer's product if you look hard enough.

Now go shoot that thing and put your own marks on it.

 

[Beju]

My 686 came to me with this extra material making the lock hole look even worse, and a scratch by that area that's difficult to see in the pic. I removed the excess material when I installed a lock plug, because if I was removing the lock to clean it up, I wasn't putting it back in.

A bit annoying on a new gun, but this 686 shoots so accurately (my final 25 yard zeroing group was sub 1.25" with handloads when I mounted an optic) that I forgive any minor cosmetic transgressions.

 

[gwpercle]

" Trigger is smooth and first shot with 357 hit the ten at 20 yards "

If this is true ... Keep It and learn to love it ... Accurate revolvers with good triggers don't come along every day .
All revolvers will have minor nick and dings ... don't let them bother you .

Louisiana Swamp People say ... Choot It , Jack ...Choot It !
Gary

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! As others have stated, these are just a couple of minor cosmetic "nicks" and won't affect function or safety. However, if they really bug you and you're a DIY guy, just get out the Dremel tool and very carefully blend in those blemishes with a fine aluminum oxide grinding stone (or use a fine needle file by hand). Finish with some polishing compound and buff. It's up to you if you want to try to blend in those nicks, most of us would probably just ignore them. Good luck!

 

[WR Moore]

Unlike the gent above, I STRONGLY suggest you ignore those miniscule marks. The mark on the top strap might have been caused by the frame being dropped or jostled during manufacture. The other is a product of machining.

Also, the mark on the recoil shield is outside any area that is subject to any significant pressure. Enjoy.

We can empathize, this being your first. After awhile you come to regard them as the tools they are rather than a prized possession.

 

[BE Mike]

I am quite particular about the fit/finish of my guns.

If my guns had that, I really don't think it would bother me in the slightest.

If it does bother you, however, send it back to SW to be buffed out.

I once had a GP100 that had a really deep scratch on it. Not sure what Ruger did but they fixed it.

Many gun manufacturers won't do warranty work on purely cosmetic flaws, unless they are hugely noticeable. I wouldn't blame S&W if they didn't accept it for warranty work.

 

[AlHunt]

Plenty of versions of the right answer above. I'd just add that if you had to return a gun for warranty exchange, whatever the process of dealing with your state laws are would be the dealer and/or manufacturers problem. They must have developed a process to deal with that kind of lunacy.

 

[familyman357oh]

Plenty of versions of the right answer above. I'd just add that if you had to return a gun for warranty exchange, whatever the process of dealing with your state laws are would be the dealer and/or manufacturers problem. They must have developed a process to deal with that kind of lunacy.

jackmoineau is in Brussels, Belgium. I imagine it would be a real pain.

 

[Yendor357]

^All of that is forgiveness for shoddy workmanship. Forgiveness is a commendable attribute. But when you pay $900 for a small piece of metal such as a 357 revolver, it should be correct. Nobody should be making excuses for a new gun.

As stated in another post, I looked at a new 686 with the lock in the gunshop a couple of days ago. I asked if it was a used revolver because it looked that bad. I have 35 year old 629s and 686s that I’ve used, hunted with, and they look better than that thing.

I dearly love my old Smiths. They were built by guys who took pride in their work, enjoyed what they did; probably grew up dreaming of working for the Great Smith and Wesson. But the stuff they’re churning out today is slapped together by people who do as little as possible.

 

[chief38]

Hello,

As mentionned in my presentation post, I’m a new gun owner so please forgive trivial questions.

I just got the authorizations so I went to collect my awaited first gun and revolver 2 weeks ago.

Hadn’t had the time to clean it and shoot before yesterday (btw trigger is smooth and first shot with .357 hit the 10 at 20 yards).

While cleaning it, I noticed two chips/dents. I thought that I examined it enough while in the shop, but excitation of the moment probably made me miss those...

What bothers me the most is the dent/chip on the recoil plate. You don't see it from behind nor from side view. What’s your opinion about it, a dent from a fall/knock or a chip from manufacturing process which escaped quality control at the factory?

Might this affect firing and long term life of the gun? I have to admit that pictures tend to magnify small details, it's not that big, still it's there.

For context, a simple "exchange" is probably not easily feasible here because of regulations (each firearm needs an associated authorization with the serial number so I can’t just enter the shop and ask for an exchange, I would have to introduce a new demand for a new firearm with a specific serial number).

I don't blame the seller who probably didn't see it before the sale, but for record, I'll send him pictures so we have a proof of the current state if the dent had to extend in the future due to shooting.

Thx for your inputs, shoot safe.

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Can I assume this is a used revolver? Not quite sure from your post. A "perfect" revolver is rare - even more so in today's production climate.

Assuming your revolver is used, there isn't much you can do except sell it and buy a better one. If the gun is new, then you have recourse with the Factory. Nothing there is dangerous - just cosmetically unpleasing. The side plate seam can't be fixed - however if under warranty it can be replaced. The other nicks and dents would have to be stoned out which of course would have missing metal and unless done by someone really talented, the revolver would become "misshaped".

I would need more info on exactly what you purchased to give better advise. New or used? Which dash number? Where it was bought.