Has Smith and Wesson fixed the problem

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rifmon

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of crooked or canted barrels on some of their new production revolvers?

I know this is an old topic but my searches seem to produce one-year or older discussions; nothing current.

I have a 686+ 3" on lay-away from Bud's and am wondering how carefully I'll need to look it over before I accept it.

Thanks!
 
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It would be a good idea......

It would be a good to inspect any gun closely and knowing some flaws that are prone to creep in allow you to focus on trouble spots. If you aren't familiar, there are places on the web that tell you how to check lock up, push off, end shake and a host of other maladies. I have a tendency, probably like a lot of people that looking at a gun at first glance you say, "Looks fine." Until you take it to the range and notice something is off.
 
Verrrrrry closely. If you don't know what to look for study how to evaluate a revolver.

IIRC you also might check if was one of the 686 nd or -1s that were recalled (again IIRC) and if it went back to the mothership for the fix.
 
It's not a new problem. I was issued a M19 (don't remember dash #) brand new in 1978 and it had a canted barrel. It shot just fine as long the rear sight was adjusted almost all the way left. I carried it for a year until our armorer got another one in so he could send mine back to S&W.
 
Wow! I thought pinned barrels were immune from misalignment.

Well I will be educating myself on all the possible revolver pitfalls; end-shake, lock up as well as off- canted barrel.
 
I gather there there are actually.....

I gather that there are actually two potential problems. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong here.

The first and the easiest problem is over and under clocking leading to a tilted site. Correction is to have it re-torqued but S&W has a 5 degree tolerance on the clocking, (which I think is a lot) Having seen the final torquing at S&W it seems to be an 'eyeball' operation. Tiny index marks would be a real plus).

The second potential problem is the the threaded portion of the frame is out of line, causing the gun to point in a direction that isn't straight ahead. I don't know what the tolerances are here, but if you have the sight moved over all the way and it's still off, well.....
 
Clocked barrels are not new. I have a .357 Magnum from around 1952-3 that has a barrel that is not quite aligned with the frame. It is very close, and takes a good look at to notice, but the rear sight must be moved to the right to hit point of aim.

I think there is an article on this forum about how to check out a used gun, that would be appropriate reading and use for new guns too!

Also, check the muzzle as there have been reports here concerning unfinished muzzles.
 
My experience

Well both of my 340 j frames had clocking issues, and I corrected them both by removing the pinned front sights and machining the correct amount off the correct side of the sight base and fabricated a corresponding shim, when reinstalled both shot perfect. My 340 PD went back to the factory to have a new yoke fitted..and when it came back it was clocked correctly, necessitating removal of my custom front sight and replacing it with a unmodified new one. So when purchasing ANY S&W revolver, give it the stink eye and don't settle for any less than you will be happy with, or if you don't mind a warranty wait just purchase with gusto, be forewarned though, their warranty has a 1yr limit now..not lifetime, like it was from the beginning. ;)
 
rifmon said:
of crooked or canted barrels on some of their new production revolvers?

I know this is an old topic but my searches seem to produce one-year or older discussions; nothing current.

I have a 686+ 3" on lay-away from Bud's and am wondering how carefully I'll need to look it over before I accept it.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

No. Smith hasn't fixed this.

Don't count on the warranty to fix this problem: Smith's view of acceptable tolerance for barrel cant is generous.

Don't take possession unless you're willing to live with the gun as it is.

Buyer beware!
 
Rpg said:
No. Smith hasn't fixed this.

Don't count on the warranty to fix this problem: Smith's view of acceptable tolerance for barrel cant is generous.

Don't take possession unless you're willing to live with the gun as it is.

Buyer beware!
Click to expand...

I will check that sucker out inside and out. If there's anything wrong it'll go right back. I might pick up a GP but I know they're also not immune from QC problems. I want a three inch and I know there's a GP100 three inch.
 
Always be careful.
I just bought a 686+3" but had to send it back because the hammer was hitting the frame. I had it back from the Mothership in 21 days and it works beautifully.
 
Glad to know they got that taken care of for you! Good to know.
 
I have to say, I find it disturbing to read posts about the barrel clocking being a new issue. The fact is, it has always been ... I was looking at guns on GB this morning, the 1st 2 I looked at, a model 66 and a 19-3 both clearly had canted barrels.... but, I'll bet they both shot fine.
 
Easy enough to straighten one with a barrel wrench and vice. You only move it a very small amount no different than when adjusting point of impact in one that shoots one way or another. The new 2 piece barrels not so much?
 
No problems with my latest:

i-qcwf67k.jpg
 
I had a problem with my new 686 "3 shooting 5 " to the left at 15yds.
I sent it back on Apr 18, waiting for it's return.
I worked in manufacturing for years, 7 years at Remington Arms back in the 70's. This is just bad QC and sloppy assembly. Smith & Wesson has a problem they refuse to correct, probably because of the cost!
It is a shame the top management and owners only interest in a company like this is the bottom line!
 
Look it over VERY carefully. Last week I bought the same gun you are buying. The first two guns my shop received had canted barrels and were refused. The third gun was fine. They ordered it from a different distributor.

Russell420
 
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