How do the regular 686 and the 686 Performance Center model differ?

[Walky Talki]

Is there any additional tuning, trigger jobs, etc?

 

[Robert B]

I own the 686 PC with 2.5 inch barrel. The current PC model. The barrel is tapered or flat on the sides. It has a 7 shot cylinder. The diameter of the cylinder is the same as the 6 shot so it fits standard 686 holsters. The front site is dove tailed and looks bright red orange. My favorite front site on all my guns. The action is as smooth as my Python. The performance center does work their magic on the action. I know this because it is much much lighter and smoother than any of my other Smiths and they are regular production models. The hammer and trigger are chrome flashed and the trigger has a trigger stop. I have started collecting new in box old and unfired revolvers. I own the Royal Blue Python and my next on the list is to buy a new and unfired 66-1. These old guns don't have MIM or locks. I'm mentioning this to say that even though my 2014 686 PC has MIM and a lock, it is still my favorite revolver. I really like it. I carry it everyday. All day on weekends. Even though it's a 34 oz gun, I don't even feel it on my hip. This is because I have a sturdy gun belt and holster. Galco belt and Galco Combat Master holster. The PC 686 is worth the $1k. Hope this helps.

 

[DocB]

Actually the old 686's from the 1980's are all Performance Center guns to me. PC guns are just Smiths way of saying we are going to try to make this one as good as we did 30 years ago. Just avoiding a canted barrel today takes a lot of searching and effort.

 

[bigfatty]

Actually the old 686's from the 1980's are all Performance Center guns to me. PC guns are just Smiths way of saying we are going to try to make this one as good as we did 30 years ago. Just avoiding a canted barrel today takes a lot of searching and effort.

Gotta disagree. These aren't quality checked, either. My own 686 Plus PC went immediately back to the mother ship for extensive repairs, including a new barrel, a new ejector rod and star, and a full refinish.

There are a few differences in addition to those the initial responder stated. The hammer is tear drop shaped for easier carry. The cylinder is cut for moonclips, and 3 clips are included with the revolver. It has custom (laminated) wood grips, which are very slim for added concealment. I doubt we should have to mention the unfluted cylinder.

 

[Robert B]

One more thing. I agree with the folks talking about poor initial quality. I had to send mine back for new extractor. It's perfect now but bad QA. I looked at one at LGS last week that had poorly centered front site, super rough finish and rifling protruding through forcing cone. It's a super gun but you have to really look some over to get a good one.

 

[chief38]

Well this is quite interesting to say the least! While I personally do not own any PC Guns, I have a few Range Buddy's that do and have read right here on this Forum about the many others that do. I have seen an uncanny and unbalanced amount of these PC Revolvers that have to be returned for repair.

My personal opinion is that the more special work and the more special features the Factory does on a gun the more likely it is to have a problem.
I would imagine it is because more people handle a said revolver and more tools are used on tuning it which in turn gives more of a chance to a screw up.

Of course this is NOT the way it is suppose to work (especially at the higher cost charged) but I would bet that the best Gunsmiths the Factory now employ do not hold a candle to the middle of the road Gunsmiths of 40 or 50 years ago. Gunsmiths are relying too much on CNC machinery, computers, and robotics rather than just being experienced "gut - Gunsmiths".

If anyone else here has a better theory, I'd sure like to hear it..........

 

[bigfatty]

Well this is quite interesting to say the least! While I personally do not own any PC Guns, I have a few Range Buddy's that do and have read right here on this Forum about the many others that do. I have seen an uncanny and unbalanced amount of these PC Revolvers that have to be returned for repair.

My personal opinion is that the more special work and the more special features the Factory does on a gun the more likely it is to have a problem.
I would imagine it is because more people handle a said revolver and more tools are used on tuning it which in turn gives more of a chance to a screw up.

Of course this is NOT the way it is suppose to work (especially at the higher cost charged) but I would bet that the best Gunsmiths the Factory now employ do not hold a candle to the middle of the road Gunsmiths of 40 or 50 years ago. Gunsmiths are relying too much on CNC machinery, computers, and robotics rather than just being experienced "gut - Gunsmiths".

If anyone else here has a better theory, I'd sure like to hear it..........

I'd say that, plus the fact that they don't seem to have any dedicated QC checkers anymore, AND their standards as to what is "acceptable" to go out the door has lowered. You can't tell me that the guy test firing the guns doesn't notice the canted barrels and misaligned top serrations. Both the guns I've had to send back were produced on the same day and test fired by the same employee ... and both had to go right back. It's pretty frustrating.

I just got an email this morning that the gun I sent them last Tuesday, and which they received last Thursday morning, has been "received." Six freaking days just to acknowledge receipt ... my lucky streak continues. I'll say one thing, though: if that gun doesn't come back as the fully and properly functioning, defect free "new" gun I paid for, it is the very last new S&W I will ever buy. I'll go used or Ruger if they don't make this one right. Three new S&W revolvers ordered in the last four months, two I had to send right back for repairs, and the other was so bad I flat out refused to take delivery at the FFL and got a refund.

 

[Co Th G]

I own the 686 PC with 2.5 inch barrel. The current PC model. The barrel is tapered or flat on the sides. It has a 7 shot cylinder. The diameter of the cylinder is the same as the 6 shot so it fits standard 686 holsters. The front site is dove tailed and looks bright red orange. My favorite front site on all my guns. The action is as smooth as my Python. The performance center does work their magic on the action. I know this because it is much much lighter and smoother than any of my other Smiths and they are regular production models. The hammer and trigger are chrome flashed and the trigger has a trigger stop. I have started collecting new in box old and unfired revolvers. I own the Royal Blue Python and my next on the list is to buy a new and unfired 66-1. These old guns don't have MIM or locks. I'm mentioning this to say that even though my 2014 686 PC has MIM and a lock, it is still my favorite revolver. I really like it. I carry it everyday. All day on weekends. Even though it's a 34 oz gun, I don't even feel it on my hip. This is because I have a sturdy gun belt and holster. Galco belt and Galco Combat Master holster. The PC 686 is worth the $1k. Hope this helps.

The only "tuning" PC guns get nowadays is a reduced power ribbed (probably sourced from Wolf) mainspring. That's why your gun's trigger is lighter than your other Smiths.

I've been "forced" to purchase three PC guns over the last few years for various shooting sport disciplines. ( 5" 627, 5" 327, 4" 625) and everyone showed NO evidence of ANY internal action work. All they do is throw in a reduced power mainspring and call it a "Performance Center tuned action".

Talking to many well respected gunsmiths who cater to competitive shooters, they all say the same thing. The PC guns they are seeing show no evidence of any action work, just the ribbed mainspring.

Two of my three PC guns had canted barrels from the factory. The 625 had undersized chambers. All three forcing cones were improperly cut and the crowns on the 625 and 627 were hideous. Fortunately for me, I had my revolversmith, fix the above issues when he was doing his race tuning. That way I knew it would be done correctly, the first time. I feel for owners that are forced to send their guns back to the factory for repair by the same group that built them improperly in the first place.

 

[dwever]

Actually the old 686's from the 1980's are all Performance Center guns to me. PC guns are just Smiths way of saying we are going to try to make this one as good as we did 30 years ago. Just avoiding a canted barrel today takes a lot of searching and effort.

Dr. BS

I don't have words.

 

[bigfatty]

The only "tuning" PC guns get nowadays is a reduced power ribbed (probably sourced from Wolf) mainspring. That's why your gun's trigger is lighter than your other Smiths.

I've been "forced" to purchase three PC guns over the last few years for various shooting sport disciplines. ( 5" 627, 5" 327, 4" 625) and everyone showed NO evidence of ANY internal action work. All they do is throw in a reduced power mainspring and call it a "Performance Center tuned action".

Talking to many well respected gunsmiths who cater to competitive shooters, they all say the same thing. The PC guns they are seeing show no evidence of any action work, just the ribbed mainspring.

Two of my three PC guns had canted barrels from the factory. The 625 had undersized chambers. All three forcing cones were improperly cut and the crowns on the 625 and 627 were hideous. Fortunately for me, I had my revolversmith, fix the above issues when he was doing his race tuning. That way I knew it would be done correctly, the first time. I feel for owners that are forced to send their guns back to the factory for repair by the same group that built them improperly in the first place.

Is that the Wolf Type 2 reduced power MS? I've read a lot of complaints about light primer strikes after installing those. Would the Wolf Type 1 standard power MS make any positive difference in trigger pull?

 

[bigwheelzip]

All three forcing cones were improperly cut

My PC 2.5inch 686Plus was cut off very rough also, with the forwardmost jagged edges scrapping the face of the cylinder. Shooting it has knocked down most of the rough edges. I inspected three other 2.5PC's at various LGS, and they all had the jagged faced forcing cone. It was a Christmas gift from my husband, so I didn't say anything at the time to ruin the moment. Seems to shoot fine.

 

[Co Th G]

Is that the Wolf Type 2 reduced power MS? I've read a lot of complaints about light primer strikes after installing those. Would the Wolf Type 1 standard power MS make any positive difference in trigger pull?

I'm sorry, I don't know the differences between Wolf mainsprings. My revosmith doesn't use them. He uses standard S&W mainsprings that he bends to get the desired results.

 

[Walky Talki]

I own the 686 PC with 2.5 inch barrel. The current PC model. The barrel is tapered or flat on the sides. It has a 7 shot cylinder. The diameter of the cylinder is the same as the 6 shot so it fits standard 686 holsters. The front site is dove tailed and looks bright red orange. My favorite front site on all my guns. The action is as smooth as my Python. The performance center does work their magic on the action. I know this because it is much much lighter and smoother than any of my other Smiths and they are regular production models. The hammer and trigger are chrome flashed and the trigger has a trigger stop. I have started collecting new in box old and unfired revolvers. I own the Royal Blue Python and my next on the list is to buy a new and unfired 66-1. These old guns don't have MIM or locks. I'm mentioning this to say that even though my 2014 686 PC has MIM and a lock, it is still my favorite revolver. I really like it. I carry it everyday. All day on weekends. Even though it's a 34 oz gun, I don't even feel it on my hip. This is because I have a sturdy gun belt and holster. Galco belt and Galco Combat Master holster. The PC 686 is worth the $1k. Hope this helps.

So would they need the action upgraded or a radius trigger?

And also would sending this to a gun smith void my warranty?

 

[Robert B]

The PC gun's action won't need upgrading. Mine is awesome right out of the box. The trigger won't need to be radiused. It is wide, smooth and feels great. The gun has a lifetime warranty. Smith pays shipping both ways. If you need a gunsmith for a problem, Smith will take care of it. The QA at all the gun manufacturers is poor these days, so you really have to examine the gun and walk away if you find problems with it. I almost bought another PC 686 last week. I decided not to because the front site was way off center, the finish was very rough, and the rifling extended to the edge of the forcing cone. Don't buy a gun off the internet because you won't have a chance to look it over first. Be willing to travel to 2-3 gun shops in a day to inspect more than one gun if you have to. Make sure the front site is centered, the barrel isn't canted, the muzzle crown looks good, the forcing cone is smooth and not dragging on the cylinder, make sure the cylinder opens and closes correctly, make sure the timing is good SA and DA, make sure the hammer doesn't push off with your thumb when it is cocked, and that the beed blast finish is smooth. If all these things are good then buy the gun. You will really love it. It is worth the extra $ for the PC version of the 686.

 

[Walky Talki]

Thank you all for the replies

I've just went to see it today, it just arrived and I was actually right there moments after it's arrival . . (ya, I had the text message alerts from USPS sent to my phone) . . I went in there with my two copies of utility bills. I filled out my paperwork now I have a 10 day hold

After reading a bit about the Performance Center models I was worried that I was going to be receiving a fun that was going to be coming with issues

First thing to note . . this gun is actually very heavy . . I'm going to looking forward to getting use to it

Anyway, while I wait out my 10 days I have a question. Is there a way that I can look up the manufacture date with the serial number? . . me and my 686 shall celebrate it's birthdays every year at the range

 

[bigfatty]

Date of production is on the case label.

 

[Walky Talki]

Date of production is on the case label.

Thank you, I guess I'll be getting that in 10 days

 

[subvet69]

Walky, you beat me by one day. I pick up mine on the 2nd.

 

[gnystrom]

The PC has been turning out some marginal stuff as of late. The good news is, S&W will take care of the problem but I think they may be doing more re-works up there than they should.

Monday I went to my local LGS to pick up a 640 Pro Series I bought online because they could not obtain one locally. The gun had the tightest tolerances of any S&W revolver I have ever seen. Everything was perfect EXCEPT, the flutes in the barrel had some very visible pitting. I suspect whoever did the final inspection thought they were removable marks and sent the gun out without attempting to remove them, which is interesting since the gun started life in the PC center, went to the main assembly plant, and then back to the PC center for a final check. Lots of eyes looked at that gun before it went out.

I accepted the gun because that model is relatively hard to find and everything else, especially the trigger, was 100% perfect. I got home and immediately called S&W who e-mailed me a shipping label and I sent the gun back to them that day.
I suspect they will need to replace the barrel so I sit here hoping it gets screwed on straight and has a nice cylinder gap.
I am not complaining because I know it will be fixed but I hope someone up in Mass. is monitoring the number of returns of PC Center guns.
They said three weeks. I am not holding my breath.

 

[Walky Talki]

Walky, you beat me by one day. I pick up mine on the 2nd.

The tables have turned . . I'm just learning my FFL won't be open on Sunday OR Monday so I'll be getting it on Tuesday the 3rd, the day after you

The PC has been turning out some marginal stuff as of late. The good news is, S&W will take care of the problem but I think they may be doing more re-works up there than they should.

Monday I went to my local LGS to pick up a 640 Pro Series I bought online because they could not obtain one locally. The gun had the tightest tolerances of any S&W revolver I have ever seen. Everything was perfect EXCEPT, the flutes in the barrel had some very visible pitting. I suspect whoever did the final inspection thought they were removable marks and sent the gun out without attempting to remove them, which is interesting since the gun started life in the PC center, went to the main assembly plant, and then back to the PC center for a final check. Lots of eyes looked at that gun before it went out.

I accepted the gun because that model is relatively hard to find and everything else, especially the trigger, was 100% perfect. I got home and immediately called S&W who e-mailed me a shipping label and I sent the gun back to them that day.
I suspect they will need to replace the barrel so I sit here hoping it gets screwed on straight and has a nice cylinder gap.
I am not complaining because I know it will be fixed but I hope someone up in Mass. is monitoring the number of returns of PC Center guns.
They said three weeks. I am not holding my breath.

Comment like these revolving the PC guns are so commonplace that I am actually really worried I'm going to have to send mine back as soon as I pick it up