Is this normal on my 686?

[Beemerguy53]

Just get some Mother's Mag polish, and you'll have that stainless gun looking like a nickel finish without the swirls.

For more than 40 years, I've used Simichrome polish on gold, stainless steel, chrome, etc., and can recommend it without hesitation... Many motorcycle shops carry it, or you can get it on Amazon... Happich Simichrome Polish | Metal Polish | As Low As $7.99

 

[jbtrucker]

I used Flitz on mine couple years ago

 

[scruffy]

My 668+ finish out of the box. Looked like it was cross hatch finished with a grinder. The pic doesn't show how really rough it looked. A little time and some Mothers and it looks better IMHO. Have since put a set of Pachmayr Compac Pros on it.

 

[mtime7]

no offense, but I think some of you guys have gone entirely too shiny

 

[wproct]

To the original poster, all I would do with your revolver if it were mine is just take the inside of an old sweatshirt and rub the surface with decent finger pressure, no simichrome, mothers polish or anything, just dry. It will soften those swirl marks some and will look much nicer than an overly glossy finish. JMO.

 

[SweetMK]

To the OP,,
Your question is,,
"Is this normal?"

The real issue is that S&W "normal" finish is ALL OVER THE MAP!!

So, there is no real,,, normal... answer with S&W

Now, IMHO, Ruger has a more standardized finish,,

You can expect this:

Under the "blue" you can see the blued gun is finished almost identically to the stainless,,

Heck, Smith can not even get the cylinder to look like the rest of the gun,,

BUT, I do not buy Smiths to look at them,,

 

[Truckman]

BUT, I do not buy Smiths to look at them,,

I do...And also to carry, shoot, love and cherish...A thing of beauty is a joy forever (until the divorce papers are served)......Ben

 

[SweetMK]

I do...And also to carry, shoot, love and cherish...A thing of beauty is a joy forever (until the divorce papers are served)......Ben

I buried that between the pics, thinking no one would catch it!!

 

[jjmIII_Ruger]

My 668+ finish out of the box. Looked like it was cross hatch finished with a grinder. The pic doesn't show how really rough it looked. A little time and some Mothers and it looks better IMHO. Have since put a set of Pachmayr Compac Pros on it.

Wow, just bought that gun last week. Thankfully looks nothing like that!

I do...And also to carry, shoot, love and cherish...A thing of beauty is a joy forever (until the divorce papers are served)......Ben

I'll agree with Ben...

There are cheaper guns/brands. If ugly is suddenly ok, I'll just go that route.

EDIT: I will also say this, modern cameras are harsh. Held mine in person and it looked much better than when I expanded a photo from my iPhone. These cameras are turning into magnifying glasses. I know I look horrible in every pic .

 

[Truckman]

I buried that between the pics, thinking no one would catch it!!

You can run, but you can't hide......Ben

 

[HorizontalMike]

...The marks you show are normal since about Y2K. I can assure you S&W is not alone in this attitude...

Both of my 1986-era 686NDs have such milling marks, nothing new about this condition.

 

[Jermz1987]

Little update if anyone is curious. I sent the pictures to Smith and Wesson. I basically told them I purchased the gun new and was a little concerned with the finish. I told them if this was standard quality for a brand new gun that I would be fine with it. She said it did look a little rougher then usual and sent me a pre paid shipping label. They have had the revolver for about a month now. Called them yesterday and was told they have not looked at it yet. Lol. So looks like I'm in it for the long haul. Not a big deal I'm patient. I'll keep you guys updated on what ends up happening. I have a feeling they are going to send it back with a note saying it's normal. If that's the case I'll end up selling or trading it for a model 19 or something.

 

[mod34]

Little update if anyone is curious. I sent the pictures to Smith and Wesson. I basically told them I purchased the gun new and was a little concerned with the finish. I told them if this was standard quality for a brand new gun that I would be fine with it. She said it did look a little rougher then usual and sent me a pre paid shipping label. They have had the revolver for about a month now. Called them yesterday and was told they have not looked at it yet. Lol. So looks like I'm in it for the long haul. Not a big deal I'm patient. I'll keep you guys updated on what ends up happening. I have a feeling they are going to send it back with a note saying it's normal. If that's the case I'll end up selling or trading it for a model 19 or something.

I pretty much default to the advice given on this forum. With shipping issues and all of the other nonsense, I think sending it back to the mother ship is typically the last bit of advice you'll read here.

 

[hemiram]

The variation of my S&W SS guns is odd to me, my 629-1 has some cross hatching if you look closely, my 625-3 is pretty much perfect, and my 66-1 seems to be parts assembled from different sources or finishers and the barrel is a nice satin, the frame is a little roughly ground with machine marks in some places, and the sideplate is shinier than the rest of the frame, by far. It came like that, a friend bought it new. It's buried in the back of the safe, so no pics, but I think I'm going to finally order a scotchbrite pad and see what happens. It's not "NIB" by any means, so I doubt it would hurt the value of it. Shoots fine and looks good from a couple of feet away, so it's no big deal.

 

[Jermz1987]

So as I read more and more about these new SW revolvers a common denominator is that Smith and Wesson will not refinish the gun for me. If that's the case they have had it for a bit over a month for nothing. When I get the email stating the gun is ready to be shipped back I will call them. If they did nothing I may just have them keep it and buy the Combat revolver package. They bead blast it and smoothen the trigger among other things. Would be curious to see how a bead blasted 686 2.5 inch looks. Or if I can just pay to have it refinished. Anyone go this route?

 

[Chukar60]

I pretty much default to the advice given on this forum. With shipping issues and all of the other nonsense, I think sending it back to the mother ship is typically the last bit of advice you'll read here.

Actually you see it all the time for all manner of defects. Some folks seem to think Smith is the only place qualified to work on a revolver.
Personally, Smith would be the last place I would send a gun to be repaired unless it was a blatant warranty issue that required the gun be replaced in whole.
If they could not get it out the door originally in proper order, what would ever give you confidence they can fix the issue with any level of competency?
Given the constant flow of posts here about current QC at the factory you can bet the issue runs all the way from the top of the company to the shipping clerks. It is culture. They either have a culture that produces quality or they do not.
Find a local gunsmith that deals in revolvers and you will most likely be much happier.
I have two gunsmiths I work with. One for rifles and handguns and another who specializes in double barrel shotguns. I am blessed in the fact that the shotgun guy is local but nationally recognized for his quality and the other guy has just never sent me back a problem, only solutions.

 

[rwsmith]

The would say.....

Yeah I guess it's just that famous Smith and Wesson quality control I hear so much about. The question is do I send it back for warranty work? I doubt they would even do anything with it.

...It meets minimum specs. Like those barrels clocked 5 degrees off.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I have two 6" stainless revolvers; one is a Ruger GP100, the other is S&W Model 629-6. Both have almost the exact swirl marks. The only difference is the Ruger guys turned all of its internals into razors. I'm no gun mechanic, but I did change a couple springs in the Ruger. I think there is still some of my blood in that gun! It got to the point that I just left the lid unscrewed on my bottle of Krazy Glu liquid bandage for easier access. With these new guns, as long as they go bang every time and hit the target, I'm really not that concerned about the looks. If I want pretty I'll take out a mortgage on a new something else, blued and wood.

 

[raygixxer89]

I have two 6" stainless revolvers; one is a Ruger GP100, the other is S&W Model 629-6. Both have almost the exact swirl marks. The only difference is the Ruger guys turned all of its internals into razors. I'm no gun mechanic, but I did change a couple springs in the Ruger. I think there is still some of my blood in that gun! It got to the point that I just left the lid unscrewed on my bottle of Krazy Glu liquid bandage for easier access. With these new guns, as long as they go bang every time and hit the target, I'm really not that concerned about the looks. If I want pretty I'll take out a mortgage on a new something else, blued and wood.

You aren't kidding about Ruger razors! When I bought my Redhawk I stripped it down to clean/inspect and sliced my finger trying to put the trigger assembly back in. It was such a clean cut I didn't even feel it!

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

dear Jesus,I`ve seen that on so many guns, I thought it was standard practice!