Had the sight tightened and worked the bent blade back into place after being told by 2 smiths getting any parts wont be fast. That picture was literally the minute I got it in the door from purchase so I would have the memory of it and proof that I got it at that price as i wouldnt believe it without pics. I dont have a rest but plan to get one soon ... same with a chronograph since my friend that had one I no longer see and I absolutely have to have one for working up loads. No clue on the guns past at all. I do know im not that bad though period as I picked off a rabbit with the 686 at 40-50 yards to save a broadhead recently. TR Graham and another smith both cleared the gun to shoot. If it was just left or just right, no problem because the sight blade is bent so that would be expected. Personally it feels loose for a smith but I only have 3 smith revolvers (686+ and 66-5) and only have experience with maybe a dozen that ive put more than 50 rounds through in my life. One thing I left out ... shooting offhand sent my arm almost a foot right with the recoil yet not at all left or right a minute later with the 686.
Its not getting groups, nedlate. If it was shooting 5 inches left and 2 inches down I would be quite pleased as thats just an easy cure. It is very inconsistant and that implies something (or someone) is the problem. Since I wasnt the only someone I know its not someone. When I go to the range with friends we switch up guns to compare one to the other and a fun "hell you might as well sell it to me since it seems to like my hands better". My gun isnt a wife anyways ... if you handle it properly and dont act like your in the movies I gladly let people around me enjoy my guns and some of my ammo even. I didnt adjust sights as I was just wanting to shoot it period and generally I shoot no less than twice a month so theres plenty of opportunity to get things adjusted for field use later. I dont normally go to two smiths to ask if a gun is safe to shoot though but the fact that the sight blade is bent, the cylinder release is finicky about letting go and in my opinion the whole gun just feels off for a smith revolver sent me for advice before pulling the trigger with a live round. Only the trigger feels right. I am convinced something is wrong with the yoke but im neither a gunsmith nor a guy who owns a massive collection of guns and has a lifetime of experience in anything more than the enjoyment of target shooting for fun and hunting. No question in my mind that she has hit the ground or at least some other solid object hard before reaching my hands. Because of what it is though and the price it was selling for I wasnt going to pass it up. Just like a car, it can be fixed. And this is a car you dont see often so its worth taking a risk on needing to replace an engine.
At this point its just going to get cleaned from sundays outing and im going to ask if theres any reccommendations of who to go see within 100 miles of houston who is well versed in smith revolvers that anyone here might know of. I like to be present to listen and learn as often as possible. The second smith did say in his rushed opinion (he was backed up for a month but was gladly willing to take a quick peek at an old clients gun for a safety exam) that it looked to not be the original trigger but he wasnt sure. I was more than tempted to snatch up the older model coonan in his store but I didnt have a 1500 dollar bill laying around and im not going to pay a premium for a low serial number when im a shooter, not a collector. Dont want to explain that decision to the wife less than 3 weeks later either after buying one of my 10 guns to own in life.
Ill post an updated picture of her later tonight when I have a free minute after I get back from work.
