My first revolver!

[HQN]

Hi everyone,

I just bought my first revolver today. Its a S&W 686 with a 6 inch barrel. Can't wait to shoot it.

One question: is it normal for brand new guns to have minor scuff marks, and tiny dings on them. Just wondering.

Many Thanks

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Scuff marks maybe, no dings. Somebody roughed it up before you bought it.

 

[HQN]

The are only 2 tiny dings on the side of the barrel if you look really closely.

I'm just being a little picky since I thought S&W finishes were supposed to be flawless.

Anyone else have blemishes on their brand new S&W revolvers?

 

[yugolovr]

It could have happened at the gun shop. The shop that I help out at locks all the handguns in safes at night. The guns no matter how careful we try do get bumped into each other. Plus you have to consider how many times the gun may have been taken in and out of the showcase to show customers. It's unfortunate these things happen but they do. I wouldn't worry about. Wait till it gets some holster wear, and dings from using it.

 

[deuterij]

Yes I have seen and experienced scuffs and small dings on new guns. I figured it might be due to the reasons yugolovr stated because I saw the store closing one night and witnessed the move out of the display case. They load a bunch of closely spaced items onto a cart and wheel it away, items clanking together a bit as they go. Also, while taking the guns out of and into the display case to show customers, they inevitably scrape against shelves and racks. Perhaps some marks even occur at the factory. I've seen documentaries filmed in the S&W factory and it seemed the workers handle/test the guns pretty vigorously - guess they figure the guns are built to take it. Anyway the marks should be cosmetic and ought not affect function.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Since your gun is a 686, it is easy to remove scratches and small nicks. Using a green Scotchbrite pad carefully will remove the scratches. Look at the grain of the metal (there is one) and the way the factory brush finish is running. Go in the same direction as the factory, using light pressure on a new gun. I have cleaned up many stainless steel guns like that. You can buy varying coursenesses (sp?) of pads, but the plain old green ones that you can buy at the grocery store for dishes works perfectly. They are the only ones I use, and the finish will be a perfect match if done right.

 

[jpwhel]

Welcome to the forum.

After you remove the scratches with the Scotchbrite pads, buy some Flitz or Mothers mag polish and polish the entire gun. Flitz can be purchased at any local gun store and the Mothers can be purchased at any auto supply store. Just take an old tee shirt and rub the polish on, doing small sections at a time, let dry and rub off. The gun will look better than new.

The stainless guns can look however you want, either a dull stainless finish or a highly polished finished.

 

[HQN]

Wow, Thanks so much for all the great advice. I will try polishing my gun later today after taking to the range.

 

[qballwill]

I went to an Academy Sports and was disgusted to see the guy behind the firearms counter literally playing with one of the new 1911's for sale. It was a taurus PT1911 and he just thought he was doing the future customer a favor by racking the slide over and slingshoting it without rounds in the chamber. To his thinking (if thats what you want to call it) he was breaking it in for the poor soul that would buy it. He was so interested in showing me the gun and telling me about how smooth it was going to be.
So now there is a never fired gun that has been abused by an idiot full of scratches sitting in a new gun case waiting for an unsuspecting buyer.
Now not only do you have to wonder what customers have done with guns in a display, but what did the 18 year old behind the counter do with it.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

The above post is exactly why I always ask for a new one to be brought out from the back room. I won't buy a dsiplay gun, unless there is a substantial discount involved, and a full warranty to cover anything damaged by careless handling.

I can break in my own guns thank you very much.

 

[sourdough44]

Nice gun, congrats.

 

[VonFatman]

HQN,

Like others have mentioned, I would not worry to much about a couple minor scuffs.

Welcome to the Forum!!! I love my six-inch 686!!! I did not buy it new, but it's a great shooter. It's my "go-to" range gun for .357s...when ever I work up a new load, it's the first gun I try the load in...unless it's a REAL warm magnum load, then my Ruger or Contender get the nod.

You are gonna love that gun!! Congratulations. How 'bout some pics???

Bob

 

[Joni_Lynn]

The nice thing about stainless is that you can work on it and clean up scuffs and marks.
Congrats on the 686.

Welcome to the addiction.............I mean forum.