Performance Center: A revolver rookie needs reassurance

[bryonc]

First post here.

I have 20 years of experience with pistols and rifles, but I have never owned a revolver. On a recent trip to the desert I had an opportunity to shoot a few revolvers for the first time in years, and I found the experience very enjoyable.

So the day before yesterday I bought my first revolver at my local gun store. It was an I-picked-it-up-and-had-to-have-it situation...

As you can see, it's a NIB 2.5 PC 686 plus.

Admittedly, this was an impulse buy. So I know I deserve a lecture. I have no defense. My only explanation is that I've made other recent impulse buys, like a Springfield 1911 TRP, and things worked out dandy. So I've become emboldened. Stupid, I know. Anyway, on to the question...

After buying the gun I promptly went home, logged into a few forums, and started reading. And reading. You might see where this is going: Complaints about the reliability of revolvers coming from the Performance Center. I watched YT vids on locked up cylinders, cracked frames, guns that go off while resting on the night stand... you get it.

I'm generally not a nervous nellie, but I wonder what you gentlemen have to say about those kinds of reports, which are regrettably common. I don't intend this post to be the slightest bit adversarial. I want to love my new precious, and I was hoping some veterans around here could give this revolver rookie some soothing wisdom.

Thanking you in advance,
Bryon

P.S. Some other info...

--The revolver's intended use is recreational shooting. I have pistols and rifles other applications. So a revolver with 100% reliability isn't 100% necessary. But I'm spoiled by things like: 4000 rounds through my Noveske rifle with 0 malfunctions (different animal, I know). A reliable revolver would make poppa happy.

--I don't mind the 2.5 barrel length. I know it will have limitations, but I can live with them.

--I don't mind the lock, because I will remove it the day I receive the revolver. I've done some intermediate level smithing, like installing trigger groups. From what I can tell, removing the lock doesn't look difficult. The lock hole isn't purty, but I can live with that too.

 

[Matt Hooper]

This is an absolutely awesome gun. I guess I'm not sure why you would be concerned unless you have a specific problem with yours. Sure, S&W quality control has been a bit off, but the vast majority of their products are perfect right out of the box.

Shoot it first. Then if you have a problem let us know and more importantly let S&W know. They will fix it.

Enjoy this wicked cool wheel gun and welcome to the best gun forum on the web.

 

[HarrishMasher]

You made an excellent choice, impulsive or not. Here are some of my threads about the 686PC 2.5".

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/425771-my-favorite-s-w-revolver.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/399632-686pc-386ng-386pd-winner.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/392487-my-new-686-pc-range-report.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/400041-shot-some-nice-groups-range-today-686pc-386pd.html


Holster Suggestion:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/gun-leather-carry-gear/408221-praise-tucker-gun-leather.html

I have more threads about this gun, but that should be enough for now I have many revolvers I can carry, including 2 options that are exactly the same size and even lighter (386PD, 386 NG - These are the same gun as the 686 but have lightweight Scandium frames), and a 586 L-Comp, but I choose to carry the 686PC 2.5".

One more note. I own over a dozen S&W revolvers. I have changed the grips on every single one, but this gun. They are perfect. No need to change them. I like them so much I even ordered a pair for his 8 shot cousin my 627PC 2.6". Which is an N Frame so they are a little bigger, but I love them too.

 

[ruggyh]

Congrats on your new gun.

Shoot it, worry about problems when they occur.

So much FUD out there in the forums, 100000 revolvers produced by S&W a year and everyone gives so much credence to every post in these forums. You will drive yourself crazy separating the fact from fiction.

The reality is they are small in number.

Subjective issues like the lock and MIM is almost laughable with all the emotional arguments.

Enjoy you your new gun.

Good luck and be safe
Ruggy

 

[Wicchunter]

Ditto on what everybody else said. And keep in mind S&W has a life time warranty and they will make it right if you ever run into a problem. That's a great looking revolver you picked out. Enjoy!

 

[gwpercle]

Buying a revolver is not stupid.
Having gone 20 years without buying one......well that may be not so bright.
You have one now, that's great...welcome to the club.
All those "reports" Horse-Hockey, don't believe a word. Shoot that fine lady, she enjoys it. See my avatar...old model 58 (1969) that goes to the range every time I do, lots of shots fired , she just gets better!
Warning...they can be habit forming....I'm addicted!
Gary

 

[at_liberty]

I can't relate to a .357 with a barrel that short, given 3" guns that are little beasts, even with custom load ammo. My 686-6 at 4" is nicely balanced and handles the real deal pretty well.

I certainly hope you enjoy yours.

Here is a picture of mine with the Plug installed over the internal lock's key hole, noting that I had the trigger and hammer polished out to better match the rest of the gun:

 

[qballwill]

When I read any kind of review on a product from customers, I always keep in mind, that generally, it is the unhappy campers that take the time to complain about their experience. The consumers that are happy with their product rarely take the time to write a review praising their purchase. Enjoy your purchase and dont worry about it. If you do have an issue with the gun, Smith and Wesson will make it right.

 

[NEURON]

I would worry about your car having a factory induced problem than your Smith. Very Nice!

 

[DCWilson]

Here's more reassurance if you need it. I ended up with two of the current "blood work" PC revolvers (Mod 627-5, 357 8X, 2-5/8 inch barrel) and I can't see myself getting rid of either one. They are two of the best guns I have in the safe.

Expect it to work the way you want it to. Shoot it until it doesn't. If that never happens, fine. If it does happen, at that time tell S&W and they will fix it. Absolutely do not permit yourself to worry about the negative experiences of others, which by their nature are over-reported.

 

[bryonc]

Thanks to all for the reassurance and advice. The observation made by several folks that negative experiences tend to be over-reported relative to positive ones makes perfect sense. I will remember that and back away from the ledge.

Thanks for welcoming me to the forum.

Bryon

 

[S&W357Noob]

Got the same pistol also on impulse.

I recently bought that same pistol on impulse as well and I absolutely love it! It is gorgeous and so far Ive only put a few hundred rounds through it as of yet but it has been flawless and accurate as can be. Such a smooth gun.

I did however as you can see replace the grips after 200 rounds of Magnum and .38 ammo. I love the wood but they broke skin between my thumb and finger due to an edge where the wood meets the frame.

Congrats on your new baby.

 

[HarrishMasher]

I recently bought that same pistol on impulse as well and I absolutely love it! It is gorgeous and so far Ive only put a few hundred rounds through it as of yet but it has been flawless and accurate as can be. Such a smooth gun.

I did however as you can see replace the grips after 200 rounds of Magnum and .38 ammo. I love the wood but they broke skin between my thumb and finger due to an edge where the wood meets the frame.

Congrats on your new baby.

Doesn't sound right. Did the grip fit correctly? Or did it need to be sanded or something. Maybe they way you are holding it?

Rubber is nice to shoot with, but impossible to carry. It sticks to my shirts and pulls them up exposing my piece. That's why none of my revolvers have rubber grips, I carry all of them.

 

[buckeyejake]

No true gun lover doesn't own at least one S & W. 357 . I have three ;-)

 

[Robert B]

Have one/Luv it!

It's my EDC. Very accurate.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

No true gun lover doesn't own at least one S & W. 357 . I have three ;-)

Lol
Sooo true. A 6"&4" here.

 

[S&W Fan]

Well done sir. I seem to have the most fun at the range when I'm shooting revolvers (carry them now and then as well). Enjoy it!

 

[Jeff97223]

A revolver, especially anything built in the last 20 years CANNOT go off just sitting there so that is pure BS as I suspect much of the other drivel is. I own dozens of S & W revolvers and have had none of those problems. Take your new revolver out and enjoy it!

 

[at_liberty]

I recently bought that same pistol on impulse as well and I absolutely love it! It is gorgeous and so far Ive only put a few hundred rounds through it as of yet but it has been flawless and accurate as can be. Such a smooth gun.

I did however as you can see replace the grips after 200 rounds of Magnum and .38 ammo. I love the wood but they broke skin between my thumb and finger due to an edge where the wood meets the frame.

Congrats on your new baby.

Those replacement grips will also relieve the knuckle busting trigger guard. They will, however, extend the trigger reach a bit by covering the backstrap.

I certainly favor that style grip, but I can't carry rubber. To me, the nylon version is even better, but I do have a couple in rosewood, which also does not cause shirts to cling and expose a CC.

 

[bryonc]

A revolver, especially anything built in the last 20 years CANNOT go off just sitting there so that is pure BS as I suspect much of the other drivel is.

I have read no reports of guns going off while resting on the nightstand. That part of my post was ironic. It was my attempt to acknowledge just the point you are making -- that perhaps the negative reports are exaggerated.