S&W Mountain Guns Range Report UPDATE

[BKDinTexas]

UPDATE - Just hung up with customer service. They are sending me a new bead to install.

Yes plural. I recently bought th 686+ MG and the 617 MG. Finally got 'em both to the range. I had a lot to shoot/sight in so my firing was somewhat limited with both, but here we go.

617: I normally use CCI SV 40 gr as a go to standard, but I am most likely going to be packing this one in west Texas late winter and wanted a little more range and pop l, so I shot CCI 36 gr Mini-mag HP. Function was flawless, ejection super easy, gun was easy to zero with minimal clicks. Had to move it up and right but the rear sight is still well centered and not cranked excessively in one direction. A straight barrel! Accuracy was a little disappointing. At 15 yards rested my groups were about an inch wide but stringing about 2 1/4 inches vertical. I am attributing this to ammo or me, as I have never seen a 22 revolver do this. Anyone else? I will probably go back to try the 40 gr SV. The most disappointing thing was, at some point the brass bead in the front sight left the range! I could not find it. I will be calling S&W customer service tomorrow to work out a solution. It really doesn't affect sight picture but I like it and want it back in there and not just the black hole that it has now. Over all I am pleased, but it atill needs some work.

686 MG. - Same as above, gun was dead centered for windage with the sight centered with my handload of 14 grs of 2400 under a Speer 158 gr Deep Curl. Another straight barrel! Elevation was slightly low and when I went to raise the rear sight it was screwed down ridiculously tight. I actually, ever so slightly, boogered the elevation screw getting it loose. But once loose only about 4 clicks up zeroed it. Brass bead stayed home on the 357! Go figure?!? This gun is a little tight to open the cylinder but I think that will break in nicely. Only fired 10 rounds and put it away happy.

Overall I am pleased and think I got very lucky in spite of the brass bead on the 617. I will report back on what customer service says about the bead. But I am not sending it in!

In other happy developments I finally solved my crimp jump problem on my 454 Casull Redhawk Alaskan with my 325 gr WFN hardcast Hammers. And got that zeroed too! But that's another story. What a lovely little savage beast! Lol.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I just got my 617 mtn gun 2 weeks ago...........First thing I did was take a toothpick dipped in Locktite and run it around that brass bead.........Will see iffen it holds........They shoulda staked those beads from the top of the sight to begin with.

 

[jaydoc]

I shot my new 610 Mountain gun yesterday. Didn't lose the sight!

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I've read a number of complaints about those beads popping out. As I suppose all of us have. Like to hear any follow up about CS response and Mike SC locktite trick. Anyone else try this? Most of my revolvers have blaze orange nail polish on them anyway, probably fill in the hole with some. It's just an aggravation that is now typical.

I'd really like a 617 but I have to find one in stock at a LGS. Pre-purchase inspection only, from now on.

 

[InTheWoods]

I have had a 617 Mountain Gun for 3 or 4 weeks. My general impressions are quite favorable, with only a few minor hitches. The overall fit, function, and finish are miles ahead of a 617 I bought 10 or 15 years ago and recently sold. That revolver had serious leading issues not totally resolved even after a trip to the factory. No leading issues have shown up on the Mountain Gun after hundreds of CCI Mini Mags and Quiets have been fired. Minor issues of my MG include:

1. Single action trigger pull was over over 5 1/2 pounds. I am somewhat of a "trigger snob" and found this weight tough to shoot at tiny targets in comparison to my other K22s. I put a 13# trigger return spring in (did not change the hammer spring). Now the single action pull is 3 1/2 pounds and the double action pull is 8 3/4 pounds. Perfect! No misfires.

2. Dang sights! I noticed the front bead was slipping out (like the OP's) after the first couple dozen shots. I degreased it and the hole it goes in, and then remounted it using loctite. It now seems to be holding well.

The rear sight windage screw was frozen and stripped it's threads when more pressure was applied. It did not break. The slide has,since then, been easily movable with slight finger nail pressure. Unfortunately, it also slides to the left as I shoot! SW has a new sight assembly in the mail as we speak.

I did replace the stocks with a set of spare Ahrends I had on hand. Personal preference.

This gun is taking a little tinkering to get perfect. Perfect is now only a couple of days away. I like tinkering, so then what will I do?

 

[Waldo Pepper]

My 610 4" standard model has been perfect after I cleaned the front sight hole and the got it in fully for about 300 rounds so far. I have the triggers set 3# SA and 8.5" DA and love it.