The gaping 686 sideplate

[iron addict]

I just picked up a new 686+ bought off of Gunbroker. The absolutely horrible trigger can be fixed no doubt, my other two 686's have triggers from heaven. This one is as bad as anything I have seen in 10 years in double action, single action pull is nice. But......the sideplate looks like a blind man fitted it. It has a gaping....well....gap. nothing like any other smith I have owned. Will another side plate likely match up better, or am I stuck with it? Smith & Wesson will likely tell me it seals out the elements and I should be happy. Any advice other than sell it and try again? Never thought I'd say it, but a Ruger I was handling while waiting for the paperwork had a MUCH better trigger and overall fit and finish. Felt like buying the Ruger as ugly as they are.....

Iron Addict

 

[iron addict]

I just picked up a new 686+ bought off of Gunbroker. The absolutely horrible trigger can be fixed no doubt, my other two 686's have triggers from heaven. This one is as bad as anything I have seen in 10 years in double action, single action pull is nice. But......the sideplate looks like a blind man fitted it. It has a gaping....well....gap. nothing like any other smith I have owned. Will another side plate likely match up better, or am I stuck with it? Smith & Wesson will likely tell me it seals out the elements and I should be happy. Any advice other than sell it and try again? Never thought I'd say it, but a Ruger I was handling while waiting for the paperwork had a MUCH better trigger and overall fit and finish. Felt like buying the Ruger as ugly as they are.....

Iron Addict

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Was the gap mentioned in the auction, or shown in the pictures? If not, I would contact the seller and tell him/her that you are not satisfied with the gun as it is not as advertised. If they refuse to make it right, you can (and should ) leave a not so good review on them on Gunbroker.

Perhaps a phone call to the seller will make things right.

WG840

 

[iron addict]

Was not mentioned and I am sure it is within "spec" whatever that means for a sideplate. The seller is a big seller that sells LOTS of guns and it is doubtful they even looked at it other than to record the serial number. This is a Smith & Wesson issue in my mind. They made it. And while I guess there is no specification for this, the sideplate having ridge that is at least 8-10ths taller on the frame side and looks like Chinese quality utilitarian crap is not appreciated on an almost 700 dollar firearm.

Iron Addict

 

[Wheelgunner840]

I am not so sure that it is supposed to be like that. I have never seen a side plate sticking up that far from the frame. I don't mean to imply anything, but are you sure it is seated correctly? Take it off and have a look if you do not plan on sending it back. Or have a gunsmith take a look at it for you. That just does not seem normal to me.
Can you post a picture of it?

WG840

 

[iron addict]

Maybe I will take a pic later, but.....I have it sitting right next to another 686, a 629, and a 642, and I can barely see the sideplate line on these. On the new 686 I can see the plate seam from across the room.

Makes my Glocks look well fitted

Iron Addict

 

[s&wchad]

Phone S&W and explain the problem. Their customer service is excellent.

 

[Alk8944]

Just a question for you. You buy a gun from an on-line auction without an opportunity to examine it, it sounds like it is a parts gun from how you describe it, and you are upset with S&W? From your negativity toward the company it leaves me wondering why you are even on a S&W related forum.

Go back to the seller and try to settle with him/them, and if the seller won't make things right be upset them, not S&W over a gun whose condition they probably had nothing to do with.

 

[mikelain]

I am sorry your side plate fits so poorly. Are there any decent gun stores around where you live?

I have never bought any wepon online for the fear of the same problems you are having. Parts yes, but a wepon no.

If you can find a local pusher now would be a good time to support his bottom line they are working folks just like you and I.

 

[duckloads]

....and you are sure this is S&W's problem?

 

[iron addict]

Originally posted by Alk8944:
Just a question for you. You buy a gun from an on-line auction without an opportunity to examine it, it sounds like it is a parts gun from how you describe it, and you are upset with S&W? From your negativity toward the company it leaves me wondering why you are even on a S&W related forum.

Go back to the seller and try to settle with him/them, and if the seller won't make things right be upset them, not S&W over a gun whose condition they probably had nothing to do with.

I have bought at least 20 firearms from online auctions. Unless used they have always been representative of the usual guns new at stores. Reputable sellers do not sell seconds or "parts guns". I am on the Smith & Wesson forum because it is a S & W. Doubt the people at Sig Arms forums would be much help. I will be calling S & W tomorrow. It IS a manufacturer issue. The seller did not build the gun.

Iron Addict

 

[Nightowl]

I have handled and seen a good many Smiths in the last 42 years and have never seen a side plate that did not fit nearly flawlessly. I'll bet that very few on this forum have seen very many either. I suspect that the side plate is not replaced correctly. Sometimes the hammer block does not slide into place correctly and forces the side plate to sit up a little. This would be the first place to check.

 

[S&W revolverman]

Without seeing the gun in person, I'm going to take an educated guess the sideplate has been taken of by someone, then not replaced correctly. Hence, the bad trigger also. Something is in a bind that shouldn't be.

chris

 

[iron addict]

Originally posted by S&W revolverman:
Without seeing the gun in person, I'm going to take an educated guess the sideplate has been taken of by someone, then not replaced correctly. Hence, the bad trigger also. Something is in a bind that shouldn't be.

chris

After about 700 dry fires and backing off the trigger spring screw about a full turn the trigger is quite a bit better. I don't believe this gun was tampered with at all. It was as new as any Smith I have ever bought.

Iron Addict

 

[vytoland]

This is a Smith & Wesson issue in my mind. They made it. And while I guess there is no specification for this, the sideplate having ridge that is at least 8-10ths taller on the frame side and looks like Chinese quality utilitarian crap is not appreciated on an almost 700 dollar firearm

you buy a $700 pig in the poke and you want S&W to make your boo boo better??

get a life dude

 

[iron addict]

Originally posted by vytoland:

This is a Smith & Wesson issue in my mind. They made it. And while I guess there is no specification for this, the sideplate having ridge that is at least 8-10ths taller on the frame side and looks like Chinese quality utilitarian crap is not appreciated on an almost 700 dollar firearm

you buy a $700 pig in the poke and you want S&W to make your boo boo better??

get a life dude

Should I be asking Remington?

Are you 14? I own and operate an internet forum and moderate on 5 more and I never fail to be amazed by the immature responses by many posters.

Iron Addict

 

[Bob D]

Mr. Iron addict, You have received good advice from several knowledgable members. I have never seen a SW side plate as you have described. I would take the handgun and your attitude to someone who could fix them.

 

[iron addict]

Originally posted by iron addict:

Originally posted by iron addict:

Originally posted by Bob D:
Mr. Iron addict, You have received good advice from several knowledgable members. I have never seen a SW side plate as you have described. I would take the handgun and your attitude to someone who could fix them.

Bob,

Could you please point out how my attitude has been inappropriate? I bought I gun with a defect. I asked for honest advice on what should be done, and I get someone telling me it is my fault I spent almost 700 dollars for a defective firearm. If a new sideplate will fix it, that is fine, if it is not installed correctly that is a good place to check. I have never seen one like this either and I currently own 6 Smith & Wessons, and have had many others the past. That is why I am here asking. But insinuating it is my fault that the sideplate is fitted incorrectly is hardly helpful.

Iron Addict

 

[Paulie686]

Well, I HAVE seen a POOR "Sideplate Fitting Job"--or two--in the roughly 35 years I have been dabbling with Smith & Wesson revolvers.

I would call Smith & Wesson and explain the problem, and ask for a Pre-paid return shipper.

It sounds like "QC" may have been "Out to Lunch" on this gun. Good Luck. Paulie686.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

Iron Addict,

Have you tried removing the side plate and looking to see if there is anything that might be keeping the plate from snapping into place? I would give this a try before going through all the trouble of shipping it off to S&W. Just a suggestion. I am now curious to know the outcome of whatever you decide to do. Please let us know how things turn out.

BTW, was this NIB or LNIB?

WG840