UPDATE**My Christmas present is going back to the factory

[jdad]

Just a little rant and venting.

Last week I picked up one of the new 686plus 3-5-7 series revolvers.....7". I normally don't buy new production anything, but these looked neat and I didn't have an L frame paper puncher.

Here's the list of stuff I'm going to be discussing, with S&W CS Tuesday.
1. Finish issues - long scratches on the left side of the barrel, the right side of the frame was not buffed out and looks like someone was trying to "checker" with a wire wheel,
more of the same on the bottom of the trigger guard and inside the frame, on the recoil shield. Yes, these are "cosmetic" issues, but when you put out close to $800 it should have some attention to detail.

2. The forcing cone is chamfered! I looked at every other new production S&W the shop had and none were like mine. It was spitting, but not on every chamber.

3. I had someone check the gap and it's .006. Probably another reason for the spitting.

4.The cylinder does not lock up tight on any chamber. My 40 year old Model 27 locks up solid, on every chamber, so I know this revolver should and can.

My dealer noted the finish issues, but said to range test it to make sure there weren't more issues before sending it back.I only fired 14 rounds through it. That was enough. I've heard and read the QC issues, but never paid them much attention. I guess it was my turn.

 

[Hearsedriver]

Those are all issues that you should have noticed upon inspection before buying it. Did you order it online?

 

[jdad]

Those are all issues that you should have noticed upon inspection before buying it. Did you order it online?

This was "special order" item and my dealer has rules I need to follow. No need for the condescension.

My dealer noted the "cosmetic" issues. My dealer also suggested that I function fire it, so if there were other issues to be addressed it would go back to the factory once. I don't know enough about revolvers to know what I should have looked for until someone else pointed the mechanical issues out to me.

 

[Tyrod]

I feel your pain brother. I hope S&W takes care of your issues. I doubt S&W will do anything about the .006" B/C gap. That's well within their current limit of .012". A gap of .006" is only .001" larger than most folks ideal of .004-005" and by itself won't cause any remarkable ill effects. Now if there are other issues like poor cylinder lockup or a primary missaligmnet of cylinder to barrel or a crappy forcing cone then the larger the gap, the more noticeable they will become with the larger gap.

 

[sonofthebeach]

jdad, sorry to hear about your experience with your new 686 3-5-7. I'm currently looking for a "special" revolver to use as a HD and range gun, and I was considering the TALO 3-5-7 with 3" barrel and unfluted cylinder.

It's a shame that S&W seems to be having QC issues...problems with barrel mounting and surface finishing, among others. It seems like other manufacturers are having their share of problems also...probably related to the increasing demand for firearms, and the factories' inability to keep up with quality production.

As for the BC gap of .006", I think that falls within factory-acceptable specs. But obviously your revolver is having problems that need to be fixed.

My experience with S&W service has been positive...they always took care of whatever problems I had quickly and effectively.

It's just a shame that we have to deal with problems on our new guns that could have been taken care of early on at the factory. When it happens to me, I never feel the same about any gun that I purchased new...I feel disappointed, "let down" by the manufacturer that I trusted to make a quality product.

I've bought $300 pistols from other manufacturers that had parts fall of them before I ever fired a round through them, and I almost "expected" that sort of thing. But when I spend upwards of $800 on a handgun, I expect more.

If you shoot your 686 before you send it back, let us know how that goes.

--Andy

 

[jdad]

jdad, sorry to hear about your experience with your new 686 3-5-7. I'm currently looking for a "special" revolver to use as a HD and range gun, and I was considering the TALO 3-5-7 with 3" barrel and unfluted cylinder.

It's a shame that S&W seems to be having QC issues...problems with barrel mounting and surface finishing, among others. It seems like other manufacturers are having their share of problems also...probably related to the increasing demand for firearms, and the factories' inability to keep up with quality production.

As for the BC gap of .006", I think that falls within factory-acceptable specs. But obviously your revolver is having problems that need to be fixed.

My experience with S&W service has been positive...they always took care of whatever problems I had quickly and effectively.

It's just a shame that we have to deal with problems on our new guns that could have been taken care of early on at the factory. When it happens to me, I never feel the same about any gun that I purchased new...I feel disappointed, "let down" by the manufacturer that I trusted to make a quality product.

I've bought $300 pistols from other manufacturers that had parts fall of them before I ever fired a round through them, and I almost "expected" that sort of thing. But when I spend upwards of $800 on a handgun, I expect more.

If you shoot your 686 before you send it back, let us know how that goes.

--Andy

Andy,
I've only fired 14 round, to function test and sight in. The rear sight only needed to be moved 5 clicks to the right, to zero the windage at 25yds. The TALO stocks are going to get replaced, with Pachmyrs. The TALO's are too narrow.

IF I can get the other issues resolved I would consider purchasing the revolver package. The SA may just need some break in time, but the DA is nasty. Odd though, I just looked at the cylinder and the chambers look to have already been chamfered.

David

 

[twomoons]

please keep us updated,as i have seriously thought about getting a talo 357

 

[Cole K]

Yep, you need to send it back. I've heard of some QC problems but I've never seen them.

 

[riverrat38]

I wish my new 3" 686 plus had a .006" BC gap. Well, that is sort of an average. One side is .004 and the other is .007" Everything else looks good and it shoots nice.
I hope S&W gets your 686 looking and shooting well.

rat

 

[Hearsedriver]

This was "special order" item and my dealer has rules I need to follow. No need for the condescension.

My dealer noted the "cosmetic" issues. My dealer also suggested that I function fire it, so if there were other issues to be addressed it would go back to the factory once. I don't know enough about revolvers to know what I should have looked for until someone else pointed the mechanical issues out to me.

I apologize. I certainly didnt mean to sound condescending but, I can see where you would interpret it that way. It just struck me as a long list of issues. I feel for you having to send your Christmas gift back to the factory. Keep us posted on the results. I have a feeling S&W will simply replace it for you.

 

[Tyrod]

The TALO stocks are going to get replaced, with Pachmyrs. The TALO's are too narrow.

I've seen Talo revolver grips go for mad money on eBay depending on the rarity. I saw a rosewood Talo grip that comes on the Talo 642 go for over $160. I rekon folks want a Talo the cheap way.

 

[Sportsterguy]

I would insist upon a replacement. Ask for a manager when you call, take names, times and dates and leave the numbers and extensions in your cell phone in case they are needed. Like a car that left you stranded once at night in the boonies I'd never trust that revover again.

I've been seeing more and more of the crappy products leaving the shop with obvious defects on this forum in the last few months. Cylinders tying up from out of spec BC gaps, crappy finish work ect. The list keeps getting longer and longer.

If they can't make the outside of the weapon look good I can only imagine what or what not is going on in the innards! Crooked car dealers do it all the time when they take the time to detail a junker! One would think S&W would do the same inside and out to what is a rather expensive purchase for many, myself included.

I'm not saying they're crooks. They're out to make money as other businesses are. What I am saying is that they need to tighten up on their workmanship and quality control big time! I spent 22 out of my 24 years flying in Coast Guard HH-3F and HH-60J helicopters. Seven in Alaska where flying at night in rain, snow and 50-70 and higher knot winds were not out of the norm. Our maintenance and QA were top notch and I / we trusted the work that WE personally performed on them with our lives. Just like a weapon we would use in a life or death situation, S&W could use that same mentality on their product lines. The helos were much more technical machines built with pride and maintained with pride. S&W could use a bit of that if they want to improve their products.

JMHO and I'm sticking to it!

 

[Nightowl]

Bummer. When you send it back, be sure to document all the deficiencies, and keep a copy so you can compare it with the results. If all are not corrected, let them know right away and send it back again. I have serious doubts they completely read all the items on letters they receive. At least that is my experience. I have had to send one gun back several times. It is finally completely fixed correctly. When they run right, they are truly fine revolvers.

 

[Delta Rose]

I feel your pain. Back in October I purchased a new Ruger SS BlackHawk .357/ 9mm convertible through Gunbroker. The revolver was well-finished, but the first trip to the range revealed two show-stoppers. First, even with the rear sight adjusted all the way to the right, the point of impact was still about three inches to the left of center at 25 yards. Close examination revealed that the front sight was a installed a few degrees to the right. Second, the accuracy with the 9mm cylinder was abysmal- groups were 10" at 25 yards. I sent it back to Ruger and within three weeks the gun was back. It appears to have been re-barrelled and a new 9mm cylinder was fitted. The gun shot to point of impact with only a minor adjustment in elevation, and the 9mm accuracy is almost as good as the 357 mag cylinder.

I hope S&W takes care of you....

 

[jdad]

I picked it up from FedEx last night. It was in and out of the factory in less than a week. The work order said, "refinish entire gun" and "recut forcing cone, to correct spitting".

Boy does this look nice now!!!! Why they let it leave the factory, in the condition it was in, I will never understand. The cylinder gap is now .008, but if it shoots as well as it looks I am happy.

 

[ydennekb]

Bumping this for updates. Have you shot this gun yet? How did it do? I'm looking at buying the 3" very soon.

 

[Edmo]

double post...

 

[Edmo]

Kudos to S&W's repair turn-around times. They were fast with my returns also. Sorry about your problems, especially with a gun which was a Christmas gift. I hope this gun now works and looks like you expected.

However, their repair speed wouldn't need to be tested if the factory had done it's job in the first place! What is going on at S&W's QC shop?

At this rate S&W should start including a FEDEX return label with every new S&W handgun purchase.

I have a replacement "post lock" model 642CT on the way from S&W. Fingers are crossed...

Edmo

 

[ladder13]

I picked it up from FedEx last night. It was in and out of the factory in less than a week. The work order said, "refinish entire gun" and "recut forcing cone, to correct spitting".

Boy does this look nice now!!!! Why they let it leave the factory, in the condition it was in, I will never understand. The cylinder gap is now .008, but if it shoots as well as it looks I am happy.

Give us a range report when ready. I'm happy for you that they cleared up the cosmetic issues to your satisfaction, that sounds like a gun that missed a final inspection.
The only one who can say if the gun is now satisfactory is you. Good luck.