What Do You Think of This "Seam" and "Buffing"?

murphydog said:
Welcome, and sorry for your troubles. What I see appears to be a cosmetic defect in the sideplate fit. I presume the gun functions normally?

You can certainly try discussing sending it back to the factory for a warranty repair with customer service; they may tell you it is not a mechanical issue or covered. Regrettably, it pays to inspect a potential purchase for such issues before buying.
Click to expand...

I just got it yesterday afternoon. It hasn't been shot. My gun shop owner is a super nice guy. I believe he will work with me.
 
gebomartin said:
My gun shop will treat me right. I am not a gun guy. I'm a preacher by trade. Can you help me understand what you are saying so I can go in on Mon/Tuesday and speak knowledgably?

I know that's a big question I am asking you.:o
Click to expand...

Yes, the problem is really pretty simple to describe. The sideplate was not fitted properly at the factory and it never should have been shipped in that condition. Look at the very first photo you posted. Right in front of the hammer is where the upper part of the sideplate mates to the frame. You can barely see the seam and the sideplate fits flush to the frame. It should be like that everywhere, including the area under the cylinder and under that front-most screw, i.e., the area that you initially thought was a crack. In some of the earlier production S&Ws (back in the good old days, I guess) you had to really look to see the seam at all. That level of finish may no longer be with us, but what was sold to you is clearly not acceptable. The dealer should be willing to take the gun back from you, and S&W should be willing to take it back from him.
 
I think S&W is getting a little sloppy , the fit isn't perfect that's for sure .
I would test the trigger pull and shoot a box or two of ammo .
If it has a good trigger and accurate I would keep it .
If the issue ...eats at you ... complain loud and long to S&W , you paid for new gun and it should not come out the box with "cosmetic conditions ".
S&W needs to stop sending out things like this , you will return it , they will fix it but what a waste of time and confidence in what used to be a trusted company .
Good Luck,
Gary
 
I found a S&W model 10 for sale near my folks winter place and had them pick it up for me.

My mom called me a little later in a panic saying there was a crack in the frame. It was the side plate.

First 686 I bought I paid I think $500 or $550 for. It had been bouncing around in a glove box for a few years. For a 2.5" dash 1 I couldn't pass on it.

Before and after pics. Less than 2 hours with some 800, and 1000 grit paper, and Mothers polish.

i-5fCHJDM-XL.jpg


i-r7q62kg-XL.jpg


i-5HGFG6w-XL.jpg
 
New guns don't have a turn line on the cylinder. Did you get the box? You did pay for a new gun. I think if you took it to a gun show It would be hard to get $500. I would like to know the outcome. I hate for new people to get the shaft. Good luck.
 
I FB messaged the gun shop last night The owner of the gun shop messaged me back several times last night. He assured me they never touched the gun. They got it from Davidson’s (?) and he contacted his rep last night. The owner wants me to meet him Tuesday morning and says he will make it right.

I guess Davidson’s is a wholesaler?

If you guys can make any more comments to support me getting a replacement, please do. I’ll print them off and take them with me. Like pointing out what you see that is messed up.

Thanks for your help.
 
You cant be serious about the side plate flaw..... this is a gag right.... I mean it started out as a Crack, then a flaw... then...nothing .... to me its nothing.
 
I just looked at my 686 plus and that side plate to frame fit isn't even close to how mine is. Actually by looking at your picture I would be very suspect of the frame as well. Hard to really tell in a picture but nothing on yours seems to fit right compared to mine.
 
if it bothers you, use a 3m fiber pad (by hand)to blend the mark. That is the seamon the plate, and it look ok to me.
 
Since it's a new gun, don't shoot it and don't take sandpaper, a file, a hammer or anything else to it. Take it back to your dealer and get an exchange for a different one. Inspect the new one for similar issues - I doubt you'll find any. Either the side plate wasn't fit properly at the factory (which I doubt - could have happened but unlikely) or someone, somewhere took it apart without knowing what they were doing.
 
How is the inside of the cylinder window? The top strap above the BC gap? The throat of the barrel? The recoil plate surface? Any evidence of more than the "3" rounds S&W used to proof the gun?

My first thoughts when I saw the Pic's were this was a used gun someone had used polishing pads on.
 
Well, I have an update. Met with the owner this morning. He was gone last week when my gun came in and when I came by. He reviewed the video tape and said his employee only checked serial number to make sure it matched.

He looked the revolver over and in 15 seconds, he apologized and said it was a pitiful excuse for workmanship. He texted his rep and I'll have a new 686 plus this Friday. He said he would personally inspect this next gun for me. He said it is obvious someone tried to work with the side plate. He also saw the grip had been removed. He said both S&W and Ruger QC had really gone down.

Just goes to show you, if you treat people right and with respect, they will respect you and treat you right. Thank all of you that encouraged me. It made a difference. I was one sick puppy Sunday and Monday.

Really, thank you guys for all your help. I took your responses to show the owner but he quickly said, "I don't need them."
__________________
 
gebomartin said:
Well, I have an update. Met with the owner this morning. He was gone last week when my gun came in and when I came by. He reviewed the video tape and said his employee only checked serial number to make sure it matched.

He looked the revolver over and in 15 seconds, he apologized and said it was a pitiful excuse for workmanship. He texted his rep and I'll have a new 686 plus this Friday. He said he would personally inspect this next gun for me. He said it is obvious someone tried to work with the side plate. He also saw the grip had been removed. He said both S&W and Ruger QC had really gone down.

Just goes to show you, if you treat people right and with respect, they will respect you and treat you right. Thank all of you that encouraged me. It made a difference. I was one sick puppy Sunday and Monday.

Really, thank you guys for all your help. I took your responses to show the owner but he quickly said, "I don't need them."
__________________
Click to expand...

Glad things worked out for you! Your dealer sounds to be a keeper.
 
I just saw this thread. I'm glad it worked out for you. I was kinda shocked at the posters telling you there was nothing wrong with it. It was clearly flawed and defective from the factory, unless someone messed with it after it left the factory. I'd never buy a gun looking like that, new or used.
 
From my view that gun is in no way new. Too many scratches and as one poster mentioned the turn line is too heavy. I have seen several brand new guns with very very light turn lines. The gun will be cycled and test fired before it leaves the factory. That will leave a line albeit a very slight one.
My biggest concern is where the side plate is directly below the frame under the cylinder. The side plate looks straight and the frame looks to be warped upward.
Also when you enlarge the second picture you can see the forward side plate screw is buggered. Somebody, not the factory, has been inside the gun and that would explain the bulge where the plate meets the frame. Inexperienced replacement of the plate..
Don’t do anything with that gun until you get this resolved. The only resolution that I would accept is another gun that is actually new.
 
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Well Rev, that's about the best possible outcome. Congratulations! I hope this experience won't sour you on S&W, and I hope the guys' hospitality here on the forum brings you back!
 
Chukar60 said:
From my view that gun is in no way new. Too many scratches and as one poster mentioned the turn line is too heavy. I have seen several brand new guns with very very light turn lines. The gun will be cycled and test fired before it leaves the factory. That will leave a line albeit a very slight one.
My biggest concern is where the side plate is directly below the frame under the cylinder. The side plate looks straight and the frame looks to be warped upward.
Also when you enlarge the second picture you can see the forward side plate screw is buggered. Somebody, not the factory, has been inside the gun and that would explain the bulge where the plate meets the frame. Inexperienced replacement of the plate..
Click to expand...

^^^what he said. Boy, you have some eye! That frame area warped upward is disgraceful! :eek: Anybody see the HBO series "Westworld"? This gun looks like an example of what the repair techs in that show refer to as "sampling the merch," i.e. playing with the hosts. I know a fellow who does this: shooting unfired new guns, cleaning them and selling them at shows as new.

Last year, I bought a 627PC snub from the pro shop at my club. It had been in and out of the safe to the display case daily for most of a year. Not a mark on it. It CAN be done; it just requires being ethical. Some folks simply cannot.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
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