I think the $650 686 deal from PSA was to good to be true.

[JB111]

Late last week I ordered a S&W 686 through PSA because they have them at a fairly large discount at $650. It arrived at the ffl yesterday and I went to pick it up this morning. I did a inspection prior to filling out the paperwork, everything appeared to be good to go. The finish was up to par save for a couple of scratches and a small ding in a place noone but me would likely ever see. I was fine with that. I cocked and decocked it a few times, checked for play in the cylinder, etc. Everything seemed fine. I got it home, loaded it up with 6 rounds of Fiocchi 158gr fmj. Shot it 3 times in single action and thats when I noticed the hammer would not lock into the cocked position. The gun has completely locked up basically. The cylinder was frozen, the cylinder release was stuck and the trigger was frozen fully depressed. I took the grips off and attempted to loosen the main spring in at attempt to relieve tension but the screw would not budge. I sprayed the screw with a little penetrating oil and while waiting for it to soak in I rocked the hammer back a few times slowly and it caught after a few attempts. The trigger released, the cylinder release unfroze and the hammer started engaging with everything again.

I called S&W to voice my disdain in a polite manner and the guy hung up on me when I told them I did not apreciate them using customers as quality control. They did issue a prepaid fedex label though. I called them to schedule a pickup but they seem to be about as competant as S&W quality control. They called me back a few hours later to verify my name and adress, they had both wrong. I also got a 12 hour pick up window. I also called Palmetto State Armory to voice my disdain in a polite manner. They offered me a 25% discount on my next purchase but other I was sol. I went online, wrote a 1* verified review. Last I checked it still has not been posted.

To make matters worse, from what I have read, S&W turn around time for warranty work seems to be on the slow side, seen some people say it took 6 months or multiple trips that last 2 months each.

As for PSA clearance 686, buy at your own risk, the reviews seem to be honest, along with the dozen or so people I have seen on reddit the past couple of days with similar problems as me. I know some people got specimens that were perfectly fine, but there appears to be quite a few lemons in that batch.

 

[WestKentucky]

I hate that you got a turd. It happens from every manufacturer eventually.

Did you by chance see anything that would indicate when it was made? I’m shooting blind here but I’m betting that a lot of COVID era guns are sub-par and seems about the right time to dump them at a discount.

I was trying to figure out the whole deal with the PSA clearance guns. Different SKU than what seemed to be an otherwise identical gun. That turned me off quickly because they wouldnt change SKU without some difference and with all of the specs matching I just felt like there was something being hidden. I still think that they will make it right for you, and I think that whatever was different probably was minuscule and not noteworthy, but it still felt wrong.

 

[JB111]

I hate that you got a turd. It happens from every manufacturer eventually.

Did you by chance see anything that would indicate when it was made? I’m shooting blind here but I’m betting that a lot of COVID era guns are sub-par and seems about the right time to dump them at a discount.

I was trying to figure out the whole deal with the PSA clearance guns. Different SKU than what seemed to be an otherwise identical gun. That turned me off quickly because they wouldnt change SKU without some difference and with all of the specs matching I just felt like there was something being hidden. I still think that they will make it right for you, and I think that whatever was different probably was minuscule and not noteworthy, but it still felt wrong.

According to the side of the box it was produced August of 2024.

I know for a fact psa won't make it right. They said as much. I have my doubts about S&W as well to be honest. I knew it was a risk and jumped in anyway so I can't complain to much. But what I can do, is never buy through PSA again and buy Ruger or Colt instead of S&W from now on anytime I get the itch to add a wheel gun to my collection.

 

[ms6852]

I guess I am just an old fashion guy that still believes in rotary phones, typewriters and a camera instead of a phone for a camera. One of the main reasons that I do business with LG's especially if they have a gunsmith in store for situations like this. They either fix it or send it back to manufacturer on their dime. In the end I may pay a little more but I don't have to buy tums for a sour stomach because I ordered on line. I love Smith and Wesson but I notice that QC has gone down. A couple of years ago I had to send a model 41 back because it was a jam-o-matic. Took about 3 weeks turn around time, wished I had bought it at the LG, live and learn. Sorry you had to go through that.

 

[PavelSJ]

Late last week I ordered a S&W 686 through PSA because they have them at a fairly large discount at $650. It arrived at the ffl yesterday and I went to pick it up this morning. I did a inspection prior to filling out the paperwork, everything appeared to be good to go. The finish was up to par save for a couple of scratches and a small ding in a place noone but me would likely ever see. I was fine with that. I cocked and decocked it a few times, checked for play in the cylinder, etc. Everything seemed fine. I got it home, loaded it up with 6 rounds of Fiocchi 158gr fmj. Shot it 3 times in single action and thats when I noticed the hammer would not lock into the cocked position. The gun has completely locked up basically. The cylinder was frozen, the cylinder release was stuck and the trigger was frozen fully depressed. I took the grips off and attempted to loosen the main spring in at attempt to relieve tension but the screw would not budge. I sprayed the screw with a little penetrating oil and while waiting for it to soak in I rocked the hammer back a few times slowly and it caught after a few attempts. The trigger released, the cylinder release unfroze and the hammer started engaging with everything again.

I called S&W to voice my disdain in a polite manner and the guy hung up on me when I told them I did not apreciate them using customers as quality control. They did issue a prepaid fedex label though. I called them to schedule a pickup but they seem to be about as competant as S&W quality control. They called me back a few hours later to verify my name and adress, they had both wrong. I also got a 12 hour pick up window. I also called Palmetto State Armory to voice my disdain in a polite manner. They offered me a 25% discount on my next purchase but other I was sol. I went online, wrote a 1* verified review. Last I checked it still has not been posted.

To make matters worse, from what I have read, S&W turn around time for warranty work seems to be on the slow side, seen some people say it took 6 months or multiple trips that last 2 months each.

As for PSA clearance 686, buy at your own risk, the reviews seem to be honest, along with the dozen or so people I have seen on reddit the past couple of days with similar problems as me. I know some people got specimens that were perfectly fine, but there appears to be quite a few lemons in that batch.

I'm going to get little used Taurus 65 2.5" .357 to see how it shoots and how it holds up. Two hundred thirty five dollars is not a lot of money. I don't want to play S&W or Ruger roulette.
Tell us what expected turn around time is that should be some indication of what they are shipping out.

 

[blackd24]

I’m sure part of the quality issues are incompetent employees. And it may just be that they are new and inexperienced. I think all employers are struggling to find skilled workers and there’s lot of turnover. I could be wrong, but assembling a revolver probably isn’t looked at as a long term career for many folks, and job hopping is likely common. I think this is part of the reason quality is going down across the board. Anything post Covid (in any industry) is watered down junk. Half the quality, twice the price. Just the way it is. Look at the GM recalls on the 6.2 engines…

 

[JDeere]

Get with S&W and send it back. It may take a few weeks but they will deal with it. I sent a 2.0 back a couple of years ago no issues and got it back in about a month if I recall. I have all but given up on ordering firearms sight unseen. I pretty much stick with my LGS these days.

 

[PavelSJ]

Part of the problem are people that keep buying defective products. For example, there was a guy on handgun portion of 24 Hour Campfire forums that claimed he had to send THREE Ruger Revolvers to service department. The first two were not enough? I don't understand what's in their .

 

[Buzznrose]

Apparently, good employees are hard to find.

 

[someguy2800]

The last two new Smith and Wesson revolvers I've bought both had to go right back for warranty repair, but they fixed both of them in a couple weeks and I was not out any additional out of pocket other than driving to FedEx to drop them off.

Things are not much better over at Ruger. Of the 5 new Ruger revolvers I've bought, one had a barrel I could unscrew by hand (a wrangler), two would not fire in double action if pointed down because the transfer bar would not ride over the firing pin, (sp101's), and one of those was also out of time and would not cycle if you pulled the hammer back very slowly because it was not pulling the cylinder latch out before the hand started rotating the cylinder. My second wrangler was fine. My GP100 was also fine other than being in severe need of a trigger job having a horribly creepy single action pull. I fixed all the Ruger's myself so I've never had to use Ruger's customer service other than ordering some parts, which they have always sent free.

Ironically I have had 5 Taurus revolvers and they've all been flawless.

 

[Dan Wesson]

Not a revolver but I waited 3 months for a replacement ejector spring from S&W for my model 1854 lever action rifle. CS was good but not sure why the long delay in shipping. … and they never did get my name right (how do you mess up Jones?) even though the part did eventually get to me!

I would be sure S&W will eventually make the revolver right.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I got a Colt Python turd, was angry a bit, and when thur the same stage of grief. But life is to short to hold a grudge. They eventually got it right. But that Manufacturing these days!

my advice… Buy Used Guns! and know what you’re buying

 

[dogtown tom]

....I called S&W to voice my disdain in a polite manner and the guy hung up on me when I told them I did not apreciate them using customers as quality control. They did issue a prepaid fedex label though.

Odd that they would hang up, then issue a prepaid label.

I called them to schedule a pickup but they seem to be about as competant as S&W quality control. They called me back a few hours later to verify my name and adress, they had both wrong. I also got a 12 hour pick up window.

Thats on FedEx, not S&W.

I also called Palmetto State Armory to voice my disdain in a polite manner. They offered me a 25% discount on my next purchase but other I was sol. I went online, wrote a 1* verified review. Last I checked it still has not been posted.

PSA was quite generous in offering a 25% discount. I know of no vendor that would do that. I'm not sure why you think "I was sol". Did you expect a complete refund as well?
It's clearly a S&W issue and expecting a retailer to fix it runs counter to manufacturer policies.

To make matters worse, from what I have read, S&W turn around time for warranty work seems to be on the slow side, seen some people say it took 6 months or multiple trips that last 2 months each.

That ain't exactly news, thats been S&W for the last half century.

As for PSA clearance 686, buy at your own risk, the reviews seem to be honest, along with the dozen or so people I have seen on reddit the past couple of days with similar problems as me. I know some people got specimens that were perfectly fine, but there appears to be quite a few lemons in that batch.

1,000 guns sold.
Ten people post on reddit about problems.

Im not belittling your issues, but last night I transferred two of those PSA closeout 686's..........one buyer was shocked, shocked I tell you, to discover the revolver had been fired! "See!, there's a turn line! See, there is discoloration on the top strap!"

It wouldn't surprise me that he went home and posted on reddit and 87 gun forums about his 686.

 

[jmorris]

Im not belittling your issues, but last night I transferred two of those PSA closeout 686's..........one buyer was shocked, shocked I tell you, to discover the revolver had been fired! "See!, there's a turn line! See, there is discoloration on the top strap!"

Last one I bought the two fired cases were in the case with the revolver.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Last one I bought the two fired cases were in the case with the revolver.

wonder why there are fired cases in a small yellow envelope with signatures and dates????!!!!!

 

[dogtown tom]

wonder why there are fired cases in a small yellow envelope with signatures and dates????!!!!!

The fired cases in an envelope were due to state laws requiring a database of fired cases. I think Maryland was the last state to have that, repealing the law when state police complained that they didn't have the storage space and wait for it..........they weren't used in any criminal investigation.

Supposedly over $5 million was spent until the program was discontinued in 2015. I think they sold off the collected casings as scrap.

It was always funny to me that the Aluminum case haters didn't know that most of those cases were CCI Blazer.

 

[Mark_Mark]

The fired cases in an envelope were due to state laws requiring a database of fired cases. I think Maryland was the last state to have that, repealing the law when state police complained that they didn't have the storage space and wait for it..........they weren't used in any criminal investigation.

Supposedly over $5 million was spent until the program was discontinued in 2015. I think they sold off the collected casings as scrap.

It was always funny to me that the Aluminum case haters didn't know that most of those cases were CCI Blazer.

OK.. learned something new! thought it was for QC and proof of function

 

[JB111]

Odd that they would hang up, then issue a prepaid label.




Thats on FedEx, not S&W.





PSA was quite generous in offering a 25% discount. I know of no vendor that would do that. I'm not sure why you think "I was sol". Did you expect a complete refund as well?
It's clearly a S&W issue and expecting a retailer to fix it runs counter to manufacturer policies.



That ain't exactly news, thats been S&W for the last half century.



1,000 guns sold.
Ten people post on reddit about problems.

Im not belittling your issues, but last night I transferred two of those PSA closeout 686's..........one buyer was shocked, shocked I tell you, to discover the revolver had been fired! "See!, there's a turn line! See, there is discoloration on the top strap!"

It wouldn't surprise me that he went home and posted on reddit and 87 gun forums about his 686.

They already had got my information before I told them their qc is garbage and thus the hangup. I never blamed fedex crappy shipping on S&W, its just another potential headache. I guess I am just spoiled dealing with our local ffl. If I had purchased this gun from there the owner would have taken it back no questions asked and either refunded, let me trade for something of equal price or sent it off himself with me having to do nothing but wait for a phone call from him. So I guess I will go back to buying local from now on. As I said, Im not really complaining, just reporting my experience. Sorry for having higher expectations from a gun dealer. I know that manufacturing quality has slowly gone downhill across the board, not just gun companies. So you are comparing someone who is angry because they were ignorant to the fact that some guns get test fired (mine was not, if it had been it would have been fixed before leaving the plant, thats called qc, something SW don't have nomore) to someone who got a gun that is actually broken, as in stopped firing, locked up with a free floating hammer? Sounds a lot like belittling and a downplay to make that comparison, but I digress.

 

[SKILCZ]

Late last week I ordered a S&W 686 through PSA because they have them at a fairly large discount at $650. It arrived at the ffl yesterday and I went to pick it up this morning. I did a inspection prior to filling out the paperwork, everything appeared to be good to go. The finish was up to par save for a couple of scratches and a small ding in a place noone but me would likely ever see. I was fine with that. I cocked and decocked it a few times, checked for play in the cylinder, etc. Everything seemed fine. I got it home, loaded it up with 6 rounds of Fiocchi 158gr fmj. Shot it 3 times in single action and thats when I noticed the hammer would not lock into the cocked position. The gun has completely locked up basically. The cylinder was frozen, the cylinder release was stuck and the trigger was frozen fully depressed. I took the grips off and attempted to loosen the main spring in at attempt to relieve tension but the screw would not budge. I sprayed the screw with a little penetrating oil and while waiting for it to soak in I rocked the hammer back a few times slowly and it caught after a few attempts. The trigger released, the cylinder release unfroze and the hammer started engaging with everything again.

I called S&W to voice my disdain in a polite manner and the guy hung up on me when I told them I did not apreciate them using customers as quality control. They did issue a prepaid fedex label though. I called them to schedule a pickup but they seem to be about as competant as S&W quality control. They called me back a few hours later to verify my name and adress, they had both wrong. I also got a 12 hour pick up window. I also called Palmetto State Armory to voice my disdain in a polite manner. They offered me a 25% discount on my next purchase but other I was sol. I went online, wrote a 1* verified review. Last I checked it still has not been posted.

To make matters worse, from what I have read, S&W turn around time for warranty work seems to be on the slow side, seen some people say it took 6 months or multiple trips that last 2 months each.

As for PSA clearance 686, buy at your own risk, the reviews seem to be honest, along with the dozen or so people I have seen on reddit the past couple of days with similar problems as me. I know some people got specimens that were perfectly fine, but there appears to be quite a few lemons in that batch.

Thanks for posting. It's a tempting price, for sure.

 

[HB]

Smith and Wesson sent my gun to the wrong address after correcting their defective manufacturing.

I checked my original email and return address and it was correct there. Luckily I live in a small town and my neighbor called me. They must manually type the shipping labels. If it was my company, I would require the customer to enter their info and then copy/paste it so the onus is on the customer.

3 of the last 4 Ruger’s I bought were defective. These were not nitpicking issues. They would not function from the factory.

I wouldn’t blame PSA. Nearly all FFL’s will point you to the OEM for issues on new guns.

 

[bigpower491]

Well that's a drag. Although if I could have parted with the $$, you can bet I may have bought one. Sadly, they don't make anything like they did years ago. I guess I did get lucky with my last 2 brand new smith purchases, a 586 and a 610. My last Ruger had to make a return to the mothership for a new barrel and cylinder adjustment.

 

[Pat Riot]

A piece of advice:

When I send a gun in to S&W or Ruger I put a detailed write up of the problem in the box with the gun for the techs to review before repairing.
I have been told more than once that a good write up saves the techs time and they might be apt to repair it quicker than if they don’t have to troubleshoot it from a quick note on a work order.
The repair orders that come from the call center do not have any details for the techs.
Both Ruger and S&W have an asset management system, not a repair and maintenance computer system. The techs get a 3 or 4 word problem on the work order to go off of when troubleshooting a gun.

 

[dogtown tom]

I wouldn’t blame PSA. Nearly all FFL’s will point you to the OEM for issues on new guns.

This.
Manufacturers don't want the liability of unauthorized repairs. Its nothing new.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I don't know why you would bother buying a new revolver today. Don't get me wrong, $650 is a tempting price, but 686s from decades ago are $800ish, are better quality than new, and are still good for another ten thousand rounds minimum. I don't know how you'd wear one out.

If I did have to buy new, I'd get a Taurus. They're cheaper than Colt/S&W/Ruger, and these days, I'm not convinced that the quality gap between them and the American manufacturers is all that wide any more.

 

[chipman]

I ordered the 4” 686 from Palmetto last week and picked it up on Tuesday. Fit and finish is good, throats are .258”, bore is .246”cylinder gap is .004”. Installed snap caps and have cycled it about 300 times in double action and about 50 times in single action - haven’t bothered to measure the pull weight but is smooth in both modes. I plan to shoot it this afternoon. At this point my only criticism is there doesn’t seem to be any muzzle chamfer/crown. Checked the S&W website and the 686 photos showing the muzzle look very similar to my specimen. Probably a keeper and as much as I would prefer to have an older model, the price was attractive.