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

[slinkster111]

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

Sound advice. I like the older used guns. I can handle and at least catch any issues before purchasing.

 

[Styx]

I wouldn't blame PSA, why they're selling these Smiths at that price probably has more to do with the new lockfree models coming out, that's a common thing vendors and manufacturers so when they're discontinuing certain models, Beretta did it with their Tomcat and Bobcats a year ago as they're doing the X models now with threaded barrels that due to the backpressure when used with suppressors conveniently disassemble the guns.

Kel Tec just dropped the prices on their RDB's, so I presume a Gen 2 model is on its way.

This is entirely on Smith, PSA I feel did you well giving u 25% off. I'd take that and buy a Taurus revolver. You won't be disappointed.

It's not PSA's fault, they did nothing wrong, and they did right by the OP when they offered 25% off to make up for S&W's mistake. The OP has a just frustrated and mad at the world right now, so he's being difficult and not being completely rational.

I laugh at all of the Taurus haters, but they stand by S&W, Ruger, and Colt when they produce junk!

You see the double standard too huh, lol? I've been objectively saying on this, GlockTalk, and other forums that Taurus has better QC and are more reliable based on complaints I've seen. When it's Taurus, the floodgates open and everyone floods the thread to bash Taurus based on crap that happened decades ago. When it's S&W and the others, people are more forgiving and have short memories.

 

[Styx]

Sound advice. I like the older used guns. I can handle and at least catch any issues before purchasing.

You can do that with newer guns. You can even examine them before having them transfered to you.

 

[pharmer]

S&W is marketing “no lock” Mountain Guns currently. I’m sure they want to offload inventory while they can at close out prices. Joe

 

[JB111]

It's not PSA's fault, they did nothing wrong, and they did right by the OP when they offered 25% off to make up for S&W's mistake. The OP has a just frustrated and mad at the world right now, so he's being difficult and not being completely rational.

I'm not mad at all. This is not the first time I have been burned, and likely won't be the last. It's just I neither need nor want their 25% coupon and did not like their rationalization nor Smiths tbh. But its said and done now. No more complaining from me about it.

 

[Styx]

I'm not mad at all. This is not the first time I have been burned, and likely won't be the last. It's just I neither need nor want their 25% coupon and did not like their rationalization nor Smiths tbh. But its said and done now. No more complaining from me about it.

The point was they didn't have to offer or give you anything because they didn't do you wrong. It was S&W who did you wrong, yet you don't give PSA credit for the good gesture. Instead, you made up an entire baseless unsubstantiated narrative and story in head and ran with it as if it was fact, while bashing their company.

 

[Styx]

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.

It's the same SKU that's listed on S&W's website and that other online vendors are selling for approximately $100-$150 more. I'm not sure why you're under the impression that it's different.

 

[maxxhavoc]

The one I bought for $950 at Sportsman's Warehouse was just as bad. It's not PSA, it's Smith and Wesson. Mine was fixed after 2 trips (free) to S&W.

A hint: it doesn't matter what you tell the person on the phone when you call in to get a return. Looks like the people on the line don't get that info. Put a note in the case with the gun saying what is wrong. The tech does get those.

The first time mine went in they fixed another problem I didn't even know I had... But it still didn't go bang every time.

I still don't trust it as much as the Taurus 66 it was bought to replace. But it is prettier for sure.

 

[JDeere]

The point was they didn't have to offer or give you anything because they didn't do you wrong. It was S&W who did you wrong, yet you don't give PSA credit for the good gesture. Instead, you made up an entire baseless unsubstantiated narrative and story in head and ran with it as if it was fact, while bashing their company.

This...On another note I had the 686+ and a 586 with the lock. Both ran like a top for over 1000 rounds. Every manufacture puts out a dud now and then. How many out there like my self with no issues?

 

[JB111]

The point was they didn't have to offer or give you anything because they didn't do you wrong. It was S&W who did you wrong, yet you don't give PSA credit for the good gesture. Instead, you made up an entire baseless unsubstantiated narrative and story in head and ran with it as if it was fact, while bashing their company.

What did I make up, that I believe they knowingly are selling defective product? I still believe that. I did not present it as a substantiated fact, it's just my opinion. If you took that as me trying to pass something off as a fact, then I apologize.

They are selling from a batch that seems to have a higher than average failure rate. They did/are suppressing 1 star reviews from verified buyers. That last one is primarily why I bashed them. I don't care for their business practices and likely won't buy through them again. That's my business. You can do whatever you like.

 

[dogtown tom]

I'm sure PSA will sleep just fine tonight too, crooks usually do.

Smith already has it, I sent it out the next day. Does not change the fact their QC is falling off, rather hard. For every report of a good experience with any companies CS, there is a bad report to counteract, and vice versa. It's all a game of dice. Opinions are like buttholes, everybody got one and they all smell bad.

Oh good grief.
PSA isn't a crook.

Please never move to Plano, TX.

 

[vanfunk]

I don’t see where PSA would “knowingly sell a defective product.” I agree with others that it sucks, plainly, that you got a bad gun, but to impugn PSA is a bridge way too far IMO. I have seen a lot of variability in the quality of new S&W revolvers in the last couple of years so sadly, it’s not wildly uncommon to get one with problems. Colt has been far better in my experience but hardly infallible. I have no Taurus or Ruger revolvers so I have no basis to form an opinion on.

 

[dh1633pm]

I have a 686, no issues, goes bang when requested. Never been back to the factory. If I received what you received I would have beside myself. Its like the Boker Knife I purchased that didn't have an edge. It seemed to have skipped that part of the process. It was like a butter knife. They wanted $14.99 to make it right. Put the edge on myself and saved the $14.99. Also saved them from ever having to deal with me again. I hate sending things back. Anyhow more than a few of us got a good one. Sorry you didn't.

 

[Styx]

I was looking at a 686 SSR locally and came across this ongoing thread on the S&W forum. The OP purchased a NIB "unrepairable" S&W 686 SSR that had to be replaced under warranty. People roll their eyes and laugh every time on several forums when I say Taurus appears to be generally more reliable and has better QC than S&W and other revolver manufacturers. I've been hearing stories like this ad nauseam over the past few years. They're becoming more and more frequent. That said, I don't think that the majority of S&W revolvers are bad, but I do think they have a higher percentage of lemons slipping through than in the past.

I guess the point is that OP's conspiracy theory about PSA knowingly selling a bad batch is ignorant of the fact that these issues aren't isolated to what PSA's clearance revolvers. The same complaints that a minority of people are complaining about with regards to PSA's clearance model 686s have been happening throughout S&W's lineup via different firearm retailers across the country.

I just picked up a 686 SSR and went to clean & lube in preparation for a range trip. I found this sliver wedged between the barrel and frame (see the red circle). It looks to be a piece of brass about 3/16". Any thoughts members may have are welcome. Bertter picture added.

That's a piece of copper bullet jacket that was shaved off the bullet. Your gun is probably out of time. You need to get that fixed before shooting it.

Many thanks for the heads up. I called S&W CS. They sent a return shipping label. It's going back tomorrow for a full check up.

The gun arrived at S&W yesterday. Awaiting their findings and the fix.

Update: S&W advised today that the gun is unrepairable. They will provide a new replacement on warranty. Thanks again to @Protocall_Design and @stansdds for your observations. I'm satisfied with the outcome but still concerned that the gun was able to leave the factory in such a state to begin with.

So, the firearm was brand new when you purchased it?

NIB wrapped in the VCI paper.

686 SSR Odd Finding

I just picked up a 686 SSR and went to clean & lube in preparation for a range trip. I found this sliver wedged between the barrel and frame (see the red circle). It looks to be a piece of brass about 3/16". Any thoughts members may have are welcome. Bertter picture added.

smith-wessonforum.com

 

[Styx]

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.

There were/are several people who whom PSA refused to post their 1 star reviews while publishing 5 star reviews from non verified buyers. Just seems shady to me.

Paul, that's you, correct? They posted your and several other critical reviews for all to see, and make an informative purchase about the product S&W is selling to all of their distributors (not just PSA). They've even allowed dozens of critical pictures to be posted. They even allowed you to cite your YouTube video. It seems that they are posting all genuine reviews, but disgruntled customers are jumping the gun and make negative assumptions and accusations because PSA aren't posting them as fast as they'd like. It's probably because they have to screen hundreds to thousands reviews for spam and inappropriate comments before publishing them on their website.

Buy Smith Wesson Model 686 Plus 4 357 Magnum Revolver Online

Smith & Wesson L-Frame revolvers are built to suit the demands of the most serious firearms enthusiast. Available in six and seven shot cylinders, the L-Frame ha

www.budsgunshop.com

Bud's Gun Shop review for a $900+ 686. I can cite dozens of other similar reviews from people who purchased S&W (especially), Ruger, and Colt revolvers from various online vendors who received similar products, but they paid full retail instead of getting ~$400 off.

 

[vanfunk]

Exactly. This is a factory problem, not a retailer/distributor problem. It IS unfortunate that catastrophic problems like this are coming out of S&W, but in no way could this conceivably impugn the retailer(s). Oh, and think of the alternative - retailer takes a brand-new gun and gives it a shake down, dry- and live-firing them (50 rounds? 100 rounds?) to make sure there are no problems. Prospective buyers will then hold their noses up at the “used” guns and choose not to buy them, even though the vetting would go a long way toward ensuring proper function. Wouldn’t be the first time people have rejected a perfectly practical solution to a problem. In this case, buyers are getting a great deal - factory fresh 686 revolvers for a 25-30% discount, which is amazing. It’s a bitter illumination of human nature that this “discount” automatically results in suspicion about the retailer, when in fact nothing could be further from the truth. When people pay full price, they’re pissed but they don’t blame the store when there are problems.

 

[Trey Veston]

Sorry that the OP got a lemon.

My PSA 686 arrived in perfect working order. The finish was not great, but some 1000 steel wool and metal polish fixed that.

I haven't shot it for groups yet, but it ran great just plinking at the range.

 

[shoebox1.1]

A lot of grown man "Karen" complaining going on. Unless it was sold as used or defective Smith will back it. Just call S&W and and send it in. Yes it's inconvenient, but slamming PSA and everyone working at S&W won't get you anything done any faster. And I'm sure that PSA will sleep just fine tonight. Smith had great customer service the one time I had to use them.

My boss told me recently that the billion dollar company we work for will sleep just fine if ANY of us were to leave. That’s the cleaning lady to the VP of operations. It’s true.

 

[JB111]

Exactly. This is a factory problem, not a retailer/distributor problem. It IS unfortunate that catastrophic problems like this are coming out of S&W, but in no way could this conceivably impugn the retailer(s). Oh, and think of the alternative - retailer takes a brand-new gun and gives it a shake down, dry- and live-firing them (50 rounds? 100 rounds?) to make sure there are no problems. Prospective buyers will then hold their noses up at the “used” guns and choose not to buy them, even though the vetting would go a long way toward ensuring proper function. Wouldn’t be the first time people have rejected a perfectly practical solution to a problem. In this case, buyers are getting a great deal - factory fresh 686 revolvers for a 25-30% discount, which is amazing. It’s a bitter illumination of human nature that this “discount” automatically results in suspicion about the retailer, when in fact nothing could be further from the truth. When people pay full price, they’re pissed but they don’t blame the store when there are problems.

I don't have anything against used guns, I own quite a few that I purchased used. I would not have a problem if the retailer tested out the gun before selling it. I would still pay the "new" price without a second thought knowing there were a much slimmer chance I was getting a lemon.

 

[tarosean]

I knew it was a risk and jumped in anyway so I can't complain to much.

That’s all you’ve done.

 

[JB111]

That’s all you’ve done.

Most of what I have done is respond to other members, but tomayto tomahto.

 

[TomJ]

I feel like they are knowingly selling from a batch of seconds with high failure/return rate and trying to pass it off as just a great deal, as in it went from daily deal, to clearance and now mother's Day special.

I'm sorry about the problems you're having and understand your frustration with S&W, but don't agree with you making this allegation about PSA without any evidence that this is what they're doing. I was an early buyer of the P365 and had nothing but problems with it. I never blamed the LGS who sold me the gun and dealt directly with Sig to get the issues resolved. If you have any evidence that PSA is knowingly selling defective guns please let us know. If not, it may be a good idea to hold off on these types of allegations before posting information which can damage a company's reputation.

 

[blackd24]

Is it unreasonable to think these may be “seconds” based on the issues people are having with them? Smith and Wesson obviously have QC issues, maybe they sold a batch to PSA that were seconds…

 

[blackd24]

At a price $150 lower than anyone else… PSA just taking a bath on these? Or pricing them lower based on a deal they got from SW

 

[Styx]

Is it unreasonable to think these may be “seconds” based on the issues people are having with them? Smith and Wesson obviously have QC issues, maybe they sold a batch to PSA that were seconds…

Maybe if it wasn't the fact that the overwhelming majority of people who purchased one did not have any issue with them, and the fact that S&W have been having selling guns with similar issues at other retailers who are selling at retail or full MSRP. I'm an active member on the Smith-WessonForum.com, and I routinely see similar complaints. I can point to a few YouTube channels I follow who are S&W fans who had issues out the box with there examples that weren't purchased from PSA.

One of many examples. This just posted just yesterday and starts at 1:58:

The Truth about S&W Revolvers - 586 L Comp 357 Magnum Review

Smith and Wesson is the largest name in the revolver business. But, do their modern revolvers have problems? Has a lack of quality control and corner cutting...

youtu.be

I also don't know of any manufacturer who sells factory seconds or blems without denoting that fact via serial number or other designation. If you know of any, please let me know. Glock does it with an orange label and a tag affixed to the NIB gun that says "rebuild." Colt does it by affixing a "Z" to the model name and markings on the gun itself (my Colt King Cobra is a factory blem). Kahr puts the word "Blem" in the model number and a "B" on the trigger guard. I believe Ruger also adds the word "Blem" to the model number (not sure if they also mark the firearm itself).... So on and so forth.

PSA has sold their own and other manufacturers' firearms clearly marked and advertised as blems throughout their past. The unsubstantiated accusation and conspiracy theory that they are knowingly being dishonest by not disclosing that they are selling blems would make more sense if they were trying to secretly sell blems for full price. They would have sold just the same at those prices if they were marked as a blem or L.E. trade-ins, and people would complain less because they had lower expectations. Other than that, PSA and even Buds have sold guns cheaper than anywhere else before. It's not a new phenomenon excuse to these S&W revolvers.

Last, but not lest, no major manufacturer is going to knowingly sell blems, factory seconds, or rebuilds that do not function or have mechanical issues! They sell blems that are fully functional but typically have cosmetic or other small defects issues. That's CLEARLY not the case with the OP's gun. We have to use a little common sense here. S&W sold a non-functional gun out the box, and not shouldn't have happened whether it's a blem or not, and there's ZERO evidence that PSA are selling blems.