Looking for a S&W 357 Magnum

[pittspilot]

Gamestalker,

Where did you see that 66? I've been looking for a decent one for ages.

 

[buck460XVR]

I can confirm one case of canted barrel on a 686. buddy got one last summer. the barrel was twisted to the left so badly that the corner of the barrel top extended past the frame. Probably a 20 degree rotation. there was nowhere near enough adjustment in the sights to compensate. I'm not intending this to be a bash on Smith - just restating one specific incident. It was sent back 3 times and the issue has yet to be resolved. The barrel is still visibly rotated, it still shoots way off - But it HAS come back with a new cylinder, trigger and hammer???? The last phone call into smith CS the rep was asked if the gunsmiths were blind, or if his issue was being ignored on purpose. He has yet to ask if the gun could be replaced as a whole, since it was a gift from a relative who is now deceased.

The manufacture date of this particular 686 was 2010 IIRC

To be fair tho- another friend has a 686 SSR that's a true joy to shoot.

All manufacturers put out a lemon or two. Go to the Ruger forum and you read about problems on their revolvers also. Same with Colt and their 1911s. All still consistently make quality firearms. I have bought three new S&W revolvers in the past 18 months. A 637, a 686 and a 629. None had canted barrels and none had any other issues except eating all the ammo I fed them and sending it accurately downrange. They all shoot as accurate, if not better(in the case of the PC 629) than any of my older revolvers. In many of the cases of the canted barrels read about on the interweb, most were quickly fixed by S&W to within specs and shot accurately. Many shot accurately even before they were fixed as the problem was only cosmetic. I admit tho, when one pays the price that is being asked for a new S&W it should have a barrel that is straight. I too have seen a few new S&Ws for sale with barrels noticeably canted. This is why one should examine ANY firearm thoroughly before purchasing. Even special order firearms can be refused at POP and should be if they don't meet with your expectations. Many of these guns with crooked barrels have probably already been passed over by those who have taken the time to look. Or may have been returned to the distributor by a dealer in exchange for another. Neither the distributor or the dealer is gonna eat the gun....they are gonna continue to try and sell it till someone buys it. In today's market, any decent handgun is in demand.

As for anothernewb's buddy, the shipping and cost of repair by S&W of repairing a firearm 3 times in less than 9 months shows how far they go to try and make their customers happy. They surely have more money invested in that one firearm than any profit they originally made. I'm sure they are just as anxious to resolve the problem as the friend. Accuracy with handguns varies so much between shooters and ammo, that I always suspect those two variables before the firearm itself. I have a good friend also that has issues with his 629 when it comes to accuracy......and cannot get enough travel in the rear sight to adjust for it. Last time he went to the range with us, after half a box of my reloads and some finagling, my 19 year old son was consistently hitting the bull @ 25 yards. My friend still could not get on the paper......even from a rest.

 

[weisse52]

I just picked up a new 686 with a 2.5 inch barrel. I looked at a couple the dealer had in stock and saw no issues with either one. I traded for a 617 a few months ago that did have a problem, but a call to Smith and then sent a pre-paid shipping and gun was gone and back to me in less than 10 days and it is perfect. IF I could find what I wanted in a pre-lock that would be my choice. But a pre-lock snubbie 686 must be made of gold for what people are asking for them. Check out what you buy and you will be fine..

 

[Stormin.40]

I picked up a 4" 586-8 (blued version of the 686) manufactured in April of 2012. No QC problems at all. I found this while looking for a stainless 4" 357, sure am glad I did the look of a blued revolver is just timeless . For what its worth I would have been happy with a Ruger GP or security six as well as any of the S&W K or L frames. This was the first used one to pop up at a decent price.

 

[mrbladedude]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I found a 686 with a 4 inch barrel 6 shot pre lock - 4 with wood grips last night on gunbroker for $795 and I pulled the trigger.