S&W at the end of adjustment

[Oswaldo87]

I bought a new S&W 686+ Pro (357 w/ 5” barrel). I’ve been shooting close to 2 decades and not new to proper technique etc. It was shooting near 6-8” to the left at 10-15 yards. I started to adjust the rear sight a few clicks at a time and never got it to hit center. I’ve used 38, 357, cast, coated, copper, plated, gas checked, 125gr, 158gr, 170gr, and 180gr. None got me to center with the sight pegged to the right. Closest I got was 170gr cast Keith style 38’s. Still 1-2”to the left. This was done using a rest in single action. The barrel appears to be clocked properly and sights are secured.
I’ve never had accuracy problems with a Smith after a couple clicks adjustment. Is there a simple fix to this? Justifiable claim to S&W warranty department?
Kind of disappointed on a $1000 revolver.

 

[4g64loser]

I bought a new S&W 686+ Pro (357 w/ 5” barrel). I’ve been shooting close to 2 decades and not new to proper technique etc. It was shooting near 6-8” to the left at 10-15 yards. I started to adjust the rear sight a few clicks at a time and never got it to hit center. I’ve used 38, 357, cast, coated, copper, plated, gas checked, 125gr, 158gr, 170gr, and 180gr. None got me to center with the sight pegged to the right. Closest I got was 170gr cast Keith style 38’s. Still 1-2”to the left. This was done using a rest in single action. The barrel appears to be clocked properly and sights are secured.
I’ve never had accuracy problems with a Smith after a couple clicks adjustment. Is there a simple fix to this? Justifiable claim to S&W warranty department?
Kind of disappointed on a $1000 revolver.

Something is screwy. It ain't you. I know you can shoot.

I'd call Smith first.

 

[Uncle Duke]

Call Smith. Something is seriously out of kilter to be that far off at that short a distance.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Yes , Warranty

 

[Boats]

Sounds like a cylinder clocking issue. Send it back to S&W

 

[linkstate]

Call now so you start the process of getting it back.

I bought a new 642 within the last year that had a defect in the frame that I didn’t notice until cleaning after it’s first range trip.

Sent pics to S&W customer service and they said send it in. Gave me a case# and prepaid FedEx label.

Before I emailed the pics, I called and the guy was like, send it in but I decided to send pics to see if it was only cosmetic.

They took all the good parts and put them on a new frame. They did not replace it. At least that’s what they told me and it was too new to have marks I could identify.

They took care of it but it took about 6 weeks. Since they replaced the frame, I had to do the 7 day dance again.

The repaired firearm looks and shoot fine.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Sounds like a cylinder clocking issue. Send it back to S&W

My two first thoughts were bent bbl ( easy to check) , or the bbl threads in the frame off square .

 

[Bob A]

My two first thoughts were bent bbl ( easy to check) , or the bbl threads in the frame off square .

I got a S&W M63 when they first came out, The barrel was cross-threaded.IIRC I had to send it back a second time because they didn't address the issue at first.

 

[54rndball]

I got a new 686+ with a 6 inch barrel. The first shot went right in the X ring. So something must be really wrong. Send it back to Smith for warranty repair.

 

[Oswaldo87]

I’m calling today. I was half using this as an excuse to get another 686 anyway. Probably still will.

 

[4g64loser]

I’m calling today. I was half using this as an excuse to get another 686 anyway. Probably still will.

Sometimes you just need to dual wield some wheelguns.

 

[Sundazes]

Sometimes you just need to dual wield some wheelguns.

 

[slsc98]

Im gonna go with above that bbl is not threaded flat … OP, you may even be able to see the front sight is either / or \ with your naked eye … I know I could on the lemon 586 6” I got decades ago (S&W customer service was the pits during that time period also; hopefully better now)

I’m not sure precisely when but, within the last half decade, S&W revolver QC has gone quite to sh*t … particularly snubbies …

I am surprised this is the first, recent MDS thread (I’m aware of) as other boards have sometimes multiple threads going about serious issues with later model S&W’s …

This happened once before (I wanna say the mid-80’s to early 90’s; I know because I got a 586 6” that turned out to be a real lemon)

It’s bad enough 2023 that renowned trainers are regrettably publishing they can not at present recommend S&W revolvers …

To wit, G. Ellifritz, on August 18, 2023:

”I really like the 43C…so long as your particular model works. The last three new J-frames I’ve purchased have come broken from the factory and had to go back after firing the first cylinder. As much as I love Smith and Wessons, I can’t recommend their new revolvers anymore. I think most shooters are better off with a Ruger LCR.”

when he posted up a copy of this July, ‘23 review article: https://www.guns.com/news/review/3067108-2

 

[Oswaldo87]

I called and have a FedEx label in my email. No questions asked curiously. Barrel doesn’t seem to visibly off or sight leaning. Not my first time doing a little gunsmithing and this has my head scratching. Might slap a straight edge to the frame and see what the barrel has to say when I get home today.

 

[Oswaldo87]

Sometimes you just need to dual wield some wheelguns.

I’ll probably still buy another one.

 

[Magnumite]

Late 90’s had to send my new 629 DX back to Smith for a rebarrel. The pistol would throw a shot out of a very nice group when shooting lead bullets. The barrel showed the broach cocked during rifling. Service was excellent and pistol shot excellent after that.

 

[4g64loser]

I’ll probably still buy another one.

I fully support that.

At one point, I was able to sling two N frame 44s. Now I have to cheat and use a 45 in the other hand.