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Buying my first new revolver soon (S&W 686 6”) and would like to know what I should look out for/what to check before taking it home. Any tips would be appreciated.
Current production S&W revolvers are horribly lacking in quality control. Make sure you check it out really well, both function and cosmetics, before buying or it will likely end up going back to S&W customer service for something (and they are badly backed up with the COVID thing going on). In particular, make sure the barrel isn't canted... one of the more common (and yet initially overlooked) complaints.Buying my first new revolver soon (S&W 686 6”) and would like to know what I should look out for/what to check before taking it home. Any tips would be appreciated.
Correct, but don't tell him that. More for us!Would much rather have a 686 no dash , 686-1 or 686-2.
Thanks for all the replies! Appreciate the insight. For those asking, I plan to get a brand new 686 provided the LGS has them in stock. Never know these days given the current climate.
You can order online. Save the sales tax for some polishing stones and springs.Thanks for all the replies! Appreciate the insight. For those asking, I plan to get a brand new 686 provided the LGS has them in stock. Never know these days given the current climate.
I'd have a really hard time on buying a new revolver. Sure I bought a used 629 with a Hillery Hole but it was going to be a woods/beater gun so it didn't matter to me.Correct, but don't tell him that. More for us!
First revolver. What to look for...
Make sure the barrel is in the correct location...
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Canted barrels are commonplace right now on all revolvers, not just S&W. Really all revolvers manufacturing has taken a nosedive in the past 10 years among US makers not Freedom Arms or Magnum Research. This may sound crazy, it is 2020 after all, but right now the best quality for revolvers is Taurus or Rock Island.Current production S&W revolvers are horribly lacking in quality control. Make sure you check it out really well, both function and cosmetics, before buying or it will likely end up going back to S&W customer service for something (and they are badly backed up with the COVID thing going on). In particular, make sure the barrel isn't canted... one of the more common (and yet initially overlooked) complaints.
They have a lot of problems.I’d trade my 686+ for that in a second!
The answer for me lies in older Smith & Wesson revolvers... the older, the better in most cases and obviously not ones that have been beat to Hell or monkeyed with. And if I can't find a suitable vintage S&W for some reason, I'll sometimes go with a brand new all-metal (never plastic) Ruger revolver. At least I'll know that Customer Service will be timely and satisfactory if it needs it.Canted barrels are commonplace right now on all revolvers, not just S&W. Really all revolvers manufacturing has taken a nosedive in the past 10 years among US makers not Freedom Arms or Magnum Research. This may sound crazy, it is 2020 after all, but right now the best quality for revolvers is Taurus or Rock Island.
I would say the biggest thing to watch for is excessive barrel/cylinder gap. S&W and Ruger are running everything damn near .01" because it's easier for them to machine and assemble the revolvers if the gap is larger.