Is service/parts only available at the facotry for S&W or Ruger?

N

No4Mk1*

New member
I am thinking about getting a S&W 686 soon. Can I get ALL repairs done at a private gunsmith, or are there things which require it to be sent back to the factory? I fear sending it off for repair/service, to have it come back Clintonized.
How about Ruger? A KGP161 would be a fine alternative.
Thanks.
 
It all depends on what you want done. Both guns can be serviced by local gunsmiths or at a factory warranty service center. Better to use the latter if the firearm is still under warranty (let them eat the liability).

Certain jobs the factory wants to do itself (replace cylinders and sometimes ejectors) and to acheive this, restrict the sales of the parts to factory warranty service centers. Other times, if you don't mind used parts, a skilled gunsmith can often do the repair work himself.
 
Most any factory made part from Ruger and Smith & Wesson (and Colt) is available from Brownells. If I were you I wouldn't worry about it to much tho. 1) Revolvers from these companies are very stout, barring massive neglect on your part, it is doubtful you'll ever have a failure of any kind. 2) If anything did ever break, bend, bust, fail, or fall-off... Ruger or Smith will fix it free of charge. I've sent old pistols I bought used to both companies for repair. In each case the pistols were fixed, parts were replaced, and the gun returned with a little note saying "no charge". The fact that I was not the original owner and the guns were 10-15 years old didn't seem to matter.

Regarding the 686, excellent choice. In fact I bought one today at a gunshow. 3" barrel, round butt, adjustable sights, and a bead blasted matte finish - $439 NIB. The sign on the gun said "1 of 500", so apparently it's some kinda special run or something. Fine with me, I've been looking for a 3", round butt, with adjustable sights for some time. Was looking for a model 60 or used 66, but this will do. It even came with a trigger lock, something Smith has been putting in with all their new guns since sometime in '98. -- Kernel
 
Smith & Wesson will sell all parts, with the exception of frames through various outlets such as Brownells. That is not the case with Sturm, Ruger & Co.. :(
In light of the recent announcement from S&W if you do choose to buy one purchase used and do all gun owners a favor.

Gunslinger
Former S&W Fan!
 
I want a 6" barrel. You mention round butt. I understand there are 2 or 3 options, right? Is the round butt the most comfortable to shoot with? Also, how would 125 grain .38 Special feel recoil-wise compared to a 9mm from a Beretta 92FS? Both standard pressure?
 
Gunslinger, all Ruger factory parts are available from Brownells with the exception of cylinders & receivers. I'd guess they have something like 300 - 500 individual Ruger parts cataloged. Though, last time I checked they still didn't have the stainless Bisley grip frames yet. -- Kernel
 
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