Doc,
I bought a new 686+, 3" a couple of months ago. After reading several threads on this and other forums, I tried my best to check it out prior to purchasing it. Brought my big magnifying glass, flashlight, calipers, 7 empty brass, one .358" projectile, one jacketed .357" projectile and feeler gauge. Trigger was smooth in DA and SA, tight lockup and no end shake on all 7 cylinders, only slight over-travel on the trigger, lines looked good, no rough surfaces, front and rear sights appeared centered, b/c gap was good, and all of the chambers apeared to be the same diameter. Dry fired it at least 50 times. I tried my best to determine if the barrel was canted. It appeared straight and I must have checked it 4 or 5 times during my 30 minute inspection.
After getting it out of jail (10-day waiting period), I took it to the indoor range (no wind) and ran 200 rounds of HBWC, plated 125 grain, coated 105 grain and 158 grain .38 bullets through it, mostly resting on the counter. Out of the box, everything shot 5" left. Adjusted the sight again and again, until it was all the way to the right. It still shoots 1-2" left, depending on the load. Have since put about 1000 total rounds through it and same results. If I tilt the gun approximately 5 degrees counter-clockwise, my shots do not go left. Same results with some jacketed 125 grain .38s and .357s.
Other than shooting left, I like it and will resolve this problem either through a local gunsmith or sending it back to S&W.
The shame of it is that I have never checked a gun so thoroughly before buying it. I've been lucky and only had to send back a 30-year old Ruger 10/22 with feeding problems. BTW, Ruger fixed it gratis and it has been flawless every since. I am hoping for the same once I get over my initial disappointment of having to get it serviced before I have other work performed on it.