Howdy
I suspect this may be what you are asking about. This is a Model 686-6 that I bought brand new in 2015. That is as far as the yoke will shut.
It was not until I noticed I had to shove the rear sight way the heck over to the right, like this, to get it to shoot to point of aim, that I realized there was problem. And yes, I do know how to shoot a revolver, have been shooting them for over 40 years. The problem is with the gun, not the shooter.
I own dozens of S&W revolvers. Yes, dozens. The oldest one was made in 1862, this is the newest one. I have never, ever, seen a yoke that would not close further than this. The problem is, the barrel is slightly canted, and interferes with the yoke closing all the way.
This is the way the yoke should close. It should close all the way, and the joint between the yoke and the frame should be almost invisible. This is a 32-20 Hand Ejector made in 1917. But you don't have to go that far back to see a properly assembled S&W revolver. I have plenty of Smiths from the 1970s and 1980s that were assembled properly.
I had not bought a brand new S&W revolver since 1975. I ran across this one for a good price, and bought it mostly because I do not have any L frame Smiths. Yes, shame on me for leaving the store with it and not noticing the yoke would not close all the way. Now I know better. I doubt I will be buying any more brand new Smiths. This passed QC and went out the door. This would never have been allowed out the door even 15 years ago.
Are revolvers with canted barrels like this still being shipped today? No idea. But this is an example of one that shipped two years ago.
P.S. I checked out a couple of brand new Smiths in a store recently, did not see a yoke that would not close all the way. That is all the empirical evidence I have.
But my photo should give anybody who is interested an example of what to look for. Be sure the yoke closes all the way, the joint should be almost invisible when the yoke is closed all the way.
P.P.S. Here is the yoke on a 617-6 that shipped in July of 2003. I bought it used a few years ago. While not as perfect as the old 32-20, this is acceptable. In truth, with this one the reason the joint is so visible is because the eges were rounded over slightluy before being assembled. In the 'old days' whenever that was, the gun would be polished with the yoke installed, so there was no rounding over of the edges. Today it is probably cheaper to finish polishing the parts separately, rather than in an assembled condition, so some rounding over of edges will be common.