S&W too big for their britches

I recently bought a 686+, and intended to put the Python back in the safe. After shooting them both a bunch, it was obvious that the Python was a better shooter, due to better DA and SA trigger pull. Well, that was to be expected. I took the 686 to a gunsmith in Waco and he polished up the action in the Smith. Now the trigger pull in SA and DA are great, and accuracy is great. I can’t honestly say that i can shoot the Python in DA better than the 686 now.

Grips are Hogue, and i like them a lot.
 
Sorry to hear your new pistol is just not correct. I’ve had several thoughts:

1. Back in the “golden Days”... how much did folks pay for one of the pistols we all wish we could afford now? If we adjust for inflation, how would the old pistol compare in cost to the new one? I suspect all things considered, a quality pistol costs less today than it did 50 years ago. Of course, we don’t have the pot-metal cheap pistols around, but I don’t mind that. I’ve had a few of them and they were flimsy at best.

2. Used to be there were several decent gunsmiths in town, and a couple of stellar pistol smiths within 50 miles. These days, It’s an expensive shipment out of state or more likely I learn to fix it myself. Sounds like Doc’s problem could maybe be fixed right up quick by a gunsmith before it ever got sold.

It’s a sign of the times, I guess
 
The newer S&W guns can be tuned, sometimes all you need is new springs from Wolff. If you do go with a lighter mainspring make sure it hits hard enough to fire every time. Wolff sells full power springs that seem lighter and smoother than the factory springs. I have 2 late 642 revolvers. One had a good pull from the factory, I had to put a reduced power spring in the other gun to get the pull down like gun #1. Who knows why other than lack of quality we see from the gun mfgs now days. It ain't just S&W. Some other mfgs have problems of their own.
 
Doc, I've owned over a dozen Smith's over the years with great accuracy and superb triggers...that said...a cpl of years ago, my wife's M36 (bought new in '92) had a cylinder stop that had worn...Smith fixed it on their nickle including shipping and we had the gun back in 2 weeks. Another M637, a new gun, that would not advance to the 5th shot for some reason, got the same treatment and I had it back in 2 weeks again. Both came back in superb shape with a trigger job as a part of the no-cost fix.

I don't know what the delay is but...in the meantime, I'd shorten the grip screw with a fine cut file and be done with it. I'll also say that my M69, bought new two years ago, had a noticeably heavier DA pull than what I've come to expect from Smith. I'd like it lighter, but it's a .44 and I usually don't use it for DA defensive type shooting so have not persued a better trigger. It's SA trigger is every bit as good as my late 60's and 70's guns...in a word, fantastic.

All in all, their CS for me, over 50 years and better than a dozen guns, has been great. Hope you get it worked out. PM me if you have questions on shortening that grip screw.

Best Regards, Rod aka Dave
 
You can bed the grips with Acra glass. Shouldn't be too hard of a job. Also get some snaps caps and I'm sure the action will smooth out. I agree 4 months is pretty wacky and doesn't sound like S&W SOP to me.
 
Guess I'm just plain mad & I sent it today back to S&W. If it comes back & it's like S&W 's rep says it should be, then I'll be satisfied. If not, I'll sell it & move on.
 
In April 2018 I wrote that S&W's customer service got "'To Big For Their Britches"
Last,it could take up to 4 months before I would get it back.

My grips were loose & no amount of tightening would work plus their vaunted
DA action stunk. My Rugers have better DA's than the Smiths & it looks like I need to go to a gun smith to get the DA where I want it.

I sent my 686 plus back to S&W on April 28th.& to my surprise it arrived back yesterday. Their written report on the work done was as follows;

1- They replaced the Extractor.
2- They replaced the Grips.
3-They replaced my hammer.
4- Last they wrote that they repaired hand. What's the last 2 mean??

Plus their code on a sheet of paper had the following numerical codes.
33
31
68
73.
Can someone please explain what these two sections mean?? I'm a novice about the inner workings of any firearm. Number 3 & 4 i'm stumpted & the 4 numbers the same.

I forgot, the DA still stinks & no amount of snap caps or shooting it is going to do it. over, the grips are in great shape. Tight & comfortable.

Thanks Doc
 
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