Smith & Wesson

[454]

I picked up a new Smith & Wesson 686 with a 4" barrel last week. Today I fired it with 3 different hand loads in 357, half a box of factory 357, and a box of 38 special factory loads. I had to max out the windage to get it on paper at 25 yards and would still need a little more to get it centered. None of the different ammo selections made any real difference. I'm pretty disappointed in it. I also have a Smith & Wesson 629 that is a great shooter now, but took two trips back to S&W to fix the same issue. Is this the new normal for S&W or am I just very unlucky with them ? I'm sure S&W will fix it but it's frustrating spending $650 and having it shoot like crap then having to mail it back and forth until they get it right. Anyone else have this issue with them ?

 

[Deleted member 20812]

Can you drift the front sight?

 

[454]

Nope, it's non adjustable.

 

[Witherall13]

At least you got on paper, I bought a Taurus G2 Millinium for a truck gun and the only way I can hit anything with that piece of crap is to aim 8 foot over the top of the target. I’m better off trying to throw the gun an hit stuff with it than I am shooting it.

 

[Don Fischer]

I don't shoot handguns all that well but do have a few I play with now and then. My DA revolver's, don't own an SA, I get by with iron sight's but I wouldn't bet my life on them. Have a High Standard HD Military 22LR I shoot best, not a clue why. Got into concealed carry and my first CF semi auto handguns, boy, with open sight's I really suck! But I never practice with it much over 10-15 yds and bad as I was decided to try pointing and shooting. Close range and fairly large target and I find I shoot much better pointing rather than aiming. Haven't tried it much past 15 yds though. I tried the front sight deal with them, doesn't work for me. These days I wear glass's but even when I didn't, I simply didn't shoot handguns that well. Don't get me wrong here. With my 32 long S&W Mod 19 at 50 yds I can hit the barn,,,,if it doesn't move!

 

[Stray Horse]

maybe check the crown

 

[454]

Crown looked ok as far as I could tell with the naked eye. Smith & Wesson was very helpful on the phone and it's being shipped back in the morning. 2-3 week turnaround they're saying. It's just frustrating I'm going through this again with another new S&W. I've read a lot of others have gone through the same on the S&W forums.

 

[Hilljackoutlaw]

My wife got me a S&W for Christmas and I am not by any means a good shooter with a handgun and had no issues with just the Winchester FMJ rounds I got in my stocking with it. I bought my wife one for Christmas also and she is a much better shot than me and also had no problems. These were M&P .45 and 9mm tho not revolvers.

 

[midwesthunter]

Been a lot of neg about them here lately, not sure whats going on? Hope they get it worked out for you.

 

[ringer]

I am buying a new 586 with a 4" barrel. Read a lot of good reviews on the "L" frame. Like the blue finish and it reminds me of the old S&Ws from the 80's.

 

[454]

As annoyed as I am with my last two S&W's I do like them a lot. This one followed me home today so now I've got three. Hopefully it's hassle free unlike the last two. Model 69 Combat 44mag.

 

[noharleyyet]

They are habit forming once you bring one home. Mine are all pre-law/lock & shoot better'n me.