Is This Normal???

[Doc Holliday 1950]

I was cleaning my new 686plus 3" in 357 magnum & looked at the front end of the barrel. Maybe I'm not seeing correctly but the front of the barrel is off round
with the bottom slightly indented. Is this normal??
I shot 150 rounds thru it and nailed my target in very vey nice groups. What gives?

[shootniron]

Have we become obsessed with .357mag?

[Doc Holliday 1950]

No. In no way. It's just that I never saw a barrel that was off round.

[HighValleyRanch]

Post some photos of the barrel, Doc so we can see.

[74A95]

Originally Posted by HighValleyRanch

Post some photos of the barrel, Doc so we can see.

Yup. Pictures required so we know what you're talking about.

[Model12Win]

Originally Posted by shootniron

Have we become obsessed with .357mag?

Yes. It is an EXCELLENT stopper.

[UncleEd]

It's the rifling, probably with a groove
at the bottom giving the flat look.
Usually the crowning operation makes
the lands and grooves less obvious.

Or maybe not!

[HighValleyRanch]

Or he inhaled too much Hoppes number 9 vapors when he looked at the end of the barrel!

[Bob Wright]

Doc Holliday 1950 said:

I shot 150 rounds thru it and nailed my target in very vey nice groups.

Even if it is square, don't do anything to that pistol!


Bob Wright

[Bob Wright]

Shootnarn said:

Have we become obsessed with .357mag?

Not I. Prefer a .45 Colt or .44, either in Special or Magnum!

Bob Wright

[m&p45acp10+1]

I just took a look at the muzzle end of my very unloaded, and with the cylinder opened 686plus 4 inch. Doc what you are seeing is normal. The inside of the bore is round. The geometry can look off from most angles. It is where the rifling was cut into the bore. Since it is not a crowned bore it is more noticeable. It will not have any negative effect on the accuracy of the gun. If it bothers you have a crowning job done by decent smith.

[old bear]

Is This Normal???

Doc, this should not be the norm, but sadly with Smith and Wesson's lowered Q.C. standards the condition you've described is not abnormal. If it really bothers you contact S&W customer service, they may have you send it to them and they may correct the problem.

Merry Christmas all.

[buck460XVR]

Originally Posted by old bear

Doc, this should not be the norm, but sadly with Smith and Wesson's lowered Q.C. standards the condition you've described is not abnormal. If it really bothers you contact S&W customer service, they may have you send it to them and they may correct the problem.

Merry Christmas all.

Not abnormal? Sooooo, in other words, normal?

What the OP is seeing may or may not be an imperfect crown, but his assertion of it's accuracy does not indicate a problem. If there's a problem it's probably better defined by someone who's actually looks at the gun, than some random internet guy looking for a reason to bash it.

[Dave T]

Since it is not a crowned bore it is more noticeable.

I don't own any newer IL, floating FP S&Ws and if the above statement is true I'm glad I don't. Good grief!

Dave

[T. O'Heir]

The rifling creates an optical illusion.
"...nailed my target..." Rule Number One. It works. Don't fix it.

[Doc Holliday 1950]

Thanks everyone.

[Model12Win]

You're welcome.

[pete2]

The gun shoots good. Shoot it and enjoy. It's an optical delusion or it doesn't matter. New S&W guns ain't necessarily pretty, be happy you got one that works.

[James K]

I believe the 686 (or st least some of them) have sleeved barrels. The way the barrel is installed in the sleeve can give the appearance of an off-center bore, but it is actually OK.

Jim

[Doc Holliday 1950]

Thanks Jim. I went for the second time in one week & put another 100 rounds through my 686+. It shoots dead on straight, so the little indentation at the base of the front part of the barrel has no effect on my accuracy.

IF SOME BODY WOULD ALLOW ME TO EMAIL THEM A PIC OF THE BARREL, everyone could see what I'm posting about.

[Model12Win]

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday 1950

Thanks Jim. I went for the second time in one week & put another 100 rounds through my 686+. It shoots dead on straight, so the little indentation at the base of the front part of the barrel has no effect on my accuracy.

IF SOME BODY WOULD ALLOW ME TO EMAIL THEM A PIC OF THE BARREL, everyone could see what I'm posting about.

Doc why not post a picture here? Do you know how? We can help it's not hard.

[rodfac]

It's shooting well for you Doc...I'd keep it the way it is, rather than send it to Smith, even if they offer to do it on their dime. I'm willing to overlook a lot if a guns shoots well.

That said, if you do elect to send it back, I'd be willing to bet that Smith will do a trigger and action job on it, gratis. The two that I've sent back (in more than 50 years of shooting S&W's) came back far better in that regard. And S&W sent me shipping labels and did the work gratis...one was 25 years old at the time! Rod

[Doc Holliday 1950]

I spoke to S&W tech support today and sent them a pic of the irregularity of the opening of the barrel. The tech person got my pic & explained that it was okay. He asked if I had fired the revolver & I replied that I've put approx 325 rounds thru it with no problems. He replied good & enjoy the 686. I'm pretty sure that I could have pushed them & could have had it sent to them on their dollar.

What would you have done?

[b.thomas]

I spoke to S&W tech support today and sent them a pic of the irregularity of the opening of the barrel. The tech person got my pic & explained that it was okay. He asked if I had fired the revolver & I replied that I've put approx 325 rounds thru it with no problems. He replied good & enjoy the 686. I'm pretty sure that I could have pushed them & could have had it sent to them on their dollar.

What would you have done?
__________________

Leave well enough alone!
Like the tech said "enjoy the 686"...........If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[Doc Holliday 1950]

I agree!