Purchased New S&W 686... Does not look new

sask08

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I purchased a supposedly new S&W 686 online from one of the retailers that advertise on this site and upon inspection it does not appear new. All cylinders have powder residue in them, the contact surface between the cylinder and barrel has powder/carbon burns on it. The surface on the gun frame just below the cylinder has an unusual wear pattern as if the cylinder has been cycled in and out many times. Being that this is my first revolver and I know S&W test fires these at the factory, how much "wear" is considered normal? This gun appears "well handled" as well. I read somewhere that as many as 40 rounds maybe put through from the factory. Is this true? Anyone familiar with S&W revolvers want to provide an opinion? Thanks in advance.
 
They put a few rounds through at the factory, nothing significant. You will how some residue in the cylinder/barrel but nothing significant. You shouldnt see wear anywhere

Something tells me it was a floor model?

Pictures would be best to assist you
 
Clean it up and go shooting and don't look back.

Ayup, spot on, Skinny.

One of the biggest scams in our sport is the concept of a 'used' gun. I can buy one right off the rack at S&W, fire one round through it and the second I do that it is supposedly a 'used gun' and its value drops by at least a third! On the EE, guys are always worried about sellers giving phony round counts.

In the real world most guns will easily do 20 000 rounds with stiff loads... and closer to 30 000 with patty cake target loads. Some of the small frame Smiths have a reputation for wearing out with very, very hot loads at around 15 000. A quick trip to the gunsmith to replace this and retighten that - and the gun is back in business for another 15 or 20 thousand!

One lesson you learn in this game early is when you are at a shooting match...you don't have to worry about most of the guys shooting the gleaming new guns. It's the guys with the guns that look like beaters that you have to worry about. :)
 
When I purchased my new 586 they brought one out for me to look at you could see it was handled a lot.
So I asked if I could see another not to their satisfaction but returned with another. the second one was mint compared to the first one.
My wife was with me and she also commented on the condition of the first one.
I am glad I made them show me a second choice.
I have noticed this at other gun shops as well try to sell display models for full price
 
Ayup, spot on, Skinny.

One of the biggest scams in our sport is the concept of a 'used' gun. I can buy one right off the rack at S&W, fire one round through it and the second I do that it is supposedly a 'used gun' and its value drops by at least a third!

Values aside, it's certainly not "new" anymore.
 
OP..contact the Seller and let them know your concerns. Even if you don't fire a single round you could never re-sell the HG as BNIB in the condition you described.
If they tell you to go pound sand then just shoot/enjoy it and take your business somewhere else…..
 
If it is a stainless clean it up well, you can use the lead remover cloths around the cylinder and forcing cone to remove the powder rings.
After that you should not see any noticeable wear marks.. shoot and enjoy
 
If the gun store has a range attached alot of them rent out firearms to promote sales.Maybe you got a rental?My 686 had powder marks on one cylinder hole and a little on the top strap when I got it.Test fire would show something like that not every hole crud-ed up and lotsa powder residue like a full blown range session.:rey2
 
If you suspect you got a used bun, don't give the dealer a free pass. Take it up with them - immediately. Don't waste time in doing so. Procrastination will be your enemy in these situations.
 
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These are the only 2 pictures I have of any use. I'm at work and these were taken by the girlfriend so bear with me. I'll try and get more pics of the wear marks on the bottom of the frame underneath the cylinder.

And I'm not sure why anyone would just accept the fact they were sold a used gun, even if light use, and paid full price for a new one. Anyway, let me know what you guys think.

I realize time is not on my side. The gun arrived on ~Jan 10th, 2 days before I left work so I basically opened up the box noted their was a gun in there before putting it away. It was actually my dad who was looking at it after the fact that noticed all this.
 
Yup... That's EXACTLY how mine looked from the factory, and I KNOW it was good because I know the store that sold it to me. Stainless cleans up nice, but gets dirty easy.
 
Looks like a normal test fire by the factory....clean it up and shoot it.
Seriously, looks like less then a cylinder was shot....
 
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