S&W 686+ rear sight problem

phronq

phronq

CGN frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
16   0   0
Just had my spanking new 686+ out today and realized that there's a problem with the rear sight (have the white outline rear sight & front ramp sight with red mark)...

If I touch my finger on the rear sight, it has some play in it and moves forward and backward a bit, hinging on the windage adjustment.

I figure I'll call S&W tomorrow (it's not a holiday in the US) and see if they can ship me a rear sight assembly in exchange for the old one, rather than having to go through the trouble of taking it in for repair.

On the up-side, it doesn't seem to have any issues with the internal lock engaging from the shock of a recoil as many of the new S&W's allegedly have.
 
Mine "jiggles" if I shake the gun, too. It never affects accuracy and the gun always seems to keep them on the bull even though there is some play.

It's never been a problem for me, but it is one of the reasons I sold my 686+ for a 627PC. The fit & finish is all around better on the PC guns.
 
Last edited:
Makes me wish I hung on to the last 686 I had, a 5th gen one. No problems with fit and finish at all.

Live and learn, I guess.
 
Has it affected accuracy? Like I said, mine just seemed to jiggle around with no detriment to accuracy. I'm not sure if it was an actual problem, or just a poor design on S&W's part. I was able to live with it.

I think quite a few of these beauties have come through TSE, so maybe a quick call to them can confirm whether this is actually normal or not. They can probably tell you for sure.
 
The rear sights on my newer S&W's "jiggle". (5" 686 7 shot, 625 and 617) It hasn't affected accuracy and I've never been concerned about it.
 
phronq said:
...it doesn't seem to have any issues with the internal lock engaging from the shock of a recoil as many of the new S&W's allegedly have.
Click to expand...

Has this ever actually happened? Seems so unlikely... Feels like an overblown rumour to me. I shot many fullhouse .357 and .44 loads out of my 686-8 and 629-8, never had the lock magically engage on me.

Like everyone else said, I've got the jiggle on my 686, never bothered me.
 
I was back out with it today. After I sighted it in, no issues despite the jiggle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom