Under-indexed Barrel on New S&W 66...

It says the shroud is supposed to be fixed position to the frame - "The shroud is keyed into the frame so it can't rotate" - obviously it did rotate, which can happen if that "key" get sheared off while the barrel is being torqued in...
 
Reeferman said:
S&W owners are in for a nightmare now that Murray Charlton has retired.
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That is exactly my problem with going the warranty route. If Murray were still active I'd gladly send it off, he could tune it for me after he fixed the issue and I'd come out on top. Grech seems like a #### show with all the negative reviews. I messaged them and got a canned reply to just send it in.
 
So is this like a Dan Wesson set up with a barrel nut on the outer end of the barrel to tighten the shroud down ?
I quite liked the Dan Wesson set up.
I have had lots to do with the older smiths, but not these "new " ones, I am of the older /better school.
Is there a nut on the end of the barrel?
If you had a vice, like gunteck suggested, wrap the barrel with leather, lightly clamp barrel in vice, grab the frame and see if you can turn it a bit, I would not think you will be able to with out a lever, but you will not hurt anything, but with out working on these, I could be out to lunch. If you don't feel up to it don't take things apart.
 
I am not sure if your gun has a liner but if it does you won't be indexing this barrel if you don't have the skills .The barrel which is a liner screws into the shroud then the shroud and liner screws into the frame . The barrel uses a interference thread to hold the liner and shroud into the frame you need a factory tool that has reverse rifling it threads into the liner to remove the liner from the shroud . You may be able to turn the shroud and liner that little bit but don't count on it .If you send it back to S&W it will most likely come back the same way because it probably falls inside their production specs My two cents leave it alone and shoot the hell out of it.
 
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warzaw said:
I am not sure if your gun has a liner but if it does you won't be indexing this barrel if you don't have the skills .The barrel which is a liner screws into the shroud then the shroud and liner screws into the frame . The barrel uses a interference thread to hold the liner and shroud into the frame you need a factory tool that has reverse rifling it threads into the liner to remove the liner from the shroud . You may be able to turn the shroud and liner that little bit but don't count on it .If you send it back to S&W it will most likely come back the same way because it probably fall inside their production specs My two cents leave it alone and shoot the hell out of it.
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Lordy, if that's how they are assembled/disassembled by torqueing on the internal rifling It will sure make me a customer of someone besides S&W forevermore.
 
fingers284 said:
Lordy, if that's how they are assembled/disassembled by torqueing on the internal rifling It will sure make me a customer of someone besides S&W forevermore.
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My 66-8 is quite accurate; the tool they use is likely a pretty precise fit with the rifling to prevent damage.

Old S&Ws with pinned or crush fit barrels sometimes were not properly indexed, too. The reason S&W went to the two-piece barrel was to address this problem. It is unfortunate that it still happens and doubly unfortunate that the new warranty depot sucks. I guess that the best policy is to either be able to inspect before buying or deal with a seller that will accept returns on defective products.

The ball detent notch doesn't look too bad; it is intended to push the yoke tighter into lockup rather than the ball being centred. The serrations on top of the barrel are defintely off, though. Whether I would pursue the matter further or just live with it depends on how badly the front sight appears to be canted, if at all.
 
I may have been lucky I have three sleeved guns they are all finished and fitted well from the factory and they group as well as my early S&W .The new full underlug 686 barrels look like a standard barrel all one piece. Manufacturing process today is not always bad cnc and the mim process have change things for sure they even glue cars together in some aspects things are better , My two cents coming from a old dog.
 
warzaw said:
I may have been lucky I have three sleeved guns they are all finished and fitted well from the factory and they group as well as my early S&W .The new full underlug 686 barrels look like a standard barrel all one piece. Manufacturing process today is not always bad cnc and the mim process have change things for sure they even glue cars together in some aspects things are better , My two cents coming from a old dog.
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The new 686s are a one piece barrel. I have one and aside from having a cylinder gap so small I can't even measure it it's fitted well enough that I can't see any flaws.
 
B said:
I agree, I can't force them to though. As I said they are outright ignoring me. I have sent multiple emails and called and spoke with them, nothing is being done for me so far.
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Perhaps call S&W directly and if possible send them that pic and ask their advice. Then forward to Tenda & Grech. At least you'll have an answer right from the horse's mouth rather than something unoffical....from the other end.
 
B said:
S&W also just gave me a canned response to send it in despite stating I was from Canada. I am not sure they actually read my email.
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Ye gods.... Send 'em another e-mail asking if they'll cover the import documentation!
 
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