Aloha everyone!
I’m looking to pick up my first revolver and I was looking at the S&W 686. I seen a few post and videos of some revolvers having misaligned barrels. I was wondering if there was still a problem with current production revolvers and/or if it is actually a big issue? If so, would I be better off going with a ruger gp100 instead? I was planning on picking one up off of gunbroker so inspecting it would be out of the question.
Thank you for you time!!

I think the issue is hit-or-miss.  I have a 686+ from 2013 that's perfectly aligned. 

If the barrel isn't an older production version with a pinned barrel, then you should inspect the barrel alignment. Pinned barrels are all perfectly aligned.  The unpinned barrels can be canted.

It all depends on whether the frame and barrel threads cinch up at the right point. If the barrel can be twisted a little beyond dead center relative to the frame, and it's still within S&W's tolerances, it'll be sold that way.

I've seen people posting several recent (2017-2018) S&W revolver purchases on YouTube that have perfect alignment. Either the problem is no longer happening, or the canted ones were sent to another seller.

Best advice is to take time to personally inspect the exact gun you intend to purchase. Don't buy unless you're 100% happy with the barrel alignment.

Don't pick another brand it you want a 686.  Inspect and enjoy.   

Mahalo Flapp_Jackson!
I really appreciate your input.

I just got a 2018 586, which is a blued 686
It is aligned perfect
I've seen some 686 locally, you could probably find one locally to inspect first.
GP100 is a great 357 too. I have 2 of those

Thanks for your input stangzilla.
I’m hoping to find a gp100 that I can checkout locally.

Can’t go wrong with either 686 (I have a 686+) or GP100. I was debating between those two as well and ended up going with a 686+, but mostly because that’s what was available locally when I was ready. I’ve shot many a GP100 and they are solid.

Stang and dogman are who I trust with respect to those lines of revolvers. You just missed the 2a revolver day. Had plenty to check out.

Mahalo drck1000!!
I wish I could have made it but my wife had other plans. lol

just saw 2 686's at YG's
I also remember seeing some at OGC and SEC a few weeks ago
GP100's at OGC and SEC too

Anyone one got a pick of a crooked barrel?  Like does it "hang to the left"?

Anyone one got a pick of a crooked barrel?  Like does it "hang to the left"?

From the Interwebs....

You can see the barrel is tightened just a bit beyond frame-center.  The contours don't align evenly.

Thanks, now i get it. Thats why the title is misaligned and not bent.

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I've owned three 686's and have never (still never) looked at the barrel alignment.

I've owned three 686's and have never (still never) looked at the barrel alignment.

S&W seems to not have any problem with the canted barrels they've sold, but do offer to trade out your revolver with another if you're worried about it.  Obviously you're not.   

The Yankee Marshall has a video on YT about this. The model he has that's canted isn't made now, so S&W would have to replace it with a different one. He opted to keep it and fix it himself.  I assume a new barrel might be able to fix it if the problem lies there and not in the frame. 

Thanks, now i get it. Thats why the title is misaligned and not bent.

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It seems like the majority of the post are about misaligned barrels to various degrees. I did see a video on YouTube that the owner claims the hole for the barrel in the frame was drilled crooked. He sent it in twice for repair and finally S&W replaced it.

I have a 4" Ruger SP101 that I got several years ago that the barrel/front sight is not aligned.  seems like the barrel isn't level, like the picture above but very slightly.  hard to really tell just by eyeballing it but I can tell when I look through the rear to front sight
I've been putting off sending it back to Ruger to get fixed.  I've heard they are very good about fixing it.
I'll send them an email soon about it
I've shot it, it shoots fine.  but i'd like to get it fixed.

I've owned three 686's and have never (still never) looked at the barrel alignment.

Hmm. . . now I admit I'm at least a little bit curious to inspect my revolvers closer.  I've only shot my 686+ on paper, but know that one is spot on.  I have two older S&Ws and a Ruger that I brought to the revolver day.  I don't recall any of them being noticeably off.  Maybe just a good excuse to bring them out to the range again.  Got me some "fresh" .41 Mag ammo in (thank you Kaleo Arms!), so 

Finally picked up my 686 and it’s ever so slightly misaligned. You won’t really notice it unless you look for it. I plan on taking it to the range and if it shoots well then I’m fine with it. Thanks again for all of your help especially those that I pm’d with questions.
Sorry. I can’t figure out why imgur won’t let me post pics.

Hmm. . . now I admit I'm at least a little bit curious to inspect my revolvers closer.  I've only shot my 686+ on paper, but know that one is spot on.  I have two older S&Ws and a Ruger that I brought to the revolver day.  I don't recall any of them being noticeably off.  Maybe just a good excuse to bring them out to the range again.  Got me some "fresh" .41 Mag ammo in (thank you Kaleo Arms!), so 

Don't look or OCD will kick in and youre going to send it back for something.  I stopped looking closely at my VP9 a year ago because I could always find something.  Thanks to macsak, I would text him "does this look right?" or "It is supposed to look like this?"

Finally picked up my 686 and it’s ever so slightly misaligned. You won’t really notice it unless you look for it. I plan on taking it to the range and if it shoots well then I’m fine with it. Thanks again for all of your help especially those that I pm’d with questions.
Sorry. I can’t figure out why imgur won’t let me post pics.

And if it's you not the gun, now you can show your friend the gun and say, "I'm not hitting the target, look, it's canted" excuse.

Haha! That will definitely be my excuse.
Then they will look at it and say “where” and I’ll buss out the straight edge.