Smith & Wesson 686 Plus Issues

[orygun]

Hopefully they will provide a detailed work order with it so you have an idea what they touched and fixed/adjusted.

My 329 came back with a note about repairing the crane and some other small stuff associated with timing issues.
That would have been cool if it WAS a timing issue.

 

[Spitpatch]

Hard and forever solution:

Get a Security Six.

 

[orygun]

Hard and forever solution:

Get a Security Six.

Too bad Ruger quit making them. The GP100 is a good gun, but it's not the same.

 

[Velzey]

Everyone with a S&W revolver should have one of these tools. Cures the ejector rod problem.
Midway has them in stock.

As for light strikes, it's the main spring. It's made out of spring steel. They are known to lose some of their power over time. Put a Wolfe extra power hammer spring in it, and but a few spares. Swap it out every 1000 rounds or so.

 

[CountryGent]

My 329 came back with a note about repairing the crane and some other small stuff associated with timing issues.
That would have been cool if it WAS a timing issue.

Out of curiosity, what was the issue with the 329?

Everyone with a S&W revolver should have one of these tools. Cures the ejector rod problem.
Midway has them in stock.

As for light strikes, it's the main spring. It's made out of spring steel. They are known to lose some of their power over time. Put a Wolfe extra power hammer spring in it, and but a few spares. Swap it out every 1000 rounds or so.

View attachment 1975960

Interesting. Thank you.

 

[nammac]

Everyone with a S&W revolver should have one of these tools. Cures the ejector rod problem.
Midway has them in stock.

As for light strikes, it's the main spring. It's made out of spring steel. They are known to lose some of their power over time. Put a Wolfe extra power hammer spring in it, and but a few spares. Swap it out every 1000 rounds or so.

View attachment 1975960

Good to see you on here brother!

Hope things are progressing along well for you. Keeping you in our prayers…

 

[orygun]

Out of curiosity, what was the issue with the 329?

Well, we really should ask the man who's working on it, @Velzey, but light/short firing pin is what he said was causing the misfires. The firing pin was hitting the primer right in the center, but if the round didn't ignite, the primer strike is very light. Trying 2nd or 3rd time didn't change the pin dent depth at all. If, by some chance the round went off when firing, the pin dent was much more pronounced, which could be explained by the case moving rearward during the event.

Hope you're doing well, Tim.

 

[CountryGent]

Well, came back this afternoon. According to the letter enclosed, S&W did:

• Evaluate / Repair
• Repair Yoke
• Replace Firing Pin

I went up to the home range and gave it a spin. Burned up a 50-round box of MagTech 158-grain fodder, with a mix of DA/SA firing. Ran flawlessly.

 

[Jay Walk]

Awesome.

 

[nammac]

Well, came back this afternoon. According to the letter enclosed, S&W did:

• Evaluate / Repair
• Repair Yoke
• Replace Firing Pin

I went up to the home range and gave it a spin. Burned up a 50-round box of MagTech 158-grain fodder, with a mix of DA/SA firing. Ran flawlessly.

Sad they don't take the additional 15-30 minutes to get it right the first time. But at least they have lifetime warranty now. Enjoy your 686 sir.

 

[orygun]

Well, came back this afternoon. According to the letter enclosed, S&W did:

• Evaluate / Repair
• Repair Yoke
• Replace Firing Pin

I went up to the home range and gave it a spin. Burned up a 50-round box of MagTech 158-grain fodder, with a mix of DA/SA firing. Ran flawlessly.

I wish mine had come back last bullet point. It came back with the first two.

 

[Spitpatch]

I wish mine had come back last bullet point. It came back with the first two.

They were just practicin' on yours, knowing there'd be Hell to pay if @CountryGent 's wasn't done right.

 

[Velzey]

I'm very curious as to what was wrong with the yoke? They never go into detail unfortunately

 

[orygun]

I'm very curious as to what was wrong with the yoke? They never go into detail unfortunately

The paperwork from S&W is under the foam in the gun case. It is vague. Quite likely their point.

 

[CountryGent]

I too am curious on what, exactly, they did on the yoke. Is hard to describe, but the piece now seems "tighter". Locks up, shoots, et al., just a bit smoother. At the end of the day I don't particularly care, as long as it works. Still, makes one wonder.

After burning up the box o' ammo referenced about, I shot up another ⅔ box of said and, again, no issues. If nothing else, I have to confess I find myself appreciating the .357 again, if for no other reason the laser beam like accuracy. My heart may be with the big boomers, be that .44, .45 or .50, but it is hard to argue with one ragged hole in the target, with ballistics that are, admittedly, nothing to complain about.

 

[CountryGent]

I did a little revolver shooting this morning and had a failure-to-fire on one .38 cartridge from this 686+. For the moment will likely ignore, but could see giving Wolff spring a spin at some point.

 

[orygun]

I did a little revolver shooting this morning and had a failure-to-fire on one .38 cartridge from this 686+. For the moment will likely ignore, but could see giving Wolff spring a spin at some point.

Did you check the firing pin strike on the cartridge that did not fire?

 

[CountryGent]

Did you check the firing pin strike on the cartridge that did not fire?

I did not in this case. Gave it a second hammer wack and it discharged. If it happens again, will take a close look. (In the past when had issue, there were primer strikes visible.)

 

[orygun]

I did not in this case. Gave it a second hammer wack and it discharged. If it happens again, will take a close look. (In the past when had issue, there were primer strikes visible.)

With the 329PD I have, if it doesn't ignite the round on the first strike it will leave a very light strike on the primer. Then, it won't likely ignite the primer, or make a heavier "dent" in the primer on the second or third strike. Since your gun sent it out of the park on the second strike, I'd be more inclined to blame the ammo.