686 Question/Problem?

jdscholer · February 2, 2009, 10:22 PM

I've got a 686-6, serial #CJT65XX. After shooting it today, and cleaning it, I noticed something that may be a flaw or mechanical problem. I'd appreciate any help from someone more knowledgeable than myself. Without knowing the proper names of the parts in question, I'll try to make myself understood.

Recessed into the under-lug below the barrel is the area which houses what I believe is called the center pin (the pin which pushes the extractor to eject shells from the cylinder). In the forward part of this recess is a spring-loaded pin which appears meant to snap into the recessed end on the center pin. Only mine doesn't. The pin seems to be too short to extend into the center pin when closing the cylinder, and doesn't even touch the center pin upon closing the cylinder.

The little pin moves freely under spring tension, but doesn't snap back far enough to engage the end of the center pin.

Do I have a problem? I'd appreciate a shout back from anyone familiar with my situation. jd

jdscholer · February 3, 2009, 12:15 PM

chirp.......chirp....

hunter11 · February 3, 2009, 12:28 PM

I'd call S&W about it !! Dan

Rmac58 · February 3, 2009, 05:33 PM

Yes, you do have a problem.
Mine comes back far enough to "lock" the center pin.

James K · February 3, 2009, 09:35 PM

The whole idea is that the ejector rod is held at both ends. If the locking bolt (which is what S&W calls that little pin) is coming back all the way, there is something wrong. With the cylinder open, it should stick out at the front just a little, maybe .004" or so. If it sticks out much more than that, it might be stuck. Try tapping it with a plastic mallet (screwdriver handle will do) and see what happens.

Did you buy the gun new? It is possible that someone replaced that locking bolt with one intended for a short barrel gun, but that is a bit far-fetched.

Jim

jdscholer · February 3, 2009, 10:07 PM

With the cylinder open (or closed) the "locking bolt" protrudes from the under-lug about 1/8". That is from the curved front of the recess in the under-lug.

If the locking bolt was longer - perhaps 1/16" - it would engage the recessed end of the cylinder pin providing for some frontal lock-up.

I did purchase the gun new, from a local dealer, about two years ago. It is a real shooter. (I punched out a 1 1/4" group a few days ago - 25 yds). I feel kinda silly that I haven't noticed this before now.

We've got a very reputable pistol-smith here in town. I think I'd better let him take a look and see what he suggests. I do appreciate the feed-back from you guys. jd

Clemson · February 4, 2009, 10:05 AM

Contact S&W. They will send you a prepaid mailer for your gun to return it to the factory for repair. Their warrantee is iron-clad, but sending it to the local smith will void it.

Clemson

hunter11 · February 4, 2009, 10:47 AM

I'd follow that recommendation and go to Smith they have a lifetime warrantee and it's great. Dan

jdscholer · February 4, 2009, 12:05 PM

OK. You're right. I'll just have to be brave and patient.

jd

Playboypenguin · February 4, 2009, 12:50 PM

I saw this issue on one revolver a friend had bought. A little WD-40 and a slight tap with a rubber tuning hammer fixed it right up. There was just a piece of crud inside of it. I would rule that out before sending it back.

James K · February 4, 2009, 01:16 PM

If the locking bolt is sticking out the front 1/8" it is stuck. I recommend using the penetrant and a rubber or plastic hammer before going to the trouble of returning it to S&W or taking it to a gunsmith.

Jim

jdscholer · February 4, 2009, 04:04 PM

Jim, to be sure we aren't misunderstanding each other, is the locking bolt the spring loaded pin which is housed in the under-lug?

If it is, it will have to extend further in order to engage the recess in the center pin.

There is a hole in the under-lug just forward of the pin's housing. I have squirted Rem-Oil and air in it and the pin moves freely, under spring tension, but will protrude no more than 1/8".

It almost seems that the center pin is not long enough to engage the pin rather than vice-versa. jd

February 2, 2009, 10:22 PM	#1
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	686 Question/Problem? I've got a 686-6, serial #CJT65XX. After shooting it today, and cleaning it, I noticed something that may be a flaw or mechanical problem. I'd appreciate any help from someone more knowledgeable than myself. Without knowing the proper names of the parts in question, I'll try to make myself understood. Recessed into the under-lug below the barrel is the area which houses what I believe is called the center pin (the pin which pushes the extractor to eject shells from the cylinder). In the forward part of this recess is a spring-loaded pin which appears meant to snap into the recessed end on the center pin. Only mine doesn't. The pin seems to be too short to extend into the center pin when closing the cylinder, and doesn't even touch the center pin upon closing the cylinder. The little pin moves freely under spring tension, but doesn't snap back far enough to engage the end of the center pin. Do I have a problem? I'd appreciate a shout back from anyone familiar with my situation. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

February 3, 2009, 12:15 PM	#2
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	chirp.......chirp.... __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

February 3, 2009, 12:28 PM	#3
hunter11 Member Join Date: January 31, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 66	S&W 686 I'd call S&W about it !! Dan

February 3, 2009, 10:07 PM	#6
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	With the cylinder open (or closed) the "locking bolt" protrudes from the under-lug about 1/8". That is from the curved front of the recess in the under-lug. If the locking bolt was longer - perhaps 1/16" - it would engage the recessed end of the cylinder pin providing for some frontal lock-up. I did purchase the gun new, from a local dealer, about two years ago. It is a real shooter. (I punched out a 1 1/4" group a few days ago - 25 yds). I feel kinda silly that I haven't noticed this before now. We've got a very reputable pistol-smith here in town. I think I'd better let him take a look and see what he suggests. I do appreciate the feed-back from you guys. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

February 4, 2009, 10:05 AM	#7
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	Contact S&W. They will send you a prepaid mailer for your gun to return it to the factory for repair. Their warrantee is iron-clad, but sending it to the local smith will void it. Clemson __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

February 3, 2009, 05:33 PM	#4
Rmac58 Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2008 Location: central Va Posts: 182	Yes, you do have a problem. Mine comes back far enough to "lock" the center pin.

February 3, 2009, 09:35 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The whole idea is that the ejector rod is held at both ends. If the locking bolt (which is what S&W calls that little pin) is coming back all the way, there is something wrong. With the cylinder open, it should stick out at the front just a little, maybe .004" or so. If it sticks out much more than that, it might be stuck. Try tapping it with a plastic mallet (screwdriver handle will do) and see what happens. Did you buy the gun new? It is possible that someone replaced that locking bolt with one intended for a short barrel gun, but that is a bit far-fetched. Jim

February 4, 2009, 10:47 AM	#8
hunter11 Member Join Date: January 31, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 66	S&W 686 I'd follow that recommendation and go to Smith they have a lifetime warrantee and it's great. Dan

February 4, 2009, 12:05 PM	#9
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	OK. You're right. I'll just have to be brave and patient. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

February 4, 2009, 12:50 PM	#10
Playboypenguin Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2006 Location: Great Pacific Northwest Posts: 11,515	I saw this issue on one revolver a friend had bought. A little WD-40 and a slight tap with a rubber tuning hammer fixed it right up. There was just a piece of crud inside of it. I would rule that out before sending it back.

February 4, 2009, 01:16 PM	#11
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	If the locking bolt is sticking out the front 1/8" it is stuck. I recommend using the penetrant and a rubber or plastic hammer before going to the trouble of returning it to S&W or taking it to a gunsmith. Jim

February 4, 2009, 04:04 PM	#12
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	Jim, to be sure we aren't misunderstanding each other, is the locking bolt the spring loaded pin which is housed in the under-lug? If it is, it will have to extend further in order to engage the recess in the center pin. There is a hole in the under-lug just forward of the pin's housing. I have squirted Rem-Oil and air in it and the pin moves freely, under spring tension, but will protrude no more than 1/8". It almost seems that the center pin is not long enough to engage the pin rather than vice-versa. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher