S&W 686 Question

Prof · July 25, 2005, 06:10 PM

I recently shot my 686 and, after cleaning it, reassembled the cylinder/crane. Oddly, I couldn't get the cylinder to fit back into the frame. After fiddling with it for awhile, it did go back in. However, now, even though the cylinder will rotate when I dry fire the revolver, it is difficult to open/close the cylinder. The back for the ejection rod seems to be scoring the frame by the firing pin. Is this common? I don't think I did anything to damage the revolver when firing it (factory ammo, etc.).

Dave Sample · July 25, 2005, 07:17 PM

Your ejector is coming out and needs to be screwed back in. I can't tell you if it is a right hand or left hand thread so be careful. Also make sure you got the right crane screw back in. It is different.

**4V50 Gary** · July 25, 2005, 09:23 PM

Clamp the ejector rod in a padded vise. Place three spent cartridges into the chamber. Turn the cylinder until it's snug. Be sure that you don't push down on the cylinder when your turning since that'll allow the ejector star to pop up and you don't want to tweak it the ejector star/ejector rod.

Prof · July 25, 2005, 09:33 PM

Thank you, both!

gunsmither · July 25, 2005, 09:56 PM

It should be a left hand thread.

cntryboy1289 · July 25, 2005, 11:44 PM

I bet you used the wrong screw in the front hole which locks the crane in place. Take all three screws out and make sure you use the shortest screw in the front hole. If you put the longer screw in, this will prevent the crane from lining up correctly.

Prof · July 26, 2005, 08:29 AM

cntryboy1289: Actually, I always just take out the center screw to remove the crane/cylinder. I didn't know that I was supposed to take them all out.

I did try tightening the ejector rod but it was tight and wouldn't turn in either direction.

JoeHatley · July 26, 2005, 09:44 AM

Try backing the yoke screw off about 1/8th turn.

Joe

cntryboy1289 · July 26, 2005, 11:11 AM

If you only remove the middle screw, this is why it was hard to get the crane back in. You need to remove the yolk screw which is the front screw. Remove the yolk screw and the slide the crane back in and then tighten it just enough to secure the crane so it won't back out. I would double check all three screws just to make sure you have the screws in the right order. The two long screws go in the rear and middle hole in the frame nd the short screw goes in the front. This front screw should never be overtightened and has a specific spot on the crane where the screw should be tightened against. Chances are the crane isn't all the way in and this is why it scored the frame when you closed it because it is misaligned and not entering the slot correctly.

July 25, 2005, 06:10 PM	#1
Prof Senior Member Join Date: March 3, 2000 Location: California (for now) Posts: 459	S&W 686 Question I recently shot my 686 and, after cleaning it, reassembled the cylinder/crane. Oddly, I couldn't get the cylinder to fit back into the frame. After fiddling with it for awhile, it did go back in. However, now, even though the cylinder will rotate when I dry fire the revolver, it is difficult to open/close the cylinder. The back for the ejection rod seems to be scoring the frame by the firing pin. Is this common? I don't think I did anything to damage the revolver when firing it (factory ammo, etc.).

July 25, 2005, 09:23 PM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	Remove the cylinder from the gun... Clamp the ejector rod in a padded vise. Place three spent cartridges into the chamber. Turn the cylinder until it's snug. Be sure that you don't push down on the cylinder when your turning since that'll allow the ejector star to pop up and you don't want to tweak it the ejector star/ejector rod. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

July 25, 2005, 09:56 PM	#5
gunsmither Member Join Date: July 19, 2002 Location: Washington State Posts: 35	686 left hand thread It should be a left hand thread.

July 25, 2005, 11:44 PM	#6
cntryboy1289 Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2004 Location: Ms Posts: 1,160	screw I bet I bet you used the wrong screw in the front hole which locks the crane in place. Take all three screws out and make sure you use the shortest screw in the front hole. If you put the longer screw in, this will prevent the crane from lining up correctly.

July 26, 2005, 09:44 AM	#8
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	Try backing the yoke screw off about 1/8th turn. Joe __________________ Go NRA

July 25, 2005, 07:17 PM	#2
Dave Sample Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2004 Location: Prescott, AZ Posts: 1,002	Your ejector is coming out and needs to be screwed back in. I can't tell you if it is a right hand or left hand thread so be careful. Also make sure you got the right crane screw back in. It is different.

July 25, 2005, 09:33 PM	#4
Prof Senior Member Join Date: March 3, 2000 Location: California (for now) Posts: 459	Thank you, both!

July 26, 2005, 08:29 AM	#7
Prof Senior Member Join Date: March 3, 2000 Location: California (for now) Posts: 459	cntryboy1289: Actually, I always just take out the center screw to remove the crane/cylinder. I didn't know that I was supposed to take them all out. I did try tightening the ejector rod but it was tight and wouldn't turn in either direction.

July 26, 2005, 11:11 AM	#9
cntryboy1289 Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2004 Location: Ms Posts: 1,160	it's the front screw If you only remove the middle screw, this is why it was hard to get the crane back in. You need to remove the yolk screw which is the front screw. Remove the yolk screw and the slide the crane back in and then tighten it just enough to secure the crane so it won't back out. I would double check all three screws just to make sure you have the screws in the right order. The two long screws go in the rear and middle hole in the frame nd the short screw goes in the front. This front screw should never be overtightened and has a specific spot on the crane where the screw should be tightened against. Chances are the crane isn't all the way in and this is why it scored the frame when you closed it because it is misaligned and not entering the slot correctly.