686 chip/ding in cylinder

TestedTwice · February 7, 2019, 12:23 AM

So I just noticed on my new Smith and Wesson 686 that there is a pretty decent chip or dent in the steel on the outer edge of the back of the cylinder. I know it’s purely cosmetic, but I have some serious “OCD” when it comes to my guns.

Does anybody else have wear marks like this on their cylinders? It KIND OF catches on my fingernail, but it’s hard to feel it. Perhaps it could be polished out? Here’s a link to a picture.

https://imgur.com/a/iaPxpAU

Bill DeShivs · February 7, 2019, 02:50 AM

The cylinder edge can be radiused to remove it, but I wouldn't worry about it.

Targa · February 7, 2019, 05:17 AM

I have a bit of OCD as well, I think almost all of us do to some extent. I would let that one go, consider it a very small birth mark in case it ever got lost..

buck460XVR · February 7, 2019, 05:56 AM

Like the above 2 posters, I too wouldn't worry about it. It could be softened a bit by polishing, but it is not going to affect the performance at all. Odds are iffin you shoot it, it will acquire other dings and scratches that will just add to it's personality. I'd assume since you didn't notice it when you bought it, it really isn't that noticeable?

TestedTwice · February 7, 2019, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buck460XVR

Like the above 2 posters, I too wouldn't worry about it. It could be softened a bit by polishing, but it is not going to affect the performance at all. Odds are iffin you shoot it, it will acquire other dings and scratches that will just add to it's personality. I'd assume since you didn't notice it when you bought it, it really isn't that noticeable?

Yeah, that’s true. I swear that every time I look at it, it seems to be growing in size. Haha. What do you guys think the odds are of it chipping more and getting bigger?

silvermane_1 · February 7, 2019, 06:50 AM

TestedTwice, that little ding/dent is nothing to worry about, if it was alot bigger then you would cause for concern, but it so small so no worries.

T. O'Heir · February 7, 2019, 12:21 PM

"...on my new..." It's not a safety issue. It's a QC and cosmetic issue. A BNIB revolver should not have anything like that. If you're sure you didn't cause it, you have a warrantee. Up to you if you take the thing back, but the shop will probably try to blame you.

DPris · February 7, 2019, 01:19 PM

It's a very minor impact ding that won't grow & won't affect function.

Yeah, it should not be there on a new gun.
No, I should never have to accept cold coffee.

Life happens.
Not to be snarky, just addressing the fact that sometimes molehills need not be enlarged.

Denis

Dufus · February 7, 2019, 01:44 PM

Not trying to piss anyone off, but I did have a good laugh over that one.

Seeing as how the "ding" is on the left side of the cylinder, do you thing it might make it shoot to the right?

P-990 · February 7, 2019, 01:52 PM

Don't polish or mess with it! And shooting won't make that worse, it isn't close to anything that happens when firing a cartridge.

Honestly, it looks to me like something slipped when the radius was applied to the cylinder. Welcome to modern mass production.

If it were mine, I'd just keep shooting it and not worry about it any further. I couldn't stand to send that back to S&W to be "fixed" if there's no mechanical issue or major external cosmetic damage. There's no guarantee it will come back better after the first trip.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

gnystrom · February 7, 2019, 03:53 PM

I dislike the knowledge it is there but after a couple of weeks, you will forget. I have a 586 L comp with a ding from the factory. I now have to remind myself it is there.

rodfac · February 7, 2019, 06:39 PM

It's nothing...but if you can't live with it, call S&W service dept.

straightshooterjake · February 7, 2019, 07:14 PM

I will offer the same advice I always give for issues which are eligible for warranty, but which do not have a critical effect on safety or function. That advice is "Shoot the gun a bunch before you decide what to do about it." You should shoot the gun enough so that if there are any other issues, you will find them. That way, if you do decide to send the gun for warranty, you can have everything it needs done in one trip.

In this case, I expect that after you shoot the gun, you will decide not to send it in for that small blemish. But it is your right to send it in if it bothers you, since even a small blemish should not be present on a brand new gun.

So go shoot the gun and enjoy it. Get some range time in, and then decide. A 686 is lots of fun to shoot, and that mark won't affect function at all. So have some fun.

You might want to take some more pictures of the mark before you shoot it, just so it is clear that you did not cause the ding yourself. But if you say the gun came that way, I expect everyone will believe you. I know I certainly do. Good luck.

DPris · February 7, 2019, 08:05 PM

The problem there is that the longer you wait to return to S&W, the harder it becomes to get 'em to believe it was THEIR fault, instead of YOUR fault.

The more you shoot it, the more likely they may be to duck responsibility.
The longer you have it & the more you bang it up yourself, the harder it is to claim that's the way it came.

NOT suggesting you do return under warrantee, I would not.
Just if you do return for that ding, do it now.
Denis

TestedTwice · February 7, 2019, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPris

The problem there is that the longer you wait to return to S&W, the harder it becomes to get 'em to believe it was THEIR fault, instead of YOUR fault.

The more you shoot it, the more likely they may be to duck responsibility.
The longer you have it & the more you bang it up yourself, the harder it is to claim that's the way it came.

NOT suggesting you do return under warrantee, I would not.
Just if you do return for that ding, do it now.
Denis

I'm really not wanting to send it in. The main thing I'm worried about is it growing in size. Do you think it would be possible to smooth it out with some fine grit sandpaper? Just enough so that it's not able to catch on my fingernail? Also, do you know if S&W would be able to fit a new cylinder to my 686 in the event that this little ding causes my cylinder to explode?

I apologize for my absolutely ridiculous "OCD." I'm one of those weirdos that get overly worried about stuff like this if I'M not the one that caused it. Had I been the one to ding it up, my OCD would only be running at half the strength it is now.

DPris · February 7, 2019, 10:06 PM

Of course you can smooth it out with the right sandpaper.
After which you'd need to use some touch-up blue to cover the bare steel, or you wouldn't be able to sleep at night.
And then eventually the difference in blotchy finish would drive you to sending the cylinder out for rebluing.

After which you'd still be painfully aware of the flattened area, so you'd force yourself to send the cylinder back out to have that circumference milled uniformly.

After which it'd have to be reblued again.

I do understand OCD, and I do not use sarcasm to ridicule you, only to get your attention.
But- I think maybe you'd be better off just dumping the gun entirely.

You are, of course, joking about that little bit of nothing causing your cylinder to explode.
Even if you're serious, say you're joking.
You stand to be razzed unmercifully if you're not joking about such a nothing.

S&W could replace your cylinder, but not because it exploded.

In no known, or even theoretical, universe could that tiny ding cause ANYTHING to explode.
Denis

Bill DeShivs · February 7, 2019, 10:24 PM

The gun is stainless..... you won't need cold bluing.
Get some 600 grit automotive wet/dry sandpaper. Wrap it tightly around a flat stick or piece of metal, and smooth the blemish. Don't try to remove it.
It most certainly won't cause your gun to explode! It's just a minor ding.

TestedTwice · February 7, 2019, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPris

You are, of course, joking about that little bit of nothing causing your cylinder to explode.
Even if you're serious, say you're joking.
You stand to be razzed unmercifully if you're not joking about such a nothing.

Lol. I was definitely joking. It drives me nuts at the moment, but I know it wouldn't cause any catastrophic failure or anything. Like I said, I'm just worried about the ding growing in size by catching on the frame (that part of the cylinder does occasionally rub on the frame due to the fact that the little nub on the frame is the only thing keeping the cylinder on the yoke when open). I didn't think anyone would think I was serious about that, but I suppose that just means there are bigger worry-warts than me that have come through these forums. I was just wondering if Smith and Wesson would replace it if I just wanted it replaced for no good reason, or if they only do that kind of thing on failures covered by the warranty.

As for rebluing, the gun I have is stainless. I do appreciate the attempts at calming my extreme OCD! Perhaps I'll get over it if I just shoot it a few times.

TestedTwice · February 7, 2019, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill DeShivs

The gun is stainless..... you won't need cold bluing.
Get some 600 grit automotive wet/dry sandpaper. Wrap it tightly around a flat stick or piece of metal, and smooth the blemish. Don't try to remove it.
It most certainly won't cause your gun to explode! It's just a minor ding.

Sorry for the double post, but I'm not sure if it's possible to quote multiple posts?

Do you think something as high as 2500 or 3000 grit sandpaper would be enough to smooth this out? I don't want to take off too much steel at once. Also, why the stick/piece of metal? Is using my finger not good for this type of application? I know the cylinder wouldn't explode, that was my bad attempt at a joke. My apologies on not being clear with that.

dahermit · February 7, 2019, 11:36 PM

Quote:

What do you guys think the odds are of it chipping more and getting bigger?

It is not a "chip" in the sense that the steel is not brittle enough to "chip". It is a cut in the steel that definitely will not get bigger...unless you take some too to it.

Ibmikey · February 7, 2019, 11:49 PM

Follow instructions on post 17 if something as insignificant as that will cause a loss of sleep, and apparently it does. Like with every product things happen and wear marks appear, yours was just a bit premature.

DPris · February 8, 2019, 12:02 AM

Sorry about the blued part, did not notice it was stainless.

Denis

Dufus · February 8, 2019, 12:23 AM

Kidding aside, I would get some jewelers files, take the flat one and wrap a piece of crocus cloth around it and start smoothing. Jewelers files are very handy to keep in your gun stuff and they don't cost all that much.

Bill DeShivs · February 8, 2019, 01:53 AM

No 2000 grit is not coarse enough.
It's not a chip, it's a ding, or dent where something hit it.
600 grit won't take too much metal off.
Use the stick to keep your sanding straight....
Maybe you better send it to S&W.

ms6852 · February 8, 2019, 02:37 AM

You might not have to send the whole gun they may just want the cylinder. Email them along with the picture and see what they have to say. I know that it is bothering you and if you do not do something you will never enjoy your gun.

February 7, 2019, 12:23 AM	#1
TestedTwice Member Join Date: September 25, 2015 Posts: 55	686 chip/ding in cylinder So I just noticed on my new Smith and Wesson 686 that there is a pretty decent chip or dent in the steel on the outer edge of the back of the cylinder. I know it’s purely cosmetic, but I have some serious “OCD” when it comes to my guns. Does anybody else have wear marks like this on their cylinders? It KIND OF catches on my fingernail, but it’s hard to feel it. Perhaps it could be polished out? Here’s a link to a picture. https://imgur.com/a/iaPxpAU

February 7, 2019, 02:50 AM	#2
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	The cylinder edge can be radiused to remove it, but I wouldn't worry about it. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

February 7, 2019, 06:50 AM	#6
silvermane_1 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: Burien,WA Posts: 897	TestedTwice, that little ding/dent is nothing to worry about, if it was alot bigger then you would cause for concern, but it so small so no worries. __________________ Rugers:SR1911 CMD,MK 3 .22lr 6",Sec. Six '76 liberty .357 4",SRH .480 Ruger 7.5",Mini-14 188 5.56/.233 18.5", Marlins: 795 .22lr 16.5",30aw 30-30 20",Mossberg:Mav. 88 Tact. 12 ga, 18.5",ATR 100 .270 Win. 22",S&W:SW9VE 9mm 4",Springfield:XD .357sig 4", AKs:CAI PSL-54C, WASR 10/63, WW74,SLR-106c Last edited by silvermane_1; February 7, 2019 at 06:59 AM.

February 7, 2019, 12:21 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...on my new..." It's not a safety issue. It's a QC and cosmetic issue. A BNIB revolver should not have anything like that. If you're sure you didn't cause it, you have a warrantee. Up to you if you take the thing back, but the shop will probably try to blame you. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

February 7, 2019, 06:39 PM	#12
rodfac Senior Member Join Date: January 22, 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,624	It's nothing...but if you can't live with it, call S&W service dept. __________________ Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73.

February 7, 2019, 05:17 AM	#3
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	I have a bit of OCD as well, I think almost all of us do to some extent. I would let that one go, consider it a very small birth mark in case it ever got lost..

February 7, 2019, 05:56 AM	#4
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	Like the above 2 posters, I too wouldn't worry about it. It could be softened a bit by polishing, but it is not going to affect the performance at all. Odds are iffin you shoot it, it will acquire other dings and scratches that will just add to it's personality. I'd assume since you didn't notice it when you bought it, it really isn't that noticeable?

February 7, 2019, 01:19 PM	#8
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	It's a very minor impact ding that won't grow & won't affect function. Yeah, it should not be there on a new gun. No, I should never have to accept cold coffee. Life happens. Not to be snarky, just addressing the fact that sometimes molehills need not be enlarged. Denis

February 7, 2019, 01:44 PM	#9
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	Not trying to piss anyone off, but I did have a good laugh over that one. Seeing as how the "ding" is on the left side of the cylinder, do you thing it might make it shoot to the right?

February 7, 2019, 01:52 PM	#10
P-990 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: Only1/2WayThere Posts: 1,316	Don't polish or mess with it! And shooting won't make that worse, it isn't close to anything that happens when firing a cartridge. Honestly, it looks to me like something slipped when the radius was applied to the cylinder. Welcome to modern mass production. If it were mine, I'd just keep shooting it and not worry about it any further. I couldn't stand to send that back to S&W to be "fixed" if there's no mechanical issue or major external cosmetic damage. There's no guarantee it will come back better after the first trip. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

February 7, 2019, 03:53 PM	#11
gnystrom Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2006 Posts: 308	I dislike the knowledge it is there but after a couple of weeks, you will forget. I have a 586 L comp with a ding from the factory. I now have to remind myself it is there.

February 7, 2019, 07:14 PM	#13
straightshooterjake Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2016 Posts: 122	I will offer the same advice I always give for issues which are eligible for warranty, but which do not have a critical effect on safety or function. That advice is "Shoot the gun a bunch before you decide what to do about it." You should shoot the gun enough so that if there are any other issues, you will find them. That way, if you do decide to send the gun for warranty, you can have everything it needs done in one trip. In this case, I expect that after you shoot the gun, you will decide not to send it in for that small blemish. But it is your right to send it in if it bothers you, since even a small blemish should not be present on a brand new gun. So go shoot the gun and enjoy it. Get some range time in, and then decide. A 686 is lots of fun to shoot, and that mark won't affect function at all. So have some fun. You might want to take some more pictures of the mark before you shoot it, just so it is clear that you did not cause the ding yourself. But if you say the gun came that way, I expect everyone will believe you. I know I certainly do. Good luck. __________________ My blog: http://straightshooterjake.blogspot.com/

February 7, 2019, 08:05 PM	#14
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	The problem there is that the longer you wait to return to S&W, the harder it becomes to get 'em to believe it was THEIR fault, instead of YOUR fault. The more you shoot it, the more likely they may be to duck responsibility. The longer you have it & the more you bang it up yourself, the harder it is to claim that's the way it came. NOT suggesting you do return under warrantee, I would not. Just if you do return for that ding, do it now. Denis

February 7, 2019, 10:06 PM	#16
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	Of course you can smooth it out with the right sandpaper. After which you'd need to use some touch-up blue to cover the bare steel, or you wouldn't be able to sleep at night. And then eventually the difference in blotchy finish would drive you to sending the cylinder out for rebluing. After which you'd still be painfully aware of the flattened area, so you'd force yourself to send the cylinder back out to have that circumference milled uniformly. After which it'd have to be reblued again. I do understand OCD, and I do not use sarcasm to ridicule you, only to get your attention. But- I think maybe you'd be better off just dumping the gun entirely. You are, of course, joking about that little bit of nothing causing your cylinder to explode. Even if you're serious, say you're joking. You stand to be razzed unmercifully if you're not joking about such a nothing. S&W could replace your cylinder, but not because it exploded. In no known, or even theoretical, universe could that tiny ding cause ANYTHING to explode. Denis

February 7, 2019, 10:24 PM	#17
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	The gun is stainless..... you won't need cold bluing. Get some 600 grit automotive wet/dry sandpaper. Wrap it tightly around a flat stick or piece of metal, and smooth the blemish. Don't try to remove it. It most certainly won't cause your gun to explode! It's just a minor ding. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

February 7, 2019, 11:49 PM	#21
Ibmikey Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2013 Location: Now relocated to Texas Posts: 2,943	Follow instructions on post 17 if something as insignificant as that will cause a loss of sleep, and apparently it does. Like with every product things happen and wear marks appear, yours was just a bit premature.

February 8, 2019, 12:02 AM	#22
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	Sorry about the blued part, did not notice it was stainless. Denis

February 8, 2019, 12:23 AM	#23
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	Kidding aside, I would get some jewelers files, take the flat one and wrap a piece of crocus cloth around it and start smoothing. Jewelers files are very handy to keep in your gun stuff and they don't cost all that much.

February 8, 2019, 01:53 AM	#24
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	No 2000 grit is not coarse enough. It's not a chip, it's a ding, or dent where something hit it. 600 grit won't take too much metal off. Use the stick to keep your sanding straight.... Maybe you better send it to S&W. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

February 8, 2019, 02:37 AM	#25
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	You might not have to send the whole gun they may just want the cylinder. Email them along with the picture and see what they have to say. I know that it is bothering you and if you do not do something you will never enjoy your gun. __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.