686 cylinder Locked Up

hatchet · August 28, 2023, 04:56 PM

I recently bought a new 686 Plus. Over the past few months I have put roughly 150 rounds of lighter reloads though it, with no issues.
Yesterday, I ran an initial cylinder though it with no issues and then loaded another. On the 3rd cartridge of double action shooting in that cylinder, the hammer half stroked and everything locked up.
The hammer is in the down position and will not thumb cock, the trigger and the cylinder will not move at all.
I have had A LOT S & W and Ruger revolvers over the last 36 years but have never had this happen.
This is a "lock" gun, so first thing I did when I got home was break out the key and made sure the lock was not engaged. So it does not appear to be that.

Anyone else experience this?

Jim Watson · August 28, 2023, 05:42 PM

Can you see through the cylinder gap? A stuck bullet bridging the gap will lock it up.

We used to hear a lot about unscrewed extractor rods but they changed to left hand threads years ago to prevent that.

44caliberkid · August 28, 2023, 05:48 PM

I had a six shot 686 when they first came out that did the same thing. When shooting DA it would seize up in mid stroke, hammer half way back, nothing would move, couldn’t open the cylinder. The dealer sent it to a warranty station, they sent it back, still did the same thing. I traded it for something else.

jmr40 · August 28, 2023, 05:57 PM

I'm thinking the ejector rod may have backed out. This used to a pretty common issue.

If this is the issue you will have to force the cylinder open. Then screw the ejector rod in tight. Use of locktite will prevent it from backing out.

hatchet · August 28, 2023, 06:01 PM

Jim Watson,

Yes, I checked that yesterday. Everything is clear. I stuck a piece of paper though the forcing cone area, as well as the rear of the case to make sure it was not a primer popping out.

hatchet · August 28, 2023, 06:04 PM

jmr40,

I was reading about this last night. I am able to slide the cylinder release forward, and when I do I can see the rod in the end of the ejector rod protruding out.
Not sure how to correct that though.

hatchet · August 28, 2023, 06:05 PM

44caliberkid,

Was this a pre lock 686, or a newer locking model?

Lurch37 · August 28, 2023, 09:32 PM

Maybe I missed it but you say on the 3rd shot the hammer half stroked and is now in the down position. Did the 3rd round fire or is it a live round?

hatchet · August 28, 2023, 09:47 PM

Lurch37,

Yeah the 3rd round did not fire, so the hammer is down on a live round.

44caliberkid · August 28, 2023, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatchet

44caliberkid,

Was this a pre lock 686, or a newer locking model?

It was a pre-lock. Bought around 1988.

**44 AMP** · August 28, 2023, 10:13 PM

You said the gun is new. New as in still under warranty, new??

If the gun is still under warranty, it needs to go back to S&W.

Call S&W, they will tell you how to proceed. I suggest finding a S&W warranty service shop (S&W can tell you the closes one to you), take the gun there, and have them handle sending it back to the factory.

IF S&W tells you to do something different, do what they say.

Good Luck, and let us know how things work out.

tangolima · August 28, 2023, 11:56 PM

The gun is loaded, so you may not be able to ship it. Look up the closest service station, and bring the gun there for them to deal with.

Back to the revolver, is the trigger reset or stuck to the back position? The cylinder can't turn if the trigger is kept back.

-TL

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

MC 1911 · August 29, 2023, 06:43 AM

I'd take the grips & side plate off and go from there if you're comfortable taking it apart.

hatchet · August 29, 2023, 10:58 AM

tangolima,

Trigger is reset to forward position and hammer is down.

HighValleyRanch · August 29, 2023, 11:10 AM

Is the problem that you cannot swing the cylinder open?
Does the cylinder latch move forward or is it locked up?

Carmady · August 29, 2023, 11:54 AM

Quote:

The hammer is in the down position and will not thumb cock, the trigger and the cylinder will not move at all.

Is the cylinder bolt engaged?

**44 AMP** · August 29, 2023, 01:18 PM

Quote:

I'd take the grips & side plate off and go from there if you're comfortable taking it apart.

Comfortable and competent are different things.

taking the guts out of a S&W revolver is not mechanically difficult. Do so without damaging anything requires some training and the correct tools. Knowing what you are looking at, and looking for, correctly diagnosing the cause of the problem, doing the needed repair, and getting the parts back in is something MOST people have no clue how to do, and a Utube video is a great way to screw up your gun WORSE.

Let the people who are professionals handle it. Particularly if the gun is still under warranty.

the issue here is, If YOU take the gun apart, #1, are you going to be able to recognize what is causing the problem?? #2, are you going to be able to figure out what caused the problem in the first place, #3, can you do the needed repairs yourself ?? Get any needed parts?? Install them and possibly fit them as needed?? etc.,....

Also to consider is that if you are going to try and fix it, ALL costs will come out of your pocket, can you do it and not damage anything, including the finish?? And, will doing so void your warranty??

Just some points to ponder before you tear into the gun on some keyboard commando's (well meant, of course) advice.

Friend of mine had a S&W lock up in a similar manner around 20 years ago. S&W told him to take it to their warranty center (which happened to be the local shop he did business with) and they discovered that a part had broken, and the broken piece, less than half the size of a grain of rice, had, somehow (and against the odds) managed to work itself into just the right place to jam the gun solidly. The gun was repaired and returned to service, but it was NOT a matter of just plugging in a new part and being good to go.

SEND THE GUN TO S&W, let them fix it. Its the smart thing to do.

MC 1911 · August 29, 2023, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 44 AMP

Comfortable and competent are different things.

taking the guts out of a S&W revolver is not mechanically difficult. Do so without damaging anything requires some training and the correct tools. Knowing what you are looking at, and looking for, correctly diagnosing the cause of the problem, doing the needed repair, and getting the parts back in is something MOST people have no clue how to do, and a Utube video is a great way to screw up your gun WORSE.

Let the people who are professionals handle it. Particularly if the gun is still under warranty.

the issue here is, If YOU take the gun apart, #1, are you going to be able to recognize what is causing the problem?? #2, are you going to be able to figure out what caused the problem in the first place, #3, can you do the needed repairs yourself ?? Get any needed parts?? Install them and possibly fit them as needed?? etc.,....

Also to consider is that if you are going to try and fix it, ALL costs will come out of your pocket, can you do it and not damage anything, including the finish?? And, will doing so void your warranty??

Just some points to ponder before you tear into the gun on some keyboard commando's (well meant, of course) advice.

Friend of mine had a S&W lock up in a similar manner around 20 years ago. S&W told him to take it to their warranty center (which happened to be the local shop he did business with) and they discovered that a part had broken, and the broken piece, less than half the size of a grain of rice, had, somehow (and against the odds) managed to work itself into just the right place to jam the gun solidly. The gun was repaired and returned to service, but it was NOT a matter of just plugging in a new part and being good to go.

SEND THE GUN TO S&W, let them fix it. Its the smart thing to do.

Sorry not a "keyboard commando". How are you going to ship a loaded gun to S&W? That is bad advice! Yes I am comfortable & yes I can get them back together correctly. No matter what he does it needs to be unloaded.

Ignore the suggestion & carry on..

hatchet · August 29, 2023, 02:28 PM

HighValleyRanch,

Cylinder, hammer and trigger all locked up and will not move.
The cylinder latch does slide back and forth.

hatchet · August 29, 2023, 02:31 PM

44AMP & MC1911,

Yeah that is the issue, I can not ship it to S&W loaded. I did call them as I bought the gun new about 6 months ago. So, I will have to take it to a gunsmith and have him take it apart to figure the issue.

MC 1911 · August 29, 2023, 02:45 PM

Understood...good luck!!

**4V50 Gary** · August 29, 2023, 07:59 PM

Was the trigger released all the way and it stayed in a locked up condition?

hatchet · August 30, 2023, 09:37 AM

4V50 Gary,

Yes, Trigger is full forward and locked up. As well as the hammer and cylinder.

Jim Watson · August 30, 2023, 10:24 AM

Being careful about which way it was pointed, I would:
Remove grips
Back out strain screw so as to not side load the action pins and studs
Take off sideplate

Start taking out internal parts until something went SPROING and it freed up.

Japle · August 30, 2023, 11:14 AM

If you decide to look inside the gun, don't make the rookie mistake of prying the sideplate off.
Having done many action jobs on these revolvers over the last 40+ years, it sounds to me like the cylinder stop is stuck in the up / locked position. This could be because the stop itself is broken or the trigger nose is broken or there's something stuck in there.
Mailing a loaded gun is a super-bad idea. Find a gunsmith who knows what he's doing and have him check it out.

August 28, 2023, 05:57 PM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,973	I'm thinking the ejector rod may have backed out. This used to a pretty common issue. If this is the issue you will have to force the cylinder open. Then screw the ejector rod in tight. Use of locktite will prevent it from backing out. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

August 28, 2023, 06:01 PM	#5
hatchet Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 226	Jim Watson, Yes, I checked that yesterday. Everything is clear. I stuck a piece of paper though the forcing cone area, as well as the rear of the case to make sure it was not a primer popping out. __________________ All gave some, some gave all.

August 28, 2023, 06:04 PM	#6
hatchet Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 226	jmr40, I was reading about this last night. I am able to slide the cylinder release forward, and when I do I can see the rod in the end of the ejector rod protruding out. Not sure how to correct that though. __________________ All gave some, some gave all.

August 28, 2023, 06:05 PM	#7
hatchet Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 226	44caliberkid, Was this a pre lock 686, or a newer locking model? __________________ All gave some, some gave all.

August 28, 2023, 09:32 PM	#8
Lurch37 Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2006 Location: Middle of Nebraska Posts: 944	Maybe I missed it but you say on the 3rd shot the hammer half stroked and is now in the down position. Did the 3rd round fire or is it a live round? __________________ I reject your reality and substitute my own.

August 28, 2023, 04:56 PM	#1
hatchet Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 226	686 cylinder Locked Up I recently bought a new 686 Plus. Over the past few months I have put roughly 150 rounds of lighter reloads though it, with no issues. Yesterday, I ran an initial cylinder though it with no issues and then loaded another. On the 3rd cartridge of double action shooting in that cylinder, the hammer half stroked and everything locked up. The hammer is in the down position and will not thumb cock, the trigger and the cylinder will not move at all. I have had A LOT S & W and Ruger revolvers over the last 36 years but have never had this happen. This is a "lock" gun, so first thing I did when I got home was break out the key and made sure the lock was not engaged. So it does not appear to be that. Anyone else experience this? __________________ All gave some, some gave all.

August 28, 2023, 05:42 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,168	Can you see through the cylinder gap? A stuck bullet bridging the gap will lock it up. We used to hear a lot about unscrewed extractor rods but they changed to left hand threads years ago to prevent that.

August 28, 2023, 05:48 PM	#3
44caliberkid Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2017 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,272	I had a six shot 686 when they first came out that did the same thing. When shooting DA it would seize up in mid stroke, hammer half way back, nothing would move, couldn’t open the cylinder. The dealer sent it to a warranty station, they sent it back, still did the same thing. I traded it for something else.

August 28, 2023, 09:47 PM	#9
hatchet Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 226	Lurch37, Yeah the 3rd round did not fire, so the hammer is down on a live round. __________________ All gave some, some gave all.

August 28, 2023, 10:13 PM	#11
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,462	You said the gun is new. New as in still under warranty, new?? If the gun is still under warranty, it needs to go back to S&W. Call S&W, they will tell you how to proceed. I suggest finding a S&W warranty service shop (S&W can tell you the closes one to you), take the gun there, and have them handle sending it back to the factory. IF S&W tells you to do something different, do what they say. Good Luck, and let us know how things work out. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

August 28, 2023, 11:56 PM	#12
tangolima Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2013 Posts: 5,165	The gun is loaded, so you may not be able to ship it. Look up the closest service station, and bring the gun there for them to deal with. Back to the revolver, is the trigger reset or stuck to the back position? The cylinder can't turn if the trigger is kept back. -TL Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

August 29, 2023, 06:43 AM	#13
MC 1911 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 419	I'd take the grips & side plate off and go from there if you're comfortable taking it apart.

August 29, 2023, 10:58 AM	#14
hatchet Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 226	tangolima, Trigger is reset to forward position and hammer is down. __________________ All gave some, some gave all.

August 29, 2023, 11:10 AM	#15
HighValleyRanch Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2005 Posts: 4,133	Is the problem that you cannot swing the cylinder open? Does the cylinder latch move forward or is it locked up? __________________ From the sweet grass to the slaughter house; From birth until death; We travel between these two eternities........from 'Broken Trail"

August 29, 2023, 02:28 PM	#19
hatchet Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 226	HighValleyRanch, Cylinder, hammer and trigger all locked up and will not move. The cylinder latch does slide back and forth. __________________ All gave some, some gave all.

August 29, 2023, 02:31 PM	#20
hatchet Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 226	44AMP & MC1911, Yeah that is the issue, I can not ship it to S&W loaded. I did call them as I bought the gun new about 6 months ago. So, I will have to take it to a gunsmith and have him take it apart to figure the issue. __________________ All gave some, some gave all.

August 29, 2023, 02:45 PM	#21
MC 1911 Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 419	Understood...good luck!!

August 29, 2023, 07:59 PM	#22
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 22,298	Was the trigger released all the way and it stayed in a locked up condition? __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

August 30, 2023, 09:37 AM	#23
hatchet Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 226	4V50 Gary, Yes, Trigger is full forward and locked up. As well as the hammer and cylinder. __________________ All gave some, some gave all.

August 30, 2023, 10:24 AM	#24
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,168	Being careful about which way it was pointed, I would: Remove grips Back out strain screw so as to not side load the action pins and studs Take off sideplate Start taking out internal parts until something went SPROING and it freed up.

August 30, 2023, 11:14 AM	#25
Japle Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2004 Location: Viera, Florida Posts: 1,340	If you decide to look inside the gun, don't make the rookie mistake of prying the sideplate off. Having done many action jobs on these revolvers over the last 40+ years, it sounds to me like the cylinder stop is stuck in the up / locked position. This could be because the stop itself is broken or the trigger nose is broken or there's something stuck in there. Mailing a loaded gun is a super-bad idea. Find a gunsmith who knows what he's doing and have him check it out.