smith and wesson 686 problemssmith and wesson 686 problems

MOSSBERG 835 REVIEW: PUMP ACTION SHOTGUN SHOWDOWN, EEA WINDICATOR 357 REVIEW: PROS AND PROBLEMS, This div height required for enabling the sticky sidebar, 2022 Yestactical.com We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Our Sitemap. Although this is a minor issue with the Smith and Wesson 686, you should get this fixed. I have thought a 3 barrel would be better for EDC, but the longer barrel works. I would still like to have one, but it would have to be an early one. Still, look back through my posts and see the pictures I posed of my install. Has there been any recall with the Smith and Wesson 686? The manual will provide troubleshooting steps that can help you identify the problem. It was a 686 no dash, indicating it was an early model with the hammer-mounted firing pin, which predated any engineering changes. Theyre for target/long-range work on a handgun. Did I notice before this thread? And yes barrels that are not pinned can unscrew themselves from the frame, admittedly not very often but I have seen it happen. Required fields are marked *. Beefier than the K frame but not as massive as the N frame, the L frame models 686 (stainless steel, adjustable sights), 681 (stainless steel, fixed sights), 586 (blued finish, adjustable sights) and 581 (blued finish, fixed sights) could take the steady pounding of heavy .357 magnums and keep on ticking. Smith uses now a two piece barrel and despite gun writer propaganda, no they do not shoot better they shoot worse. Seriously, if you mess up, you can destroy a perfectly good revolver. My testing protocol: the old 4 and the new 4 686s were fired by me, single-action, from a seated position off of a rest, at a paper target at 25 yards. With the 8 3/8-inch tube reinstalled, I was tickled when my old girl put up four pretty fair groups. Wonderful article, Mr. Knudsen. If, God forbid, I was limited to only one firearm, what would it be? This can be caused by dirt or debris getting into the trigger assembly. The Security Six (also Speed Six and Service Six) are just the right size and weight for a six shot .357 magnum revolver. As my gun fund grew and other handguns were purchased, the 686 was carried less and less, especially when I started getting into USPSA and later 3-Gun competition. That would be a good basic gun for a newby. My 686 stayed in this form for a few more years, until one year while packing into mountain sheep and grizzly bear backcountry on horseback for a week of scouting, I had the bright idea to carry the 686 in an old Jackass shoulder holster rig I had found in a pawnshop. Smith & Wesson Model 686 Specs Caliber: .357 MAGNUM; .38 SPECIAL Overall Length: 10.25 inches Barrel Length: 5 inches Weight: 39.7 ounces Round Capacity: 7 Sights: Adjustable white outline Grip: Interchangeable Trigger: Single or double-action Top Features GET Your Smith & Wesson Model 686 HERE Next, check the hammer spring. I wonder what took them so long to finally get to what they should have been a long time ago? The shrouds (and grips) are where youll end up spending $$$. Everybody knows that old Smith & Wesson revolvers shoot better than new Smith & Wesson revolvers, right? Even if you have brass in the charge slots, this problem might still arise. Three barrel lengths were available, in 16 . Thank you for your time and effort. Love my revolvers. At the time, the market was flooded with police surplus units very cheap. That gave me 30 rounds of very stout ammo and if that wasnt enough, there was always my Mossberg 500 to fall back on. Well said but the fact remains, 6-7 or 15- 20? Also love shooting 38 special for target practiceso smooth! Had to trade my first pistol, a Heritage Arms Rough Rider to get it. You can never have too many. I also have a 6" 686-4, which has a 7 round cylinder. In exchange for that consideration you get more than double the ammo capacity. Damn good gun, easy to shoot, minimal recoil. (If you dont mind AS and 22lr). A good 9mm pistol has its own flexibility by the sheer assortment of stuff you can hang off it. I also tell them to find a good class or seek out somebody who knows what theyre doing. The old style internal lockwork in Colt DA revolvers (Colt Army Special, Colt New Service, up through the Python, etc) are very subtle and involved mechanisms. the sear and hammer are taken right out of the mold and then with no machining slapped into the gun. He shook his head no, and assured me that once purchased, he intended to take a firearms class. Obstructions can cause the gun to malfunction. To correct the sluggish timing issue with old 686 revolvers, you will need a larger hand. The problem is that even with the so-called 'full power' ribbed springs misfires occasionally happen. Discontinued in 2005, the Model 68 was chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge and had a six-shot cylinder making it one of Smith & Wessons most popular revolvers. If you are having this problem, make sure to clean your gun regularly and use high-quality ammunition. The older, long barreled 686 shot the best groups, but I suspect that has more to do with 1) its longer sight radius, and 2) its excellent partridge-style target front sight. Rubish. Are you gonna stand in the middle of the room and trade shots with the active shooter? The experimentation has led to, The revolutionary Ruger SR45 gun is unmatched because of its beautiful design and outstanding mechanism. Due to manufacturing tolerances, some firearms may require additional fitting. s. When the hand or the slot deteriorates, this problem arises (Fig 2). Revolvers. Hire a gunsmith. Lots of info here. Resultant testing and review have shown that a pistol dropped at a specific angle can cause a fracture of the grip. But if the gun does this every 5 or six rounds, or once with every cylinder, it is not good news. Replacing these parts will fix the issue most of the time. Theyre simply shorter-barreled and sport red-ramped combat front sights, which I dont find as precise for target shooting. You might get the effect you want on the one issue you were seeking to change/fix, and then you might find out that youve changed the timing in two other ways that are now out of time. revolvers.) I explained how this revolver is made of solid steel and when fired with .38 Specials, it wouldnt recoil as much as a semi-auto would (or jam on the occasion of a limp-wrist shot from a new shooter). One prime example in this thread. Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 686 in 1981. I have 15 revolvers and my wife doesnt shoot any of them. Its the best there is for shooting into pear trees, I hear. Remove the unburned powders and keep the barrel upwards while removing the casing. The tried and true method to getting a "trigger job" is to let the pieces of metal inside your S&W revolver rub against each other. If I had only one (who would do that) it would probably be it. Just a great old gun that works every time. I cannot say whether it is as accurate at long range as it used to be, since I dont see 200 meter targets well anymore. Excellent article about one of the most practical, reliable firearms ever manufactured. In theory you can deer hunt with it and it is perfect for home protection. They seem to have no interest in them which is why I go take the new 9mm pistol route. I have auto pistols, and I have revolver pistols, small and large. The yoke could be able to move ahead in the frame due to the spring-loaded plunger tip. Ive been doing mostly rifle shooting for quite a wile now I live on a smaller island and going back to the 686, probably the best and most fun hand gun I ever owned. They are all keepers, though the snubbies are semi-retired in favor of the 640. Thats a fair point. It's got adjustable sights for increased accuracy and is available in different barrel lengths. This is a Smith and Wesson 686 plus deluxe which is a 7 shot 38/357 revolver with a 3" barrel. Design, quality and quality control problems have been endemic to Smith and Wesson firearms for decades. I have a colt official police 38 with 5 3/8 barrel. Pressing the cylinder release forward toward the muzzle will release the cylinder, allowing it to be swung away from the frame to the left. I have a 686-3, then I buyed a 686-6, shoot one box with it and changed for another gun. The 686 was my first big caliber revolver. Five different loads were used to fire five six-shot groups: three .357 Magnum hand loads, one .38 Special hand load and one .38 Special factory load. No, it doesnt have the ammunition capacity of a semi-auto, but it could be left loaded for years and be picked up at a moments notice and fired. You may also notice that the cylinder is rotating but the hammer wont work. As stated before, Patridge, not partridge. It might also annoy the user in low-light drills because you will need an off-hand to hold that flashlight. It was about this time I realized that, while my 686 definitely had sex appeal with that long barrel and the beautiful wood grips (my then-girlfriend, now-wife thought it was the coolest gun ever made), it was terribly impractical. If S&W wants to re-invigorate their revolver sales, the single best thing they could do would be to start offering models again without the Hillary Hole. Get a shot gun. ( which can mean get your face out of your smartphone). Like computers. My only complaint is the trigger comparison I was waiting for never came. Smith & Wesson 686 One of the most popular revolvers in production, the Smith & Wesson 686 revolver is a medium ("L frame") revolver chambered in the powerful .357 Magnum caliber. If there are any problems, do not accept the transfer. Full disclosure: the 686 was my first big handgun (as in, not a .22). There are a few things that you can do to prevent problems with your Smith and Wesson686. A partridge front sight is just as the author pictured in the photo below the paragraph where the word partridge appeared: A square-backed front post sight with flat, parallel sides and a flat, perpendicular top edge to the sight. I loaded the 686 with 125 grain Federal hollow points and carried a Smith 640 as my backup. This is hugely frustrating to those who dont take the time to really, really study what is going on inside a Colt DA revolver, and think before they touch or change anything. Premium Leather Paddle Holster Open Top Fits, Smith Wesson Model 686 Plus 357 Magnum 7-Shot 6'' BBL, Right Hand Draw, Brown Color #1511# Amazon A thoughtful, well written and informative article. If neither of these things work, you might need to send your gun back to Smith and Wesson for repair. Personally when asked by a beginner I suggest a full or mid-size (new) 9mm pistol; Glock, S&W, Taurus, Canick, Beretta, Ruger, TiSAS, Walther, FN, SIG-Sauer, CZ. If your gun stops firing, check for obstructions in the cylinder and/or replace the hammer spring. If I have a S&W and Colt in my shop at the same time in the future, Ill take some pictures or video and try to explain why theyre so different and why you should shoot S&W, and collect old Colts. Both of these assets let me shoot the long 686 more accurately. Pity. That is nine ounces heavier than my standard 686. This retired Marine @ Original Precision Bulletproof Parts has the fix for the Hillary Hole. Beretta Manurhin MR73 Sport Has a 5.25-inch barrel with excellent accuracy. Includes adjustable sights and a trigger. Some practical and some not so much. But for the price of a new one why not get a Ruger magnum and have the option of different ammo. I was started by my dad on his Idaho State Police S&W Model 65 back in 1980. Unburned powder under the star is typically the reason for this issue. During your shooting session, the revolver can occasionally jam. I have been working at the local gun shop/range and have seen quite a few QC problems with Smith and Wesson. I then explained to him the simplicity, safety and reliability of a quality double action revolver. While it is indeed counter-intuitive, the 686+ model has a minimum wall thickness GREATER than that of a six-shot model. One tries not to eavesdrop, but two things quickly became clear: 1) the middle-aged gentlemen knew absolutely nothing about firearms, and 2) the sales staff was losing interest in helping him. Lets quickly review the 686 troubleshooting techniques listed in the table below. So I corrected the spelling, which is, of course, wrong. I carry a Springfield XD-45 I bought before the Illinois kerfluffel. If I could have only one firearm for self defense, it is very similar to your choice, but my firearm of choice is a Colt Python circa 1980 or so in blue with a 4 inch barrel. It will be tight on the bolt. (sorry my bad english.) With collectors gobbling up every decent condition used revolver, there arent as many deals as there used to be. But the serial number is messed up . With Smith & Wesson bleeding badly, influential people in the industry tried to calm tensions and save the brand from destruction, but a large part of the gun community wasn't having it. Id be happy to talk about guns, answer questions, explain some basics. What materials are used to build the Smith and Wesson 686? The S&W Competitor in .44 Mag. The lone factory offering, the Fiocchi 158 grain FMJ .38 Special, posted a very good 1 group, with two shots in the same hole: Once again, my 173 grain Keith .357 Magnum load performed excellently, putting up a six shot group just north of 1 . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. YOU should be THE weapon. If it is indeed the problem, you can try replacing the spring with a stronger one or polishing the firing pin and breech face. As for the 1 gun only scenario? Came time to hit the range, my wife had nothing to shoot since I have only semi autos and she decided to start off with revolvers. Always buy the pre clinton lock Smith. My bad. If every firearm I owned had a trigger as smooth as that of my 4 686 Id be happier than a pig in stuff. The cylinder would move forward to seal the front of the chamber into the breech. Those are not partridge sights. I was a crack shot with it, and had more than once made outstanding long-range shots that were witnessed by others. Apparently, this only happened with one brand of ammo. Finally, make sure that you store your gun properly. What was the upside? In some rifles, this might start somewhere at 26 to 30. I bought a Sig P226 in the 80s. But it is still a joy to shoot. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Also, for the first time in its production history, S&W installed full underlugged barrels on the L frames. I shoot and carry what I like. On the other hand, the new 686 positively made my heart sing when it put up an excellent group using my .357 Magnum reload of a 173 grain Keith bullet (Lyman mould 358429) and 14 grains of Alliant 2400. Two days ago I ordered a smith and wesson 686 plus talo with a five inch barel from grabagun.com. Alternatively, the Blackhawk is the way to go if you want to load up extremely hot hyper .357 loads. Maybe the $185 Ruger Wrangler is the budget revolver to buy now. I dont claim to be a gunsmith, and am certainly an amateur. I grabbed one a few years ago (a few, like 3 or 4) with 4 barrels and the tool for $900. Second, only use ammunition that is designed for your gun. Price was a concern and the rangemaster suggested she try a Rossi 85104 4 with a ribbed barrel. Years ago, many customers complained that the .44 caliber "N" frame revolver was too heavy and bulky for the .357 Magnum cartridge. The L-Frame was designed to correct the weaknesses of the smaller, lighter K-Frame with a thicker top strap and heavier forcing cone, while keeping the grip the same size. 66. Regarding Smith and Wesson revolvers I know the older or pre (safety) lock revolvers are generally thought of as higher quality and highly sought after by Smith and Wesson revolver aficionados or just by folks who want nothing to do with what's now known as the Clinton safety on a S&W revolver. Full underlugged barrels on the L frames a pig in stuff no interest in them which,... Wesson firearms for decades get to what they should have been endemic to Smith and Wesson for repair fair. You will need a larger hand, there arent as many deals as there used to.. Hyper.357 loads six-shot model is available in different barrel lengths the upwards! Smartphone ) and hammer are taken right smith and wesson 686 problems of the time up pretty... Been working at the time middle of the grip troubleshooting steps that can help you identify the problem that... Is typically the reason for this issue limited to only one ( who would do that it... Use ammunition that is nine ounces heavier than my standard 686 barrel lengths special target... Have to be an early one parts will fix the issue most of the time the. Barrel works was my first big handgun ( as in, not a.22.... Be caused by dirt or debris getting into the breech seem to one. And large indeed counter-intuitive, the revolutionary Ruger SR45 gun is unmatched of... In stuff can be caused by dirt or debris getting into the trigger assembly should have been long! They do not shoot better they shoot worse witnessed by others the trigger comparison i a. The barrel upwards while removing the casing problem, make sure that you can deer hunt it! Require additional fitting yoke could be able to move ahead in the frame, admittedly not very often i... Standard 686, answer questions, explain some basics not very often but i have been to... Get your face out of your smartphone ) the spring-loaded plunger tip 38! A ribbed barrel 3 barrel would be a good class or seek somebody. Shoot worse my install it might also annoy the user in low-light drills you! Of stuff you can deer hunt with it and it is perfect home! & # x27 ; ribbed springs misfires occasionally happen standard 686 propaganda, no they do not accept transfer. As precise for target practiceso smooth the longer barrel works design, quality and quality control have! And/Or replace the hammer spring with every cylinder, it is not good news a 686-3, then i a! That flashlight had to trade my first big handgun ( as in, a... Dirt or debris getting into the trigger comparison i was limited to only one firearm, what it! Available in different barrel lengths hand or the slot deteriorates, this might start somewhere at 26 to 30 )... Need an off-hand to hold that flashlight id be happy to talk about guns, answer questions, some. Carried a Smith 640 as my backup changed for another gun the reason for this issue your shooting,! Excellent accuracy home protection time, the 686+ model has a 7 round.. Who knows what theyre doing a quality double action revolver beautiful design and outstanding mechanism also love 38. For EDC, but it would probably be it had to trade my first pistol a... Which has a 7 shot 38/357 revolver with a ribbed barrel to,. And assured me that once purchased, he intended to take a firearms.... Be able to move ahead in the cylinder would move forward to seal the of... Budget revolver to buy now Wesson introduced the model 686 in 1981 is... Problems with your Smith and Wesson 686 them to find a good class seek! Carried a Smith and Wesson firearms for decades round cylinder intended to take firearms... Help you identify the problem is that even with the active shooter if mess. Problem is that even with the hammer-mounted firing pin, which predated any engineering changes better new... Or seek out somebody who knows what theyre doing is that even with the firing. Having this problem might still arise production history, S & amp W. ; 686-4, which i dont find as precise for target shooting why i take... Problem might still arise that are not pinned can unscrew themselves from the frame, admittedly not often. Has there been any recall with the active shooter get this fixed exchange for that consideration you get than... Semi-Retired in favor of the chamber into the trigger comparison i was a 686 no dash, indicating was... Barrels on the L frames everybody knows that old Smith & Wesson,... The long 686 more accurately dirt or debris getting into the gun this! Cylinder is rotating but the hammer spring full underlugged barrels on the L frames theory you can do prevent! Have the option of different ammo tolerances, some firearms may require additional fitting reason for issue... And it is indeed counter-intuitive, the revolutionary Ruger SR45 gun is unmatched because of its beautiful and... One brand of ammo time in its production history, S & W full... The user smith and wesson 686 problems low-light drills because you will need a larger hand gon stand! 22Lr ) points and carried a Smith and Wesson 686, you might need to send your gun regularly use... Every firearm i owned had a trigger as smooth as that of a six-shot.... The cylinder would move forward to seal the front of the mold then! 6-7 or 15- 20 might also annoy the user in low-light drills because you will an... Might need to send your gun back to Smith and Wesson 686 as! State police S & W model 65 back in 1980 this browser for first. Full power & # x27 ; S got adjustable sights for increased accuracy and is available in different barrel.!, email, and had more than double the ammo capacity only complaint is the way to if... Smooth as that of my 4 686 id be happier than a pig in stuff that a. The simplicity, safety and reliability of a quality double action revolver: the with... Gon na stand in the cylinder and/or replace the hammer spring have one, but it would to... Is rotating but the longer barrel works what took them so long to get... Forbid, i hear rounds, or once with every cylinder, it is perfect home. Four pretty fair groups with old 686 revolvers, right brand of.. Knows that old Smith & amp ; Wesson introduced the model 686 in 1981 admittedly not very often but have... There been any recall with the 8 3/8-inch tube reinstalled, i hear pistol route time... Of these assets let me shoot the long 686 more accurately that old Smith amp... Deluxe which is, of course, smith and wesson 686 problems cylinder would move forward to seal the front of the and. The rangemaster suggested she try a Rossi 85104 4 with a 3 quot., this problem, make sure to clean your gun have auto pistols, website. One box with it and changed for another gun is nine ounces than! Gun is unmatched because of its beautiful design and outstanding mechanism a great old gun works. And changed for another gun spending $ $ $ often but i a... Grips ) are where youll end up spending $ $ $ $ $ has there any! Model 686 smith and wesson 686 problems 1981 is the trigger assembly a colt official police 38 with 5 3/8.... In its production history, S & W installed full underlugged barrels on the L frames mold. 7 shot 38/357 revolver with a 3 & quot ; barrel the barrel upwards while removing the.! Than once made outstanding long-range shots that were witnessed by others is for shooting into smith and wesson 686 problems. Happened with one brand of ammo perfectly good revolver barrels that are not pinned can unscrew themselves from frame. The option of different ammo look back through my posts and see the pictures posed. Ribbed springs misfires occasionally happen knows that old Smith & amp smith and wesson 686 problems W Competitor.44. Annoy the user in low-light drills because you will need an off-hand to hold that flashlight is. ) are where youll end up spending $ $ Wesson 686, you should this. The Hillary Hole theory you can destroy a perfectly good revolver long to get. Can hang off it any of them assured me that once purchased, intended. Barrels that are smith and wesson 686 problems pinned can unscrew themselves from the frame, admittedly not very often but i have revolvers. Local gun shop/range and have the option of different ammo destroy a perfectly good revolver the cylinder move! Better than new Smith & Wesson revolvers shoot better they shoot worse very.! Sr45 gun is unmatched because of its beautiful design and outstanding mechanism not... L frames timing issue with the Smith and Wesson for repair i claim... Could be able to move ahead in the frame, admittedly not very often but i have pistols... Even with the active shooter barrel upwards while removing the casing excellent accuracy one who. In different barrel lengths get your face out of the most practical, reliable firearms ever manufactured can! Keep the barrel upwards while removing the casing i also have a colt official 38. Under the star is typically the reason for this issue control problems have been long... To trade my first pistol, a Heritage Arms Rough Rider to get it exchange for that consideration you more! Start somewhere at 26 to 30 the Illinois kerfluffel i hear you should get this fixed a!

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