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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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  #1  
Old 10-27-2009, 11:27 AM
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Default 686 Modification

Just got my recently acquired 686 no dash back from S&W. They performed the modification I had heard about at this site. Also I had them drill and tap the frame while it was there. Included with the revolver was a spring which I assume is what they replaced during the modification. What exactly did the modification consist of?
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Old 10-27-2009, 11:51 AM
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Hi,

I have a 686 no dash that will ship to S&W next week for the Recall.

Got a few questions:

1. What was the return time?
2. What exactly they fixed in the cylinder?
3. Got pics?

Your comments and experiences will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

TD
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Old 10-27-2009, 12:01 PM
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TacDoc:
They don't do a thing to the cylinder. The hammer nose on the hammer is replaced with a slightly shorter one that is also smaller in diameter, and the recoil bushing (the part with the hole that the hammer nose goes through) on the frame is replaced with one that has a smaller hole to help prevent primer flow back that locked up an occasional gun or two.
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Old 10-27-2009, 12:07 PM
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The recall/modification was to replace the firing pin bushing in the frame and the firing pin in the hammer to address an issue with some hot ammunition having thin primers which would flow back into the firing pin hole upon firing, binding the cylinder and making the gun unable to operate. This affected the 586 (-0 and -1) and the 686 (-0 and -1) and their fixed-sight variants (581, 681). Later engineering changes for those models (586-2 and on, 686-2 and on, etc.) had the modifications incorporated into the design.
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Old 10-27-2009, 02:04 PM
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Aha, now I finally fully understand the -M thing. Thanks.
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Old 10-27-2009, 02:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by valkyriekl View Post
The recall/modification was to replace the firing pin bushing in the frame and the firing pin in the hammer to address an issue with some hot ammunition having thin primers which would flow back into the firing pin hole upon firing, binding the cylinder and making the gun unable to operate. This affected the 586 (-0 and -1) and the 686 (-0 and -1) and their fixed-sight variants (581, 681). Later engineering changes for those models (586-2 and on, 686-2 and on, etc.) had the modifications incorporated into the design.
I have a 686 no dash ('87) model that I purchased used. Don't know if this mod has been done. Should I contact SW about it? Is there a way to tell if the modification has been performed?
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Old 10-27-2009, 02:11 PM
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Open the cylinder and on the frame cutout where the "mod 686" is stamped, look for the letter 'M" stamped there too, if it's missing the mod/fix hasn't been done.
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Old 10-27-2009, 02:17 PM
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Yep, have the letter "M" stamped. Thanks for the clarification!
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Old 10-27-2009, 09:30 PM
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Tac Doc:

Regarding your question about turn around time, here is my experience. I called S&W and within four days received the Fed Ex Shipping label. Make a copy of that label since it has the tracking number. When I dropped off my package, the Fed Ex pick up point did not ask what was inside and I did not tell them. Two days later it was delivered to S&W. Two weeks later S&W sent me an acknowledgement letter. Now that letter might have been prompted by my request to have the gun drilled and taped. They quoted a price ($80 plus $14 shipping) and gave me a number to call to pay for the drill and tap. If you are only getting the modification done, they might not send you the letter I got, but just do the mod and ship it back to you. The weapon shipped 11 days later. I dropped off my 686 on 22 Sep and received it back on 27 Oct.

I would have thought they would have covered shipping both ways (fed Ex second day air), but I did not argue about the $14 to have the gun shipped back to me.
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Old 10-27-2009, 10:28 PM
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I have a 4" M686 No Dash that was sent back for the M/Firing Pin/Bushing recall..
They mailed me the shipping label within four days of talking to them on the phone..
I mailed the handgun on September 10th & got a confirmation letter back on Sept 20th stateing it was recieved & gave me thier Work Order Number & Possible turn around time of 2-3 weeks..
I Called them on October 20th, 40 days after mailing it off, & was told the Gun recieved the recall & was shipped upstairs to the "Charge" Area?? I told the rep that I had no conversation with anyone there & wasn't going to pay for anything they had done to my revolver.. He couldn't tell me WHY or WHAT?? It realy freaked me out too..
It's now October 27th way more than 2-3 weeks, 47 days = 6 1/2 weeks & I haven't heard anything or recieved anything Via Fedex, UPS, USPS etc..
If I would have known they were gonna take so long I wouldn't have sent it..
BUT I can't change that..
I've always had good customer service with S&W Before.
This was the first time I ever sent a Gun to them & Hopefully will be the last..
I can tell you that my revolvers barrel was overtightened originaly & the sight were replaced with Milletts rear & it also had some endshake..
MAYBE?? they took it apon themselves to repair those problems but I wouldn't know as the rep couldn't tell me & haven't heard from them yet except for the letter of receival..
I'm pretty bumbed out over the deal so far..
I can't tell you for sure till i get it back..
S&W WERE'S MY 686??
Gary/Hk
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Last edited by HEADKNOCKER; 10-27-2009 at 10:31 PM.
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Old 10-27-2009, 10:33 PM
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I would be calling them every day Gary!!!
Isn't there a woman there that has been suggested to call and she will straighten it out!
Sorry I dont remember her name...
Peter
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Old 10-28-2009, 01:38 AM
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I will be calling them in the morning again..
And peter I haven't forgot about your box of grips I've been waiting for the 686 to return from S&W..
I think that I might want the Hogues to try on it again??
I have the Uncle Mikes Combats on it now..
Starting to think I'll never see that revolver again..
Wouldn't think it would take this long to have anything done including refinish..
I've been patient so far..
What do you think about a Barrel Slab for the 686 4"?
There's one for sale in the Classifieds..
It's gonna be a range gun 100% of the time..
Gary/Hk

Still looking for that Reasonbly Priced Model 547 3"er
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Old 10-28-2009, 12:41 PM
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I sent my 686-0 back for the modification a few months ago. I emailed S&W and they emailed me an authorization letter which contained a FedEx shipping number. Turnaround time was exactly 3 weeks from the day I dropped the gun off at FedEx until UPS delivered it back to my house, and S&W paid the freight both ways.
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Old 10-29-2009, 08:01 PM
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I recieved my M686 back from S&W Today..
It was exactly 7 weeks from the day I mailed it out..
They did replace the firing pin bushing & firing pin..
They also stretched the yolk & set the endshake to less than a thousanths..
They also test fired it with at least 6 38 specials..
The paperwork said they did the Firing pin/bushing upgrade & nothing else..
Also the Fedex guy let my 18 year old son sign for it too??
All is good here in Louisville NOW..
I just put my Wolff springs back in & added a trigger overtravel stop that I scored from VM, I did have to make the screw which took 15-20 minutes..
I'm So Happy!!
It was like getting a gift as it's been gone so long..
HoRahhh!!
Gary/Hk
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Old 10-29-2009, 08:18 PM
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Headknocker:

Glad to hear your 686 was returned to you today. They did not test fire mine (or if they did, they cleaned it afterward) and included a small spring about an inch long that I assume they replaced. I will be taking it to the range tomorrow.
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Old 10-29-2009, 11:14 PM
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Mine was sent back "DIRTY"
I had polished the end of the cylinder with Nevr Dull & it was apparent, also I had super cleaned the cylinder including honeing so I could tell that 38 spls were used instead of magnums..
Of course I've cleaned it up with Hoppes#9 now..
I was acualy impressed that they fixed the endshake for FREE & but didn't give anything it writing about that??
I had it shimmed & removed the bearings before sending it in as I knew they would remove them..
Seems solid as a rock, Typical L Frame..
Also adding the overtravel stop helped a bunch on the trigger pull as did the Wolff Hammer & rebound spring..
Range Test Due ASAP..
Gunshow this weekend..
Gary
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Old 12-31-2014, 11:28 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HEADKNOCKER View Post
Mine was sent back "DIRTY"...
...snip...
Gary
If I recall correctly, yes mine had been shot while at S&W to get modified, though that was back in early 1987 and my 686 was just six months old at the time. I DO remember though, that both the cylinder and barrel had been swabbed. The way I look at the powder marks on the cylinder, it is/was confirmation that indeed S&W had worked on the gun at the factory. Just saying.
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547, 581, 586, 681, 686, combats, endshake, l frame, m686, millet, model 686, overtravel, primer, sig arms

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