686 Warranty Question

brucev · #1 12-01-2010, 10:20 AM

Looks like I have a problem with my recently purchased 686-1. The bolt does not rise up properly in single-action, i.e., it either does not rise at all or else rises late. If it does not rise at all, when you pull the trigger, it comes up. In double-action it occasionally fails to rise up. In a call to S&W Customer Service, they said that based on my serial number, this pistol was made in 1987. I was told to ship the revolver in for repair with information regarding the problem, that a estimate would be made of the cost of repair and that would would proceed upon approval and payment. I thought Smith and Wesson had a lifetime warranty on their revolvers? Had anyone had recent experience with repair work on a revolver of this era? What was the outcome with S&W? Any suggestions? Sincerely. bruce.

Maximumbob54 · #2 12-01-2010, 10:23 AM

I think all the "lifetime warranty" manufacturers have a start date for guns that qualify. I couldn't tell you what each one is but I'm sure someone will chime in on this.

srgvaz · #3 12-01-2010, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucev

Looks like I have a problem with my recently purchased 686-1. The bolt does not rise up properly in single-action, i.e., it either does not rise at all or else rises late. If it does not rise at all, when you pull the trigger, it comes up. In double-action it occasionally fails to rise up. In a call to S&W Customer Service, they said that based on my serial number, this pistol was made in 1987. I was told to ship the revolver in for repair with information regarding the problem, that a estimate would be made of the cost of repair and that would would proceed upon approval and payment. I thought Smith and Wesson had a lifetime warranty on their revolvers? Had anyone had recent experience with repair work on a revolver of this era? What was the outcome with S&W? Any suggestions? Sincerely. bruce.

If you explained the problem to S&W the way you describe it here then I can see why they want you to send it in to them. Are you trying to say the hammer doesn't go back when you pull the trigger in a double action pull/cycle? I believe the lifetime warranty started in 1992 and it's exclusively to the original owner, but they make exceptions to the rules when they feel like it? Try explaining the symptoms in the smithing section of the forum if you feel comfortable working on it yourself.

one eye joe · #4 12-01-2010, 11:46 AM

I called S&W recently, and was told that the warranty applies to the original owner exclusively. It was in reference to a Model of 1989, and no mention was made as to the age of the revolver.

brucev · #5 12-01-2010, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the information. I have never had to have a gun repaired. I've always taken care of them and not abused them. This one is new to me. While I cannot know how it was used by the former owner(s), from its exterior there is nothing that would lead one to think it had been even used to any extent. When I first called S&W, I had hoped there was some gunshop/gunsmith in Ga. authorized to work on S&W handguns. My thought was that I could drive there, have them look at the revolver and either leave it returning later to pay and pick it up or perhaps have it fixed (if the problem was not serious) while I waited. I can see the dating issue with the warranty. I just was not aware of it. Maybe this is something they will be willing to look at and fix. I hope to God it is not something really serious.

brucev · #6 12-01-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srgvaz

If you explained the problem to S&W the way you describe it here then I can see why they want you to send it in to them. Are you trying to say the hammer doesn't go back when you pull the trigger in a double action pull/cycle? I believe the lifetime warranty started in 1992 and it's exclusively to the original owner, but they make exceptions to the rules when they feel like it? Try explaining the symptoms in the smithing section of the forum if you feel comfortable working on it yourself.

In single-action, when you pull the hammer back it will go to full cock in the normal manner. As you pull the hammer back, the bolt goes down into the frame so that the hand can turn the cylinder. However, the bolt either does not then rise up or else it rises up so that it strikes the edge of the bolt cut in the cylinder rather than coming up and entering the bolt cut in the cylinder. I opened the cylinder and held the cylinder latch back with my thumb while I cocked the hammer. Mostly the bolt does not rise up. If I stick my finger in front of the hammer (to keep the hammer from slamming into the frame) and pull the trigger, the bolt pops up.
If the cylinder is open and the cylinder latch is held back, I notice that when I then pull the trigger, the bolt pops up. I hope they will consider my revolver worthy of being an exception. I had been looking for a long time for a 4" 686.

bountyhunter · #7 12-01-2010, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brucev

In single-action, when you pull the hammer back it will go to full cock in the normal manner. As you pull the hammer back, the bolt goes down into the frame so that the hand can turn the cylinder. However, the bolt either does not then rise up or else it rises up so that it strikes the edge of the bolt cut in the cylinder rather than coming up and entering the bolt cut in the cylinder.

That actually sounds like two different problems: if the bolt does not pop back up, I would say it has to be either one of two things.... either the bolt spring is messed up or the bolt is going low enough down that it catches on the edge of the frame slot and hangs up.

If the bolt is coming up OK, but is hanging on the edge of the cylinder slot, that is generally a carry up problem usually caused by wear on the hand. The cylinder is not turning far enough to let the stop get all the way to the notch in the cylinder.

Your gun could have two different things going on. I would install a new spring first and see what gets fixed or not.