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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 04-16-2016, 05:45 PM
Ronniet Ronniet is offline
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Cylinder Thumb Release 686? Cylinder Thumb Release 686? Cylinder Thumb Release 686? Cylinder Thumb Release 686? Cylinder Thumb Release 686?  
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Default Cylinder Thumb Release 686?

Does anyone know where I could buy one of the new type thumb releases for the 686?
Mine is the typical old style Smith and I like the looks of the angle cut one.
I have a little trouble with this old style also being I have to push hard right in the center of it to make it move.
I looked at Brownells but only sold the aftermarket one.
Ron
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Old 04-16-2016, 05:48 PM
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Ron - they can be found on Ebay
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Old 04-16-2016, 05:49 PM
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Maybe someone is parting out a busted up L frame on Ebay?
Also you could ask the factory.
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Old 04-16-2016, 06:03 PM
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Agree, call factory customer service (with your 686's SN handy) and they will let you know if a new replacement part fits. Be sure to call it a "thumb piece" and they will be duly impressed .
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Old 04-16-2016, 06:04 PM
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Email S&W,I've always found them to be helpful.
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Old 04-16-2016, 06:47 PM
Ronniet Ronniet is offline
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Brownells at one time sold New replacement Smith parts.
But once they sold red ramp front sights.

Now you have to make your own.
my 19 does not have one but my 686 has a factory one.
Ron
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Old 04-16-2016, 08:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronniet View Post
Does anyone know where I could buy one of the new type thumb releases for the 686?
Mine is the typical old style Smith and I like the looks of the angle cut one.
I have a little trouble with this old style also being I have to push hard right in the center of it to make it move.
I looked at Brownells but only sold the aftermarket one.
Ron
Ronnie,

It is not a thumb release or a cylinder release! The part you push on is called the thumbpiece.

This is the new style for 15 years or so. Simply call S&W at 800-331-0852 and ask for a new style K-L-N Frame thumbpiece. Don't e-mail them, they are notorious for not responding to their E-mails!

You can get them from Brownells, Midway, Jack First, Gunparts and others, but all of them except S&W will charge you $5-10 shipping! The big trick is to call the part you are looking for by the right name and then they will know what you are looking for!
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Last edited by Alk8944; 04-16-2016 at 08:38 PM.
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Old 04-16-2016, 10:05 PM
regalsc regalsc is offline
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There are diagrams that call the thumbpiece a cylinder release so they might still know what you mean by a cylinder release.
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Old 04-16-2016, 10:11 PM
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Occasionally, you'll hear it referred to as a cylinder latch. But that would probably cause a S&W CS agent's head to explode.
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Old 04-16-2016, 10:21 PM
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Here ya go:
SDM Thumbpiece New-Style S&W K L N Frame Steel

S&W thumbpiece nut - MidwayUSA
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Last edited by StakeOut; 04-16-2016 at 10:30 PM.
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  #11  
Old 04-17-2016, 12:01 PM
Ronniet Ronniet is offline
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Thanks everyone I will look that up, I didn't know what there were called but that is what it does is "release the cylinder".
Ya'll are too funny!
What can I expect in changing it?
Maybe just a good hollow ground screwdriver? or is springs and parts going to fly everywhere?
Ron
So Smith does not charge the high shipping charges like the others do?
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Old 04-18-2016, 11:41 AM
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Correct, the screw looks like a little threaded hat. Remove the old, place new, secure screw...you are done .

The big retailers do tend to have a high flat rate for shipping.
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Old 04-18-2016, 12:52 PM
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Use a proper fitting , hollow ground , gunsmith type screwdriver.
A common wood screwdriver might bugger up the slot and it will look like ten miles of bad road . Years ago , I took a common screwdriver and ground the tip to fit the slot properly , used it for years before getting a set of gunsmith's screwdrivers.
No springs will fly out , unscrew , replace latch and replace screw. If you are worried , order an extra screw....I tend to drop and loose those darn screws !
Gary

Last edited by gwpercle; 04-18-2016 at 12:56 PM.
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  #14  
Old 04-18-2016, 03:23 PM
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If you go with the ones linked above from Midway, the thumbpiece is not s&w but an improved version, reviews are good though. I have had good luck with this screwdriver set from midway also, Winchester 51-Piece Gunsmith Screwdriver Set
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Old 04-18-2016, 03:29 PM
Joe Hohmann Joe Hohmann is offline
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Actually, it's called a thumb do-dad. Some call it a thumb-a-ma-giggy.
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