Hi all, I'm starting to get into my 686 a little more as I just got some ammo from a friend. I'm wondering how tightly the cylinder should lock up when the trigger is pulled. I have a few Colts and they lock up super tight. The 686 has a bit of play. What should one expect on a 686?

I prefer a "touch of wiggle" in the cylinder when clean so it continues to function toward the end of a long match when the soot accumulates.
Accuracy is not affected, since the bullet centers in the barrel with the slight play.
Look at the cylinder notches and be sure they are not damaged.

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Science plus Art

Unless the gun is hand fit top to bottom there should be some play. If timing is good and there is not to much endshake you should be just fine.

Checking for lockup in a Smith is entirely different from checking for lockup with an OLDER V-SPRING Colt.

Lockup with the Smith trigger to the rear will pretty much always leave some cylinder play. The actions are quite different, it's not a valid functional test with a Smith.
Denis

,,,I reckon that it's not abnormal. I certainly would ;get into it. The 686 is one heck of a revolver and it's a joy to shoot. The proof is in the pudding, or shooting, in this case.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Post #4 is correct. The design of the S&W results in slight play, and is as it should be.

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John

That slight play is the reason for a good forcing cone, As the bullet passes from the throat to the forcing cone it makes the perfect alignment happen.

In the older V-Spring Colt action, the hand serves two purposes- to advance the cylinder & to help lock it firmly in place.
If it fails to lock the cylinder tightly WHEN PULLED FULLY TO THE REAR WITH THE HAMMER DOWN, and leaves cylinder play, the hand has worn & should be either replaced or stretched.

In the Smith, the hand ONLY serves to advance the cylinder, and there'll typically be at least SOME slight play.
Denis

Try it with empty cases or snap caps. That may tighten it up a little. There usually is some rotational play in the ratchet/pins without chambered rounds.

If you are concerned just get one of Brownell's range rods. It will let you determine that everything is as it should be with the gun in full lockup. (trigger pulled and held back, hammer down)

I will not buy a used S&W revolver that fails this test (rare) because it's not a problem I can address or wish to address.

Colt vs. S&W comparisons are apple vs. orange comparisons. As you describe them, both are functioning as designed.

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Pisgah