Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols > Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols Other Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols from the 1950's to Present


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-28-2013, 10:26 AM
lordrugal625 lordrugal625 is offline
Member
S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 5
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch

Hello. It's Rafael and I just bought a used S&W 659. I haven't fired it at all yet! Their are a couple of questions, so bare with me here

1. Is this 659 supposed to be able to work fine with +P type 9mm ammo? Most of the ammo that came with it is the Federal 9BPLE +P ammo.


2. Here's where I started freaking out... a bit. So, I watched a video on youtube on how to disassemble a 5906 (for reference), I disassembled my 659, it was hard to get the slide pin out but you learn. I cleaned the **** out of this gun with Hoppes #9, then oil the slide mounts, slide pin, guide rod, and any other conceivable moving part. When I go to reassemble I remembered how you need to compress the guide rod into the recoil spring, carefully slip the guide rod into the tiny cutout that was designed to hold it, and clip it in place with a push. I made sure it was in there. Then I go to feed the slide back onto the action for reassembly. Then, the recoil spring accompanied with the guide rod slipped out of place (probably due to me not applying enough force downwards to clip it in its home), jutting towards the opposite way it was compressed, towards the breech face I think. I didn't notice any visible damage, and I'm sure I'm not the only person this has ever happened to so I just go to try again this time making sure the spring and guide rod fit into their little slot. I reassemble it just fine. I've never dry fired this thing, whenever I go to decock the hammer, I just turn the safety on to decock it, no firing pin getting touched. I also never close the slide on an empty chamber, as I know that causes much more wear. So I haven't done either of those things once.






The next day when I go to take it apart again for practice, after sliding fully-loaded new mags that I bought (5906 mags with new springs) into the well, loaded with the +P, I notice that the breech face has a scratch on it when I go to open the breech for casual inspection. I didn't notice the scratch the day before, and I can't help but wonder and wonder if that scratch was caused by my guide rod and recoil spring mishap from the day before! I ran my fingernail across it vertically, just to see how much it would bump my fingernail to asses the scratch's depth, and it did manage to ever slightly bump my fingernail. I've attached some pictures. Was this scratch on the breech face caused by me, or was it already there from normal wear and tear from the previous years of ownership? If I'm the one who injured the breech face, is this gun royally screwed? If you do know, or have a good idea if this scratch will be any kind of detriment, please give it to me straight. If you guys have any pictures of this gun's breech face, would you mind posting them for a comparison? I just hope to God that my one little misplacement of the guide rod + spring didn't completely ruin this amazing gun that I just got used to, and the one gun I wanted to have for a year or two before I started collecting other guns...

Thank you for your time, if you can spare it, I'd deeply appreciate it.

-Rafael
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMAG0212.jpg (41.8 KB, 45 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0367.jpg (60.8 KB, 42 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0394.jpg (63.5 KB, 42 views)

Last edited by lordrugal625; 02-28-2013 at 10:36 AM. Reason: better pictures for more detail
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-28-2013, 10:54 AM
s&wchad's Avatar
s&wchad s&wchad is offline
Moderator
S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Great Lakes State
Posts: 29,686
Likes: 12,672
Liked 33,601 Times in 7,844 Posts
Default

I would not be concerned about that at all. Let us know how it shoots!
__________________
"I also cook."
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #3  
Old 02-28-2013, 06:02 PM
824tsv's Avatar
824tsv 824tsv is offline
Member
S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Earth
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 3,749
Liked 3,780 Times in 1,388 Posts
Default No worries lordrugal625, your 659 is o.k.

Hello and welcome to the forum,
You have a very robust and accurate pistol there. I have the same one and have a few thousand rounds through it and really enjoy it. Although I typically handload my ammunition, I have not fired the ammunition you describe, so someone else will have to chime in with that information. I have taken a pic of the breach face of my pistol and it shows the same "scratch" as you call it. It's apparent to me that it was machined into the breach, so have no worries, you didn't ruin yours. Good luck with your 659, it's my favourite 9mm.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 02-28-2013, 09:29 PM
Hit_Factor's Avatar
Hit_Factor Hit_Factor is offline
Member
S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Saint Joseph, MI
Posts: 10
Likes: 4
Liked 4 Times in 3 Posts
Default Re: S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch

It doesn't look deep enough to matter. Good job cleaning it up, I don't think my 659 was ever that clean.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #5  
Old 02-28-2013, 09:36 PM
lordrugal625 lordrugal625 is offline
Member
S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 5
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default WHEW!

I believe the +P ammo that I'm talking about is nickel plated brass. Either way that shouldn't have been the problem seeing as how I haven't fired it yet with that ammo. Speaking of +P again, is the 659 +P rated? Rather, Can it take 115gr +P ammo just fine?

I really appreciate your answers to my questions. Both of you. I was really worried that this might be something serious, seeing as how some breech faces people tend to take in to smithing shops to get buffed or re-welded for one reason or another. I thought they were all supposed to be 100% straight and smooth.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-28-2013, 11:07 PM
lordrugal625 lordrugal625 is offline
Member
S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 5
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hit_Factor View Post
It doesn't look deep enough to matter. Good job cleaning it up, I don't think my 659 was ever that clean.
Thanks! I really tried to get in there with the carbon build up, but it helps that the previous owner took really good care of the gun. He told me he only put in about 2500-3000 rounds in it from 1986 to now. Just some minor holster wear got in there. I certainly believe him.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-01-2013, 08:47 AM
NevadaBob's Avatar
NevadaBob NevadaBob is offline
Member
S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 421
Likes: 563
Liked 206 Times in 130 Posts
Default

After reading this post I got out my 669 and it has the same machined marking. The only way you'd be able to scratch that is with a hammer & chisel.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #8  
Old 03-01-2013, 11:23 PM
Printer Printer is offline
US Veteran
S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch S&W 659 Breech Face Scratch  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Verdigris,Ok.
Posts: 86
Likes: 3
Liked 166 Times in 49 Posts
Default

Nice gun! Good choice. The slide is hardened so I don't think you did that. Anyway I don't think +P ammo is recommended but don't quote me I've been retired for almost 20yrs and things might have changed. Although Smith guns are tough shooting hot ammo increases the slide velocity and could cause functioning problems. The easiest way to tell is to watch the ejection pattern while you shoot. If its erratic it might be to hot. Happy shooting. Bob St.George
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Anyone seen Breech face wear on their M&P 10? redrock35 Smith & Wesson M&P10 Rifles 10 04-26-2016 08:17 PM
9mm Shield Breech Face Defect Offchord Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 18 05-16-2015 04:11 PM
M&P Shield breech face issue? tgmorris99 Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 42 06-06-2012 11:17 AM
M41 Broken Breech Face MJF Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 4 02-22-2010 09:35 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:37 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)