686 Cylinder Lock Up

[T-Diver]

Hi there,

New to the forum as of today. Can't find this topic via search, so posting to gain any insight from anyone in the forum.

Have a 686 (no dash), purchased new around 1985, which I love (will never part with it). It was my first handgun and has always run like a champ.

Last year while at my local range, the cylinder locked up and needed to be (gently) tapped with a rubber mallet to swing open. I thought it might have been due to some old ammo I was running through it and that the primer might have swollen up after firing causing the lock up. Once the cylinder swung open, I shot new ammo out of it and had no problems UNTIL last night. Shooting all new Blazer Brass 357 Mag ammo without issue, then I opened a new box of Geco 158 grain FMJ and after about 4 rounds, it happened again.

Not sure why this would occur, especially with new ammo, but if any of you have experienced this issue, please provide some insight on what caused it and how you resolved. I love to shoot this gun, but will no longer rely on it to protect me and my family until I can figure out how to avoid a cylinder lock up. It's now an official safe queen until further notice.

Thanks in advance!

 

[joe44va]

Try cleaning under the ejector and lubricate the ejector rod and shaft thru it. If you have to, you can remove the whole cylinder assembly by removing the forward most side plate screw (it has pieces so be careful) and unscrew the ejector rod. Remember that it has a left hand thread. If you're not up to that, shoot in a bunch of gun scrubber and re-lube. A drop of oil on the hand is also a good idea every time you clean it.

 

[bigggbbruce]

Sounds like a good cleaning is in order.

Remove grips.

I use spray remoil for cleaning the extractor and yoke area. It is an oil and no solvent to remain in hidden areas, and works quite well.

Spray liberally and use a tooth brush or similar to scrub the backside of the extractor, flush and wipe clean.

 

[Hapworth]

Welcome to the forum, T-Diver.

Early L-frames such as your 686 no-dash, as well as its 681, 586 and 581 siblings were subject to a recall to replace the firing pin bushing and hammer nose due to primer back flow from hot .357.

The back flow caused the primer to partially wedge around the firing pin inside the bushing, causing lock up just as you describe.

S&W still honors the recall and will cover shipping and all costs for replacement, if you deem that's the fix needed.

 

[Pizza Bob]

....or your ejector rod just unscrewed.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

....or your ejector rod just unscrewed.

THAT is the usual culprit and a little Loctite and screw it back in will fix that.

But it could be the more complex problem that caused the recall. Check the rod first.

 

[T-Diver]

Thanks to all of you for your feedback! I cleaned the pistol tonight, removing the cylinder and thoroughly cleaning it. Ejector rod seemed ok (not loose), so going to take it to the range next time and if still an issue, will contact S&W regarding that recall mentioned above. Appreciate everyone's input.

 

[T-Diver]

Interesting. Wasn't aware of the recall and sounds like this could be the issue. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Nightowl]

If it happens again, when you get the cylinder open, check the primers and see if you can see where the metal has a volcano appearance and maybe some sheer metal from opening the cylinder.

If that is the case, then it needs to be returned for the hammer nose and bushing update. Since the ejector rod is tight and has always worked fine, I am thinking it needs the new bushing.

 

[T-Diver]

Thanks NightOwl. That's the plan.

 

[jimbo728]

Open the cylinder and look at the frame where the model number is. Look for the letter M stamped near the model number. If it is there, your revolver has had the firing pin bushing mod. If not, that may be sent in to Smith for the new bushing.
Jim

 

[T-Diver]

No "M" on the frame. I've had this gun for 30 years, bought new, so it was never sent back for the mod. However, it's packed up and FedEx is picking it up today for delivery to S&W for inspection and fix (if needed), which I believe it does.

 

[T-Diver]

Ok ladies and gents... just received my 686 back from S&W after abut 4 weeks. They determined it was indeed in need of modification, thus was repaired for free. Has the "M" stamped on it now. Can't wait to get to the range this week and shoot without the cylinder locking up (hopefully)! Appreciate the insight on the recall from Hapworth. Keep you all posted on the results.

 

[T-Diver]

Update on Cylinder Locking

Went to the range on Wednesday to see whether the modification done by S&W worked. Well, for the first box of ammo it did. On the 2nd box (Geco 158 gr FMJ), round 58 & 74 locked the gun up.

Wrote to S&W and they said that the ammo I was shooting for the 2nd box is made overseas and not SAAMI compliant, so that's why I'm seeing this issue intermittently.

Any thoughts from the forum on this response? I've shot hotter loads without issue in the past. Is this a BS answer or is there some merit to it?

 

[Redlegvzv]

....or your ejector rod just unscrewed.

Yes. This happened to me with my S&W617. Freaked me out until I figured out what happened.

 

[H Richard]

How do the primers look an the ammo that causes it to lock up? Is there any evidence of flow-back (raised center part of primer just around the firing pin indent), this causes drag on the recoil shield and more than one will cause it to lock up, (the reason you had the recall done). I do know that the Geco ammo is a little unreliable as in not consistent in loading. They also may be using a coarse grained powder that is leaving large pieces of residue under your extractor star. When ejecting your cases, be sure to have the muzzle oriented straight up, not at an angle, this aids in keeping residue from under your extractor star.

 

[T-Diver]

Maybe it's just Geco???

So reviewing my original post, it indicated that I experienced the cylinder lock up when shooting Geco 158 gr FMJ. Now, after having my revolver modified and returned to me by S&W and encountering the same issue again at the range, I'm now wondering if the 686 just sensitive to certain ammo?

First 50 rounds of non-Geco ammo presented no issues (forgot what I was shooting), but the Geco did lock me up twice out of fifty rounds. Geco is not as hot as American Eagle ammo, which I can't remember ever having any issues with. May just need to stay away from the German manufacturers.

Sad to say that my American made, beautifully crafted revolver can't handle any ammo I feed it, but my Austrian made pocket freight train in .45ACP will eat anything and everything. Guess I know which one I would count on to defend me and my family.

 

[307-Niner]

Crimp-jump??

 

[Redlegvzv]

I would suggest grabbing 50 rounds each of 3 or 4 reputable ammo brands, e.g. Federal, Blazer, etc. and go to the range and shoot them. If all is well, then S&W may have a point about the out-of-spec ammo. If not, then call them again.
Be SURE that the ejector rod has not become slightly loosened and a bit unscrewed. Because that will cause exactly the issues you describe, as it did with my 617.

 

[rwsmith]

Has anybody mentioned....

that 686 no dash had a recall due to cylinder lock ups due to primer flowing around the firing pin? They fix it for free and stamp an 'M' next to the model number.

UPDATE: Yes, I see Hapworth caught that one. I haven't sent my 686 back because I either use the more trusted American brand ammo or reload my own with CCI, Winchester or Remington primers. I tested these with the hottest loads and my pistol hasn't locked up.