Recent content by Russell420

I used to be one of those who couldn't stand the newer guns due to aesthetics (the lock/frame geometry), MIM parts, and the politics that got us the locks in the first place. When I finally broke over and used the new guns, and I mean put thousands and thousands of rounds of full power magnum...

I have a 29-3 that recently began exhibiting hammer push off. I have never touched the trigger or hammer surfaces, but I don’t know if an idiot before me did or if it’s simply due to wear. I bought it used years ago and didn’t know enough to check it for push off at that time. I have not shot...

It turns out there was no need to do any fitting of the strain screw. As you recall, I installed a new OEM mainspring and, with the full length strain screw fully tightened, the DA trigger pull measured nearly 17 pounds. This was immediately after installing the mainspring. After letting the...

I have heard that. I am trashing the modified spring and putting a new one in with a properly fitted strain screw.

A standard mainspring that hasn’t been ground down as I described above puts the double action pull at over 15 pounds (closer to 17.5). I tested the mainspring weight as described in Kuhnhausen’s manual, and it is around 7 lbs, twice the 3.5lbs that the manual recommends for a 357. If I...

I picked up a 29-2 in decent shape awhile back, and noticed that its mainspring is different from my later 629 and other n-frames in that it is much narrower for its full length. The sides of the spring are bare steel, not black like the rest of the spring, almost like they were ground down...

I made sure the striker channel was totally dry and fired 120 more rounds of both Federal American Eagle 124gr and WWB 115 gr. No light strikes occurred. Still had some brass flecks when I cleaned out the striker channel afterward though.

Spoke with S&W customer service today. After describing the problem, they advised that it sounded like an ammunition issue because it was just the one round, and to shoot it some more to see if the problem persists. I asked if it could be a problem with the striker, and was advised that the...

I bought a brand new m&p9 2.0 subcompact to carry on duty as a backup to my full size. I cleaned it and took it to the range with our departmental practice ammo, Federal American Eagle 124gr fmj, and our Fed 124gr hst duty ammo. Fired probably 100-150 rounds total. Toward the end, I got a...

Look it over VERY carefully. Last week I bought the same gun you are buying. The first two guns my shop received had canted barrels and were refused. The third gun was fine. They ordered it from a different distributor. Russell420

I am right handed and have a round butt Smith and Wesson 686+ with 4 inch barrel currently outfitted with Ahrends retro target round to square butt grips. In fast double action work with full power ammo, I find my right thumb is getting unmercifully chewed up by the cylinder release latch. I'm...

Was just notified today that after the gun spent time in the metallurgy and gunsmithing sections of S&W, they are replacing the frame of my gun under warranty. Should have it back in a couple more weeks (hopefully without anymore issues).

Other than take the screw out of the rubber grips and remove each one, I've done nothing to the grip frame: no scuffing, filing, sanding, dropping, chiseling, carving, etc. ; )

Sent the gun off today to S&W with a note explaining that I prefer the firearm be replaced. We'll see what happens. After the past 5 handgun purchases this year (4 Sig P320s and this S&W), I'm ready for a little good news. Thanks for the replies.

Bought a brand new 686 plus at my lgs this month, and noticed the crack in the heel of the grip frame when I removed the factory grips to clean it. Anyone ever see this before? The doesn't appear too deep, and it's going back to S&W for repair. How this got past quality control blows my mind...