Does your 686 have a firing pin?

Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston

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Mine does. My first revolver, a 686plus 4 inch. Absolutely gorgeous gun, its just bad *** looking (more so then my nicest semi which is a pc1911 fullsize). Out of ignorance I didnt find out until reading the manual that not only does it have a lock on it, but a firing pin as well. Kinda feel like its a pseudo revolver, what with the firing pin. Are all new smith revolvers like this? Is there a known reason as to why they made the switch? Is it just mine? Kinda like the idea of the hammer playing both roles.
 
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Not quite sure what you're talking about. All revolvers have firing pins. On S&W's some were mounted in the hammer nose and current revolvers use a frame mounted firing pin. Clarify?

Adios,

Pizza Bob
 
According to the S&W bible, the hammer mounted firing pin was eliminated, along with other changes in 1997 with the 686-5. The internal lock was introduced in 2001 with the -6 version. The 686 is one fantastic revolver and one of my favorite.
 
markeb said:
According to the S&W bible, the hammer mounted firing pin was eliminated, along with other changes in 1997 with the 686-5. The internal lock was introduced in 2001 with the -6 version. The 686 is one fantastic revolver and one of my favorite.
Click to expand...

Thank you for answering my question.
 
lastly, I should be looking for a 686-4? Thanks. Just searched 686-4. yes yes i should. well heres to saving for my next gun
 
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​
Charlton Heston said:
Out of previously stated ignorance; I didnt know revolvers came with frame mounted firing pins.
Click to expand...

To enhance your new found data, if you look at Ruger's revolvers (current production), for sure Beretta's current production of SAA replicas, among others, you will see they all have flat faced hammers. That automatically indicates that the firing pin is in the frame.

If you look at old production S&W revolvers, any Colt SAA or replica thereof, but not Berettas, among others, you will see a"nose". That nose thing-a-ma-bob is the hammer mounted firing pin.
 
ISCS Yoda said:
​

To enhance your new found data, if you look at Ruger's revolvers (current production), for sure Beretta's current production of SAA replicas, among others, you will see they all have flat faced hammers. That automatically indicates that the firing pin is in the frame.

If you look at old production S&W revolvers, any Colt SAA or replica thereof, but not Berettas, among others, you will see a"nose". That nose thing-a-ma-bob is the hammer mounted firing pin.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately im a visual learner; you basically yelled at me in greek.
 
I am editing this post and laughing - as I wrote this post (see below) you wrote:

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately im a visual learner; you basically yelled at me in greek.
Click to expand...

I didn't yell, but I guess it is easier to understand visually - which explains why I was writing this post. Just click on the links if the pictures don't show up. I credited all of the sources so you can see more of such things if you want to. (Oh, and because it's required to credit sources!).


The following pictures will assist. They are from Gunblast.com:

Slicking Up an Uberti

(c) Jim Taylor

Uberti SAA replica hammer:

http://www.gunblast.com/images/JimTaylor_Uberti/hammerout2_small.JPG

Ruger Single-Seven hammer

http://www.gunblast.com/images/Ruger-Single7/Thumbs/DSC02780.jpg

Ruger Bisley Vaquero (Lipsey)

http://www.gunblast.com/images/Ruger-Sheriff44/Thumbs/DSC09972.jpg

Colt SAA:

http://www.gunblast.com/images/Colt_SAA/Thumbs/Mvc-184f.jpg

These next are from Brownells

(c) Brownells 2015


1911 (Wilson Combat) hammer - just an obvious example of a hammer to fit onto a handgun with a frame mounted firing pin

http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/products/t_965314110_1.jpg

Uberti SAA replica:

http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/products/t_935000301_2.jpg

Ruger Hammer Assembly

http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/products/t_780001281_2.jpg

Uberti hammer assembly

http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/products/t_935000403_2.jpg

Smith & Wesson hammer assembly (current production)

http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/products/t_940000847_1.jpg

Smith & Wesson hammer (old production)

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/...civQ7sWIFiVZel5F3mjh04afFms86qJpyE5en3pA8o2Dz

That last is from a generic Internet file of photographs of S&W guns. I am not sure how to credit that. The very first URL doesn't link directly to a photo but there is a hammer picture on there.
 
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ISCS Yoda said:
I am editing this post and laughing - as I wrote this post (see below) you wrote:



I didn't yell, but I guess it is easier to understand visually - which explains why I was writing this post. Just click on the links if the pictures don't show up. I credited all of the sources so you can see more of such things if you want to. (Oh, and because it's required to credit sources!).


The following pictures will assist. They are from Gunblast.com:

Slicking Up an Uberti

(c) Jim Taylor

Uberti SAA replica hammer:

http://www.gunblast.com/images/JimTaylor_Uberti/hammerout2_small.JPG

Ruger Single-Seven hammer

http://www.gunblast.com/images/Ruger-Single7/Thumbs/DSC02780.jpg

Ruger Bisley Vaquero (Lipsey)

http://www.gunblast.com/images/Ruger-Sheriff44/Thumbs/DSC09972.jpg

Colt SAA:

http://www.gunblast.com/images/Colt_SAA/Thumbs/Mvc-184f.jpg

These next are from Brownells

(c) Brownells 2015


1911 (Wilson Combat) hammer - just an obvious example of a hammer to fit onto a handgun with a frame mounted firing pin

http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/products/t_965314110_1.jpg

Uberti SAA replica:

http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/products/t_935000301_2.jpg

Ruger Hammer Assembly

http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/products/t_780001281_2.jpg

Uberti hammer assembly

http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/products/t_935000403_2.jpg

Smith & Wesson hammer assembly (current production)

http://www.brownells.com/userdocs/products/t_940000847_1.jpg

Smith & Wesson hammer (old production)

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/...civQ7sWIFiVZel5F3mjh04afFms86qJpyE5en3pA8o2Dz

That last is from a generic Internet file of photographs of S&W guns. I am not sure how to credit that. The very first URL doesn't link directly to a photo but there is a hammer picture on there.
Click to expand...

THIS IS ABOVE AND BEYOND, Yoda. IF SOMEONE STILL DOESN'T GET IT, IT AIN'T YOUR FAULT…..
 
S&W's frame mounted firing pin isn't really a new thing. They've been using one forever on their .22 rimfires. At least since the 1930's. The design is essentially the same as what their using on their center fire guns now. To the point where on J-frames now the rimfire and centerfire hammers are interchangeable.

Chaz, if you're a visual learner, you'll dig this.......

SW-animation.gif

See where the firing pin use to be?

link: The U.S. Victory Revolver : : C&Rsenal
 
I consider the frame-mounted pin an improvement. True, it doesn't have that classic look.

S&W was the last major DA mfr to go to a frame-mounted pin. Ruger has always used them. I don't know when Colt switched, but I'm 55 and I'm pretty sure it was before my time.

About the only revolvers that still have hammer-mounted pins are Colt SAA clones.

If you want a 686 with.a hammer-mounted pin, find a used one. I suggest you do it soon, as prices on the pre-lock/forged-parts guns don't appear to be going anywhere but up.
 
You really went out of your way to help this guy understand.

Bet you're a nice guy in person, as well.
Good on you!
Click to expand...

Thank you, sir! I do my best. Not everyone likes me.....but I'm a lawyer, so I get that.....



jtcarm said:
S&W was the last major DA mfr to go to a frame-mounted pin. Ruger has always used them.
Click to expand...

Insofar as the statement about Ruger is concerned, let us remember that it is incorrect. Ruger has not "ALWAYS" used frame-mounted firing pins. Ruger's original six-guns, the Single Six and the Blackhawk, functioned just like Colt SAAs with a firing pin on the hammer, a half cock "safety", etc. They even "clicked" like a Colt. Ruger introduced what it called the "New Model Blackhawk" in 1973, using a transfer bar mechanism designed to eliminate accidents occurring when a hammer was hit against a round loaded in the "top" chamber. The Single Six was similarly modified in 1973 and, at the same time, Ruger announced its "retro-fit" program, which still exists. Anyone with a Blackhawk or a SIngle Six made with a hammer mounted firing pin can send the gun to Ruger for a free modification.

Actually, I'd have to check my own gun, but I think original Bearcats are in the retro-fit program, too. I have an original Bearcat and a Single Six, both in the original configuration, and I have no intention of having them modified. When I'm dead the next owner can make that decision.

In case anyone else has forgotten about Ruger's original revolvers, there you have it.
 
ISCS Yoda said:
Thank you, sir! I do my best. Not everyone likes me.....but I'm a lawyer, so I get that.....











Insofar as the statement about Ruger is concerned, let us remember that it is incorrect. Ruger has not "ALWAYS" used frame-mounted firing pins. Ruger's original six-guns, the Single Six and the Blackhawk, functioned just like Colt SAAs with a firing pin on the hammer, a half cock "safety", etc. They even "clicked" like a Colt. Ruger introduced what it called the "New Model Blackhawk" in 1973, using a transfer bar mechanism designed to eliminate accidents occurring when a hammer was hit against a round loaded in the "top" chamber. The Single Six was similarly modified in 1973 and, at the same time, Ruger announced its "retro-fit" program, which still exists. Anyone with a Blackhawk or a SIngle Six made with a hammer mounted firing pin can send the gun to Ruger for a free modification.



Actually, I'd have to check my own gun, but I think original Bearcats are in the retro-fit program, too. I have an original Bearcat and a Single Six, both in the original configuration, and I have no intention of having them modified. When I'm dead the next owner can make that decision.



In case anyone else has forgotten about Ruger's original revolvers, there you have it.
Click to expand...


Oh no they didn't and no you don't have it:

I own and have owned several Old Model Blackhawks (pre-transfer bar or Three Screw as they're known) AND flat tops (pre-64, approximately.). ALL have floating firing pins!

The Blackhawk had a frame-mounted pin from day one.
 
jtcarm said:
Oh no they didn't and no you don't have it:

I own and have owned several Old Model Blackhawks (pre-transfer bar or Three Screw as they're known) AND flat tops (pre-64, approximately.). ALL have floating firing pins!

The Blackhawk had a frame-mounted pin from day one.
Click to expand...

This is correct. They have always had a frame-mounted firing pin, what changed with the "New Model" was the addition of the transfer bar between the hammer and frame-mounted firing pin.

Adios,

Pizza Bob
 
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