Reference this thread ...
Picked up a 586 (no dash)

Was able to get to the range and run a few rounds through this gun. Used S&B 168g FMJ which has always been a decent shooting round.

After loading 6, I would pull the hammer back and fire. No problem.

At some point, after the initial round, as I pull the hammer back, the mechanism would hang up ... not lock up, just become very difficult to cycle.

It might be the very next round and it might be the 3rd or 4th round. But at some point, the cycling would be hard. I could get past it, but it required too much effort.

It's like the rounds are backing off of seat, but there is no indication on the frame nor on the round that is occuring. Just "feels" like that.

I looked at the cam or sprocket or whatever the proper term is on the back of the cylinder and saw no inconsistencies in wear or tooth height.

Remove the ammo, and it cycles without a problem. So it's ammo loaded or ammo related.

I had the same problem with a single box of Herter's.

To help murk the water even more, a 627 PC 8x and a Colt Trooper ran the same ammo just fine.

So the question is ... What the heck is going on here?

Hi, I am sure that an expert will come along with some better info, but have you lubricated the internals? You can use gun scrubber, or similar degreaser, and shoot inside. (take off grips 1st) see what comes out. After it dries, lubricate the internals w/ CLP, or similar. Not a reason for your problem, but make that your strain screw is TIGHT. This is at least a starting point. I love my 586 no dash! Bob

I had a vaguely similar issue with an old Kit Gun, empty it would cycle all day long with no hiccups, load it up and after the first shot it would often hang up as the hammer was drawn back. I popped the sideplate and found a broken hammer stud. I never could figure out why it only hung up while being fired, I sold it to a fellow who had the means to replace the stud.

Your symptoms sound similar but not exactly the same, I would give the insides a proper bath and see if that does anything.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

Did you inspect the primers of the fired rounds? Is there a little protrusion in the center of the firing pin indent sticking back out past the base of the shell? Is your 586 a no dash or a dash 1?

If any of these are correct, you have the effects of the recall from back in the mid 80's, and the common complaint/problem was that it locked up the guns by the protrusion rubbing and dragging on the recoil shield. The fix is replacement of the hammer nose (firing pin) bushing and the hammer nose.

It is still fully covered recall and you can call S&W for a shipping label.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

It could be the recall problem. when fired you get primer flowback & it makes it very hard for the cylinder to rotate. empty, it is no problem.

No dash ....

Like this?



Out of ~150 rounds I put through the 586 in question, a Trooper and a 627, I found these seven anomoles.

I have no way of knowing which spent casings were fired through which gun. However, after a reload in the 586 and burdened by an unknown issue, I put the 586 away and most of the rounds went through the other two.

So having only seven does make a little sense.

Make sure there is no unburned powder or debris under the ejector star

Good suggestion and it was the first place I looked.

I would take a few rounds of hot magnum 125 gr loads and put them through it and inspect the primers. What you show does look just like the problem, just a little bigger protrusion than I remembered, but it's been 25+ years since I saw them. I think this is your answer if they came from the 586.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Exactly, needs the recall done for sure.

Debris on the face of the cylinder and a small gap will sometimes give the same feel that you describe. Check the face of the cylinder for scratches, and indication of conflict. How is the endshake? Is there any smearing around the firing pin that would indicate an ammo issue.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

One of the first things I checked was anything that would keep the casings from seating properly.

Initial check when the resistance was felt was to open the cylinder and run my thumb across the cylinder face and the frame around the firing pin.

Everything felt even and consistent.

I did clean off some residue off the frame from around the firing pin. But it was just residue, nothing that would create an obstruction.

Action fits up tight when locked in place. When opened, there does appear to be more "play" in the cylinder than I see on my other wheel guns and the crane itself has some play.

But to quantify that in print is hard because it could only be measured in thousandths. I could rig a dial indicator if needed.

Those primers look BAD, they have been swaged in to the firing pin hole and it needs to be repaired, there is a recall for it. Call s&w and they will fix it for free.

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Still got the shovel

That's the way mine did before I sent it back for the recall. call S&W & they will send you a shipping label & fix the problem for free.

Just got off the phone with SW CS and I must say while the label is being sent, the rep seemed less than enthusiastic about doing it.

He said if the gun hasn't done it yet, it probably isn't the recall problem. I explained I just took possession of the gun and it appears to have been rarely if ever fired.

He still said they would evaluate it and go from there.

Certainly not the "greet with open arms" kind of response I thought I would get based upon responses here and other forums. But, the shipping label is on the way.

Send the emty shell casings with the gun. I am sure S&W will fix it!

Very good ldea.....

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Still got the shovel

Update:

Made a call to SWCS to check status. They recieved the gun on July 2 and have a 3 to 4 week backlog.

Update #2:

Fedexed on June 28
Officially received by SW on July 2
Received letter in mail confirming recept on July 10
Fedex knocked on my door today, July 12 with the package.

Two weeks door-to-door ... I'm OK with that.

Range report tomorrow ...

I see I never responded ...



'nuff said.

Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions.