S&W Model 586 Factory Recall-- Why?

I recently purchased a S&W M586-1 and I am wondering about the recall that I read about awhile back. I can't remember whether all 586s and 586-1s were effected or just some. Should I be concerned? If it helps the serial number of my gun is AYR33xx. I have some questions. Why were the guns recalled? What modifications were made? How would I know if mine has a problem? Thanks for the help-- I look forward to your replies.

Very nice 586! There were some instances of of primer flow back into the firing pin bushing with some hot 125 grain Remington loads, that would lock up the gun. And maybe some other brands. It did not happen with all the guns, but some of them. Smith issued a recall to replace the firing pin bushing with a smaller hole and replaced the hammer nose with a smaller one made for the smaller hole in the bushing. Smith sent tools and parts to police armorers so that departments would not have to send their guns back to the factory. Guns so updated were marked with an M above the model number stamped in the yoke cut out on the frame. This affected all 586, 581,686 681 and -1 models. The -2 iteration included the modification.

If yours has been done look for the M above the model in the yoke cut. If it does not have it try a few boxes of Remington 125 grain loads, and other light bullet loads that you can find. If it does fine then you cand leave it as is or return it to Smith for the update. From what has been said here, they still will pay shipping both ways and do the update for free.

L-Frame recall.......


SMITH & WESSON
MODEL 581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1,
586-1, 681-1, 686-1 & 686CS-1, REVOLVERS

RECALL: Reports have been received from the field where the combination of a SMITH & WESSON L-FRAME 357 MAGNUM REVOLVER and some .357 Magnum ammunition has resulted in unacceptable cylinder binding. L-frame revolvers bearing model numbers:

581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1, 586-1,
681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1

Cylinder binding can cause a failure to fire. Mishandling a revolver while freeing the cylinder can result in accidental discharge.

Cylinder binding can result from a number of causes, including characteristics of an individual revolver or the use of ammunition, which does not conform to industry pressure specifications or is particularly fast burning. Recent developments in ammunition manufacture emphasize the production of .357 Magnum ammunition with increased velocity and greater primer sensitivity.

Although there have been very few reported incidents of cylinder binding, in view of our concern for our customer's safety and the reliability of Smith & Wesson products in all circumstances, we issue the following warning:

In a situation where a failure to fire can be critical - such as law enforcement or personal protection - do not use .357 Magnum ammunition with an L-frame revolver bearing model numbers 581, 586, 681, 686 or 581-1, 586-1, 681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1 without an "M" over the model number until you have had the revolver modified.

Those who need to use their L-frame revolver under these conditions prior to modification can safely fire .38 Special caliber ammunition.

Smith & Wesson has developed a modification to improve existing L-frame revolvers. This improvement enables them to fire all .357 Magnum ammunition, without cylinder binding. Shipments of L-frame revolvers from our factory after August 21, 1987 already include this improvement.

You can check if your revolver includes this improvement by looking at the left side of the frame when the cylinder is fully open. If your revolver has been stamped either with a "2" or higher number after the basic three-digit model number or with an "M" above the model number, your revolver includes this improvement and does not need modification. If your revolver bears the model number 581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1, 586-1, 681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1 without an "M" over the model number, it does not include this improvement and your should have your revolver modified.

Smith & Wesson will modify your L-frame revolver free of charge to eliminate the possibility of cylinder binding with .357 Magnum ammunition. Law enforcement agencies wishing to arrange for modification of L-frame revolvers should call 800-331-0852 between 9 A.M. and 6 P.M. Eastern time (MA residents call 413-734-8244). Other users should send their revolvers to a Smith & Wesson Warranty Service Center, specifying "L-frame improvement program" and enclosing their name and return address.

One of the modifications to improve the L-frame revolver is the installation of a new hammer nose. This obsoletes all old L-frame hammer noses (part numbers 4702 and 7513) and all old L-frame hammer assemblies (part numbers 3366, 3378, 3380, 3382, 3391, 4722, 4723, 4726 and 4728) in field parts inventories. Superseded parts should never be fitted into a modified revolver as this may result in malfunction. It is essential for safety that you return these obsolete L-frame hammer noses and obsolete L-frame hammer assemblies for a free exchange to:

Smith & Wesson
Service Department
2100 Roosevelt Avenue
Springfield, MA 01101

I have a 686-1

I never bothered with the recall. I've shot hot loads in mine with no sign of trouble. I do stay away from primers that tend to be soft, especially foreign makes. But S&W will send you a shipping label if you want the work done and warranty work gets done pretty quickly.

Thanks fellows, I appreciate the information.
Rick rfo1

I'd be curious if the new hammer is a case hardened hammer, or MIM? Pretty sure S&W exhausted the last of their case colored hammers on PC guns years ago.

My 586 no dash has not had that problem using Remington 125 grain Mag's, my old departments issue load.

Larry

S&W doesn't replace the hammer, they replace just the firing pin ("hammer nose") and the bushing in the frame the pin/nose pokes through. The firing pin is riveted to the hammer and is a replaceable part.

I remember reading about the recall when i got my 681. I have never had any issues with it though and i know my father never did either. Mine only comes out for range time though so i seen no reason to send it in..

BUFF said:

S&W doesn't replace the hammer, they replace just the firing pin ("hammer nose") and the bushing in the frame the pin/nose pokes through. The firing pin is riveted to the hammer and is a replaceable part.

Click to expand...

That's what I thought as well, but I was asking based on the wording of the official re-call, as posted earlier in this thread specifically noting the hammer assembly as well as the firing pin / bushing. Maybe I am misinterpreting the re-call words, and they mean all old L frame hammers are to be returned to be modified, then used again?

Larry



"One of the modifications to improve the L-frame revolver is the installation of a new hammer nose. This obsoletes all old L-frame hammer noses (part numbers 4702 and 7513) and all old L-frame hammer assemblies (part numbers 3366, 3378, 3380, 3382, 3391, 4722, 4723, 4726 and 4728) in field parts inventories. Superseded parts should never be fitted into a modified revolver as this may result in malfunction. It is essential for safety that you return these obsolete L-frame hammer noses and obsolete L-frame hammer assemblies for a free exchange to:"

Smith & Wesson
Service Department
2100 Roosevelt Avenue
Springfield, MA 01101

A side comment -

At my LGS's ( the big S&W distributor in the SW) suggestion I dutifully shipped my 586's and 686's back to S&W for their recommended hammer nose and bushing fix, even though I had not experienced such a lockup problem even after running a wide variety of ammo and primer brands through them.

HOWEVER... after I got them back from Springfield I noticed that they had REMOVED the adjustable trigger stop (screw + cam plate) on all but two, without asking my permission. It seems that some PD armorers (in Bubbaville, Kalifornia?) had monkeyed with the stops on departmental-issued L-frames to "improve functioning", and consequently had a few lock-ups.

SO... S&W made a point of eliminating the trigger stops on future production, and took to scrapping the assemblies on those sent in for the -M fix. And when I telephoned a few months later to complain and asked for return of the parts, the service department replied they could not return the parts - they said all removed parts had been scrapped and new ones were not available.

I still haven't forgiven them, as these early L-frames are the keepers.

Cheers,

Sverre

Yes, they don't replace the whole hammer any longer, if they ever did. Much more simple, faster and cheaper to replace the firing pin than fit a whole new hammer assembly, they aren't usually just a drop-in part and the rest of the hammer had nothing wrong with it. Hammers with their firing pins already installed were the way S&W sold hammers as spare parts.

My first 4 incher (AEJ7601) did the lock-up thing with both 125 grain and 158 grain JHP .357 factory loads from Federal and CCI, though I no longer remember which brand was which grain. My dealer returned it to the factory twice and they said they couldn't find anything "out of spec" with the gun and blamed it on the ammo. This was before they discovered what the problem was actually being caused by, the firing pin and bushing, and instituted the recall after lots of shooters and police departments experienced the problem.

Like I have always said, your gun won't ever lock up until it does.

My dealer returned it to the factory twice and they said they couldn't find anything "out of spec" with the gun and blamed it on the ammo.

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It is not unusual for S&W not find anything out of spec. when there really is a problem. Back before the Endurance Package came into being, I had a couple of M29's which would go into cylinder float-something the "E-Package" addresses. Both went back to Springfield and returned NPF". Fortunately, Bud Brown at Cherry Corners in Lodi, Ohio remedied the problems with extra strength cylinder stop springs. Cherry Corners was a S&W warranty station at the time.

Bruce

My 686 no dash locked up with Federal 158gr .357 when new, right from the first box. S&W installed the hammer nose and bushing that became standard in the later 686s, stamped an M, and the revolver has functioned fine for the last 30 years.

How do I contact service dept.?

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Major Cornwell said:

How do I contact service dept.?

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1-800-331-0852