Hi All:
I have a nice 2 1/2 inch, Model 686-nothing. It has the "M" stamp so it has been back to S&W. It has a ever so slight out of time situation on one charge hole when cocked slowly in single action. It just so happens that this ratchet location is marked with a "V" on the rim of the backside of cylinder and coincides with the out of time charge hole. It may have been marked for this timing issue previously and they may have missed it by thaaaaat much. Double action seems to be fine.

What do the "V" and "S" marks denote. If it misses carrying up by a fraction, what size hand should I replace it with? This hand currently in the revolver measures .0955 in. I'm assuming the "S" stands for a standard size hand. It looks like it was stoned just a tad on the top. Maybe that's what the problem is. Any recommendations for a replacement hand would be appreciated. c good


P.S. I have the Jerry Kuhnhausen S&W shop manual and have been studying it so I have little bit of knowledge, but as they say....a little bit of knowledge in a specific area is a dangerous thing!!!

Not sure about the S, but I think the V is a mark to indicate stainless steel. I have seen the V marking on lots of stainless cylinders.

Hope this helps.

Steve

THE "S" ON THE HAND I BELIEVE STANDS FOR STAINLESS ALSO, A .095 WIDTH HAND IS O/S. I JUST BOUGHT SOME S&W O/S HANDS AND THERE .095, STD. IS .092 IF YOU CAN FIND ONE AT .096 .097 .098 .099 .100 LET ME KNOW, I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 686.