I have the opportunity to purchase several Smith and Wesson and Colt revolvers that all need various repairs.
One of the revolvers is a 686-5 that the barrel broke off at the frame. I don't know how this happened.

Is this a common problem? What could have caused this? Is this a repairable issue?

Also in the group is a Colt King Cobra with the same issue.

I can purchase the revolvers for $50 a piece so at the very least I could recover my cost parting out if they are unsalvageable.

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

That 686 looks more like a 7 shot dash 5 IMO (PS the cylinder alone is worth that IMO)

Could be a dash 5, I am going from memory. It this repairable?

If its just a matter of removing the threaded portions of the barrel shanks remaining in the frame, and screwing in replacement, yes, its do-able.

But, I would question what caused the problem on two different guns to begin with, and whether it caused any other damage to the guns. From the pics, it looks like the crane is sprung on the Colt. Possible frame damage?

If anything else though, at $50 a piece, they are worth a lot more than that parted out on ebay.

Larry

The most likely reason for the damage is over torqueing the barrel . The barrel is crush fit to the frame and done by a machine to bring the barrel up to index. (factory issue)

If the dimensions are off , this torque procedure will crack the barrel right about where it meets the frame.

S&W should be OK with a new barrel - the Colt however shows a gap between the cylinder yoke and the frame indicated that it is not completely closed, or a possible sprung frame.

Accualy you might want to call Smith and Colt to see if they will stand behind their guns. If so ,you will get fixed for no cost to you.

PS: At $50 each it is a no brainer - you should have them home already before they go to someone else.

I see no reason why Colt or Smith would fix these for free.Someone messed with both of them.That's not normal usage damage.

The Colt actually does close and tighten up, the picture was taken without it completely closed.

This is in the S&W Smithing category, but you (OP) don't mention whether YOU are a gunsmith. As others have said, @ $50 each, they will make you money by selling parts, but to salvage the better examples (Python, 686-5) as shootable guns will require at a minimum removal of the barrel remnants and fitting replacement barrels. If you have that done at retail by a professional gunsmith, you are looking at a minimum of $300-500 if nothing else is wrong. You should be OK but it would no longer be quite the screaming deal it first appears... You just wouldn't profit from it quite so handsomely. JMHO, of course, YMMV,! I would do it if the deal were offered to me, but I'm a dreamer and a gambler, and there are lots of unfinished projects around here. BTW what other guns are involved and what kinds of ills do the exhibit?

Froggie

I am not a gunsmith. I am buying these from a gentleman that use to own a shooting range overseas. He has a large cabinet of guns that are broken. Probably 50-70 pistols in the cabinet. There is a 629, some Redhawks, dester eagle parts. I put aside a Model 19 that is missing the cylinder release and grip, a colt detective special that was taken apart and never put back together, the King Cobra, the 686, and I bought a python that has a repairable crack by the rear sight, the python was $100. Everything else is $50/gun.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

The detective special has all the parts sitting in a ziplock bag.
This is the python
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

If the frames and all the parts are good/viable then yes they could be rebuilt. That being said if your not a gunsmith it will cost you as much in most cases to repair them.

A barrel for 686 is probably around 100.00 depending on length, but to have a gunsmith install set barrel back a turn, set B/C gap and cut a forcing cone your looking at another 300-350

The colt would be same way but I can only imagine what a barrel would run you. I'd guess 300 range might be more.

You'd be better off to find a gunsmith and off load them to him or like mention sell for parts.

Being a gunsmith I'd probably tell the customer they'd be better off selling and buying what the wanted. I started off with very much the same thing a few weeks back with a 686(no dash) he had a frame and wanted to get the parts and have me put everything together, it was more cost effective to sell me frame and him to go get a working one

Getting the barrel shanks out could be fun on its own...

Here is the 686 I've since added my parts from my parts bin and a few I had to order. Just need to fit cylinder and yoke.

Those "broken" guns look like they were rode hard....guns don't break from normal use .
Guns in that condition will be no bargain to get back in proper shooting condition.
I wouldn't touch that deal with a ten foot pole.

I'm thinking those barrel issues are more than likely an attempt to remove or clock/align a barrel without the proper tools, action wrenches and model specific frame blocks. i would suspect possible frame damage aside from the barrel issue.

Best advice yet. If you do not buy them I will, at $50. for a fast $150 profit turnover They pay $200. in buy back programs. in any condition, Last year I got rid of 4 junkers 3 ww-2 souvenirs that ammo was not available anymore. The programs are no questions asked. shotguns and rifles get less ???? This is NJ

Right..and we're not seeing the other part of the story-the snapped off barrels.

However,if you were found in possession of any of the guns mentioned by the OP prior to a turn in program,and they weren't on your NJ license,you'd probably be the new guy in Rahway State Pen.Not a position that I'd want to be in....Probably the first of assorted positions that I wouldn't want to be in.One look at that place from the highway is enough to keep anyone on the right path.....and no doubt more hellish on the inside.

The Prison is not in Rahway and never has, It was given that name when it was a Boys Reform school. That aside the ones i turned in were never registered let alone in my name. The only problem would be if they were registered by the OP but even that there are no questions asked, No ID no Questions they do look up the serial numbers to see if any were used in a Felony,

I just love how the "buy back" programs are no questions asked....a guy could steal guns , go to the program and walk away with $150 for each stolen gun , these programs just don't make sense to me.
I guess that's why I could never do well as a politician .
I would run every number and bust each person turning in stolen guns...last time I looked mere possession of a stolen gun was some kind of crime. But what do I know.
Gary

Had it just been the S&W with the broken barrel I might accept improper installation as the culprit, but as there is also a Colt with the same problem as well as several other damaged guns I think they were de-milled in an attempt to get them out of circulation.

I'd salvage the small parts and toss the frames, they have likely been pretty well stressed and may well fail if put back together and shot.

It wasn't that long ago when S&W sent a lot of revolvers on an order for the guards at a prison out east. Several of them blew the barrels off do to cracks formed when the barrels were over torqued. If I recall they were Model 64's . Since there has been scattered reports of barrel seperation on 686's


I would think S&W would certinly stand behind those guns, or at least it is worth a try. You money - your call . A lot of guess work and speculation going on - Good luck. Personaly I would have tried to buy everything S&W or Colt out of the cabinet unless it was obviously completely trashed with missing parts.

Demilled ? I don't think so.