581 no dash recall upgrade

[rosewood]

Picked up a used 581 last year and figured out the recall was never done. Called S&W and sent it in Feb 16 and got it back March 3 (shipping on their dime). You can see the firing pin/breech insert has been replaced and maybe a new hammer nose. Not sure exactly.

So for anyone wondering, they do still do the recall upgrade on the old no dash L frames.

Rosewood

 

[ken158]

Sure - they will still do the M recall

 

[pantannojack]

Can you tell by looking? It it better, worse, or the same? What can happen to a non modified?

 

[swagmeister]

There were reports of non modified early L frames having the primer blow back into the firing pin hole which was to big and causing the gun to freeze up. If I recall correctly, it was only with light 125 grain .357 ammo but no problems with heavier .357 bullets or any weight .38 ammo. I knew a couple of friends who owned the guns and they never sent them in for the recall and they shot all weight .357 bullets with no problems and if one tried the lighter weight bullets and no problems, the gun was good to go.

 

[Retired W4]

I never had any problems with un-modified 581/586s using a variety of ammo. I recently picked up a 581 from 31 Jan, 1984 (no M overstamp) but I have not shot it yet.

 

[Ameshawki]

Had my 681 done a couple of years ago. Process was painless. Took about a month. I suspect they do these in batches.

 

[rosewood]

I hadn't had any issues from it. Just figured if there was a recall, why not send it in and get it upgraded before they stop doing it.

You can see the bushing around the firing pin hole is new. They may have replaced the firing pin nose also.

Rosewood

 

[swagmeister]

Yes. I think the recall did include replacing the firing pin nose along with the firing pin bushing. I believe the recall only included no dash models, but I'm not sure if dash 1's were included in the recall. I'm pretty sure that by dash 2's and up, the modification was not needed.

 

[NY-1]

Here's the best write-up on the recall AFAIK. The 1987 L-Frame Recall – RevolverGuy.Com

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

I have a 586 no dash without M. The S&W factory responded, they no longer take care of the matter. The revolver is in Finland

I bought the revolver in 1997, never had a problem with it even with hard .357 magnums

I want 581 or 681

 

[Dvus]

I picked up a 686 no dash last week and it happened, but only on one out of six holes. I was shooting factory Fiocchi 142 gr. A couple other holes did slightly, but not enough to lock the cylinder. Not sure why just those three. Also, it didn't do it at all with my hotter 148 gr. reloads.

 

[Engine49guy]

Picked up a used 581 last year and figured out the recall was never done. Called S&W and sent it in Feb 16 and got it back March 3 (shipping on their dime). You can see the firing pin/breech insert has been replaced and maybe a new hammer nose. Not sure exactly.

So for anyone wondering, they do still do the recall upgrade on the old no dash L frames.

Rosewood

Did they stamp the M in the yoke cut?
Also did they tune up the action at all?
Did they provide a detailed list of what work was performed?
In the old days I heard they tuned up the action as a courtesy while there, that alone would be worth sending in a non M stamped gun IMO.

 

[rosewood]

Did they stamp the M in the yoke cut?
Also did they tune up the action at all?
Did they provide a detailed list of what work was performed?
In the old days I heard they tuned up the action as a courtesy while there, that alone would be worth sending in a non M stamped gun IMO.

Just saw your post. They did stamp the M on the frame under the yoke above the model number. I can't say if they did anything else, I haven't had the gun long and really am not too intimate with it. It does have a really nice DA trigger. Better than most factory guns for sure. No idea if they did that or not.

No details, just said L frame recall and ghost materials.

Rosewood

 

[bgrafsr]

I had a contract to do the recall through the gun shop I worked for part time. My Dept sent me to S&W's armorer course for revolvers.
Recall was to replace hammer nose & hammer nose bushing. All necessary tools and gauges were sent to me, and I still have them. Did the recall for a local Sheriff's Dept., and ended up having to send one of their guns back to S&W as there was a problem with the frame. S&W sent me a new gun to replace the bad one.
I never heard that S&W did a tune up on the guns. I always cleaned the guns during the recall work, and fixed any other problems the guns had, like end shake or whatever.
I enjoyed doing the work, and made sure that the work was done correctly.
Problem arose from Federal .357 ammo, whose primers are soft. S&W sent me several thousand rounds of Federal ammo to proof fire the guns after doing the recall work.

 

[Piwo]

I never had an issue with my 581 (no dash) I bought in 1983. Sent it in in November of 2018. The nice people at S&W did the upgrade, retimed the gun, new hand, some new springs, and corrected the endshake. All for free after I had the gun for 35 years. I"m sure the gun will be shooting fine long after my ability to shoot it.

I don't know if they did all that work for free because I am the original owner, but superior service in my book.

 

[Tanners Owner]

I just sent mine in on the 13th. They recieved it on 15th. I will advise when I get it back.

 

[woodsltc]

Over the years I've had one 686 and two 586's sent to S&W for the recall. The 686 locked-up firing 158 grain Federal ammo on two separate occasions....from that point on any "No Dash" L-frame of mine has been returned for the fix.

Lot's of folks have older L-frames and have never had a problem, and that's great. And some say the problem only happens with hot 125 grain ammo..........that has not been my experience. My thoughts are since S&W offers the fix on their nickel then why not have it done and avoid a potential problem that "Murphy's Law" says will occur at the worst possible time.

BTW, all those L-frames after the fix have digested hot 125's to hot 180's without a hick-up.

Don

 

[ezb57]

I sent my 586-no dash in a couple years back for the recall and also asked if they would look at the timing and BC gap.
After the recall they sent it to the custom shop and wanted to charge me for any further work.
I declined and it took 3 calls to get returned.

 

[Tanners Owner]

I just sent mine in on the 13th. They recieved it on 15th. I will advise when I get it back.

I just called S&W, no update as to when they'll complete the recall and return. Was advised to call back in 2 weeks. Has been about 1 1/2 months since I sent, but they did have their 2 week maintenance break. While disappointed I've seen no movement, will call back in 2 weeks & report back.

Patiently waiting…..

 

[Retired W4]

That's a sad commentary.