586 Issue

[capun]

Hello
I have a S&W 586 with the Factory Recall modification. I don't fire it that much (not enough time) and usually I fire .38 specials.

A couple of weeks ago I took one of my sons to the firing range to teach him how to handle a handgun. We fired .38 specials for a while, I wanted him to fire the .367 Magnums so he knows the difference.

The loads that I had were hand loads that had been stored for several years and I don't remember if they were hot loads or not.

The gun cylinder binded after a couple of rounds of shooting, I had to take it home and slightly tap the cylinder (plastic end of a screwdriver) so it would open.

I am going to take the gun back to the firing range to check it out again.

Any suggestions to what the problem is? I personally think that it could be two problems:

- Ammo too old or too hot

- Gun needs a thorough dis-assembly and cleaning up.

Thanks

 

[bgrafsr]

Check under the extractor for grains of powder. Clean the area with an old toothbrush and then see if the cylinder revolves more smoothly. When the cylinder binds up, this is the first item that should be checked.

 

[WHO CARES]

When you tapped it open, did you notice anything unusual about the condition of the fired primer of that last shot? Primer flowing back around the firing pin is the issue to check.

 

[glenncal1]

Check to make sure extractor rod did not not come a little loose as well.

 

[capun]

Good inputs, many thanks to all

 

[IraIII]

Make sure the cylinder is cleaned well. After firing .38 specials which are shorter, there can be a carbon ring in the end of the cylinder that will either not let a .357 Magnum be chambered, or will result in difficult extraction/binding. Use a fired .357 Magnum case to clean the cylinder, might have to brush it well.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Really sounds like a carbon build-up from the 38's.

The 586 is a supremely solid revolver and can handle any .357 (within SAAMI) round you feed it.

Pretty common problem actually.