586 No Dash, No "M", No Problem

[cindynles]

I finally ran some hot 125gr 357 mag through my no dash 586 that has not had the "M" recall work done on it. No problems at all, it ran like a champ (Federal and Remington). Although my son has now decided that it is his favorite gun, and that 357 is more fun to shoot than 38 special. This could get expensive......

 

[sourdough44]

I have an unmodified 586 that I also decided to leave as is. I mostly shoot lighter loads anyway with it. I have had no problems with it.

 

[larry8]

What is the "M" recall?

 

[Gunhacker]

The 125 gr. are OK, It was the lighter 110gr bullet that posed the problem and were a specific brand of ammo (Federal).

Larry8, the "M" recall was to correct an issue of primer flow, where the primer deformed enough upon firing that it extended back into the firing pin hole and prevented the cylinder from turning.

586/686's that were sent to the factory for the recall were retrofitted with an improved firing pin and bushing, and a letter M was stamped on the frame cutout, visible only when the cylinder is open.

The recall has been the subject of many a debate of whether or not it is/was really necessary, given the limited number of occurrences and the specific ammo at that time that was known to be the cause.

 

[Smithhound]

I've posted this same story many times, but will again. Back in '86 I bought a NIB 686 and almost immediately found that Federal 125g Jhp's would jam the cylinder. I've never been a fan of 110g's so could not attest to them. Every other brand of ammo I tried would work fine, but it would invariably choke on 125g Federals. I took it to Gun City in Nashville, an 'Authorised S&W service Center' and was told that i needed to clean the gun. I was, and am a fanatic (call in anal) about clean guns, so I knew smoke up my skirt when I felt it. I wrote S&W (no such thing as Email back then) and never recieved so much as an ackowledgment from them.
About 6 months to a year later notices started appearing in the gun rags about the recall, the hammer bushing was allowing primer flow back into it and tying up guns.
I've never sent mine in, stopped using much factory and concentrated on handloading after that, and have never had another problem out of my 4" 686, after 5K to 7K rounds.
I would rather have an unmodified example but if you are relying on this gun for self defense, go ahead and have it done. Murphy has no mercy.
RD

 

[bananaman]

You guys are killing me.
My 586 no dash is at S&W now, getting the recall & some other TLC.
Threads like this make me miss it. Hopefully I'll have it back soon.

It sounds to me that you need something else to tide you over until she returns! Bob

 

[old doc]

I bought a new 686 a few weeks ago and am getting about 10 percent misfires due to light strikes I guess. Is this a common problem with this model? This is my first Smith and it shoots like a champ but I don't want an 800 dollar range gun.

 

[TonyMon67]

I have run over two hundred rounds - mostly .357 but some .38 special too and roughly 50/50 SA/DA, through my new 686+ and haven't had one misfire yet.

 

[old bear]

I've never had a problem with my unmodified 586 sans dash, but I don't shoot any bullets that weigh less than 148Gr's. I generally shoot 158Gr gas check LSWC's.

 

[Joe S.]

I love a 586.

And i REALLY LOVE a 586 in some nice leather!!

Cant wait til my wood grips arrive.

 

[old doc]

I have run over two hundred rounds - mostly .357 but some .38 special too and roughly 50/50 SA/DA, through my new 686+ and haven't had one misfire yet.

I just e-mailed S&W. I've shot all .357 factory ammo. It's good to hear you've had no problems.

 

[TonyMon67]

I just e-mailed S&W. I've shot all .357 factory ammo. It's good to hear you've had no problems.

I'd be curious to see pics of the misfires. Most I've seen for this gun were way off center. Is it all from DA or SA or both? I have seen a lot of revolver misfires from "staging" in DA. Have you run the lock key back and forth to make sure it's not partially engaged? Have you tried a different ammo?

 

[Gman56]

I finally ran some hot 125gr 357 mag through my no dash 586 that has not had the "M" recall work done on it. No problems at all, it ran like a champ (Federal and Remington). Although my son has now decided that it is his favorite gun, and that 357 is more fun to shoot than 38 special. This could get expensive......

Nice 586!I would shoot 158gr bullets. Hot 125s have ruined good pistols.You have a very nice 586! I have a 686-1 4in. I think 4in barrels look so good on a pistol!

 

[cindynles]

Nice 586!I would shoot 158gr bullets. Hot 125s have ruined good pistols.You have a very nice 586! I have a 686-1 4in. I think 4in barrels look so good on a pistol!

I mostly shoot 158gr 357. I just wanted to see if my 586 was one that needed the firing pin bushing recall work.

Now I need to find a 625 or 22-4 so that I can have a revolver to shoot .

 

[H Richard]

I had mine done back when the recall was originally issued. I had a friend to which it had happened. I sent mine to my good friend Mike Stuckschlager (RIP) at Montana Gun Works, and he did the work as well as smoothing out the DA a little. I never use anything but 158's in either 38 or 357, so I probably wouldn't have had any problem, but I used it in PPC competition so I didn't want to take the chance.

 

[.45mtngun]

Joe S,
What grips do you plan to put on your 586?
Jim

 

[nipster]

Your 586 is a lot nicer than the one I found today. Yes, that's gold spraypaint...

 

[old doc]

I'd be curious to see pics of the misfires. Most I've seen for this gun were way off center. Is it all from DA or SA or both? I have seen a lot of revolver misfires from "staging" in DA. Have you run the lock key back and forth to make sure it's not partially engaged? Have you tried a different ammo?

Hey Tony, I just returned from the range. The only misfire I had was from a Federal round that I had left from the session when I had the numerous misfires. I put about 100 rounds of Remington JSP and JHP and 25 Sellier and Bellot through today without a problem. It fired as intended in both SA and DA. I was about as accurate with it as I am with my XDm 9mm. This makes me a very happy dude. Thanks for the tips.

 

[akviper]

Our department replaced our perfectly fine 66s with the first run 686. We used both Remington and Federal 125 grain JHP magnum ammo. All but a few of the guns had the primer flow problem and required the M modification. They worked fine with 38 special and heavier weight 140 and 158 grain magnum rounds but the 125s froze the cylinders tight..

A few years ago I picked up a 586 first year without the modification. It works fine with the 125 grain Federal and Remington magnum rounds. Try a hundred or so of the 125 grain magnums in your gun and if it works you do not need to worry about the M modification. You will know fairly quickly if they don't work in your gun as it will lock up tight and probably need a rubber mallet or rawhide hammer to tap the cylinder open.

Many people forget this is a problem only with early first run L frames. If your gun is a later version the problem was dealt with by using a different firing pin bushing in the frame.

 

[old doc]

That sounds like a plan akviper. I'll give it a try.