686-0 Back from the custom shop

[Condition Yellow]

I sent my 686 no dash back for the M modification. I asked them to tighten up the action and glass bead the finish while they have it.

The work page they sent for my approval indicates the following: tighten cyl, repair timing, repair excess end shake and turn the barrel. As for parts: cylinder stop, and hand-oversized L&H. It sounds like it was a loose 27 year old revolver.

What do turning the barrel and a new cylinder stop do? Also, what is a hand-oversized L&H?

The good news is they gave me a 20% discount on the bead blast. I'm anxious to get it back.

 

[MWark]

Please post some photos when you get her back. If you don't mind, what did S&W want to do all that?

 

[one eye joe]

Well, you saved about $50. shipping by asking for a shipping label when you sent it to them (which I assume you did).

 

[Condition Yellow]

Hopefully this does not violate any forum rules: Excluding the bead blast; $24 in parts and $72 labor. The bead blast is normally $155, but as I said, I received a $31 discount.

If you don't mind, what did S&W want to do all that?

Joe, I did get the shipping label.


Here is a before picture:

 

[cptdco]

I'll take one of those: turning the barrel is, as I understand it, first removing the barrel, then shaving a little metal off the barrel past the threaded part so it can screw into the frame a little farther to close up the barrel / cylinder gap.

 

[cptdco]

Well, seeing as how you haven't got much of a response: the cylinder stop is the gizmo that comes up from under the cylinder and locks into the little grooves to hold the cylinder in place. Replacing a worn one will lock the cylinder up tighter. The hand is the mechanism which rotates the cylinder when the gun is cocked, either single or double action. If the action is a little worn, particularly the studs (or whatever they're called) on the back of the cylinder, installing a oversized hand will insure the cylinder is rotated far enough forward to lock up before the hammer drops. I have no idea what the L&H signifies. I had a CS-1 that was cosmetically challanged when I got it and sent it back to S&W for a bead-blast. Now granted the original finish on the gun was bead-blasted, but I was very happy with the way it looked when it came back to me

 

[stantheman86]

Has that gun seen a lot of .357?

That work order looks like it's for a gun that has seen some serious range time

 

[Condition Yellow]

CPT,

Thank you for the information. It gives me a better idea of what they are doing with it. I hope I like the bead blast. I actually wanted a finish more brushed than what my 686 currently wears, but less than the bead blast. I'm crossing my fingers. How durable is the blasted finish?

Stan,
I traded into this gun about a year ago, on this site. I have no idea how much it was shot, but S&W told me it is from 1984. It is my first DA revolver so I am not a good judge of wear. From reading how to tell if the action is tight, I surmised in my finite wisdom it was not. Apparently so!

 

[Condition Yellow]

The results

There was a box waiting for me this afternoon. It went back to S&W on March 17th, and was delivered back on May 13th:

I am completely happy with the results. Looks great, nice tight action, and they definately worked on the trigger, which wasn't part of the work request. Not bad for a 27 year-old revolver! Now I have to decide if I want new grips.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Give the old girl a new set of stockings .

 

[jughed440]

very nice!!!!

BTW, i have a somewhat desirable 66-4 that was originally satin finish but had been polished by the original owner. i had considered sending it in for the satin finish.
question...does S&W stamp the frame as they do when re-bluing?

 

[Condition Yellow]

Jughed,

I don't know if they stamped it. I'm not sure where I'd look for it. Under the grips?

 

[CALREB]

WOW, try getting that work done at your local shop for a couple hundred bucks. It makes me glad that you can still get a good value in todays world of 3500.00 1911s, your gun looks beautiful.

 

[one eye joe]

That 686 is beautiful. I have always been pleased with the work done on weapons I have returned to S&W for repair....

 

[6pack]

I really like that finish.

You've got a nice gun, there.

 

[MO_mule]

Condition Yellow:

All I can say is, "Be still, my heart!" Beautiful 686 you have there.

Range report to follow, I trust?

Chris

 

[C/O]

Nice, my 686 was sent back for the "M" by the original owner. He also had them do some trigger work on it. It is the sweetest gun I have ever shot.

 

[CWH44300]

looks real nice and its good for at least another 27+ years

 

[AB2506]

Very nice. Looks great now!

 

[.357magger]

Sure is purdy.

Shot it yet?