686 6" Newbee question

[Michael5959]

Hi everyone,

After decades of wanting and months of looking, I am now the proud owner of a 6" non-dash 686 in immaculate condition. I had finally narrowed my choice down to a 4" vs 6" 686 after months of looking. Was at a gun show this past weekend and walked back and forth for 3 hrs trying to decide between two pieces, a 4" vs 6" 686. Settled on the 6" which I bought from a retired police officer, who had used this piece as his service revolver for many years.

Had fired a 6" at the range and loved the feel and accuracy. CC is not a big deal to me and this 6", an early model 686 had been professionally tuned, and had the sweetest trigger I have ever pulled. I compared it to a Python and while different, felt it was just as smooth and good. My question, is whether to send it in for the upgrade. Like I said, this is a non-dash, non-M 686. I asked the seller about the upgrade, and he said that he replaced the forcing cone and springs when he had it tuned, had fired hundreds of 357 loads through it without problems, and it didn't need it. My question though is whether I should send it in anyway. I love the feel and don't want to screw that up, but would hate to have it fail and have to send it in after the fact.

What do you think?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Mike.

 

[ikor]

When that recall came out, I replaced quite a few hammer noses and bushings on L frames belonging to some of our officers. I am pretty sure that some of the unmarked guns did not really need it done however, and my thoughts then were that S&W had probably done a running change and not marked the guns with the updated parts prior to the actual official recall. If the gun was not 'mission critical' for me, and was working fine, I'd leave it alone. If I used it for home defense or carry, etc. I'd send it in.

 

[jepp2]

he said that he replaced the forcing cone and springs when he had it tuned, had fired hundreds of 357 loads through it without problems

I kind of doubt that he replaced the forcing cone....

Just a thought for you. I had both a 586 and a 686 in the no dash versions I bought new when they came out. I decided to send them in for the M stamp conversion (about a year and a half ago). I hadn't fired the 586 and the 686 had never "tied up" on me. So why did I send them in? Because right now S&W will pay the shipping both ways and do the work for free. So if I run into a problem at some later date, I might to pay the $60 to send it in.

There is a reason for the M stamp conversion. They have a clearance issue between the bushing and the hammer nose. The only downside to doing the work is that the frame will have an M stamped on it between the model number and the number that might be the serial number.

Clearly it is your decision. The problem showed up most with Federal primers and full house loads. But what you want to load today might be different than what you load next year. Just something to consider. Congrats on your new purchase, I really enjoy shooting mine.