686-6 problem

[bgrafsr]

A friend gave me a 686-6 to look at, as the cylinder is locking up on fired cases. I will take it to the club tomorrow and see if I can duplicate the problem.
I have checked the gun over and do not see a problem, but am wondering if possibly the firing pin spring is either broken or weak. The gun is a police trade in.
Is there a stronger spring that can be installed for the firing pin?

 

[ontargetagain]

Any chance you are shooting magnums and they aren't sitting in tight because of carbon buildup from 38 specials? Obviously nothing under the ejector start that is not allowing it to set properly? Cylinder forcing cone gap is decent?
Karl

 

[bigggbbruce]

but am wondering if possibly the firing pin spring is either broken or weak.

Check it..cock the hammer and give it a little pokie..

 

[bgrafsr]

Any chance you are shooting magnums and they aren't sitting in tight because of carbon buildup from 38 specials? Obviously nothing under the ejector start that is not allowing it to set properly? Cylinder forcing cone gap is decent?
Karl

cylinder/barrel gap is good. No buildup of carbon in the chambers.

 

[bgrafsr]

OK, I didn't realize there were 6 fired .357 Mag cases with the gun. Brand name on the cases is GECO, and the firing pin indentation on the primer is very deep. Now I'm wondering if a longer pin has been installed, especially since it was a Police revolver. Spring tension for the pin seems stiff enough.

 

[andyo5]

Locking up on fired cases, but not on unfired rounds?
Check to see if primers are backing out. Normally they try to, but the force of the blast pushed them back against the firewall and drives them back in. A weak round may not generate enough blast to do this. Also check whether the ejector rod has loosened. That will cause locking up of the cylinder as well.

 

[bgrafsr]

Locking up on fired cases, but not on unfired rounds?
Check to see if primers are backing out. Normally they try to, but the force of the blast pushed them back against the firewall and drives them back in. A weak round may not generate enough blast to do this. Also check whether the ejector rod has loosened. That will cause locking up of the cylinder as well.

Ejector rod is tight. No locking up on unfired rounds.
I did the contract work for S&W when the problem came up with the early 686's. Still have the tools, gauges, and parts.
Going to range this morning with both .38 Spl. and .357 Mag ammo and see what happens.

 

[bgrafsr]

Took the revolver to the Club and shot .38 Spl. wadcutters,

.38-44 heavy reloads, and .357 Mag reloads. Used various brands of brass and did not have a single malfunction. Gun worked perfectly.
Gave it back to my friend and told him to try different brands of .357 ammo instead of the Geco brand. We'll see what happens.

 

[stansdds]

If it functions perfectly with other brands of ammo, but not with the Geco ammo, then I agree, don't use Geco ammo in that revolver.