686 Cleaning

[typicallcplkim]

How often, if necessary at all, does the internals of the revolver need to be cleaned? I mean taking the frame apart and cleaning all the small pieces. I'm wanting to last this gun for a VERY long time.

I've been told once if a blue moon is pretty much it, while others say it's not necessary because it really doesn't get that dirty...

Thanks in advance.

 

[gunnails]

I will never take the side plate off my 686, maybe someday squirt some carb cleaner or something in there if I have problems, but I doubt I will ever have a problem.

It see's 500/1000 rounds a year.

 

[powrguy]

686 cleaning

I haven't dis-assembled mine to clean the internals, either. Kinda reluctant to try to remove the cover, and damage the finish or something, I guess. I shoot about 100 rounds a week, mostly 38 special through it. I clean it after every range visit, but do not do the internals.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Don't try to fix something that ain't broken. AKA.... if you're not having a problem, leave it alone. Once a year, a couple of drops of a good gun oil into the hammer & trigger areas, bolt plunger opening, and the hand slot is sufficient for most shooters.

If you do take the side plate off, and it's not a big deal if you do, get the right kind of screw driver (or bit). You need a "hollow ground" tip profile. A standard general-purpose screw driver can easily bugger up the screw heads.

Go to YouTube and watch some videos on "Smith and Wesson trigger job". It will show you how to take the sideplate off (there's a trick) and all the guts out and back in. Even if you don't want to do a trigger job. Those videos will show you everything you need to know.

 

[loeman]

I will never take the side plate off my 686, maybe someday squirt some carb cleaner or something in there if I have problems, but I doubt I will ever have a problem.

It see's 500/1000 rounds a year.

IMO, this is good advice. I've NEVER taken a S&W side plate off. Squirt a bunch of cleaner inside all of the orifices, drain. Then well-lube with Rem Oil or whatever and use Dust Off to distribute. Unless there is some sort of malfunction, leave the side plate on.

 

[g-dad]

I will never take the side plate off my 686, maybe someday squirt some carb cleaner or something in there if I have problems, but I doubt I will ever have a problem.

It see's 500/1000 rounds a year.

The same here. Unless you go swimming with it or drop it in a septic tank or you're going to change rebound spring and polish the slide there's not much of a reason to take it off.

When I get an older revolver i.e. 40 plus yrs old I will pull the side plate to check things out. Here's a pic of a 80 yr old Reg Police I bought and detailed inside and out.

 

[kbm6893]

I've taken the sideplate off of every used revolver I have owned. No idea what the previous owner thought of as proper gun care. I've seen some pretty gummed up insides. I just blast it out with brake cleaner, then compressed air, then lightly lube. Never take them off after that.

 

[Joe Hohmann]

I just clean the obvious stuff within 48 hours (two days at the range). Go very easy with the oil.

 

[Kid44]

How often, if necessary at all, does the internals of the revolver need to be cleaned? I mean taking the frame apart and cleaning all the small pieces. I'm wanting to last this gun for a VERY long time.

I've been told once if a blue moon is pretty much it, while others say it's not necessary because it really doesn't get that dirty...

Thanks in advance.

Send me the gun, I will remove the side plate, completely clean and lube the internals, reassemble, shoot several thousand rounds through it and return it to you.

 

[AZretired]

I take the side plates off mine every couple years, sometimes more as I live in a dusty environment. Clean n lube, if you are careful and don't ever force the sideplate you will do no damage.

Sent from my BNTV400 using Tapatalk

 

[OKFC05]

Every 20,000 rounds whether it needs it or not. Inspect all parts. If you don't know what you're looking at, get a pro to do it.

NEVER SPRAY CLEANER OR EXCESSIVE LUBE into a revolver action unless it took a swim; then later open it up and clean up the mess.