686 CYLINDER PROBLEMS

[Jake Benson]

I have a recently purchased 686. It has had about 150 rounds through it. I got home from the range yesterday (only the second time shooting it), and proceeded to clean it. When I was done, the cylinder would not close. When closing it the cylinder stops just short of clicking closed. Something is obviously hanging it up but I can't see what. I read on a couple of different forums of people having the same problem. Something to do with the ejector rod slipping. The explanation of how to fix it made no sense to me as I am certainly no gunsmith.

Is there an easy way to fix this problem without having to send it back to Smith and Wesson or taking it to a gunsmith?

 

[What the]

You could try turning the ejector rod tight, sounds like a classic case.

 

[Jake Benson]

This is my first handgun so I am still a rookie learning. How exactly would I turn the ejector rod?

 

[What the]

Lefty loosie righty tightie.... Put some empties in the cylinder grab the back of the cylinder and turn the ejector rod tight. Or hold the ejector rod and turn the cylinder tight.

Lefty tighty righty loosie......should've had more coffee before I typed, didn't notice it was a newer design...some older Smiths are threaded the "other way." I'm sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

 

[IceBlue91z28]

They extractor rod actually has left handed threads so it would be lefty tighty.

 

[Revolver King]

If not the rod, you may have a pc. of trash or wire under the ejection star. I have seen that happen many times after cleaning. Just push the ejector rod up and look under it.

 

[Neumann]

If the ejector rod is loose, it takes a special wrench to tighten it without damage. It is hollow and easily bent, collapsed or marred if you use pliers. Drop $10 at Brownells for the right tool, or take it to a gunsmith. Smith has used left-hand threads since the early 20th century.

I had one loosen so that the cylinder wouldn't open. That took three hands to fix.

Another common occurrence is unburned powder or dirt between the star and the cylinder. A speck of dirt is all it takes - the end clearance is measured in tenths of thousandths.

 

[AKsRule]

I have a recently purchased 686. It has had about 150 rounds through it. I got home from the range yesterday (only the second time shooting it), and proceeded to clean it. When I was done, the cylinder would not close. When closing it the cylinder stops just short of clicking closed. Something is obviously hanging it up but I can't see what. I read on a couple of different forums of people having the same problem. Something to do with the ejector rod slipping. The explanation of how to fix it made no sense to me as I am certainly no gunsmith.
Is there an easy way to fix this problem without having to send it back to Smith and Wesson or taking it to a gunsmith?

Watch these 2 videos and I think you will get the idea.

Smith & Wesson Quick Tip. - YouTube

How to Repair a Bent Ejector Rod on a S&W Revolver - YouTube

ALSO - we have a gunsmithing FAQ here --

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/94072-faqs.html

.

 

[snubbiefan]

There is only one thing I disagree with in the first tip as posted above, but to each his own and we all have an opinion. Mine is KEEP LOCTITE AWAY FROM GUN SCREWS. If you know the difference in the various thread-locking products....fine, but I have had hold of weapons where the owner thought it was a real neat idea to use red loctite to keep those side-plate cover screws in place. That's just fine and dandy if you never plan to take them out again, especially on an alloy frame.

I prefer to just keep a close watch on things by checking the gun before I use it, while I am using it and after I use it. I also use a piece of leather or thick nylon webbing over the ejector rod and install/remove it with pliers.

 

[Jake Benson]

I kept fiddling with the ejector rod and finally it just worked and the cylinder went back in. I did notice that there was some grit under the star part so maybe that was the problem.

 

[snubbiefan]

Good deal Jake. If you did not already, once in a while I just remove the yoke and cylinder assembly and disassemble all that for a cleaning and lube-job if the gun sees a lot of shooting.There are some springs and goodies down in that hole that need attention now-n-then. Where the yoke slides into the frame is a well used bearing surface every time the cylinder swings out.