Lands worn out on my 686-6?

[Bee12345-6]

Two of the lands on the bottom of the barrel of my 686-6 shows wear. The lands have round edges and looks worn. All the other lands have sharp edges and looks like new.I bought the revolver new, and I have put around 2000 rounds through it. Any idea what causes this problem?

 

[Waywatcher]

Assuming you're 100% sure its not dirty, it's probably a factory defect. Is it effecting accuracy?

 

[SAFireman]

I would be curious to know what it looked like before the 2000 rounds.....also, did you give it a good cleaning (including lead remover)?

Pictures might help as well

 

[Bee12345-6]

Thanks for your replies. I am almost certain that the problem has occured over time. The revolver has always been accurate, but lately the groups have opened up. This is how i found the worn lands, when I inspected the crown for any damages. I have cleaned it using lead remover and everything. The barrel is completely clean. When using the tip of a brass cleaning jag and gently stroking it over the lands, i feel sharp defind edges of all but the tow lower lands. They have a completely different shape. I will try to post some pics later.

 

[reddog81]

In my experience most lead removal products take multiple passes to work. I would try cleaning some more before ruling out leading.
Do you know what the barrel looked like when new?

 

[Bee12345-6]

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums...obile Uploads/20151225_140812_zpsydxcitmm.jpg

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums...obile Uploads/20151225_140802_zpsgoguv30i.jpg

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums...obile Uploads/20151225_140734_zpsuuv87mhw.jpg

Above is the link to the pictures. The first shows the lands with no damage. The second shows the damaged lands, and on the third picture it is apparent that the lands on 6 and 7 o clock are not like the rest. I can off course try to give it another cleaning, but I dont think the problem lies there..

 

[ralph7]

You wouldn't get wear on only two lands.
Either the problem was always there or there is still a lead buildup.

 

[chief38]

Truthfully all I can really see in the photos is the barrel crown - not the lands & grooves to any depth.

1) Manufacturing defect - was made like that
2) improper cleaning rod or technique being used
3) Some have mentioned lead, but lead does not normally build up in the FRONT of the barrel - it's usually in the Forcing Cine area.

 

[Tom Kent]

I am absolutely not an expert but that looks like leading to me. "Another cleaning" won't solve the problem. It will take several more cleanings to get that kind of lead build up removed. Once it is clean, it needs to be checked and cleaned after each shooting session. There is some roughness or something that causes lead to build up in that area.

 

[rct269]

HAPPY CAMPER

In my experience most lead removal products take multiple passes to work. I would try cleaning some more before ruling out leading.
Do you know what the barrel looked like when new?

And in my experience, most (ALL) lead removal products are akin to fishing tackle----which is made to sell to fishermen. (Some folks think it's made to catch fish.)

I'd post a link, but I don't know how; so----------------------------------

Go to the "S&W Hand Ejector: 1896 to 1961" forum section--then to the "Notable Thread Index"---then to the "lead in barrel" thread.

See my post.

It works! It involves NO cost NOR effort worth talking about. It's fast! It is completely idiot proof.

As an aside, I also have trouble believing one could experience wear on two lands----unless that's all there are----which seems equally unlikely.

As another aside (and without knowing pretty much the first thing about any S&W products produced after the late 50's), the idea of a factory defect seems remote----most especially since it almost certainly would've been noticed sooner.

Bottom Line: I don't know what caused the problem here. I do know any and everybody who uses the lead removal system I've referenced will be a happy camper.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Bee12345-6]

Thanks again for all answers. Please look again at the picture in the following link:

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums...creenshot_2015-12-25-17-30-44_zpss9owg4e9.jpg

Is it possible for any lead build up to make such round edges? It is a possibility that it came this way from the factory, but I have never seen it before. Is it possible to wear down just one or two lands using the wrong cleaning technique? I have always used bronse brushes and J Dewey rods, taking great care not to touch the crown. I have cleaned guns all my life ( including the delicate barrel on my BR rifles) and have so far never encountered any problems. Thanks again for any help.

 

[Alk8944]

It is a factory defect, it has always been like that! See the enlargement of your one photo below. This is one of the flaws with ECM, EDM, or whatever other acronym you want to use! If the electrode is not perfectly centered in the bore the grooves will be deeper on the side the electrode is closest to. For some reason this seems to be quite common on the Airweight 1 7/8" J-frames judging from the number of posts which there have been!

Send it back to S&W for a barrel replacement.

 

[Big Cholla]

It looks to me too that there was an imperfect rifling created during manufacture. I'm about 75% sure that S&W would replace that barrel for you in a heartbeat. Worth a try. ............

 

[AzShooter]

Get yourself a Lewis Lead Remover. It's a brass patch that should take out all the lead. After that you need it recrowned and that should do it for you.

 

[joe44va]

Do you scrub your barrel without a rod guide?

 

[Bee12345-6]

Yes, I have not used rod gude when cleaning. I have used a coated Dewey rod with brass adapters and all brass brushes. Inserted through the muzze taking care not to touch the crown. I use about 3 hours for every gun i clean. That said, I have used the same cleaning technique on all my guns ( only inserted the rod from the muzzle end on revolvers though ) and never ever had any issues. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I do not think it's even possible to remove or dramatically change the shape of a barrel land using brass.

 

[S&WIowegan]

It's a factory defect! Not your fault; not lead's fault.

Get in touch with S&W customer service.

 

[Carrier]

I have a hard time believing a cleaning rod made of brass or a Dewey rod would wear the lands

 

[joe44va]

A stainless or Dewey rod no, but a brass or aluminum rod can pick up grit and cause wear like that. Especially if they get dropped on a concrete floor. It does take some time and I've seen quite a few older guns at gun shows with this free feature. It's easier to see on a blued piece.

 

[joe44va]

PS. I agree with sending it back to the mothership to se what they can do.