Light primer strikes 686-6

[TellEm]

Good evening! Picked up a new to me 686-6 plus. Took it to shoot this afternoon and was getting light primer strikes on my handloads.

Using federal small pistol magnum primers. Took the grips off and checked the strain screw, which is tight. Anything else to look for?

I can't say I'm surprised, this revolver has a very smooth trigger pull shooting double action.

 

[kbm6893]

Shoot it with a box of factory and see if it happens. I get the occasional light strike on my handloads.

 

[TellEm]

I'll give factory a try, but doubt the reloads are the problem. I shot this same batch of my reloads through my 65 and 586 no dash with no light strikes.

Shot 50 rounds today with the 686 and had 1 or 2 light strikes every other cylinder.

 

[toad67]

Shortened strain screw, or aftermarket hammer spring?

 

[HOGAN]

I was having the same issue with a 686-6. I just sent it in to S&W. It came back with a note stating they adjusted the frame and yoke. I will test in the next week to see if it is fixed.


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[ColumbusJBR]

Could be possible that previous owner installed a way lighter hammer spring. I’ve come across that issue before. Installed a new Wolff factory power spring and was good to go.

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the S&W Forums.

Could be any number of things. Shortened strain screw. Aftermarket main spring. Short firing pin. Excessive head space/end shake. Old, gummy lubricant and residue slowing the movement of the lock work.

 

[Tom S.]

"New to me" would indicate a trigger job done for/by previous owner. As mentioned above, most likely cause is a light hammer spring. Make sure the hammer strain screw in the frame is tight before doing anything. If you're happy with the feel of the action, I would try an extended firing pin first.

Reloads can be problematic as some have problems seating primers consistently. A longer firing pin will help with this problem as well. Federal primers are regarded as being more sensitive (meaning they go bang easier), so that shouldn't be the problem.

 

[HOGAN]

I my case above it was a brand new 686-6, 6 inch barrel. No modifications at all. Also, the cylinder lock up was great, as it should have been for a new revolver. I was figuring that the firing pin was too short. I guess maybe the headspace was a little off.


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[SGT ROCK 11B]

Good evening! Picked up a new to me 686-6 plus. Took it to shoot this afternoon and was getting light primer strikes on my handloads.

I can't say I'm surprised, this revolver has a very smooth trigger pull shooting double action.

So a used revolver?

We have no ideal what the previous owner did.

 

[sjs]

Following this with interest as I am picking up a new 686 tomorrow and plan on only shooting handloads, but with Remington small pistol primers.

 

[Model19man]

I had a Model 29 (no dash) that I bought used at a gun show in the mid 1980's. It had an action job and unknown springs installed by a previous owner. I got it home and took it to the range the next day. It had light strikes all the time! I traded it off.

 

[yeti]

Any pre-driven addition gets a thorough inspection, cleaning and re-spring. Start fresh...because who knows.

You can always go to whatever the previous owner ran, if needed.

 

[BE Mike]

You can try putting a primer cup, with anvil removed on the tip of your strain screw.

 

[pistolpete10]

I would try a new mainspring, a standard from Wolff or S&W altho the Wolff seems smoother.

 

[TellEm]

I received an extended firing pin in the mail yesterday. Going to try that first. If I still get light strikes, will order a factory power main spring.

Also, I removed the grips to look at the main spring. It appears to have a groove running down the center. No idea if that's an indication that it is aftermarket.

 

[twodog max]

Sounds like another action job from Bubba's Kitchen Table Gunworks. Any used revolver with a very smooth action and light trigger always gets a pass from me.
As far as any new revolver that gives light strikes first thing the grips come off and the strain screw is checked to see if it is in all the way. For some reason I have experienced L frames that the strain screw seem to back out on their own . A small drop of blue loctite and screwing it all the way in fixes that.
The best way to smooth up an action is to put about a thousand rounds through it. It is amazing at how well that works.

 

[stansdds]

I received an extended firing pin in the mail yesterday. Going to try that first. If I still get light strikes, will order a factory power main spring.

Also, I removed the grips to look at the main spring. It appears to have a groove running down the center. No idea if that's an indication that it is aftermarket.

Sounds like an aftermarket main spring, possibly made by Wolff.

 

[gwpercle]

Deleted ... it posted twice
Gary

 

[gwpercle]

Good evening! Picked up a new to me 686-6 plus. Took it to shoot this afternoon and was getting light primer strikes on my handloads.

Using federal small pistol magnum primers. Took the grips off and checked the strain screw, which is tight. Anything else to look for?

I can't say I'm surprised, this revolver has a very smooth trigger pull shooting double action.

After checking with factory ammo ...
Check your primer seating ... light strikes is the classic sign of primers not fully seated in their pockets ...
The first strike completes the seating but doesn't fire the primer .
Make sure you seat every primer all the way down into the bottom of the pocket ... the primer must be bottomed out , all the way into the pocket so it can go no farther ... If the hammer won't ignite them when they are all the way in ...
It's light strikes caused by the gun ... Your reloads are OK !
Gary