My new/old 686 problems

[bulls-i]

Just picked up a 6" 686-4 and maybe I know why the previous owner got rid of it. The cylinder release - doesn't. Push the thumbpiece forward and try to swing the cylinder out and it won't go. After fighting it & trying it over and over it may finally release 1 out of 10 times. Cleaned it without taking anything apart and no difference.

The gun appears to be in very nice shape, the bore looks shiny & clean, the cylinder spins freely and the ejector rod is smooth as silk. So how do I proceed?

Thanks.

 

[ruger 22]

Your best bet would be to contact S&W. 800-331-0852.

 

[ken158]

First - swap the two round head screws in the side plate.

 

[Mike-AK]

Remove the front side plate screw and see if the problem goes away. If that doesn't fix it, I'd check for a loose ejector rod.

 

[jc2721]

Make sure the ejector rod is tight. If it is tight and the cylinder still binds you may have excessive endshake--does the cylinder move back and forth a noticeable amount while closed? If so, try this--with your left hand move the cylinder as far backwards as possible (with "normal" pressure, you don't have to gorilla it), then while keeping moderate pressure on it engage the cylinder release with your right thumb and see if you can open the cylinder. Also try the same procedure while pressing the cylinder forwards.

If either procedure works in opening the cylinder you may have excessive endshake. To fix it you could send it back to the mothership or you could try using the Powers endshake shims (sold online directly from Ron Powers or other gunsmithing supply shops).

I bought my 17-3 from a LGS cheap because it was "broken" and needed "gunsmithing" just like your 686. In the gunshop I figured out the problem was endshake so I bought the gun, ordered the shims and fixed it myself. It turned out to be a sweet shooting .22, very accurate and smooth operating (once the endshake was fixed, of course). Judging by the wear on the piece, I'd say the previous owner put tens of thousands of rounds through it.

 

[jc2721]

 

[jcelect]

The ejector rod is backing out! There might be crud in the cylinder release channel inside. A deep cleaning will solve this problem!
jcelect

 

[bulls-i]

It was a loose ejector rod. Thanks guys.