New 686 SSR Pro: Cylinder Sticks in 2 Spots When Opening

[Paul_H]

Hey All,
I picked up a new 686 SSR Pro, planning to use it for IDPA. I thought I checked it over pretty good at the gun shop, but missed something. After getting it home I noticed that the cylinder is hard to open when the cylinder is in 2 specific positions. I'll try and explain as best I can.

* First, the thumb cylinder release feels fine and operates the same regardless of cylinder position.
* If we assume the cylinder has 6 positions called 1-6, it opens just fine in positions 1-4. In positions 5 and 6 it fees like its catching on something and takes a bit of effort to open, but it does open. After opening it about 50 times it's gotten much easier. It almost feels like theres a burr or rough spot somewhere that needs to be polished.
* It always hangs in the same 2 positions (5&6)
* The cylinder rotates just fine when dry firing
* Cylinder also rotates freely when holding hammer part way back and rotating it.

Thoughts on what could be the cause and is it something that I might be able to fix with a simple polish of some metal? I'd hate to have to send it to S&W if it's something simple that I can address.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[MygunisaS&Wrevolver]

Bent extractor rod or misfit front bolt?

 

[kaaskop49]

If there is a competent gunsmith in your area, have him/her professionally analyze your gun and correct the problem. Or have the FFL dealer ship it back to S&W and let them deal with it.

Asking your ? on the Forum w/o us having the gun in hand will lead to 20 sincere individuals giving 20 different answers. I own the 686SSR; it is a magnificent revolver and deserves to have the issue handled correctly. Best of luck in whatever you decide.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Paul_H]

If there is a competent gunsmith in your area, have him/her professionally analyze your gun and correct the problem. Or have the FFL dealer ship it back to S&W and let them deal with it.

Asking your ? on the Forum w/o us having the gun in hand will lead to 20 sincere individuals giving 20 different answers. I own the 686SSR; it is a magnificent revolver and deserves to have the issue handled correctly. Best of luck in whatever you decide.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

That's a great point. I guess I was hoping there was a common and simple fix.

Paul

 

[ms]

Is the extractor rod tight? Does it have any burrs on the end?

 

[sandog]

If your center pin is too short, that can make the cylinder hard to open.
But that would be in all positions, not just chambers 5 & 6.

 

[Paul_H]

Is the extractor rod tight? Does it have any burrs on the end?

After further inspection the hole in the end of the extractor rod was machined off center. I believe that's causing the binding. I've found a replacement extractor rod. For a few bucks I'll try replacing it first and see if it solves the problem. If not I'll put the original back in and send it back to S&W. I did determine that the binding is happening between the extractor rod and the locking bolt.

After further further inspection, the end of the ejector rod is not square, it's machined at an angle causing a high spot, which would explain why it binds in certain positions. Looking more and more like the extractor rod is the culprit.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I had issues with a new 442PC, 986, 929 and 686 SRR. Odd, on how Pro and PC series are supposed to get special attention yet seem (in my experience anyway) to have more issues than production guns. The "culprit" is poor QA and accountability at the mothership. Send it back and have them give you a better trigger job for your troubles.

 

[ms]

If this is improving with use, and is not too bad at this point, I would wait a bit and see if it becomes acceptable. I no longer have faith in the factory, and they might be very slow. You might be able to correct it with a couple of light file strokes, just removing the high part of the rod. I've done this several times.

 

[twodog max]

I would try fixing it myself if it does not require to much expense or work. As to S&W repair Late last year I had an issue with a new Model 19 and sent it back for repair at S&W expense via their authorization. They told me it would be 8 weeks for return and it was just a few days shy of 8 weeks when it got back. It was fixed 100% correct. So they can get it right and no it is not lightning fast.
It should have been right when shipped but problems with new firearms seems to be across the board these days with all the manufacturers I have been buying from. I sure wish it were no so but apparently it is not stopping.

 

[Paul_H]

I have a new extractor rod on BO from Brownells, but who knows how long that could take. I also found a place selling a used one that I went a head and ordered. I already have the proper screwdrivers and other tools to remove the cylinder and then the extractor rod, so once I have another one shouldn't take but a minute to swap them.

I'm hesitant to file on the current one, just in case that's not actually the problem. My fear is that if I do and I have to send the gun back to S&W they will see it and give me a hard time about the warranty work. I also don't want to potentially miss 2 or more months of IDPA matches. While I have other guns I can shoot, I'm looking forward to this new one.

 

[Paul_H]

To follow up. Got the new extractor rod and swapped swapped it for the one that came on the gun. No change in behavior. Cylinder still sticks in a two orientations. So I re-installed the original extractor rod and it's been sent off to S&W for them to repair.

Unfortunate that a new gun had to go back. The better news is they quoted 3-5 weeks, so I'm hoping it's closer to the 3 week mark (maybe wishful thinking.....).