QUESTION: 586 "M" modification?

[SW_TopBreak]

Hey guys,

I recently acquired a Model 586 no-dash. This gun does not have the "M" stamp, so I'm assuming it has not had the modification done to it.

I am considering sending it in to Smith & Wesson to have it done, so that I do not need to worry about any malfunctions, especially if I decide to use it as a home defense gun.

Can someone walk me through the process of how I would go about sending it to the factory? How long is the turn-around time (approximately)?

I read somewhere that the factory does not always give you the same gun back. Sometimes they give you a new gun instead of modifying the old one. Is this true? Anyone personally experience this?

Thanks for your help.

 

[shawn mccarver]

There are directions for sending in your firearm for service on S&W's web site.

Shipping/Returns - Smith & Wesson

Generally, you send it by UPS or Fedex NEXT DAY AIR, including a letter of instructions. Be sure to insure your firearm with the shipper in case of loss.

As to not returning your exact revolver, you can certainly call them and tell them you need the "M" modification, and they will tell you if there is a problem related to parts availability that would cause them not to return your gun.

I have only heard of that happening when the damage is severe and they no longer have parts. This happens, for example, with Model 19 or 66 with cracked barrel shanks. They no longer have any barrels for the 19/66.

This happened to me once with a Model 13 I bought used and sent in for re-finishing. Upon inspection, they found it had a bulged barrel. Since they no longer make barrels for the Model 13, I was offered a brand new firearm at a seriously reduced price.

Thus, I don't think there will be any issue as we are talking about hammer nose, its rivet and the hammer nose bushing (the disc in the bolster face).

Remember, they will inspect your firearm upon receipt. If they find another issue they will let you know. Be sure to include your daytime phone number in your letter of instructions. Keep your serial number and you can call them and they are able to actually track your revolver as it moves from one area of the factory to another, right down to the name of the technician on whose work bench your revolver is assigned.





SMITH & WESSON
MODEL 581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1,
586-1, 681-1, 686-1 & 686CS-1, REVOLVERS

RECALL: Reports have been received from the field where the combination of a SMITH & WESSON L-FRAME 357 MAGNUM REVOLVER and some .357 Magnum ammunition has resulted in unacceptable cylinder binding. L-frame revolvers bearing model numbers:

581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1, 586-1,
681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1

Cylinder binding can cause a failure to fire. Mishandling a revolver while freeing the cylinder can result in accidental discharge.

Cylinder binding can result from a number of causes, including characteristics of an individual revolver or the use of ammunition, which does not conform to industry pressure specifications or is particularly fast burning. Recent developments in ammunition manufacture emphasize the production of .357 Magnum ammunition with increased velocity and greater primer sensitivity.

Although there have been very few reported incidents of cylinder binding, in view of our concern for our customer's safety and the reliability of Smith & Wesson products in all circumstances, we issue the following warning:

In a situation where a failure to fire can be critical - such as law enforcement or personal protection - do not use .357 Magnum ammunition with an L-frame revolver bearing model numbers 581, 586, 681, 686 or 581-1, 586-1, 681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1 without an "M" over the model number until you have had the revolver modified.

Those who need to use their L-frame revolver under these conditions prior to modification can safely fire .38 Special caliber ammunition.

Smith & Wesson has developed a modification to improve existing L-frame revolvers. This improvement enables them to fire all .357 Magnum ammunition, without cylinder binding. Shipments of L-frame revolvers from our factory after August 21, 1987 already include this improvement.

You can check if your revolver includes this improvement by looking at the left side of the frame when the cylinder is fully open. If your revolver has been stamped either with a "2" or higher number after the basic three-digit model number or with an "M" above the model number, your revolver includes this improvement and does not need modification. If your revolver bears the model number 581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1, 586-1, 681-1, 686-1, 686CS-1 without an "M" over the model number, it does not include this improvement and your should have your revolver modified.

Smith & Wesson will modify your L-frame revolver free of charge to eliminate the possibility of cylinder binding with .357 Magnum ammunition. Law enforcement agencies wishing to arrange for modification of L-frame revolvers should call 800-458-8469 between 9 A.M. and 6 P.M. Eastern time (MA residents call 413-734-8244). Other users should send their revolvers to a Smith & Wesson Warranty Service Center, specifying "L-frame improvement program" and enclosing their name and return address.

One of the modifications to improve the L-frame revolver is the installation of a new hammer nose. This obsoletes all old L-frame hammer noses (part numbers 4702 and 7513) and all old L-frame hammer assemblies (part numbers 3366, 3378, 3380, 3382, 3391, 4722, 4723, 4726 and 4728) in field parts inventories. Superseded parts should never be fitted into a modified revolver as this may result in malfunction. It is essential for safety that you return these obsolete L-frame hammer noses and obsolete L-frame hammer assemblies for a free exchange to:

Smith & Wesson
Service Department
2100 Roosevelt Avenue
Springfield, MA 01101

Do not return L-frame hammer-nose bushings from your spare parts inventory inasmuch as they are useable in J, N and K-frame revolvers, which are not included in this Product Warning.

We regret any inconvenience this may cause. Smith & Wesson's first concern is the safety of its products and the protection of its customers.

 

[jimijuma]

I am also interested in any input regarding this.

I have 2 586s (6" nickel, and a 4") that both need to be done. I have no problem getting the mod done, but if S&W decides to not send one back and offer a new one I will be very very unhappy!!!!

I also have some really nice after market grips on both of these that I would like to keep pristine on these revolvers. I guess it would be a good idea to remove these and put the old grips back on before sending them out???

 

[ghawke]

I had the modification done to my 586 about a year and a half ago.
I called S&W and asked them about it. They sent me complete shipping instructions and shipping was on them.
It had to go by Fedex, but could not be put in one of their drop boxes or dropped off at Kinkos/Fedex. I took mine to the big Fedex(they have a name for them but it escapes me now) by the airport.
They also instructed me that I tell the Fedex agent that it was a firearm. When I did that I had to unpack the box and show her. Then I repacked it in front of her. PITA.
BTW, I removed the stocks before shipping.
I got mine back in 3 weeks, but that was a while ago.
Greg

 

[murphydog]

M modification

You do not have to send it with the stocks.

You can also have your friendly local FFL send it to the factory; it may cost less for you, even with their fee included, if it is sent USPS. FedEx requires shipment through a company-staffed Ship Center, not a franchised or drop-off location, similar to the UPS Customer Center.

There have been many discussions as to if this is necessary. You can certainly try it with ammo you will use (or can find), and if the cylinder doesn't lock up you may not want to send it in. The other side is that you may not know if the gun will lock up until you really need it.

 

[mclark202]

You don't need to use an FFL to send it that is just taking money out of your pocket. Let S&W pay for the shipping.

 

[SW_TopBreak]

Wow, thank you guys. Those answers were super informative.

Shawn I think that may be the most helpful and thorough response I've ever received on a forum! Thanks for dropping the recall letter right into the post.

You guys are the best. Thanks again.

 

[WaMike]

I sent mine about a year ago, and forewarned, didn't tape the box. Went to the UPS store, they looked at it, said, "yup, it's a gun," and helped me pack it.

I didn't send any grips; I received it back in 12 days (I counted!).

Prior to the "M," I'd shot mine several hundred times with no issues. But when/if I ever sell it, why wouldn't I want it to be in the best shape possible? It's a selling point, I think.

 

[lhump1961]

I have 3 guns that fall under the recall and only had one done...no problem with it just did it because. It was pain free and Smith turned it in a couple of weeks on their dime. I have not done the other two simply because they don't have a problem. Neither are carry guns so if they ever need it I will have it done then. From what I have gathered on this subject over the years is that if it's not giving a problem now then it is probably good to go.

If you decide to have it done then it should be fairly easy following the advice here...if not then shoot away!

 

[SW_TopBreak]

Thanks for the welcome, Hillbilly77. Sounds like it's pretty painless to send it in, and that's awesome that the factory will cover shipping costs.

I'm going to send it in just to be safe. I took the 586 to the range the day that I bought it, and out of 36 rounds, I had two "clicks" where I should've had "booms".... Pretty scary not knowing if the bullet was hot or not. Fortunately it was on the last round of each cylinder, so I just kept it on target for a minute to make sure nothing happened. Opened the cylinder, took the bullet out and there was barely a dent in the primer. Do these light-strikes have something to do with the recall? Or does that mean someone replaced a spring for one with less tension?

 

[Gunhacker]

The light strikes are usually the result of either the mainspring being replaced with a reduced power spring or the strain screw on the front of the grip frame is not screwed all of the way in like it should be.

You'll find all sort of discussions/debates on the merits of having the recall work performed, but the basis of the recall basically boiled down to this... there was a particular loading of Federal ammo that was a combination of high velocity, lighter weight bullets and soft primers.

That combination caused the primers to deform after firing, to the point where primer metal "flow back" extended into the firing pin hole and prevented the cylinder from rotating and/or being able to swing out to open, effectively locking up the gun.

The occurrences were really not wide spread, but S&W needed to quickly re-establish trust in the product.

Given that the initial reports were coming from LE agencies, I tend to believe the recall was probably more about PR and restoring faith, at a time when LE sales were starting to decline from the 9mm DA pistols starting to make inroads.

 

[SW_TopBreak]

Hey Conrad,

Thanks for the info on the recall. You're right, it does sound like a PR move to cover their butts and hopefully retain revolver sales in a dwindling market when semi-autos were the new craze.

In regards to the mainspring / light-strikes, I've been told that the factory will do a full test on the gun (not just fix the recalled issue). If they come across the light-strike problem, will they replace the spring for me? Or should I buy/send them a spring with the gun to have it done while they are doing the "M" mod? Or is this something I can easily do on my own?

 

[Gunhacker]

S&W should make it whole again for you. But when you send it back, include a note about the light primer strikes just to be sure they know.

For the recall, they will replace the firing pin bushing in the frame and the firing pin on the hammer and test/inspect for function. I've had the M mod done on my 686 no dash that I bought new when they came out, so I'm familiar with what they do.

I also have 2 586's that I haven't sent in, and have not had any issues with the ammo I've put through them.

Whenever I've sent a gun back to them to fix, it came back better than expected. I sent a 4006 that had an issue with the ambi-safety lever on the right side of the slide dragging. The fixed it, and then bead blasted the slide and frame to remove the drag lines, which I did not ask to be done, so the gun came back looking new... with an invoice with N/C for the costs.

 

[armorer951]

L-Frame modification

I have done 60-70 of these over the years. Involves changing the hammer nose, rivet, hammer nose spring, and hammer nose bushing.
The new bushing has a smaller FP hole to accomodate a slightly smaller end on the hammer nose. Although standard gauge checks are done, mainspring weight is checked, and the gun is test fired, no other modifications are made during the procedure.
I haven't personally heard of anyone who has experienced the cylinder bind or primer perforation while shooting magnum ammunition with an unmodified revolver, but apparently there were enough documented cases of this with magnum ammo for S&W to order the modification.

 

[bgrafsr]

I ended up modifying approx. 700 guns for a few law enforcement agencies and people who wanted the mod done, whether it was needed or not. For the law enforcement agencies it was pretty much mandatory. Out of all the guns I did, I had one revolver from the County Sheriff's Dept., that no matter what I did, I could not get the gun to function correctly. I sent the gun back to S&W, and shortly after, received a new gun for the Dept., with an explanation stating the frame on the original revolver was out of spec and could not be fixed.

I even did one engraved gun, even though I tried to talk the owner out of having it modified, but he insisted, so I did it. I have no idea if he was even going to shoot it, but he was happy with the work I did on it.

 

[texagun]

I've had several done. It's an easy process. Call S&W and tell them you want the hammer nose mod done on your gun. They will ask for the serial number to check it against their records. They will send you a shipping label. UPS will come to your home to pick it up. Tell them it is a gun. Mine have all been back within about 10 days with all the work performed professionally and with no problems. I never received a notice that the gun was done and was being shipped. The UPS guy just showed up on my door step and the package will require an adult signature to receive it. I always took the grips off the gun before sending it just to protect them from getting scratched up.

 

[SW_TopBreak]

Thanks a lot for all of the info guys. I'm gonna give them a call tomorrow morning to get the process rolling.

Hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday weekend!

 

[Senor Chisme]

I just purchased a 681-1 from Century International. It's in really good shape but I am confused about the "M" marking. Mine has a small "M" stamped on the right side of frame just above the front of the trigger guard and just below the "Marcas Registradas" billboard. There is no "M" marking inside the crane. The only marking on the frame at that point is "M681-1." On the inside of the crane itself is "AB", "S", and "X1277." Is my gun modified or not. Thanks in advance for any light anyone can shed on this question.

 

[texagun]

Mine has a small "M" stamped on the right side of frame just above the front of the trigger guard and just below the "Marcas Registradas" billboard.....There is no "M" marking inside the crane.

I don't think yours had been modified. All the stamps I have seen have been inside the crane, over the serial number. When you call S&W for a shipping label they will ask for the serial number to check if it has been modified.

 

[waltherguy]

I am getting conflicting info when attempting to request a shipping label to send in a Model 586 for the repair. It seems that when you call S&W Customer Service you now get routed to the Thompson Center. Yesterday I was told by a Thompson Center rep that they would honor the recall and do the repair. Today when I called back with my serial number to request the mailing label another rep said the system would only accept recalls for a few rifles, no handguns. Has anyone had the factory repair under the recall done recently? Until I called yesterday I was unaware of the connection between S&W and the Thompson Center.