S&W Recall thoughts...

[Flipside]

I'm finally taking the plunge into a S&W revolver, and have an early model 686 (no dash) in the pipe... It was born in 1984, and has apparently lived in a safe in storage ever since Because it hasn't seen the light of day, it never went back to the factory for the recall for the modification that later generations incorporated.

I've done some research on the issue, and have more questions than answers...

It would appear that the failures causing the recall and modification were related to ammo more than the design of the firearm. It appears that reloads were the culprit... Either the loads were hot, or the primers were not set properly or of poor quality. As a result, the primers were getting stuck in the frame, and the cylinder would lock up.

Sending the gun to S&W for the repair would be on my own dime (S&H both ways) and would take upwards of 8 weeks with the current backlog. Further, loss or damage while in transit or at their shop is a factor... So, I'm weighing in here with my first post in this forum: does it REALLY need to be done if all I'm going to do is use FACTORY SPEC LOADS?

 

[-db-]

After reading feedback here and elsewhere regarding the shipping process (apparently a hit or miss proposition, depending on whom one is able to get ahold of at S&W CS) and the specifics of the actual recall issue, I decided against sending my 686 in for the modifications. I'll send it in if I were to ever have a problem but not until then- it's just not worth the hassle (and potential cost) to me for a problem that may not even exist.

 

[OKFC05]

It would appear that the failures causing the recall and modification were related to ammo more than the design of the firearm. It appears that reloads were the culprit... Either the loads were hot, or the primers were not set properly or of poor quality. As a result, the primers were getting stuck in the frame, and the cylinder would lock up.

I only used factory ammo, and mine would lock up on Federal .357 every time.
I bought it new when they first came out, and sent it in as soon as they recalled it.
It cost nothing and has worked perfectly every since.
Most people who are badmouthing the modification never sent in a gun, just "imagined" there might be problems.

All S&W does is put in what became the standard firing pin and bushing. No magic, no charge, no risk, no hassle.

 

[JMusic]

I would not make a decision until I new what the mod was. Surprises me S&W is recalling pistols over poorly made ammo.

 

[OKFC05]

I would not make a decision until I new what the mod was. Surprises me S&W is recalling pistols over poorly made ammo.

The guns were made in the late 1980s and S&W is still honoring the recall even for used guns. The recall has been around for over 20 years!
Gotta love a company that stands behind their product like that!
As I said above, all they do is put in the later standard production firing pin (on the hammer) and firing pin bushing (in the frame.) All the anxiety that "it might ruin the gun" is bull. The parts are identical to my -3 and -4 models.

The mod is FREE! Shipping is free to original owners.

 

[skiingbear]

Check for stamp

I took a new 686 to instructor school in 85. I had a bad time with it. A local S& W armorer done something to it when I got home. Never had a problem after that.

 

[Flipside]

The guns were made in the late 1980s

The mod and shipping both ways is FREE!

Before I posted the question on this board, I did call S&W for their take on things... Yes, they will do the 'fix' for free (parts and labor) even though THIS PARTICULAR gun is out of warranty. The lifetime warranty on S&W products didn't start until later in the 80's, and the SN on this pistol says that the lifetime warranty doesn't apply. So, YES, S&W is being a stand-up kind of company by doing this. However, since I am not the original owner of the pistol, I get to pay S&H both ways.

 

[JSR III]

The main thing to remember is that not all 586 and 686 guns are affected. It is like an unannounced recall used in the auto industry. Vehicles are only repaired if you bring the car in with a problem. S&W handled the gun repair the same way. If your gun was not having a problem, then don't worry about it was their feeling. They will still make the repair free of charge, however, I do not believe that they are eating the shipping fees to and from the factory. Still not bad service for a gun that is almost 30 years old.

 

[H Richard]

The problem was with "Hot" 357's where the primer would "flow" around the firing pin back into the hammer nose bushing (firing pin bushing in the recoil shield). It is very evident when this happens, and it will lock up your gun. I wish I had saved a couple of the cases from when it happened, it's like a round ridge all around the firing pin indent, that sticks up past flush with the case head. Now, not all guns were affected, and if you fire "hot" 357's in your 686 without this problem, you are probably not affected. They replace the firing pin and hammer nose bushing for the recall.

I feel it is commendable that S&W continues to honor this recall after all these years.

 

[SW357Addict]

If it isn't broke don't fix it. If you don't have any issues with it, just shoot and enjoy it. If it malfunctions, send it in.

 

[Nightowl]

From what I have read, the problem most often occured with Remington 125 grain ammunition. If you want to test it, get some of a couple of brands of 125 grain ammunition, and some Remington, and fire a couple of boxes. If you have no problems, you most likely won't. It's normally a 15 minute fix if you have all the parts and tools. Smith had a lot of police armorers performing the fix. The L frames are great guns, don't let this little issue detract from your purchase.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

If it isn't broke don't fix it. If you don't have any issues with it, just shoot and enjoy it. If it malfunctions, send it in.

+1
My old nickel 586 no dash has never given a problem. So I'll never send it in unless it does.

 

[MP1983]

if I depended on it for a defense weapon, I would do it....

 

[Harrison]

My understanding is that some of the ammo back in the 80s was hotter than what is being sold now, and some primers were on the soft side. That being said, my 581 no dash has digested some pretty hot hand loads (Federal primers) with no problem. I see no reason to send it in to S&W.

The original problem was a condition called cratering. It is caused by hot load, soft primer, and oversized firing pin hole, or undersized for the hole, firing pin. The primer flows back around the firing pin into the firing pin hole. It you fire some hot 125 gr. Factory loads and it does not lock up, then you pistol is fine and it isn't suddenly going to lock up. It only happened to a small percentage of no dash and dash ones.