Smith and Wesson 686 Range Report

[le_butters]

Well after a week and a half of owning her I finally got my 686-M to the range. Went out to my moms land and shot at about 5 to 7 yards the whole day. Put about 50 rounds through it, with a few malfunctions. Now the gun is 30 years old, so I didn't expect it to be perfect. I had a few light strikes while shooting double action. When I took my time squeezing the trigger it felt like it released slow or not far enough back. Now it could had been the ammo. I shot a friends aluminum case reloads. 3 rounds out of the ammo I didn't even hear or feel a bang. When I went to unload they had fired, scary really. 2 rounds had solid primer hits but didn't do a damn thing. So I feel like it could had been the ammo that day.
I went today to an indoor range so my wife could try a 637 airweight and brought the 686 with me. I only put about 20 rounds down range through the 686. It ran magtech ammo no problem. I then switched to great lakes re manufactured brass case ammo and again had some issues. One round it looks like had a solid hit and wouldn't go off. Then I had one more that had a light strike. I loaded both rounds again (I know not the best idea) one went off the other didn't do a thing. I have had issues with great lakes 9mm ammo before in guns, so I feel like the ammo was the issue.
So out of about 70ish rounds I had more malfunctions than I care to admit. Now it could had been the fact that it was re manufactured ammo. I have a very respected gun smith who I'm going to take it to and have him look it over and see if maybe one of the springs is worn out or if anything is out of shape. I really hope it was just the ammo, but we will see.
As far as accuracy goes, its dead on. I don't shoot revolvers much so I'm still learning but I was very pleased with my results at 7 yards. I took pictures of the first 6 rounds and then the second 6 rounds (same target) at 7 yards. I was very pleased.
Now to get it to the smith to have him take a look at it.

 

[le_butters]

6 shots at 7 yards

12 rounds at 7 yards.
Now this was the after I put some rounds down range and got comfortable. So in time I expect the groupings to be alot tighter.

 

[jimbo728]

It may be time for a new mainspring if the tension screw is bottomed out. It happened on my 586 no dash about 10 years ago.
Goes bang all the time now.
Jim

 

[kaaskop49]

I'd be interested in hearing the gunsmith's diagnosis. From your post, it sounds like the gun had a prior owner. Wonder if some springs had not been changed out or altered. The above poster's mainspring suggestion sounds plausible.

Another thought: You state Magtech ammo worked OK. Have you tried other brands of factory ammo to see whether the ignition problems occurred with these rounds as well?

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Coastie762]

From your description it does sound like a mainspring issue.

Check the strain screw to see if it is tight. If not, tighten all the way and try the same ammo again. If it is tight, remove the grips and look at the mainspring. If you find a mainspring that has a rib running down its length, someone installed a reduced power mainspring. The factory mainspring is flat.

From there, you may need to clean and lube the lock work inside the gun. If you are uncomfortable removing the side plate, a trip to the gun smith is in order.

One more piece of unsolicited advice: if your friend is reloading aluminum cases, stop using them. Aside from the "never use another person's reloads" argument, aluminum cases are not meant to be reloaded. I know some people do but would not recommend it. Stick with factory ammo or your own hand loads using brass cases.

Good luck! Let us know how it works out.

 

[sw282]

You can increase mainspring tension yourself without taking gun apart...Take a spent large primer and first remove the anvil..Then loosen strain screw and slip spent primer over end of screw. Cupped end towards screw...This will provide extra tension on mainspring when screw is tightened down... lt can serve as a temporary or permanent solution to more mainspring tension... Your choice...

 

[Seven High]

I would recommend taking the internal out and thoroughly clean and relube them. You tube has instructional videos

 

[Snowwolfe]

I shot a friends aluminum case reloads. 3 rounds out of the ammo I didn't even hear or feel a bang. When I went to unload they had fired, scary really. 2 rounds had solid primer hits but didn't do a damn thing. So I feel like it could had been the ammo that day.

NEVER shoot reloads that you didn't reload yourself unless you trust your life to the person who reloaded them.

 

[le_butters]

I've shot his reloads before no problem. This was the first time I've had issues with it.
As far as checking tension and all that I'm not sure I want to mess with it myself. I am probably just going to take it to the smith.

 

[le_butters]

Well after looking at some youtube videos, I've decided to give it a try. I don't really know if I will get in to the revolver but the strain screw and mainspring examination isn't as hard as I thought. I'll report back in a bit.

 

[le_butters]

Internal shots. The strain screw was a little loose. I tightened it up all the way. Opened up the side plate and everything looks original (although I don't know what parts may have been changed). It's cleaner than what I thought. I'm still taking it to the smith and having him give it a once over.

 

[Oscar Zulu]

I would assume the loose strain screw was your problem. Enjoy your revolver!

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Looks dirty and a lot of old lube that's dryed and turned to varnish. I wouldn't take the mechanism apart. I'd spray it down good with some WD-40. Flood it. Let it sit overnight, wet. A little more WD-40 the next day. Let that all evaporate (or blow it out). Then relube with some proper gun lube. Put the side plate back on.

Tighten the strain screw all the way down. Take it out and shoot. I think taking it to a Gunsmith would be a waste of money, at this point. Instead, take what that would cost, and spend it on some good quality ammo.

Some words of caution. First, don't dry fire the gun with the sideplate off. It's very hard on the trigger and hammer studs. It can weaken them to the point they might break prematurely. The sideplate, when it's in place, supports the studs. Without it they're cantilevered and very weak.

Second, if you ever get a squib in the future. STOP SHOOTING! Check the barrel for an obstruction (stuck bullet). Not doing so can lead to a busted gun and injury to the shooter and bystanders.

 

[le_butters]

Looks dirty and a lot of old lube that's dryed and turned to varnish. I wouldn't take the mechanism apart. I'd spray it down good with some WD-40. Flood it. Let it sit overnight, wet. A little more WD-40 the next day. Let that all evaporate (or blow it out). Then relube with some proper gun lube. Put the side plate back on.

Tighten the strain screw all the way down. Take it out and shoot. I think taking it to a Gunsmith would be a waste of money, at this point. Instead, take what that would cost, and spend it on some good quality ammo.

Some words of caution. First, don't dry fire the gun with the sideplate off. It's very hard on the trigger and hammer studs. It can weaken them to the point they might break prematurely. The sideplate, when it's in place, supports the studs. Without it they're cantilevered and very weak.

Second, if you ever get a squib in the future. STOP SHOOTING! Check the barrel for an obstruction (stuck bullet). Not doing so can lead to a busted gun and injury to the shooter and bystanders.

I thought about doing it all myself, but I don't feel comfortable doing it. I watched the videos and I know it wouldn't be hard, but still. The smith is going to charge me 25 bucks to break down and clean it. I can accept it.
I every time I get a click I stop and wait 30 seconds. Then I'll check to see if it was a squib. I'm not willing to risk me, family or the gun for a squib. I did reload them after and see if it was a lite strike. I know I shouldn't and won't anymore because I know it's also dangerous.
I trust my friends ammo but this is discouraging. I hope it was just the strain screw

 

[jimbo728]

Once you see how simple the mainspring/strain screw issues are you will feel much better about everything. The 586 is a great revolver.
Jim

 

[le_butters]

Once you see how simple the mainspring/strain screw issues are you will feel much better about everything. The 586 is a great revolver.
Jim

Yeah it was a simple fix. I tightened it up myself. But a complete disassembly is something I'm not quiet ready for.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I shot a friends aluminum case reloads. 3 rounds out of the ammo I didn't even hear or feel a bang.

You are much brave than I . . .

 

[le_butters]

You are much brave than I . . .

Trust me I didn't realize how bad it is to shoot aluminum reloads. Won't ever happen again.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

....complete disassembly is something I'm not quiet ready for.

Taking the sideplate off is not really "complete disassembly". It's three screws.

 

[le_butters]

Taking the sideplate off is not really "complete disassembly". It's three screws.

I took the side plate off. I just don't want to take the hammer trigger components nothing like that out of the frame. That's above my pay scale right now.