Strange holes on a 686-3... factory or strange?

[FFJAB]

Hi everybody,
I just picked up a 686-3 with the 8 3/8" barrel, it is currently going to be in CA 10 day jail, so better/ closer pics will be a while.
I have not seen this before and it appears to be done well, but why was it done? Was it an option that is no longer there... a way to better maintain it? No idea.
If you look at the crane arm there are 2 small evenly spaced holes on the crane arm. Not sure if threaded or how deep.
Any insight or previous experience would be great.
Thank you,
Josh

 

[Blue Box]

I would have to say strange, never seen that before.

 

[Redford]

Maybe added a ball detent


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[rwsmith]

strange......

At least to me.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Maybe added a ball detent

^^^^^^
This - not factory

 

[Redford]

Don't know but seen pistols with ball detent on the crane


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[Big Cholla]

That is not how a ball detent lock is installed......

 

[Bob R]

I don't know about the ball detent, I have two S&W revolvers with them added and there are no visible holes on the outside of the crane arm.

bob

 

[one eye joe]

I HAVE AN 8 3/8" NO DASH 686, A 2 1/2" NO DASH 686, AND A 4" 686 MOUNTAIN GUN WHICH I BELIEVE IS A -3. SEVERAL OF MY RANGE MATES SHOOT 686s OF VARIOUS VINTAGES AND LENGTHS. NEVER HAVE I SEEN A 686 WITH HOLES LIKE THAT IN THE CRANE. I DOUBT THAT IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH A BALL DETENT, AND I AM 99.99% CERTAIN THAT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH A "FACTORY OPTION". WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT A VINTAGE AUTOMOBILE, BEFORE AC WAS STANDARD EQUIPMENT....

IT IS A VERY STRANGE FEATURE, INDEED. IF THE HOLES ARE DRILLED ALL THE WAY THROUGH, THEY COULD BE SOMEONE'S IDEA OF A BENEFICIAL PLACE TO INSERT A FEW DROPS OF OIL, PERIODICALLY. I AM NOT A 'SMITH, BUT THAT IS THE BEST POSSIBLE EXPLANATION THAT I CAN OFFER......

 

[jaymoore]

Round butt with 8 3/8" barrel is a little strange. The extra holes are just weird.

 

[Dorian]

Give S&W a call and see if they can resolve this issue. you can send them a pic.

 

[Pizza Bob]

That is not how a ball detent lock is installed......

It may not be the proper or conventional way to add a ball detent but that doesn't mean whoever did it wasn't thinking outside the box, or was inexperienced enough to do it somehow with the added holes. I can't imagine any other purpose for the yoke modification. We'll just have to wait until he gets his hands on it.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[Jdavis]

Rather unusual to say the least. Did you notice if the holes went completely through the yoke? If threaded it could possibly be for some sort of attachment for a stabilization device. Could be you will never know unless you are able to contact the original owner. Regardless, if it does no harm and the revolver shoots well, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[sasu]

The crane has been lightened to make reloads faster.

 

[Muss Muggins]

The crane has been lightened to make reloads faster.

By .01 ounces?

 

[JAREDSHS]

The crane has been lightened to make reloads faster.

LOL.............

 

[one eye joe]

The crane has been lightened to make reloads faster.

THIS MAY ACTUALLY BE TRUE, BUT TO ME IT SEEMS VERY FAR FETCHED.....

THE HOLES ARE SMALL, AND THE AMOUNT OF METAL REMOVED IS MINISCULE. THE VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF WEIGHT REMOVED SHOULD NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE WITH REGARD TO RELOADING SPEED.........

NO EXPERIENCED REVOLVER SHOOTER IS GOING TO BE OPENING AND CLOSING THE CYLINDER BY SNAPPING THE WRIST--AS IS COMMONLY SEEN IN "B GRADE" DETECTIVE MOVIES. THAT IS A SURE RECIPE FOR BENDING THE CRANE........

 

[GeoJelly]

The crane has been lightened to make reloads faster.

Ummm - Methinks sasu is expressing a bit of sarcasm here? They seem to be well and carefully drilled - I think a pic of the other side of the crane would be helpful ...

 

[FFJAB]

Update

Well, I was able to look at it the other day to see what was going on. The holes were drilled very clean, and upon opening, it has 2 ball detents installed on the crane. Why I do not know, but it doesn't seem to effect anything. Still happy with the purchase. Pre lock, 8 3/8", round butt, in Kalifornia for $750. I think I can live with the detents.

 

[Chrisj357]

Well, I was able to look at it the other day to see what was going on. The holes were drilled very clean, and upon opening, it has 2 ball detents installed on the crane. Why I do not know, but it doesn't seem to effect anything. Still happy with the purchase. Pre lock, 8 3/8", round butt, in Kalifornia for $750. I think I can live with the detents.

Just a note. If you had opened the cylinder before posting this "mystery" we could have avoided the drama and then we could have just discussed the pros/cons of dual ball detents where they don't seem to be needed.