[Lone Star]

Tankusaz-

I saw your post in the S&W M-686 topic, and no one seems to have told you that the "crack" you described on the frame of your M-686 is very probably just the outline of the sideplate! It is on EVERY S&W revolver ever made with a swing-out cylinder, and is very normal.

You should ask a gunsmith to confirm this or post a SHARP photo here, but the shape of the "crack" you outlined exactly parallels the shape of the removable sideplate. (Do NOT remove it with your level of experience: you can burr or warp it if you don't know the right technique. Normally, it never needs to be removed, unless the gun gets very dirty inside or blood, water, etc. gets inside.)

Don't feel bad. I've seen one other guy who made the same mistake.

If this IS a real crack, it is humongous, and worse than anything I can imagine. It is also very odd that it would follow the outline you described.

Lone Star

[Walkalong]

(Do NOT remove it with your level of experience: you can burr or warp it if you don't know the right technique.

What is the technique?

[huntershooter]

Remove the screws and pound (tap) on the grip frame (with grips removed) with a hammer handle. Be advised, you NEED a detailed photo/disassemble text (try Kuhnhaussen's S&W manual). There's a lota stuff in there.