686-1 breech face wear

[techguy804]

I am very new to collecting smith and wesson revolvers. My first purchase was a 66-4 in very good to excellent condition. As of two weeks ago, I acquired a 4 inch 686-1. The 686 has some wear on the breech face that I've never seen. Please look at the picture and tell me what caused the wear and if I should have it repaired.

 

[beag_nut]

What picture?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Looks like an unsupported format.

 

[Pat Riot]

We’ll need new photos @techguy804

Irony?…

 

[mnrivrat]

Waiting for the pictures, but the only unusual wear I have seen on a recoil shield/breech face was on a Python that was being shot with high pressure handloads.

 

[stonebuster]

I am very new to collecting smith and wesson revolvers. My first purchase was a 66-4 in very good to excellent condition. As of two weeks ago, I acquired a 4 inch 686-1. The 686 has some wear on the breech face that I've never seen. Please look at the picture and tell me what caused the wear and if I should have it repaired.

Is the wear in the hammer nose/firing pin bushing area where the hammer nose comes through?

 

[edwardware]

Pending pics:
Hopefully, normal head wear. Hopefully NOT flame cutting of the plate/bushing and pin from pierced primers.

 

[357 Terms]

I am very new to collecting smith and wesson revolvers. My first purchase was a 66-4 in very good to excellent condition. As of two weeks ago, I acquired a 4 inch 686-1. The 686 has some wear on the breech face that I've never seen. Please look at the picture and tell me what caused the wear and if I should have it repaired.

If you're having trouble posting pics, you may wanna think about changing your screen name.

 

[mcb]

This is OP image.

A little erosion but not enough to worry about yet. Likely caused by gas leaks around the primer.

 

[stonebuster]

There was a recall on the early 686/586 pre dash two models. My understanding is the firing pin bushing hole was too big and allowed primer flow into the hole around hammer nose causing binding. Those sent in to S&W for the fix were marked with an "M" on frame. I don't know if this relates to yours and maybe someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

 

[edwardware]

This is OP image.

That is gas cutting from a leak around the primer (through the primer-to-pocket interface). It's almost always caused by using worn-out brass with loose pockets. It's not caused by FP piercing (wrong location).

It does not appear severe enough to be a concern for function. . . that's fairly minor compared to some.

 

[jmorris]

There was a recall on the early 686/586 pre dash two models. My understanding is the firing pin bushing hole was too big and allowed primer flow into the hole around hammer nose causing binding. Those sent in to S&W for the fix were marked with an "R" on frame. I don't know if this relates to yours and maybe someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

The two 686’s I have were the first ones to come out and when they came back they had an “M” stamp added.

Might be interested in this.

https://www.firearmsid.com/Recalls/...1-1, 586-1, 681-1, 686-1 & 686CS-1, REVOLVERS

 

[Pat Riot]

Perhaps @techguy804 is enjoying the holiday weekend and will get back with us later…

 

[Kp321]

Yes, primer pocket leaks causing erosion. Not too bad, but the FP bushing is replaceable by a qualified Smith if it causes a problem.

 

[stonebuster]

The two 686’s I have were the first ones to come out and when they came back they had an “M” stamp added.

Might be interested in this.

https://www.firearmsid.com/Recalls/FA_Recalls 5.htm#SMITH & WESSON, MODEL 581, 586, 681, 686, or 581-1, 586-1, 681-1, 686-1 & 686CS-1, REVOLVERS

You are correct. I must've had a senior moment.

 

[forrest r]

As others have stated, flame cutting from primers.

It has nothing to do with the "M" stamped revolver, A large hole in the center of the bushing has nothing to do with primer leakage.

Loose primer pockets can cause this along with extremely low pressure loads.

 

[Bush Pilot]

If you're having trouble posting pics, you may wanna think about changing your screen name.

Thanks a bunch, now I have coffee all over the screen.