Robert B
Member
The side of my 686 hammer has a mark on it from rubbing on the frame near the top of the side plate. Function is 100%. No light primer strikes in 100 rounds. Should I worry about this? Should I send it back to Smith?
Hammer rubbing on frame
- Thread starter Robert B
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notaglockfanboy
Member
I would contact them and explain the issue. Is it a brand new gun??
243winxb
Member
Maybe someting like this - Hammer Sideplate Shims http://www.midwayusa.com/product/598967/power-custom-hammer-sideplate-shims-s-and-w-k-l-n-frame-002-package-of-10 My S&W's have rub marks. Doesnt seem to hurt anything.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
+1
1. Shim it to center it and hope it doesn't bind up the hammer and slow it down.
Or
2. Stone the contact points on the inside edge of the frame or sideplate where it is rubbing.
Or
3. Ignore it.
That's what I do unless it's really excessive wear.
rc
1. Shim it to center it and hope it doesn't bind up the hammer and slow it down.
Or
2. Stone the contact points on the inside edge of the frame or sideplate where it is rubbing.
Or
3. Ignore it.
That's what I do unless it's really excessive wear.
rc
I ignore it. That kind of thing, like S&W's drag marks, is so common that it isn't worth worrying about.
(Yes, I have read the posts from the "I would never own a gun with even the tiniest mark on it" guys, but those are the sort who won't drive a car because the tire treads get dirty.
Jim
(Yes, I have read the posts from the "I would never own a gun with even the tiniest mark on it" guys, but those are the sort who won't drive a car because the tire treads get dirty.
Jim
If it is a current production S&W it is considered normal. If one of my vintage S&W revolvers started doing it I would fix it - and I would not even consider allowing S&W to fix it - not even for free. FWIW all of my S&Ws have many miles of hard competition use on them and all need to be refinished. I couldn't care less about the finish. But the action better be 100% smooth and reliable. And they are. RC, as usual, has the correct answers.
Robert B
Member
I am leaning your way Jim K. If it is very common and it shoots great, maybe don't worry.
sappyg
Member
Maybe it's me but most the the revolvers I've owned have/ had hammer drag marks. Never had an issue.
A larger issue is, "Is the side of the hammer nose (firing pin) also rubbing?" if so that can cause an elongated hole in the breech face, or a broken firing pin.
You can relieve the side of the firing pin, or shim the hammer back to center.
As a side note: At one time S&W was so proud of the rainbow colors in their case hardened hammers and triggers that they tried to patent them. They also installed pins (called Chafing Bushings) in those parts where the didn't show to do the rubbing while preventing parts from being scuffed on the sides.
Of course they don't do such things anymore.
You can relieve the side of the firing pin, or shim the hammer back to center.
As a side note: At one time S&W was so proud of the rainbow colors in their case hardened hammers and triggers that they tried to patent them. They also installed pins (called Chafing Bushings) in those parts where the didn't show to do the rubbing while preventing parts from being scuffed on the sides.
Of course they don't do such things anymore.
S&W did trademark the case coloring on their hammers and triggers, but it wasn't matter of pride. S&W was being hurt by the influx of Spanish revolvers that copied S&W. Not only did the Spanish junk take sales from S&W, but when the Spanish guns broke, the owners expected S&W to fix them!
One of S&W's responses was to trademark the case coloring. If the Spanish didn't copy it, the guns would look less like S&W's; if they did, customs would impound the guns for trademark infringement. (Patents expire; trade marks do not as long as they are used and defended.)
Jim
One of S&W's responses was to trademark the case coloring. If the Spanish didn't copy it, the guns would look less like S&W's; if they did, customs would impound the guns for trademark infringement. (Patents expire; trade marks do not as long as they are used and defended.)
Jim
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