Just Picked Up an Interesting 686

[Sulaco]

I just traded for a 686-3 6" with a BHP serial number. This gun has a pinned barrel, a trigger overtravel screw and an amazing action job. Whoever did the work knew their stuff.

My question is about the pinned barrel. I thought once Smith & Wesson stopped pinning barrels, it was because they were pressing them in to the frames and there was no longer a need. Why would a smith pin one of these barrels? Nostalgia? Fixing some issue that was there, strengthening the action?

I haven't shot it yet but hope to soon!

 

[243winxb]

The pin is for alignment, so the front sight is not tilted. If the amount of torque is on the light side, the pin guarantees the barrel will not work loose. I would guess the barrel is not the orginial one installed at the factory.

Current barrels are held in place by torque. Barrel to frame. S&W has figured out the process.

 

[Sulaco]

Well I see what you are saying, and I see in the video how the smith screwed the barrel on and tightened it with a wrench in the vise, but I still wonder why my gun would have a pinned barrel. If the frame came from the factory threaded, did they smooth out the threads and press this barrel in and pin it in place? Or thread it in like from the factory and then pin it? And if so, why?

 

[243winxb]

If it came from the custom shop, they could answer your question. A customer could have requested a pin??

Contact Smith and Wesson. https://www.smith-wesson.com/customer-service/contact-us

 

[Sulaco]

I did. It was a sad conversation. Not like the old days...

 

[DPris]

I think you may be misunderstanding the processes involved with pinned barrels.
Those were ALWAYS screwed in, in addition to being pinned.

The pin was just a method of doubly ensuring the barrel would not unscrew itself with use.
The current non-pinned barrels are screwed in, with a tighter barrel-to-frame "crush fit".

And the pin didn't always prevent the barrel from turning. I was able to move the canted barrel slightly to correct it on a pinned Model 66 over 30 years ago.

As to why your gun is pinned, if it was manufactured after S&W stopped the pin, it could be a barrel replacement where the gunsmith used one to secure it.
The pin does nothing to make an action "stronger".
Denis

 

[If1HitU]

Sweet 686.

 

[Sulaco]

Sweet 686.

Thanks!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Could be an aftermarket pin job. The barrel on one of my King Cobras started coming off after 30k+ rounds. The smith that corrected it suggested pinning the barrel to prevent it from happening again. Gladly, I didn't do it.

 

[reddog81]

Not a common aftermarket addition. I'd guess the barrel was swapped out at some point and the owner of the gun wanted the new barrel pinned. the pin shouldn't be necessary, but it also should hurt anything. Nostalgia is probably the most logical answer.

 

[gotboostvr]

The pin definitely wasn't done at the factory. It may have had a canted barrel or was replaced entirely by a third party and they pinned it in place just to be sure.

All barrels, pinned or not, are threaded.

Congrats, looks good hope it shoots well too!

That front sight doesn't look standard either, is that a quick change DX style base?

 

[Sulaco]

The pin definitely wasn't done at the factory. It may have had a canted barrel or was replaced entirely by a third party and they pinned it in place just to be sure.

All barrels, pinned or not, are threaded.

Congrats, looks good hope it shoots well too!

That front sight doesn't look standard either, is that a quick change DX style base?

Not sure how would I tell?

 

[gotboostvr]

Not sure how would I tell?

View attachment 803189

Looking at the muzzle (after making sure it's unloaded of course) is there a hole of the front, bottom of the sight base?

The DX sight bases are neat, you can change front sights (gold bead, fiber optic, shilouette etc) without tools in just a second.

 

[Shimitup]

The pin is for alignment, so the front sight is not tilted. If the amount of torque is on the light side, the pin guarantees the barrel will not work loose. I would guess the barrel is not the orginial one installed at the factory.

Current barrels are held in place by torque. Barrel to frame. S&W has figured out the process.

I was kind of shocked when the S&W guy in the video at about 2:51 put the wrench near the back of the frame to torque it. Seems like a good way to twist a frame.

 

[357 Terms]

The 686-3 front sights were not pinned.

That started with the -5.

The front sight on yours is pinned, not factory.

 

[alfsauve]

It amazes non-revolver folks just how much can be changed out on a revolver. For competition purposes I changed a 7 shot to a 6 shot and even some revolver people won't believe it can be done.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

The L-frames were never pinned from the factory. The front sight and barrel pins on yours were added later.

This is a 686 no dash which predates yours. As you can see no pin and the sight is integral with the barrel and a very different profile.

Your conversion looks very well done- glad you like the gun, the L-frame S&WS are great revolvers!