I purchased a new Smith and Wesson 686 Plus (4-inch barrel) a few weeks ago. The action is like butter. The trigger is perfect in SA or DA. When dry firing in either mode, it's absolutely perfect. Sadly, its first range visit was disappointing.
The first cylinder of 7 rounds was perfect and I achieved a standing three-inch group. It functioned flawlessly. The same can be said for the subsequent three cylinders of firing. However, for the remaining cylinders that evening, the cylinder, trigger, and hammer would seize or bind in the process of the cylinder attempting to lock in the sixth or seventh round. I was then forced to jimmy the hammer while applying light pressure on the trigger to unseize the trigger from its seized or locked back position.
When I returned home, I thoroughly cleaned the gun, even using a lead/carbon removing impregnated rag (Midway) to clean the cylinder spotless. The cylinder, forcing cone, etc was spotless. I did notice some unburned powder flakes and fouling under the extractor star. I removed it and cleaned it. I thought I discovered the culprit. I also learned after that visit about the importance of ejecting spent cases while holding the barrel straight up and down to limit fouling dropping behind the star. I was hoping I'd have a better experience the second time out.
Ô
Sadly, the same binding or seizing happened during a second range visit with the freshly cleaned gun. Like the first visit, the first four cylinders of ammo fired flawlessly. After that, the cylinder would bind on the sixth or seventh round.
I used the same ammo for both visits: Sellier and Bellot FMJ 158 gr. It was dirty. But should that matter to the point of causing consistent malfunctions? If so, is my gun speced too tight? Specifically, is the bore-cylinder gap too tight? I don't have a gauge but I can say the gap is hair line consistent for every chamber of the cylinder. When held up to a light, I see it, but it's small. Also, if there is any end shake, it's barely noticeable.
I received an order of different ammo, PMC Bronze, which I'll try next weekend.
Any thoughts? Again, the gun shoots like a dream and functions flawlessly out of the gate, but then begins to seize when it gets super hot and/or dirty after four cylinders on the sixth or seventh round of the cylinder. I realize the importance of reliability. However, the first few cylinders are reliable, and the accuracy is spot on. Do I send the gun to S&W to have them inspect it and likely grind the forcing cone down a couple hundredths of an inch and/or ream the yoke face so as to add end shake? Maybe I'd be messing with a good thing.
I'd appreciate any feedback or suggestions.
The first cylinder of 7 rounds was perfect and I achieved a standing three-inch group. It functioned flawlessly. The same can be said for the subsequent three cylinders of firing. However, for the remaining cylinders that evening, the cylinder, trigger, and hammer would seize or bind in the process of the cylinder attempting to lock in the sixth or seventh round. I was then forced to jimmy the hammer while applying light pressure on the trigger to unseize the trigger from its seized or locked back position.
When I returned home, I thoroughly cleaned the gun, even using a lead/carbon removing impregnated rag (Midway) to clean the cylinder spotless. The cylinder, forcing cone, etc was spotless. I did notice some unburned powder flakes and fouling under the extractor star. I removed it and cleaned it. I thought I discovered the culprit. I also learned after that visit about the importance of ejecting spent cases while holding the barrel straight up and down to limit fouling dropping behind the star. I was hoping I'd have a better experience the second time out.
Ô
Sadly, the same binding or seizing happened during a second range visit with the freshly cleaned gun. Like the first visit, the first four cylinders of ammo fired flawlessly. After that, the cylinder would bind on the sixth or seventh round.
I used the same ammo for both visits: Sellier and Bellot FMJ 158 gr. It was dirty. But should that matter to the point of causing consistent malfunctions? If so, is my gun speced too tight? Specifically, is the bore-cylinder gap too tight? I don't have a gauge but I can say the gap is hair line consistent for every chamber of the cylinder. When held up to a light, I see it, but it's small. Also, if there is any end shake, it's barely noticeable.
I received an order of different ammo, PMC Bronze, which I'll try next weekend.
Any thoughts? Again, the gun shoots like a dream and functions flawlessly out of the gate, but then begins to seize when it gets super hot and/or dirty after four cylinders on the sixth or seventh round of the cylinder. I realize the importance of reliability. However, the first few cylinders are reliable, and the accuracy is spot on. Do I send the gun to S&W to have them inspect it and likely grind the forcing cone down a couple hundredths of an inch and/or ream the yoke face so as to add end shake? Maybe I'd be messing with a good thing.
I'd appreciate any feedback or suggestions.
