S&W 686-2 purchase

[LAFLA]

I've always been a sucker for Smith and Wesson. It just seems that, along with Colt, it is such an American Icon (put aside the English ownership fiasco). I have now a quite large collection of useable handguns starting with an old circa 1979 Charter Arms Police .38 Bulldog, and an inherited 1938 (from my Grandfather) .38 Colt Police Special. More recently a S&W 640 that my wife has. Other than that, it's been all semi-autos since then and small Kahr 9mms are what I, and my wife, carry. Today I saw a 686-2 4" Stainless S&W 686 revolver and I had to have it. It is, in my very amateur opinion, in very good shape. I think it is about a 1987 version since it is a "2". Is that correct? Well, anyway, I bought it. Read all I could prior to going back to the gunshop on how to check revolvers and the timing is good, crane very well aligned, not too much powder buildup, etc. etc. Can anyone tell me why the trigger has a movable "point" (I'm sure that is not the correct term) as a firing pin? My old Colt has a fixed point on it and pretty much doesn't cause any problems. Hope this is not a rambling post. This is my first post on THR I think (I'm on a couple of others). Thanks

 

[don95sml]

Can anyone tell me why the trigger has a movable "point" (I'm sure that is not the correct term) as a firing pin? My old Colt has a fixed point on it and pretty much doesn't cause any problems.

I don't understand your question. Can you further describe the "point" you are referring to? What do "fixed" and "movable" mean in this context?

 

[Snapping Twig]

The hammer mounted firing pin is spring mounted, so that's normal.

686-2 is a fine revolver, shoot it in good health.

 

[hexidismal]

I.. think I can read around the lines on this one.. I could be wrong. Not about my answer, but what the question is.. hehe

In the question "Can anyone tell me why the trigger has a movable "point" (I'm sure that is not the correct term) as a firing pin?". It seems likely that you meant to say hammer in place of the word trigger, since a trigger isn't related to a firing pin. Assuming that this was your meaning, I can further guess that what you mean to ask is.. "Why is there vertical movement (or wiggle) of the hammer nose (firing pin) pinned to the hammer ?"

So, having determined what I think you're trying to ask, I'll answer that .. if I'm wrong .. well, I'm answering the wrong question, oh well.

The reason is that as the hammer drops , the 'hammer nose' meets with the 'hammer nose bushing'. The bushing ensures that the firing pin does not strike the primer at any angle, but rather goes straight forward to better ensure proper ignition. The play between the hammer nose and the hammer allows the bushing to properly aid it's alignment.

 

[hexidismal]

The hammer mounted firing pin is spring mounted, so that's normal.

I'm not sure that it is on a 686-2. Older models do not have the spring. For instance on a 66-2 the hammer nose is simply freely pinned with no spring, but on a 66-3 the spring is there. I'm unsure which 686 revision started using the spring assisted hammer nose.

 

[Snapping Twig]

My 686-2 has a spring.

All my S&W's have it going back to my 70's guns.



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[hexidismal]

Ah actually, that one is my mistake to say that all 66-2s don't have a nose assist spring. What made me think that is my 66-2 that gets used often doesn't have a spring because it has an S&W wide target hammer.

 

[LAFLA]

Boy do I feel like a goof! Of course I meant hammer! Don't know how in the world my fingers typed "trigger'..Geez. Sorry for the confusion and thanks for all the input.

 

[LAFLA]

Hexidismal hit it right on the head (sort of a pun as that is what the intention of the hammer mounted firing pin must be). Thanks!

 

[hexidismal]

Any time LAFLA. BTW, welcome to THR.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I bought a M686-2 last year and I'm very glad I did. It's an excellent revolver and I'm sure you will enjoy shooting it for a very long time.