Smith and Wesson, loose cylinder

[Strykervet]

I have a 686+6", a -5 no lock. Lots of rounds down the tube. Now I just bought a 649 -3 no lock, and I learned to hold the trigger to the rear and jiggle the cylinder to test for wear and lockup. The 649, which appears to be used very little, locks up great, nice and tight. I get home, try this with my beloved 686, and it wiggles pretty bad.

Now this is the revolver I shot a steel sillhouette with at an army range from 300m, putting five of seven rounds in it. The revolver was well used at that point, so I'm not sure how much wiggle there was when I did that shot, but I'd say this particular revolver has had about a few thousand rounds through it since then.

If you look at the cylinder, the stops in it are worn. The edges aren't crisp anymore, they are distorted, assuming due to recoil. It has fired some pretty strong loads, maximum loads, but never anything outside of book data.

So is this something I should replace myself, just order a new cylinder and a new cylinder stop while I'm at it, and just install those and fit the stop as needed? Or should this be sent back to Smith and Wesson, does anyone know if this is under warranty? Or, is this something I shouldn't be concerned about? Finally, if the cylinder is replaced, can this negatively affect accuracy? Assuming this revolver is still capable of hitting a target at 300m, could replacing it change this?

 

[Quoheleth]

I would send it back to S&W - they're experts. Let them see what is going on with the gun.

To have those spots worn, it must have a lotta miles on it.

Q

 

[rcmodel]

S&W cylinders are supposed to be loose.
Colt's are the ones that lock up tight with the trigger back. But it is a totally different action design then the S&W.

It makes no difference if the trigger is held back or not on a S&W, they should have some movement regardless.

If your 649 doesn't, it will.

Nothing at all to worry about if it isn't spitting lead out the side and winging your shooting partner.

If you do need a new cylinder, S&W needs to be the one to fit it.
It is not an owner serviced drop-in part.

rc

 

[Strykervet]

Okay, that is what I was wondering. So they need to fit it I guess.

The 649 has a little play, I know it is supposed to have some. But the 686 wiggles a good deal. It does have a lot of miles on it, and the wiggle is definitely coming from the wear in the cylinder stops ON the cylinder itself. They aren't clean clear cuts anymore.

 

[Old Fuff]

Some of that wiggle may be because the yoke barrel (the part the cylinder rotates on) is slightly sprung. Also some of the wiggle can be corrected by installing a cylinder stop with a slightly thicker ball (that part of the cylinder stop that sticks up through the frame window and goes into the cylinder's notch. I doubt that your revolver needs a new cylinder, but given the mileage on it I would suggest you send it back to the factory for inspection and a tune-up.

 

[ghitch75]

my 686's wiggle a little.....if it ain't shavin' lead blast away....it better be a big target at 300m for me to even see it with open sights