New 686: Cylinder/Hammer Lock When Firing Single Action

[marks]

Bought it new, and I love the gun. But today (it's second range outing), I experienced a few cases of cylinder/hammer lock while attempting to pull the hammer back. FWIW, I was shooting Fiocchi .357 magnum rounds through it today, but had the previous time out as well, and had no problems. I did clean the gun prior to shooting it today. Any suggestions/thoughts? Thanks!

[rwb1500]

Just to clarify, you were pulling the hammer back to shoot in single action and the cylinder wouldn't rotate/hammer wouldn't cock all the way back?

[marks]

Just to clarify, you were pulling the hammer back to shoot in single action and the cylinder wouldn't rotate/hammer wouldn't cock all the way back?

Yes. That is exactly correct.

[Ret-Fed]

Send it back to S&W, they'll make it right. I wouldn't tinker with a new gun.

[marks]

Send it back to S&W, they'll make it right. I wouldn't tinker with a new gun.

It's likely I'll do that. It seems that it occurs dry firing as well, single or double action. If I "assist" the cylinder rotation in the counter-clockwise direction, with just a slight amount of pressure, it's reliable. Otherwise, about 1 in 6 trigger pulls are a no-go.

[Dave_n]

Have you checked the extractor rod. It might not be quite tight enough? LH thread in the post-1980 revolvers. Dave_n

[marks]

Have you checked the extractor rod. It might not be quite tight enough? LH thread in the post-1980 revolvers. Dave_n

I haven't yet. Good thought though, thanks. I'll report back.

[Steve_NEPhila]

There is also the possibility that the ejector rod is bent, which would make more sense as to why it is not rotating the cylinder like it should. Or... the hand (the part that articulates to turn the cylinder from the hole in the frame below the firing pin hole) could be out of tune. Either way (or any other way) call Smith and Wesson, they will email you a return label, ship it back to them and await a return.

Hint: Last time I sent a revolver back to Smith and Wesson I also complained of a "gritty action" along with the barrel nut that came loose and they gave it an action job.

[PAS&W]

Since you bought it new I assume it has the Internal Lock.

Try locking and unlocking the gun with the little key and THEN dryfire it.

Let us know what happens.

[AxiTech]

Another thing to try is remove the grips and make sure everything is lubed well, not dripping, but lubed. You may have inadvertently washed a little grit into the action during cleaning.