Question for s&w revolver owners/afficiendos

[Just1more]

Whoops on the title!!
Can anyone tell me of any positives or negatives on an older 686 s&w 357 with the firing pin on the hammer?

Only negative I read is firing Pin Replacement is easier with the pin in the frame rather than on the hammer.
Do the older ones like that have a transfer bar safety?

Thanks

Ps This phone somehow posted this before I could change the spelling in the thread title ! Damn little buttons!

[Boots_DE]

...
Do the older ones like that have a transfer bar safety?
....

No. With the firing pin on the hammer it can't have a transfer bar safety.

What is does have is a hammer block safety that is retracted (lowered) by pressing the trigger which allows the hammer/firing pin assembly full travel to strike the primer. Upon release of the trigger the hammer block rises, slightly retracts, and completely blocks the hammer/firing pin assembly.

Personally, I prefer the looks of the firing pin on the hammer.

[unclejumbo]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-rev...iring-pin.html

[Gunsnwater]

Whoops on the title!!
Can anyone tell me of any positives or negatives on an older 686 s&w 357 with the firing pin on the hammer?

Only negative I read is firing Pin Replacement is easier with the pin in the frame rather than on the hammer.
Do the older ones like that have a transfer bar safety?

Thanks

Ps This phone somehow posted this before I could change the spelling in the thread title ! Damn little buttons!

Replacing the pin on the hammer is easy peasy. One 3/32 pin punch two center punches one light hammer and one vise to hold the other center punch for reflaring rivet. Set of correct screwdrivers to remove side plate and block of wood to tap frame to make side plate jump out.

Frame mounted pins invariably come with MIM parts and the dreaded internal lock. Hammer mounted pins are classy.

[d4xycrq]

Just1

After a bajillion rounds through dozens of revolvers, I'm here to tell ya the firing pin will be your last maintenance item.

And old style or new style (transfer bar) is fine with me.

S&W buyers usually obsess over pins and recesses and locks. I never met a S&W revolver I didn't like.

Ray

[stainless]

Just for general info, I had a 686 back in the '70's that had the hammer firing pin. The only issue I had was when I hand loaded very hot. The primer would back into the firing pin hole and lock up the cylinder. No issues with normal loads.

I had to sell that gun after divorce. Wish I still had it. One of the best shooters of all time.

[HiredGoon]

Whoops on the title!!

Ps This phone somehow posted this before I could change the spelling in the thread title ! Damn little buttons!

You can edit the title using the advanced button when you edit

Hmmmm...what happened to that button???

[stainless]

You can edit the title using the advanced button when you edit

Hmmmm...what happened to that button???

EDIT then GO ADVANCED.

[Just1more]

Got it. Thanks (-;

[Pizza Bob]

Just for general info, I had a 686 back in the '70's that had the hammer firing pin. The only issue I had was when I hand loaded very hot. The primer would back into the firing pin hole and lock up the cylinder. No issues with normal loads.

There was a recall for that - still in force for all 581/586, 581-1/586-1, 681/686 and 681-1/686-1 guns. If you are considering one of the preceding guns, check on the frame, under the yoke, adjacent to the model/serial number for an "M" - if present, the recall has been done.

Hammer mounted/frame mounted, six of one half dozen of the other. The 586-4 and 686-4 had the new style (round tang) adjustable rear sight and were drilled & tapped at the factory, under the rear sight, to facilitate mounting optics or different rear iron sights (i.e. LPA sights). The old style rear sight (square tang) is no longer available from S&W as a replacement part. You can still find them on the secondary market but prices are trending upward to $100+. The -4 models were the last to have no MIM, if that's important to you (I think MIM should not be a disqualifier and is actually preferable for some parts). The -6 models was were the first ones to use the frame mounted firing pin and also the first with the internal lock (easily disabled should you so desire - again, shouldn't be a disqualifier). You may want to check out the front sight blade to see if it is pinned-in or integral with the sight base - important if you want to switch to a FO front, or need to go to a different blade height because of a rear sight change.

58X/68X Smiths are among the finest .357 Mg revolvers made. Good luck.

Adios,

Pizza Bob