686 fail to fire

[3030guy]

I took my 686 and SP101 out to the range today, and it was fairly cold, about 28 degrees. I found that when shooting double action my 686 was delivering very light primer strikes resulting in a failure to fire and a small dent on the primer. It seemed to work ok when shooting single action. The SP101had no problems. Never had a problem with this gun, it's about two years old, all stock parts. Any thoughts on what would cause this?

[goodshot]

it wants a drink of good gun oil

[Bigeasy]

Take off the grips, and check that the strain screw (the screw at the bottom of the grip frame that pushes against the mainspring) is tight.  Sometimes they loosen under recoil, usually someone loosens them for a lighter trigger pull, and that usually leads to mis-fires.  Should be tight.
 
Larry

[williamlayton]

Could be springs but most likely the tension screw is loose.
Blessings

[3030guy]

The tension screw seems tight. I don't have a scale to test it, but the trigger pull does seem light. I keep the gun oiled with rem oil, and was thinking it might be too much oil rather than too little. I'm not comfortable taking apart a S&W, they don't seem to come apart as easily as a Ruger. I should probably take it to a gunsmith.

[williamlayton]

That is a good decision.
Blessings

[Mikey]

Before you take it to the gunsmith, see if the tension screw can be tightened moer than it is now, and also go to Wolf Springs (website) in Ardmore, PA and order either a set of factory replacement springs or a set of target/bullseye springs for that 686.  If you purchased the revoler new and it misfires like that you should replace the hammer spring.  If it was used when you bought it it sounds like the hammer spring may have been replaced to provide for a lighter weight double action - common practice.  New springs should fix it. 
 
Wolf provides a description of the use for each of its spring weights and I believe a bullseye or target spring may allow for a heavy enough hammer fall to provide reliability but light enough for effective trigger control.  I think.  But check it out anyhow.  And I think you would be better off making a 'spring replacement' determination yourself, and obtaining them, than waiting for a gunsmith to figure it out.  imo.

[SHOOTALL]

were you shooting reloads ? if so the primers might be the problem.

[mes]

 You might have some old oil that has turned to varnish making things a bit sluggish. A good soaking or cleaning of the insides with a solvent and then very light re-oil might do the trick.
And shootall’s the primers might be the problem could be the answer. If the firing pin has to seat the primer to its final depth you will get some failures to fire.  Or hard primers or dirty primer pockets.

 

[williamlayton]

Cut to the chase with a GOOD gunsmith with reputation.
I don't know what neck of the woods you are in, or, if you have one handy but there are several who can do the work nationally--Bowden is one and i have had GOOD results from him, both on work and turn-around.
There is also a boy in Shreveport that is slower but GOOD--James Willis of Willis firearms.
I like good gunsmiths and I aint one.
Blessings

[3030guy]

I took it to Gander Mountain today, and found out they now use a smith in Ohio (I'm in Pittsburgh) rather than do repairs in-house. The clerk said the S&W warrenty would cover the repair but it would cost $40 to ship the gun. He also recommended a gunsmith near my house that he's used for his personal guns. I'll contact him tomorrow and see what he says.
I should learn how to strip the S&W revolvers for cleaning, I'm just not that confident in my ability to get it back together. Although I can field strip a Ruger MkIII and get it back together...

[goodshot]

recent episode of American Restoration a guy got chewed out for taking something apart without taking pictures. I use the one on my camera a lot.
I had a model 28 that got dried up, a quick spray of something might  analyze it.
best wishes,

[Lloyd Smale]

dont pay those rip off artist at gander mountain 40 bucks. contact smith directly and they will send you a prepaid ups shipping label.

I took it to Gander Mountain today, and found out they now use a smith in Ohio (I'm in Pittsburgh) rather than do repairs in-house. The clerk said the S&W warrenty would cover the repair but it would cost $40 to ship the gun. He also recommended a gunsmith near my house that he's used for his personal guns. I'll contact him tomorrow and see what he says.
I should learn how to strip the S&W revolvers for cleaning, I'm just not that confident in my ability to get it back together. Although I can field strip a Ruger MkIII and get it back together...

[3030guy]

 I took the 686 to the smith a couple days ago and here's what seemed to be the problem. As I mentioned, I checked the tension screw and it seemed tight. But not quite tight enough. He also opened the side plate and oiled/cleaned it a bit. Also noticed that the transfer bar was not quite seated properly. Put her back together and tested and she's hitting the primers properly. Once the weather clears a bit and I get some time I'll go to the range for a more thorough test.

[3030guy]

Made it to the range today, no failures to fire. The primer strikes were ok, but I'd like a little more in a handgun that may be used for self defense. I'm going to change out the spring. But boy is that thing accurate!

[williamlayton]

I don't seem to do accurate much anymore!
Blessings

[3030guy]

I don't seem to do accurate much anymore!
Blessings

I'm sure I wouldn't want to be standing in front of you if I was a bad guy.