Smith & Wesson Factory Repairs?

[gdr_11]

Before I go launching off trying to find someone in the SF Bay area to repair what I suspect is a faulty trigger job on my used S&W 686, does anyone have any recent experience in sending their piece to S&W for repairs. Word I hear is that they do a quick turnaround at a reasonable price, but I can't get their web site to load up for information. Also, can I ship my gun directly to them and they send it back to me, or do I have to go through an FFL.

My problem is light primer strikes - 50% when DA firing and 10% when SA firing. I was going to fix myself, but have heard enough horror stories to make me keep my sideplate on.

[-hanko]

Before I go launching off trying to find someone in the SF Bay area to repair what I suspect is a faulty trigger job on my used S&W 686, does anyone have any recent experience in sending their piece to S&W for repairs. Word I hear is that they do a quick turnaround at a reasonable price, but I can't get their web site to load up for information. Also, can I ship my gun directly to them and they send it back to me, or do I have to go through an FFL.

My problem is light primer strikes - 50% when DA firing and 10% when SA firing. I was going to fix myself, but have heard enough horror stories to make me keep my sideplate on.

They do great work. Turnaround is fine.

You can ship your gun directly to them, they'll ship it back to you.

Check first that the strain screw (on the front side, bottom of the grip frame, is tight. You may need to remove the grip panels to see the screw.

hth

-hanko

[kurac]

Like Hanko said, it may be just the main spring strain screw. It should be all the way tight.

When you do take off the grips, if the main spring has any signs of being ground down or polished then you will know someone did an action job on it, this is easily fixed by installing a new main spring, you can get them for under $10

[Roccobro]

Exactly what Hanko said, but I know nothing about checking or setting the screw.

Justin

[gdr_11]

Thanks for the info. I should have related that I did remove the grips and check the strain screw. It was tight although I did loosed in a turn and then tighten it back down with no effect.

I thought about buying a new main spring from Midway, but thought I would also need their DVD on trigger repairs. By the time I do this, I am up to $50 already, plus any tools I might need. Doesn't seem worth it since I have a history of screwing up things like this the first time (I am dynamite on the second go around, but by then my ROI is usually shot).

George

[rivviepop]

It's kind of a long drive for you, but Frank Tabor (Tabor's Shooters Supply in San Bruno) works on S&W revolvers, I know he's changed out hundreds of the original 686/686-1 firing pin bushing parts for that recall that went on (we talked about it one day, I PPT'd a 686 nodash M-stamp there). Maybe give him a ring on the phone and describe the problem, it might be something he knows about and can advise you on the proper fix. 650-589-0505

[tziggs]

Yep, sounds like a trigger job gone bad. If the above suggestions didn't work, S&W would be the best place to take care of the issue. You send it directly to them...they'll send it directly back to you. No FFL needed.

[dgey]

bring your gun into Diablo Valley Gun works in Pleasant hill.

1942 Linda Dr.
Pleasant Hill
925.676.4117
925.798.7522

talk with Ken... he may be able to get you going...

[NIB]

Call S&W!!! Don't let anyone else touch the gun, S&W will take care of it.

[tankerman]

First off you do not need a DVD on S&W triggers to replace a spring there are not many parts and Smiths are very easy to work on.

To that guy telling you not to let anyone touch the gun but S&W, this is not rocket science and it sounds like you are worried about the guy's gun because of your lack of knowledge. There are plenty of folks out there with the know when it comes to a S&W.

Here is the schematic,

[gdr_11]

Thanks for all the great info: I believe I have enough to take care of my problem without taking one person's advice over the other. This forum is great.

[-hanko]

Call S&W!!! Don't let anyone else touch the gun, S&W will take care of it.

Why not??

-hanko

[gdr_11]

Thanks DGEY,

I called Ken, stopped by, and was out with my 686 in great working order in 30 minutes at a price that was less than that of a good steak dinner.

Nice shop ran by great guys!

George

bring your gun into Diablo Valley Gun works in Pleasant hill.

1942 Linda Dr.
Pleasant Hill
925.676.4117
925.798.7522

talk with Ken... he may be able to get you going...

[Joe Register]

depends on who does the work

I sent a model 41 back to smith and it came back with several scratches and tool marks on the slide. Needless to say I was not happy. I also sent back a 617 that had trigger issues - this to a different place (If I recall, one was in maine, one in massachusetts). It came back looking great and the trigger was perfect. Based on these two experiences alone I would say go for it for the revolver.

[L-2]

This year I sent a revolver back to S&W for repairs. The UPS overnight shipping cost was $58. The cost of repairs, a broken firing pin, was $44.

Enclose a letter explaining what the problem is. I called to check on it two times. It took ~12 weeks for them to get it back to me.

They said when you call them first, besides asking for the shipping address & instructions, you can also ask for a "shipping tag". I don't know if the shipping is any cheaper or not this way, though.