9" Smith 686-1. Made 1986. L Frame. M stamp in the frame window means it went back to Mother Smith for the Mod. (Some brands of primer flowed between the firing pin and bolster locking up the cylinder. This was typically with 125g 357 Ammo. New and better fitting firing pins were installed ((same as the -2's changes which started in 1987)) and the service sheets indicate all prior firing pins were obsoleted except for use in the smaller J frame revolvers.) No box. No papers. Little end shake and no excessive rotation at lock up. No flame cutting of the top strap. Interior was in excellent condition, though gummed up with oxidized oil. All original and an unusual barrel length. The pachmeyers on it were probably the neat ones for the day, but, ridiculously small for such a muzzle heavy weapon.
In the photo below, disassembled and cleaned and friction points lightly greased. In the photo is the new Wolff Type 1 full power progressive main spring (no worries, the 686-1 has the longer strain screw for full compression. The Type II and lighter strike competition spring was not selected as reliability not pull is the primary concern.)
Factory Spring Pull was off scale, over 10 lbs Double action and noticable stacking near the break. Single action was 3 lbs 8 oz and crisp.
After the spring change, Double Action pull remains over 10 lbs but smoother and considerably less stacking near the break. Single action was reduced 10 oz to 2 lbs 14 oz by changing the factory 18 lb rebound slide spring to the Wolff 15 lb spring.
The only slicking of the action was on the contact sides of the rebound slide. A wet polish of 800 grit removed 90% of the tool marks.
All four action screw heads were buggered by ill fitting screwdrivers in the past. These cleaned up nicely with a light polish and look essentially factory new.
PS....never load action by pulling trigger or cocking the hammer with the side plate off. To do so risks snapping off one of the axles and ruining the frame.
In the photo below, disassembled and cleaned and friction points lightly greased. In the photo is the new Wolff Type 1 full power progressive main spring (no worries, the 686-1 has the longer strain screw for full compression. The Type II and lighter strike competition spring was not selected as reliability not pull is the primary concern.)
Factory Spring Pull was off scale, over 10 lbs Double action and noticable stacking near the break. Single action was 3 lbs 8 oz and crisp.
After the spring change, Double Action pull remains over 10 lbs but smoother and considerably less stacking near the break. Single action was reduced 10 oz to 2 lbs 14 oz by changing the factory 18 lb rebound slide spring to the Wolff 15 lb spring.
The only slicking of the action was on the contact sides of the rebound slide. A wet polish of 800 grit removed 90% of the tool marks.
All four action screw heads were buggered by ill fitting screwdrivers in the past. These cleaned up nicely with a light polish and look essentially factory new.
PS....never load action by pulling trigger or cocking the hammer with the side plate off. To do so risks snapping off one of the axles and ruining the frame.