S&W barrels shooting off

[TA]

I found this posted on another forum where the poster works at a range and has been seeing S&W revolvers breaking their barrels off while shooting.

Well, it happened again today. A S&W 686+ shot it's barrel off just like the one's I talked about a few weeks ago. This one wasn't one of our range rentals, it belonged to a member who has only had it 3 weeks! He's been shooting .357 pretty consistently...........about 500 a week so the gun has less than 2K thru it. The barrel broke off at the same place as all the others I've seen.........at the start of the threads into the frame. The threads stay in the frame and it snaps off. This one looked like metal fatigue also.

I can't believe this is only happening at our range. This makes 7 in the past year and a half that I've seen do the same thing.

I don't think I'd be in the market for a new 686.

["DoubleAction"]

TA; All my revolvers are Six Shooters. When S&W began increasing the cylinder capacity on their .357 magnum 686, I first thought of cylinder timing issues arising. Time past and I have heard of no problems coming up.
If this is indeed happening with this revolver, I'm wondering if a failure in the cylinder timing might be a contributor.

[TA]

Somebody asked this fellow if it was only 686's with this problem. His reply:

Nope, same thing happened on a 2- Model 66's, 2 - 65's, a 60 and 2 - 686+'s.

He said they have been sending them back to S&W for repair and they are returned with no mention as to cause.

["DoubleAction"]

ta said:

Somebody asked this fellow if it was only 686's with this problem. His reply:

Nope, same thing happened on a 2- Model 66's, 2 - 65's, a 60 and 2 - 686+'s.

He said they have been sending them back to S&W for repair and they are returned with no mention as to cause.

Well; The Models 66 and 65 is on the K-Frame, the Model 60 is on the smaller J frame, and the 686 + is the seven shooter, using the more strengthened L Frame. All are chambered for the .357 magnum, which makes me curious as to the ammunition used in these guns.

[TA]

There is one fellow on the forum that has called S&W asking about why this is happening. They said they needed the serial numbers to investigate the issue. He is trying to get all the serial numbers and see what the factory says about it.

The range owner was surprised that the guns were returned repaired without any notes as to cause or the usual disclaimer about proper cleaning, care etc.

I will be following this.

[TA]

Here is an update:

UPDATE:
The guy who shot his barrel off a few weeks ago came in today with his repaired 686. The barrel and cylinder were replaced. I asked him if they asked what ammo he was shooting. He said no and they didn't ask how it happened. When he asked them "is this common?" he said they got a bit "testy." The repair ticket they sent back is blank. It doesn't show either the problem or the fix.

It's just speculation but it sounds to me like they are well aware of the problem and don't want to talk about it.

[TBT]

This is troubling ...

["DoubleAction"]

TBT; Don't jump off the wagon just because someone told you a wheel fell off his. Put your search engines to work and find out if this is a common problem among other individuals.

["DoubleAction"]

I'm searching for cases of barrel failure on the S&Ws, so far no luck. I'll keep looking.

[TBT]

Oh I would never jump wagon. I know the internet too well to put that much stock in any one thing being said. Until an issue is wide spread enough that you are getting that same info from many different sources all over the place, it really isn't anything more than interesting.

[TMan]

I guess I won't be shooting my S&W revolvers any more for fear that the barrel might come off. If you believe that, I have a great deal for you on a bridge in New York. ;D

["DoubleAction"]

tman said:

I guess I won't be shooting my S&W revolvers any more for fear that the barrel might come off. If you believe that, I have a great deal for you on a bridge in New York. ;D

TMan; That same bridge wouldn't be the same one I sold to you two years ago, would it ? ;D

[TMan]

admin said:

TMan; That same bridge wouldn't be the same one I sold to you two years ago, would it ? ;D

Why yes it is DA. However, unlike the stocks that I've bought, this has actually appreciated. I should make a healthy profit on the sale of it. ;D

Stock tip: when I buy - sell, it is about to tank.

[MLB]

I saw that bridge recently. I think it's a pedestrian only bridge now though

[TA]

This is unbelievable! Here is an update from the same guy.

The S&W 686 that we got back with a new barrel in November sent that barrel downrange today. It was shooting .38 wadcutters and was in the hands of a new shooter taking our basic handgun class. Same breakage as all the rest, right where the threads start on the barrel. The threads remain in the frame.

This was the shortest we've had a barrel go downrange of the 7 we've had now in the past year and a half.

S&W can deny they have a problem all they want but............they have a problem.

["DoubleAction"]

You know what I think ?; I think I might look into buying back that bridge I sold to TMan.

[TMan]

Hey DA, I'm having a little cash-flow problem, so I'll give you a real good deal on the bridge. However, there are other people that are interested in it, so I can't hold out for too long. Have your people call my people.

[MLB]

If there was ever a thread that needed a picture, this is it.

[TMan]

mlb said:

If there was ever a thread that needed a picture, this is it.

Ahhhh, you mean of the bridge? ;D Sorry, I get a little silly sometimes.

[TA]

This seems really odd, for sure. It appears to be the only reference I can find of this being a problem. There are supposed to be pictures of this last failure, but haven't seen them yet.