586 gas in the face

[ANATION]

Just curious if anyone else ever gets gas blowback in the face with their Smith 686 or 586? This is a new gun so in theory it should have no problems from the factory. I never had this issue with my Colts. Now, I only shoot hand loads and the gun is very accurate, so is this just a natural occurrence? Seem to get it more off the bench and a rest.

 

[Slamfire]

Are you talking about a revolver?



Rifles will puke gas in the face with pierced primers. Gas flows down the bolt, or bolt channel, right into an eyeball. Revolvers, I don't see how that happens unless something is off at the barrel to cylinder interface.




I do have a M66 that spits lead, and that has gotten in my face. Hurts too.

Look, if the barrel cone is cut incorrectly, or the chambers don't align with the barrel, lead spitting does occur. Might be why you are getting gas in the face. The thing is, this is not something that can be fixed by hand waving, or the rain dance. If the firearm is mechanically off, it has to go back to the factory.

Call S&W, tell them your problem, get a RTN.

 

[Ru4real]

It happens if the timing isn’t spot on. A simple test for timing-close-but-not-perfect: does it in slow fire double action but not single action or fast double action.

 

[ANATION]

It happens if the timing isn’t spot on. A simple test for timing-close-but-not-perfect: does it in slow fire double action but not single action or fast double action.

Single Action. I only shoot double standing and I've never noticed it.

 

[ANATION]

Yes, to Slamfire, it is a revolver. Hate to send it back already but If I have to I have to. Gas isn't horrible but it is similar to a suppressed pistol. Not as pronounced but similar.

 

[ANATION]

BTW, I am almost certain that it is gas and not lead/brass shavings.

 

[UncleEd]

Could escaping cylinder/forcing cone gas be
bouncing off any bench rest bag or device you
are using?

You indicated it only happens when sitting and
bench resting. Also are you shooting in a very
confined or narrow space at an indoor range.

 

[ANATION]

Could escaping cylinder/forcing cone gas be
bouncing off any bench rest bag or device you
are using?

You indicated it only happens when sitting and
bench resting. Also are you shooting in a very
confined or narrow space at an indoor range.

Possibly. I have a caldwell rest that's a little singed from the cylinder.

 

[Bitclaw]

Are the indentations on the primers off centre ? If not check the barrel-cylinder gap

 

[ANATION]

Are the indentations on the primers off centre ? If not check the barrel-cylinder gap

No. Dead center, to the naked eye.

 

[jmorris]

Just curious if anyone else ever gets gas blowback in the face with their Smith 686 or 586? This is a new gun so in theory it should have no problems from the factory.

I never had any problems but both of mine were recalled and have an “M” stamped inside over the model number that indicates they were repaired/modified by S&W.

https://www.firearmsid.com/Recalls/FA_Recalls 5.htm#SMITH

So sometimes even new stuff has problems.

 

[Charlie98]

That is a little odd. I've gotten all sorts of stuff blown back at me with revolvers, but never gas by itself.

I'm assuming you checked the cylinder gap? Given the geometry of a revolver, that's the only place it could come from (save a brake or compensator, and I don't think we are talking that) ...the barrel/cylinder gap (if you are not blowing primers,) or the cylinders are overbored... (and your brass would show that by blowby on the cases.) It may very well be some sort of anomaly from your shooting position.

 

[ANATION]

That is a little odd. I've gotten all sorts of stuff blown back at me with revolvers, but never gas by itself.

I'm assuming you checked the cylinder gap? Given the geometry of a revolver, that's the only place it could come from (save a brake or compensator, and I don't think we are talking that) ...the barrel/cylinder gap (if you are not blowing primers,) or the cylinders are overbored... (and your brass would show that by blowby on the cases.) It may very well be some sort of anomaly from your shooting position.

It very well may be. I will not be able to get to the range until Monday, but I will check it out.

 

[Charlie98]

It very well may be. I will not be able to get to the range until Monday, but I will check it out.

Well... and the more I think about it... check your brass. I've had issues with a lever-action in .45 Colt (Winchester Trapper) and a... uh... generously oversized chamber. Were talking blowing your hair back gas in the face... no kidding. It may be just one chamber in the cylinder... or all of them.

 

[.455_Hunter]

This is a new gun so in theory it should have no problems from the factory.

Unfortunately, that is not the case with modern S&W products. The customer is their QA/QC department.

 

[Pat Riot]

Fire it standing or sitting without the rest and see if the problem still occurs.

 

[ANATION]

Ok so I think it is the Caldwell rest. Must be deflecting off the padding. Didn't notice any blowback when standing.

 

[Riomouse911]

The pressure at the barrel/cylinder gap is massive, in excess of 35,000 psi in maximum loads. You get hot gasses, powder bits, vaporized lead-copper, etc. that is blasted in a 360 degree circle at the moment the cartridge fires and the bullet leaves the case.

These are .357 shots fired through my Model 66-2 and 686+, both have 4” barrels with in-spec barrel/cylinder gaps. These are not max loads, but even at sub-30,000 psi the B/C gap will spit some serious flame.

66-2:

686+:


You bet the blast will bounce up off of a bench or hard rest like a Caldwell. I am glad your gun is OK and it was just the surrounding surfaces causing the issues.

Stay safe.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Had a 66 with shaving issues; it was spitting stuff, not just gun gas. It took a trip to Springfield to fix it.
Yeah, there's a bunch of blast at the barrel/cylinder gap; often wonder what the high speed/low drag guys do, with their support hand halfway to the muzzle, if they ever shoot a revolver.
But then, they wouldn't touch a revo....
Moon

 

[Riomouse911]

Had a 66 with shaving issues; it was spitting stuff, not just gun gas. It took a trip to Springfield to fix it.
Yeah, there's a bunch of blast at the barrel/cylinder gap; often wonder what the high speed/low drag guys do, with their support hand halfway to the muzzle, if they ever shoot a revolver.
But then, they wouldn't touch a revo....
Moon

I once tried shooting some shots long distance in the “Creedmoor” position with a 4” Model 19.

(A stock image of Creedmoor position)


This was a one-and-done error. I was not thinking that this is for solid frame guns, or at least to go ahead and hold the gun out past my leg. On the first (and only!) shot, the B/C gap blew a hole in my jeans right over my right calf. I was pulling denim threads and bits of I burned powder out of my calf for weeks afterwards.

Stay safe.

 

[Bullet Bob]

.357's (with full loads) are known to blow back gas and unburned powder, expecially noticeable from a rest. I remember Dick Metcalf doing a multiple gun .357 bench test for Shooting Times many, many years ago; he wore one of those plastic flip down face shields for the tests.

 

[Thomasss]

Never had a problem with my 586 or with my .357 Trooper regardless of the loads I put through them.