Some posting here have wondered why S&W recalled early L-frame guns, such as the M586, 686,681, etc. Guns returned to the factory for re-work have an "M" stamped in the cylinder window, on the upright part of the frame when the cylinder is swung out, by the basic model number. I think the guns with "-1" and higher suffixes were made to avoid the problem.
Succinctly, certain brands of ammo, most if not all being law enforcement only loads, occasionally jammed the cylinder rotation through the primers flowing back into the firing pin hole in the frame. I think much of this stuff was +P+ .38 ammo. The fix reportedly involved replacing the firing pin bushing with one having a smaller or more tapered (?) hole. I doubt the change is visible, unless one perhaps had an early gun to compare to a modified or later one, and it might even then be very hard to spot.
Because several people have mentioned this (but none knew what was involved), I thought I'd mention this as a public service on this superior forum. Now, aren't you glad you came here?
Lone Star
Succinctly, certain brands of ammo, most if not all being law enforcement only loads, occasionally jammed the cylinder rotation through the primers flowing back into the firing pin hole in the frame. I think much of this stuff was +P+ .38 ammo. The fix reportedly involved replacing the firing pin bushing with one having a smaller or more tapered (?) hole. I doubt the change is visible, unless one perhaps had an early gun to compare to a modified or later one, and it might even then be very hard to spot.
Because several people have mentioned this (but none knew what was involved), I thought I'd mention this as a public service on this superior forum. Now, aren't you glad you came here?
Lone Star