Thanks to all who responded ! I just now was able to inspect the 686 [with reading glasses] and sure enough there was just a few grains of un-burned powder under the ejector star. I brushed these out and cleaned a little more with a q-tip and viola ! The cylinder now moves freely in and out.
I mean just a few grains of VV N320 is all it took. Very surprised here that there was any un-burned powder with N320 as it has always been so clean. I'm using 148 gr. coated RNL bullets. I can't remember the charge right now but they do shoot very soft. I might up the charge to create more pressure and possibly a cleaner burn after consulting with my loading journal.
Thanks !