I just bought my first gun, the 686, although I have used one before. When I went to purchase ammo, they said for the first 250 or so shots I should use a good ammo, so they sold me 38 spl 125gr FMC-FLAT. I cannot find anything about this particular ammo anywhere, so is this what I want to start out with at the range? And, if so, what kind after that for regular practice? And also what kind for home defense?
S&W 686-4, which ammo?
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Before you shoot, lube up that barrel really good and give the whole gun a thorough cleaning as though it had already been to the range.
A lot of people will tell you to put a lot of FMJ thru first to wear in the barrel and smooth out any miniscule imperfections. I say this is hooey. The beauty of the 686 is that it will shoot any round that fits in those holes - and there are so many kinds that is the fun. Just clean your gun every time you shoot it and you will be fine.
A lot of people will tell you to put a lot of FMJ thru first to wear in the barrel and smooth out any miniscule imperfections. I say this is hooey. The beauty of the 686 is that it will shoot any round that fits in those holes - and there are so many kinds that is the fun. Just clean your gun every time you shoot it and you will be fine.
The_Shootist
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Ammo?
Shoot whatever you want - in either .38 or .357. But you will notice it more accurate (shooting to POA) with the heavier ammo (ie 145gr-158gr weights).
I have a pre-lock 686+ thats about 7-8 years old and think its one of the best revolvers out there!
Shoot whatever you want - in either .38 or .357. But you will notice it more accurate (shooting to POA) with the heavier ammo (ie 145gr-158gr weights).
I have a pre-lock 686+ thats about 7-8 years old and think its one of the best revolvers out there!
jad0110
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For self-defense, I have my 686+ 4" loaded with the tried-and-true FBI Load, the 38 Special 158 grain Lead Semi Wadcutter Hollopoint (LSWCHP) +P. Many ammo companies make their version of it, but I prefer the Remington brand because I understand it is made of a softer lead, allowing for better expansion. The product number for the Remington LSWCHP +P is R38S12.
Check out the following article, it talks about the FBI Load, among others...
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_3_48/ai_82551648/pg_1
Just scroll down through the article until you get to the 38 Special section. I think its on the 4th page.
Note that I decided against 357 Mag as a Home Defense round as I do not want to be disoriented by the blast and concussion of a 357 going off in a confined space such as my bedroom. Besides, the FBI load is a proven man stopper, with proper shot placement of course. Carrying concealed when I'm mainly outdoors is a different story, and here I load up with the Federal C357B 125 Grain semi jacketed hollowpoint. The link above also has some good info on this round as well.
Hope this helps!
Check out the following article, it talks about the FBI Load, among others...
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_3_48/ai_82551648/pg_1
Just scroll down through the article until you get to the 38 Special section. I think its on the 4th page.
Note that I decided against 357 Mag as a Home Defense round as I do not want to be disoriented by the blast and concussion of a 357 going off in a confined space such as my bedroom. Besides, the FBI load is a proven man stopper, with proper shot placement of course. Carrying concealed when I'm mainly outdoors is a different story, and here I load up with the Federal C357B 125 Grain semi jacketed hollowpoint. The link above also has some good info on this round as well.
Hope this helps!
AStone
Member
I'm going to bump this one back up to the top because I found it useful.
I was doing a search in "Revolver" for "357 blast", and found this one.
Probably going to buy a 686+ (as early as tomorrow...) as I move "up" from 9mm. (Semi-auto just wasn't my game; I've admitted I'm a wheel gunner, and am seeking a "big brother" for the 642.)
Looking around for what kind of ammo to feed it, and reading stories of 4' white flames being projected from the barrel, concussive blasts, etc. (*)
Found this.
Jad, I read that article you recommended by Mas. Interesting. So, some of you shoot .38 spl for home defense and on the street (to reduce that 4' white flame and concussion), but replace it with more full house rnds for hunting stuff.
Sounds reasonable to me.
Bigga bada boom.
(* "As to muzzle flash, I shot some 110-grain JHPs my dad loaded up over 19.5 grains of H-110... about 4 feet of white fire from the muzzle, and about a 1 foot disk coming out from the cylinder gap." See post 61 in this thread.)
I was doing a search in "Revolver" for "357 blast", and found this one.
Probably going to buy a 686+ (as early as tomorrow...) as I move "up" from 9mm. (Semi-auto just wasn't my game; I've admitted I'm a wheel gunner, and am seeking a "big brother" for the 642.)
Looking around for what kind of ammo to feed it, and reading stories of 4' white flames being projected from the barrel, concussive blasts, etc. (*)
Found this.
Jad, I read that article you recommended by Mas. Interesting. So, some of you shoot .38 spl for home defense and on the street (to reduce that 4' white flame and concussion), but replace it with more full house rnds for hunting stuff.
Sounds reasonable to me.
Bigga bada boom.
(* "As to muzzle flash, I shot some 110-grain JHPs my dad loaded up over 19.5 grains of H-110... about 4 feet of white fire from the muzzle, and about a 1 foot disk coming out from the cylinder gap." See post 61 in this thread.)
Not sure what they meant by good ammo? My own thoughts is to use good ammo whether it be round one or round 10,001. If they meant a jacketed bullet to "smooth" out imperfections I have heard and even read this too but like SJshooter never paid much heed to it.
Just because a bullet does not have a jacket does not mean it is not good ammo.
I have owned 4 686s through the years and did not start out with any specific ammo firing procedure with any of them - just basically fired away with what I had on hand. With my first one , also my very first handgun - I had 400 rounds of assorted 38 Special and 357 Mag , with many of the 38s being lead loads. Had a hec of time firing the various types of ammo.
Although these days a jacketed 158 is the most common bullet I use mainly because it has proven to be accurate in my Blackhawks , 686 and TC 357.
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