rec999allis
Member
I'm new to the high road and I can't seem to find if this question was asked or not. The question being Six round vs. Seven round S&W 686. Whats your opinion? Dose the six round have some advantages over the seven round model?
Six round vs. Seven round S&W 686
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Sleeping Dog
Member
The six-round is a little bit cheaper. I only have a six-round 686, so can't compare on any other factors. I looked at used guns and jumped on the first one that was a reasonable price and met the criteria in Jim March's "Revolver checkout" sticky thread.rec999allis said:
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I faced the same choice in April of 2001, and I chose the 6" six-shot
S&W model 686-5. Great firearm, and more than capeable of handling any
of my long barrel handgun needs~!
S&W model 686-5. Great firearm, and more than capeable of handling any
of my long barrel handgun needs~!
6inch
Member
I own both (6 & 7 round) 686's. Have speed loader for both, shoot both and like both the same.
There, that ought'a help ya out.
Oh yeah, come to think of it there is one draw back to the 7 round model... Remembering to count to 7. If you think I'm kidding, think again!
There, that ought'a help ya out.
Oh yeah, come to think of it there is one draw back to the 7 round model... Remembering to count to 7. If you think I'm kidding, think again!
Deer Hunter
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Haha, I bet. After shooting six-guns for a while, switching over to a 7-shot may foul you up.
MNgoldenbear
Member
Yeah, easy to lose count. I use a 6-shot, and it would feel odd to shoot a 7-shot. That being said, I'm sure one could get used to it. Hmm, another excuse for additional range time... I CAN shoot an 8-round single-stack, but I've dropped a hi-cap mag after 8 rounds. (Only reason I can even get to 8 is I was in marching band way back in school. )Stainz
Member
I wouldn't buy a 686, simply because my likes lean towards the partial lug. My 6" 66, for example, is a real 'keeper'. Of course, S&W just had to offer that '04 'Stocking Dealer Exclusive' - a 5", h-l, HiViz front/V-notch rear sight, and Ahrends stocked 686+ (7-shooter). I traded my old friend 'Thumper', my 7.5" .454 SRH, ultimately for that one just over a year ago. I bought it four HKS speedloaders. I love it... it looks and feels great. Their is a definite difference in the 'feel' of the trigger compared with similarly sprung 6" 66, but not by much... both are super.
Great help, huh? I bought the 686+ because it was a partial lug revolver - and looked and balanced better, the additional round just being an afterthought. Great help at times - especially when plinking away at six metal plate stands - and you get in a hurry and miss one! Go with whichever one 'feels' and looks right... heck, I can now buy the 4" 66's replacement - the new 620 - and have another 7-shooter to use those HKS's I have.
Stainz
Great help, huh? I bought the 686+ because it was a partial lug revolver - and looked and balanced better, the additional round just being an afterthought. Great help at times - especially when plinking away at six metal plate stands - and you get in a hurry and miss one! Go with whichever one 'feels' and looks right... heck, I can now buy the 4" 66's replacement - the new 620 - and have another 7-shooter to use those HKS's I have.
Stainz
greatgoogamooga
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Some competetive shooting sports only allow 6 shots. Yes, you can load only 6 in a 7 or 8 shooter, but then you have to make sure you have the cylinder lined up properly. Much easier to get a 6 gun in those cases. Also getting harder to find from S&W in .357 as I recently found out.
Goog
Goog
MCgunner
Member
Theoretically, the more shots in the cylinder, the less the cylinder has to rotate between shots, and the smoother/lighter the DA pull should be. But, that's only theory.
Snagglepuss
Member
Quote - S&W just had to offer that '04 'Stocking Dealer Exclusive' - a 5", h-l, HiViz front/V-notch rear sight, and Ahrends stocked 686+ (7-shooter).
I looked everywhere for one of thosed. I even had dealers looking. Never found one. When I do though it will be mine. I will still keep my 686+ however. I too, lose count when shooting.
I looked everywhere for one of thosed. I even had dealers looking. Never found one. When I do though it will be mine. I will still keep my 686+ however. I too, lose count when shooting.
Jim March
Member
Six-round Rugers (GP100, the various SAs) manage to mount the deepest part of the bolt cutout between rounds, which aids strength: the cylinder isn't weakened at it's most strength-critical point.
Six-round S&Ws didn't manage that trick. The bolt cuts are right at the worst place, right on top of each cylinder bore.
SEVEN round S&Ws (the L-Frame 357s) did manage to align the bolt cuts between rounds so they may actually be stronger than their six-round ancestors by at least a little. The GP100 is stronger yet because it's got more cylinder "beef" and better frame metallurgy than the S&Ws (plus lacks a sideplate).
The S&W action is often "slicker", esp. fresh from the factory. And yes, more rounds means less cylinder travel and a nicer DA trigger.
The seven-shot S&W L-Frames are damned fine guns.
Six-round S&Ws didn't manage that trick. The bolt cuts are right at the worst place, right on top of each cylinder bore.
SEVEN round S&Ws (the L-Frame 357s) did manage to align the bolt cuts between rounds so they may actually be stronger than their six-round ancestors by at least a little. The GP100 is stronger yet because it's got more cylinder "beef" and better frame metallurgy than the S&Ws (plus lacks a sideplate).
The S&W action is often "slicker", esp. fresh from the factory. And yes, more rounds means less cylinder travel and a nicer DA trigger.
The seven-shot S&W L-Frames are damned fine guns.
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