Why aren't there more revolvers with 7-round cyclinders?

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vito

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Until very recently I will admit that I did not know that S&W even made a model 686 that holds 7 rounds of 357 mag. Now I wonder why they don't make more with 7 rounds, especially since it seems to be common knowledge that the primary weakness of a revolver versus a semi is the capacity? Many compact semi-autos hold 6+1, so a 7 round revolver seems like an ideal carry gun, especially with as potent a round as the 357 and the inherent reliability and simplicity of a revolver. What am I missing?
 
There are - I have four 1895 Nagant revolvers - all seven-shooters!

I have one 686+ - a 5" half-lug - and it is a delight to shoot - or was. Then I got a 4" 627 Pro - an eight-shooter - then a 2 5/8" PC627 UDR - then another. I love the 627 8-shooters - with or without moonclips. Of course, in rimfire, I have a 351PD - a seven-shooter in .22 WMR, a 63, eight-shooter in .22LR, and a 617, a 10-shooter in .22 LR. There is life beyond six-shooter revolvers.

Stainz
 
I guess what I really meant is that if S&W can make a cylinder that holds 7 rounds rather than 6 and is strong enough to be a reliable and durable firearm, why make traditional 6 round cylinders? After all, who would want less rounds than is possible in the same size gun? I have a 617 which holds 10 rounds, but the round is a 22LR. I had assumed that the reason most 38/357 revolvers hold 6 is that the cylinder cannot be machined safely to have more than 6 chambers without unduly thinning the steel between the chambers.
 
I guess what I really meant is that if S&W can make a cylinder that holds 7 rounds rather than 6 and is strong enough to be a reliable and durable firearm, why make traditional 6 round cylinders?
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IMHO most revolver shooters aren't that concerned with round count if they were they wouldn't be revolver guys.
Also if you shoot competetion like IDPA 7 isn't really an advantage since you can only load 6 and for IPSC 7 would rarely be an advantage as most times strings will be 6 or 8 rounds as often 2 shots per target are required.
 
Space. There are only so many rounds you can put in a frame of a revolver without making the frame bigger. Just look at the old pinwheel revolvers of the 19th century, sure they had 20+ rounds, but they were a bit wide.
 
Heck, S&W makes an 8-shot .357 if that's your cup of tea. And several companies make 10-shot .22's.

But more holes in the cylinder means one of two things: less metal between the holes, which makes for weaker chambers, or a larger cylinder (which adds size to the frame as well, and additional un-used metal weight in the middle of the cylinder). And that's why there are also 5-round .38/.357 revolvers; they can be smaller.
 
mavracer said:
IMHO most revolver shooters aren't that concerned with round count if they were they wouldn't be revolver guys.
Also if you shoot competetion like IDPA 7 isn't really an advantage since you can only load 6 and for IPSC 7 would rarely be an advantage as most times strings will be 6 or 8 rounds as often 2 shots per target are required.
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Mavracer pretty much summed it up for me. I have zero interest in or use for a 7-shot revolver. The 8-shot N-framed 627 would be my pick for a 6+ wheelgun.
 
" less metal between the holes, which makes for weaker chambers"

I’m sure S&W has done there research into how much metal can be removed from the cylinder. This is a non-issue with quality guns. Unless your running proof loads, I think youll be ok.
 
627PCF, I was not suggesting that a particular revolver was deficient or weak or dangerous. I explained that price for more capacity, all else being equal, was a choice was between weaker chambers (which might still be strong enough for a given purposes) or larger cylinder. A 627 has a larger cylinder. Even the 686 is on a larger frame than, say, a 19.
 
Revolver competition rules usually dictate that only a 6 shot revolver may be used, so that's a reason.

Traditional revolver guys frequently just like having 6 shots, so there is another reason.

More than 7 shots makes for a large gun, with a wide cylinder, making it harder to conceal, an much more uncomfortable to carry. (usually, and subject to opinion) I carry a 5 shot 357 or a Springfield XDs. I carry in IWB, so having a thin gun is important to me. Shoulder rigs alleviate that problem, when one can be used that is.
 
Revolver competition rules usually dictate that only a 6 shot revolver may be used, so that's a reason.
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An 8-shot 627 is an ideal gun for ICORE (Limited & Open), and Steel Challenge.

Between a 627, a speedloader-fed 6-shot .357mag, and a moonclipped 6-shot 625 .45acp, all your revolver gaming needs are covered. A 7-shot revolver would be a poor substitute for any of these in competition.
 
It is only in recent decades that metallurgical science has reached the point where the manufacturers can design and make revolver cylinders with narrower cylinder to cylinder spacing to increase the round count. Also, modern firearms need to be stronger to contain the higher pressure exerted by modern high power ammo.
 
Between a 627, a speedloader-fed 6-shot .357mag, and a moonclipped 6-shot 625 .45acp, all your revolver gaming needs are covered. A 7-shot revolver would be a poor substitute for any of these in competition.
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I use a 327 TRR-8, 686 SSR and a 610 10mm add a pair of SAAs for SASS. I have no need for a 7 shooter.
 
I like the L-frame and I carry the 686P more than the scandium N-frame M327 TRR8;

ScandiumSmiths009.jpg

ScandiumSmiths010.jpg

It's too bad that IDPA is still back in the stone age when it comes to revolvers, that and their silly PF ratings.

A four inch 686P weighs the same as a 1911 Government and the TRR8 weighs in at ~35 ounces. Colt and S&W forgings have been superior for decades, and I've been shooting the mag for 45 years.

For many of us who live in rural areas, the mag is a working caliber. :)
 
Hi, I'm new here but I believe that the webley fosbery automatic revolver when chambered in 38 acp carried 8 rounds.
 
I must admit, I'm a traditionalist when it comes to a lot of things including revolvers. A six-shooter should be a six-shooter EXCEPT when you are carrying for self defense. I would hate to see a Colt SAA or a clone with more than a 6 round cylinder but for carry I see nothing wrong with a 7 or 8 round cylinder! If 6 rounds of .357 Magnum is good than 7 is even better and 8 rounds better yet. In a SD situation those extra rounds could save your life...
 
That S&W 586L is a very nice looking revolver! Too bad they're so high priced.
 
You always have to stop somewhere. If six, then why not seven? If seven, then why not eight?

They will always stop at x, and the question always asked will be why not x + 1. Unless you're talking with liberals, in which case the question is why not x - 4?
 
I have come to find that the 7 shot 386NG is making for great carry revolver. Noticeably lighter than a 6 shot 66 2-1/2" and an extra shot. If you don't want to corn-fuse the bad guy, just keep the hammer on an empty chamber. :neener:
 
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