88Cutlass:
Your Model 9-6 Combat Magnum was manufactured in 1982.
www.gunblast.com has a few decent articles, there may be something at stephen A. Camps Hi Powers and Handguns site, also
www.smith&wessonforum.com
Briefly, the .357 Combat Magnum was introduced in 1955 (it became the model 19 in 1957), as a result of a request from gun writer & Border Patrolman Bill Jordan, who wanted the power of the large N frame .357 Magnum (later the Model 27) but in the handy size of the .38 Miltary & Police revolver (later the model 10).
The result is the model 19, and in stainless steel the Model 66.
Based on the medium sized K frame with heavy barrel and adjustable sights, it is the big brother of the .38 Special Model 15 Combat Masterpiece.
putting a 35,000 PSI cartridge into a frame designed for a 20,000 PSI cartridge does cause some problems. the Model 19 is known to suffer flame cutting, where the topstrap develops a groove in it from the flame escaping from the barrel cylinder gap. This isn't much of a problem as it tends to cut only so far and no further.
A bigger problem is the forcing cone (back of the barrel can crack if fed high velocity ammunition. For this reason it's normally recommended you use 158 grain magnum ammunition, not the faster 125 grain ammo which will smack into the forcing cone with more energy.
They can also go out of time faster if shot with magnum ammo. A diet of .38 specials (which will chamber in the .357) will give it an indefinite life.
If you want to shoot a lot of magnum ammo then get a 686. Occasional use of heavy bullet .357s and normal use of .38 specials should see it last many years. If you want to shoot a lot of .357s then get a Model 686, which is more robust.
The Model 19 was discontinued in 1999.