S&W L-Frame - long term Magnum use/abuse - a Poll!

[WebHobbit]

After the recent surprise I got when S&W informed me that I had eroded the forcing cone on my 640 J-Frame by shooting too many Magnums through it I got to wondering how my other S&W .357s will hold up.

I know the L-Frame was designed to solve the K-Frame .357 problem but I'm still wondering how well they will take a LOT of practice with hot, light loads. Specifically I am talking about the 110 grain SMJHP and the 125 grain SMJHPs. I mostly use 110 grain Winchester white box and 125 grain Remington Golden Sabers (which are actually NOT full-house velocity).

So L-Frame owners please vote in my poll if you have long term Magnum shooting L-frame experience.

 

[E357]

The place where I notice some erosion in on the topstrap of the frame - you know that little line above the forcing cone. I don't clean off the slight corrosion and it seems to protect itself. One of my 686s has about 3000 super hot handloads and ten times that many 38's through it.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Ok, what kind of person has actually shot 10,000 plus rounds of 357 magnum through one gun???

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Web its too early to tell? You see, my 6" Smith
& Wesson 686-5 has only made one range trip, in
over 2 years that I've had it! Even then, it did not
consume a full box of ammo. Guess you might
say I got kind'a lazy; or decided to shoot other guns!
At any rate, the 686 is on my list for the next range
session coming up next month.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[YodaVader]

"Ok, what kind of person has actually shot 10,000 plus rounds of 357 magnum through one gun???

Good question! Probably many out there that will claim to have shot that many magnums through one gun - but in 16 years of range visits I hardly ever see anyone shooting a large number of magnum rounds through any revolver. My 686 is nearly nine years old and I doubt I have fired more than 1000 rounds through it - although most have been magnum rounds. The revolver with scope and benchrest will literally make a single hole at 25 meters with the right load if the shooter does their part. That is what I really appreciate about the 686. Did not buy the gun to invent my own loads - bought it for a gun I can actually hit with.

I shoot mostly reloads with Hornady 158 XTP or Winchester 158 JHP. Have used 170 Sierras , 180 Sierras as well as 140 Hornady XTPs. The light 125s start having more blast - I prefer the heavier bullets.

 

[MR.G]

One of my 686+ has had several thousand rounds through it. About a third has been magnum. Combination of 110, 125, and 158 . No forcing cone erosion yet, only average burning away of the top strap. Have several other 686+ that have been fired a thousand or less rounds. All great shape. I had a model 66 that I personally shot over 1000 rounds of .357 and .38 through it, and there had been probably at least that many by the previous owner. No real forcing cone erosion.The most amazing specimen that I currently have is a 1975 model 19 nickel. I am the second owner of the gun. A good friend of mine bought it new, and it was his primary range and defense gun. The gun shows very little wear after years of use. I used to shoot with him, and I can't even estimate the total number of rounds fired through this gun. Even more amazing, is that the nickel finish is perfect, and he was known to use all kinds of solvents on it. I personally believe that the barrel/cylinder gap has a lot to do with the forcing bone erosion. Too large a gap will cause forcing cone and strap burning. More than .006" gap is too much. I have seen many new S&W revolvers that have b/c gaps that were over .009"

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I do not know about you all, but today alone I shot 1347 rnds of 38 and 357 mag. The 357 Mag was 650 rnds out of my Python and 250 out of my Dan Wesson MD-15.

Now what type of person am I? That is a loaded question.....

I work internationally a lot, so when I get a chance to shoot I SHOOT! If I am going to the range, I want to take at least 3 guns, today it was 4, two 357 mags and 2 for 38 special. I normally shoot 50 shots per target, 250 every half hour between target changes and I was there at the range for 4 hours today.


As a reloader you should know that 1300 odd rounds only represents about 4 hours of time at the bench and about $90 worth of material. $90 is nothing to blow for having a good time.

Just looking over my records (and I do not compete, only target shoot):
1999 Shot 8,611 rnds
2000 Shot 6,707 rnds (busy that year)
2001 Shot 14,968 rnds
2002 Shot 14,671 rnds
2003 Shot 11,927 rnds which makes this on track for a record year.



So getting back to the comment about 1000 rnds out of a 357 mag. Some of us do that quickly when Revolvers are in the current mood.

Just my comments on it.

Editted to add:

All were shot today along with many others, 15 yards (if I remember right, I did not pace it) and all offhand.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Peter,

Those are pretty big groups at 15 yds for someone shooting 8,000+ rounds per year!

 

[E357]

Peter, don't let him get to you. After shooting 1000 magnums in a day, I'd be happy to keep them on the paper.

Elliot

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I understand completely about the size of the groups.

My problem is I travel internationally a lot. A real lot. Thus when I get to the range, I want to shoot a bunch, at least 1000 rnds at a whack. If I am very very lucky I get to shoot twice a month, and then I can go, 2 or even 3 months without ever firing a shot.

So, having only been in town for about 2 weeks from a month overseas, and as I get ready for another month and a half away from home, I guess I am happy I can this well on my own.

Now, when I was not traveling as much, and could go shooting every week, yes I would say they were "ok" targets considering how much ammo was shot today. Besides, they were the last 4 targets shot today.

 

[Shane]

I'm impressed by those that can shoot 1000 plus magnum rounds in a day and still get good groups. That is some real good endurance, IMO.

Personally, my limit is about 300 standard pressure .38 specials plus MAYBE 50 magnums and I'm exhausted.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I would not call it endurance it is more an act of desperation. Since I can only shoot so rarely, I want to work on recoil control and trigger pull. I wish I had the time to shoot just a few rounds and make them count but to do that requires a lot of time at the range and I just do not have that luxury.

Anyway, I have my fun and I am happy with my results so what more can a guy ask for?

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Peter,

My comment was intended jokingly.

If you can shoot over 1000 magnums in one day, and your last targets look like those, I certainly wouldnt want to get you mad at me!

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I understand completely. The problem with the net is it is hard to tell a joke from a comment.


Anyway, I still regret that I do not get more time on the range. Just to little time to do what I love to do when the family, work and obligations get in the way.

Lucky for me, today was a "gift". My work was delayed a week, so the family had previously planned a vacation while I was gone. They left yesterday, I do not go back to Sumatra till Friday. Hence I had a free day to go and shoot. Monday I have to be at work, but I will probably be at the range on Tuesday and most likely Wednesday also.

Tuesday will be 9mm day. P7PSP, and Sig 210's.
Wednesday will be 10mm day, Razorback and Witness (need to test out the new adjustable rear sight).

Unfortunately Thursday will be packing and Friday will be one long jet lagged mess as I go from Houston to Jakarta Indonesia in a 40 hour "day" spent on planes and in airports.

Such is life in the business of exploring for oil.