Smith 686 vs. 686+

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Speculation only

Possibly, there could be minor differences in the lockwork, as, with an extra chamber and bolt notch in the same diameter cylinder, the bolt locking notches will be closer together.
 
I have a 686+ and I also have an extra cylinder for it that's the standard 6 rds (7 shot not idpa legal). So, when I carry it it's a 7 shooter. If I compete with it, it's a 6 shooter.

The cylinder, ejector and hand are the only parts that I change when going from 7 to 6.
 
difference between 686 6 and 7 shot cylinders

Theoretically, the 6 shot cylinder is weaker than the +1 cylinder.

That is because of the cylinder notches being centered on each chamber in the 6 shot, making the material under the notch the thinnest, therefore weakest, portion of the cylinder. In the event of an accidental double (triple?) charge of fast burning pistol powder, I can imagine the brass and chamber possibly bulging out in this notch area, resulting in stuck brass "riveted" into the chamber.

In the 7 shot cylinder, the cylinder notches are off-center of the chambers. There is no weak spot. Hence I believe the +1 cylinder is stronger.
 
In the 7 shot cylinder, the cylinder notches are off-center of the chambers. There is no weak spot. Hence I believe the +1 cylinder is stronger.
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That is also how I understand it and view it. I believe you are correct.
 
From what I have heard I agree with all the above.

One peculiar reason I ended up with my 686+ was my dealer only stocked the + and "special ordering" a 6 shot would have ended up being more.

Either way the 686 is an exceptional revolver imho. :)

RFB
 
I had a 7-Shooter, but traded it away because it had the "Hillary Hole".

What I found was that after shooting 6-Shooters for so long I ended up "dumping" a live round every time I went to reload. For years it's been "shoot six, dump and reload." I just couldn't get used to that extra round, and it made counting my shots almost impossible for this Neanderthal. :eek:

The 7-Shooter is "stronger" but I'm not too worried about it, and 7-Shooters and IDPA don't mix well.

BikerRN
 
In the 7 shot cylinder, the cylinder notches are off-center of the chambers. There is no weak spot. Hence I believe the +1 cylinder is stronger.
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There is also a lot less "meat" between each cylinder of the 7 shot. Regardless , never had a cylinder failure of any 6 shot 686 I have owned. The Smith 629 Classic 44 mag has the notch cut over the cylinder and less wall thickness between the cylinders than the 6 shot 686 and I figure it is plenty strong enough that way.
 
I just couldn't get used to that extra round, and it made counting my shots almost impossible for this Neanderthal.
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Heck, I have an ivy degree and I can't get used to 7 shot revolvers! It's just too much to ask of anyone!

I ahve two 686s, and both are six shooters. I did not mean above to avoid them for the seven shot for that reason. Get the best gun at the best price, six or seven. I actually prefer six because then it's like all the other guns, not an odd bird out.
 
I've got a couple of 586's (6 shot) and a 686 + (7 shot) and carried 6 shot revolvers for many years otj. Haven't had any problems with the "extra" round and I agree, the 686 is an excellent revolver.
 
I have the 6 shot version 'cause I can't wrap my head around a six-shooter with 7 shots. Just me, no big deal, the 7 works great too. :)
 
When I bought my 686 the only thing I noticed was the extra round with the + model, but for the same price I got the ported 6-shot. Love that gun.
 
For all practical purposes, the only difference is the extra round. There are some 7 shot 686s out there without the wretched lock. And if you want one of the Mountain Gun variety, they only came as 7 shooters. Here is mine:

is_00006-1.jpg
 
Guys,

The only difference between 686 Plus and 686 is cylinder itself. Per S&W factory gunsmith there are no other differences.

I bought 3" bbl 686-6 Plus last year and like Kamerer could not get used to shorter trigger pull of the 7-shot cylinder. S&W fitted 6-shot cylinder to this revolver. Now I have 6- and 7-shot cylinders and switch them whenever I want. They did very nice fitting job - both cylinders have 0.004" bc gap and same headspace. Name of S&W gunsmith who did the work is John Seifert.

Mike
 
I bought a 686 six-shot a few years ago rather than the 686+ seven-shot. The 686+ is maybe a slightly better gun due to stronger cylinder & extra shot. However, I just think a revolver like this should = six shots, so went with the regular 686.

(funny thing is that I have a couple of j-frame five-shot guns and that doesn't bother me at all - I'm sure there is some prescription drug out there for what ails me...)
 
(funny thing is that I have a couple of j-frame five-shot guns and that doesn't bother me at all - I'm sure there is some prescription drug out there for what ails me...)
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Unfortunately, there is no cure. and this disease we all have, is terminal:):)
 
if i was going to buy one, it would be the 7 shot. you never know when the extra shot might come in handy. i wouldnt worry about it being safe, or reliable. it comes from SMITH & WESSON. 'nuff said 'bout that!
 
if i was going to buy one, it would be the 7 shot. you never know when the extra shot might come in handy. i wouldnt worry about it being safe, or reliable. it comes from SMITH & WESSON. 'nuff said 'bout that!

Yes, your right about that! Don't buy one.
 
Name of S&W gunsmith who did the work is John Seifert.
Click to expand...

Hoptob - I don't know if I mentioned this to you, but KKG (from the S&W forum) is back in business as a gunsmith locally, coming out of retirement. He is in Kent. He cleaned up an uneven forcing cone on a 27 for me very recently. I thought you might like to know this news. He said he would make a "formal" announcement later this month when he comes back from a long trip back east and to the SWCA meeting.
 
Ok, so call me a dumbarse if so need be, but if you can have a 6-shot cylinder fitted to the 7-shot gun, could you not get a 7-shot cylinder fitted for the 6-shot gun?

Noidster
 
I suspect that 7-shot revolvers are more than adequately strong. I also suspect they may have to be retimed a bit more often than a 6-shot, but who knows? I'd sure like to have one of those Mountain Gun .357s! Strong, good looking and no underlug barrel.

If I had my choice, I'd pick a 7-shooter every time. Well, except for my Ruger Security-Six. The lock holes don't make much difference to me, but I don't much care for the metal injected whatever hammer and triggers. Uuuugh.


SW686.gif

This is one of the early ones.

.
 
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