6 vs 7 in the x86 v 66-8

B

Bezoar

Moderator
I know its an interesting discussion that i havent seen before online.

the 6 shot versions of the 586 and 686 are more robust then the k frame, period. Thats not in debate, the 686+ is just as strong.

Im contemplating lots of fun with it, general range work and well kept loaded next to the bed for hobgoblins and the like. The question boils down to,

if the strongest load a person intends to use is remington 180 grain 357 magnums,,,,, and remington 125 grain ,,,, does it make much difference in the world what gun you get? im settled on one of these 3 beauties.
 
In theory, the S&W 586 6-shot would be the strongest one out of the models you are considering. The larger L frame over the K frame, the more "meat" between chambers in the cylinder over the + models and the stronger carbon steel over the stainless makes the 586 6-shot the strongest.

Just my opinion.
 
It is hard to argue against the extra shot in a defensive weapon.
And I guess it will be some sort of fun for "general range work."

Me?
I had a 686+ that was entertaining in USPSA for a while until they went six shot and I got into IDPA which is strictly six shot. I could not get an attractive sale or trade for it, so I had S&W put in a six shot cylinder. My house gun holds 16, not 6 or 7.
So for my "specific range work," I need the sixshooter, not the seven.
 
I know its an interesting discussion that i havent seen before online.
Click to expand...


The question of whether there is a strength advantage of a standard 686 over a 686+ has been discussed many times on the different gun forums. The general consensus is always the same .........no.


As for the difference between a K-Frame and a L-frame, for me it comes down to purpose and use. If all the gun is for, is a range toy and nightstand gun always loaded and shot with .357 mag ammo, hands down a L-Frame wins every time over a K-Frame.
 
L frame is going to be stronger than the K, and I say this as an owner of the new 66-8.

I could really muddle the waters and suggest an N frame 627, which would give you 8 shots in a yet stronger frame if I wanted to stir the pot. :D

Personally, I usually stick to 158gr loads in .357, so I don't have any worries about anything with the new 66... it's stronger in several ways than the older K frame magnums (improved metallurgy, full forcing cone, ball detent lockup). But I doubt it's quite as strong as a x86 L frame or 627 N frame.
 
When people hypothesize about whether or not a six-shot L-Frame is stronger than a seven-shot one, I think they often forget exactly how the L-Frame is stronger than the K-Frame. The issue with the K-Frames was never the thickness of the chamber walls, they were plenty thick and strong enough to begin with. Instead, the problem was that the forcing cones had to be thin at the six o'clock position in order to clear the yoke. The L-Frames have a taller frame window thus allowing for a thicker forcing cone that doesn't need a flat spot ground onto it. The taller frame window necessitates a slightly wider cylinder to fill it which, in turn, gives you thicker chamber walls if the gun is kept as a six-shot.

Also, an argument could be made that a seven-shot L-Frame is just as strong, if not stronger, than a six-shot one due to the position of the cylinder stop notches. A six-shot L-Frame, like most medium and large frame S&W's has its cylinder stop notches directly over the chambers and the cylinder stop notches are actually the thinnest part of the chambers. The seven-shot guns, however, have their notches offset and placed between the chambers even though there is less metal between the chambers.
 
Well, there was the guy who got a cylinder with 7 chambers and 6 flutes, or maybe the other way 'round. The offset generated enough thin chamber walls to alarm him. He sent it in for replacement. They surely furnished one, but I doubt he got the personal apology from the CEO that he was looking for.
 
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