Is there a benefit to the internal firing pin on the new S&W 686+? If there is not benefit did S&W every produce a 7 shot 686 with out the lock or internal firing pin? If they did what model (ie 686-X) is that weapon? If they did not is it possible to put a new 7 shot cylinder in an older pre lock/internal firing pin frame? In other words what year or issue of 686 should one get?
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686+ ???'s
- Thread starter jamxc
- Start date
Greeting's jamxc,
I can't answer most of your question's regarding the
Smith & Wesson model 686; but I will share this with
you. I own a 6" barrel 686-5, (you know the one that
is suppose to have the "beefed up" internal's in order
to with stand hotter load's); and it is one of the most
accurate revolver's that I have ever owned, and there
has been plenty! Most consumer's don't like the frame
mounted or "floating firing pin", and the use of MIM
part's. I can certainly agree on the use of MIM part's,
as I perfer the "case hardened" trigger's and hammer's
much better; but you know, I kind'a like the use of the
frame mounted "floating firing pin". In all probability,
if S&W had came out with this feature back in about
1935, all rumbling's and grumbling's would not have
existed!
Oh! by the way before I forget, my Smith & Wesson
686-5 is a six-shot version; as I don't care for the
seven shot model! Just my preference, you know?
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
I can't answer most of your question's regarding the
Smith & Wesson model 686; but I will share this with
you. I own a 6" barrel 686-5, (you know the one that
is suppose to have the "beefed up" internal's in order
to with stand hotter load's); and it is one of the most
accurate revolver's that I have ever owned, and there
has been plenty! Most consumer's don't like the frame
mounted or "floating firing pin", and the use of MIM
part's. I can certainly agree on the use of MIM part's,
as I perfer the "case hardened" trigger's and hammer's
much better; but you know, I kind'a like the use of the
frame mounted "floating firing pin". In all probability,
if S&W had came out with this feature back in about
1935, all rumbling's and grumbling's would not have
existed!
Oh! by the way before I forget, my Smith & Wesson
686-5 is a six-shot version; as I don't care for the
seven shot model! Just my preference, you know?
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
Jim Watson
New member
My 686+ seven-shooter is stamped 686-4 and has milled parts and hammer nose firing pin. Its only obvious new feature is the "teardrop" cylinder latch. No key lock.
Charlie Prest at RPM set mine up DAO and cut the cylinder for clips. It is now obsolete, no seven-shooters in IPSC or IDPA Revolver matches, few under eight shot in ICORE.
The cylinder from my six-shot 686-4 fits and times as is. If I could find a spare cylinder at a reasonable price I could get more use out of it. I didn't try the seven shot cylinder in the six shot gun, if it works, maybe we could trade.
Charlie Prest at RPM set mine up DAO and cut the cylinder for clips. It is now obsolete, no seven-shooters in IPSC or IDPA Revolver matches, few under eight shot in ICORE.
The cylinder from my six-shot 686-4 fits and times as is. If I could find a spare cylinder at a reasonable price I could get more use out of it. I didn't try the seven shot cylinder in the six shot gun, if it works, maybe we could trade.
The first 686 plus was the -4 model with case hardened parts and hammer mounted firing pin. The 686-5 had the MIM parts and frame mounted firing pin but no lock. There was a mountain gun version of this. Then the 686-6 came out with MIM parts, frame mounted firing pin and LOCK.
If the guns are tuned I don't think very much difference exists between the MIM and old style. I have a 686-5 that has a 2.5 pound single action and 7.25 pound double action that fires magnum primers reliably. It can be made a bit lighter with the C&S extended firing pin FWIW. The old style, to fire magnums reliably, would have about the same pulls all other things equal give or take 0.1 - 0.2 pound pull double action.
Aside from the cylinder I would guess the hand would need to be fitted to change from 6 to 7 shot cylinders or vice versa.
If I was looking for a gun I would probably get the -4 with the older style hammer mounted firing pin just because all the internals can be fitted better than with MIM. On the other hand I would not feel bad with a MIM gun. I wouldn't get a -6 with the lock because I hate the locks but that is a personal preference.
Tom
If the guns are tuned I don't think very much difference exists between the MIM and old style. I have a 686-5 that has a 2.5 pound single action and 7.25 pound double action that fires magnum primers reliably. It can be made a bit lighter with the C&S extended firing pin FWIW. The old style, to fire magnums reliably, would have about the same pulls all other things equal give or take 0.1 - 0.2 pound pull double action.
Aside from the cylinder I would guess the hand would need to be fitted to change from 6 to 7 shot cylinders or vice versa.
If I was looking for a gun I would probably get the -4 with the older style hammer mounted firing pin just because all the internals can be fitted better than with MIM. On the other hand I would not feel bad with a MIM gun. I wouldn't get a -6 with the lock because I hate the locks but that is a personal preference.
Tom