Rebore a 686 to .40 caliber?

D

D.S. Brown

New member
Here's my dilemma. I like .40! ALOT! So in another thread I mentioned a .40 caliber AR 15 which seems likely courtesy of the folks at Olympic Arms and the folks over at Scherer that make the 29 round .40 caliber mags.

Back to the subject. I want a .40 S&W revolver. I have checked out the 646. I had the opportunity to buy one that came into my shop last year. I'm kind of glad I didn't. I have heard mixed reviews of the reliability of said revolver. In other words I hear they are great, or that S&W didn't really do great R&D on the mechanics of a titanium cylinder mated to .40 S&W. BTW I don't like the titanium cylinder. If they made it in a fluted or nonfluted stainless steel version, with whatever bugs there were worked out, I would be all over it. Similarly please don't send me in the direction of the 610. I belive that is an N frame whereas the 686 is a K or an L frame. The latter two being perhaps a little more concealable and a tad lighter.

Why the mention of the 686. Because in my short time on the board I have read allusions and heard whispers that said conversion can be done. Personally I like Ruger GP 100's better but asking around I am told that a conversion of one of those would be most miraculous, and with the cost of miracles now-a-days, well you know.

So can anyone tell me anything constructive about this idea? Thanks so much in advance.

Best,

Dave
 
I have a 646 and it is a 686 with a titanium cylinder. I don't know why it could'nt be done, but I'm a shooter, not a smith. BTW it's an L frame.
 
SAve your money and buy a Smith 610...it will shoot 10mm and 40SW. Rechambering your 686 would not be a cheap project and for what it would cost you, you could probably just buy a new revolver.
 
L-Frame .40 S&W

At one time TK Custom (http://www.moonclips.com) did just such a conversion on stainless L-Frames. He had them listed on their web site. I haven't seen any in quite awhile. It wouldn't cost too much to check.
As far as the 646, I bought two of them last summer. I have shot one extensively both in IDPA and 'fooling around'. It has performed flawlessly.
I have the SDM front sight and will be putting a Millet rear on it shortly.
Still trying to find the 'ideal' grip for me. Currently using the old Pachmayr Gripper.
snw646s.jpg


True, the 610 can fire the 10mm cartaridge. But having owned, shot and reloaded 10mms since the late 80s I am quite sure that I do not require their performance to punch a hole in a cardboard target.
Also, since the 610 is an N frame the cylinder holes are farther apart than on a 646 making it more difficult to load the 610 as fast as the 646.
I personally like the size and feel of my 646 for the IDPA game much more than that of my 625. It is more in keeping with the spirit of the game.
Mclippers.jpg

JNT
 
I have to speak up for the 610 also. No expensive conversions, you have a "sorta" 44 Magnum/44 Special combination for versatility, better resale/trade value and a lifetime factory warranty. I will always choose an S&W N frame if given a choice.
 
I also think you would have a dual purpose wheelie with the 610. Years ago I had a 5 inch 610 and loaded it warm with a 180 Hornady. About 1350 if i recall. It was amaxing on a 125 lb. white-tail. In a 610 the 10 will pretty much do whatever a 41mag will do.
 
L-Frame

"Similarly please don't send me in the direction of the 610."
A 646 can be factory fitted with a stainless cylinder. Cylinder cost for a 686 cylinder is $117. Boring to .40, fitting and shipping costs would of course be added.
I would guess that total would be less than $300.
You would still have a revolver with an lifetime warranty.
It might be a consideration to get a 646, try it and if it doesn't perform to your requirements then you could always have another cylinder fitted.
As you asked about an L-Frame .40 that's what I attempted to post on.
If you have opportunity to try a 646 you may like it. As they only made 900 on the second run they are getting harder to find.
For REAL CCW and defense use I will take an L-Frame over an N frame anyday.
I have no Harry Calahan complex and come from the old school where a 'weaker' hit counts more than a 'stronger' miss.
If some of those who carry N frames with 'stout' ammo ever put a timer on themselves for a cylinder full of double taps on three targets they might reconsider their choice of carry.
JNT
PS My 646s also have a lifetime warranty and in a few years their resale value is going to be greater than a normal production gun.
 
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