Author Topic: What is the deal? (Read 945 times)

KF9VH · « **on:** February 27, 2005, 04:19:47 PM »

Some have suggested that a steady diet of 357 mag ammo in a 686 will cause problems. Some suggest the GP 100 can take a lot more abuse.
What is the real story? I would think the Smith would hold up as well if not better than the Ruger.

Holiday · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2005, 08:59:04 PM »

That's news to me. I thought the 586 and 686 L frames were brought out specifically to over come this. The K frame model 19 has issues with steady .357 use. Are you sure your sources aren't confusing the two?

HappyHunter · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2005, 12:54:19 AM »

Holiday is correct, the L frame is much stronger than the K frame. Is is as strong as the Ruger? I own both and I do think the Ruger is stronger, and can also double as a boat anchor.

The 686 is plenty strong for full house hunting or self defense loads. I use 200 gr hard cast hunting rounds as well 180 gr XTP both loaded hot and never a problem.

Fred

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2005, 01:01:01 AM »

You can feed the 586 and 686 full load .357MAG's all day and not have a problem. Some of the other Smith's may have a problem such as a model 66.

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2005, 02:03:06 AM »

KF9VH: the only problem S&Ws had with a steady diet of 357s was with the earlier Model 19s and the continued use of high speed, lightweight bullets propelled by fast buring powders. Those powders had the tendency to etch the inside of the topstrap (not dangerous at all) and to eat away at the 'spacers' (?) at the end of the cylinder.

Please note that a steady diet of standard weight 357s with the 158 grain slug or heavier and the use of slower buring powders did not cause this problem. I shot handgun silhouette with a Model 19 for a couple of years using just 200 grain slugs over a load of Winchester 296 powder and never had any problems.

Some gunsmiths or other experts confuse the issue.

The 586s and 686s do not have this problem and will hold up to a steady diet of anything you want to feed them. HTH. Mikey.

KF9VH · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2005, 10:36:38 AM »

Thanks for the info guys. I don't plan on shooting a lot of full bore mags in it. I plan on reloading some lighter loads for paper.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 13, 2005, 11:30:32 AM »

I had an early model 686, and while it will "handle" hot loads, it had to be retimed on three separate occasions, hot handloads will beat up the lockwork. So yes, the GP-100 will do better over the long run with a steady diet of hot loads. But my 686 wasn't exactly pampered, I put just over 46,000 rounds thru it in the space of five or six years, and 90% were full-house magnums. Not many guns will see that much shooting, especially with magnum loads. I was a glutton for punishment back then, and have moderated things since. The S&W's lockwork may be more delicate, but no Ruger DA revolver I've ever seen had a trigger pull anywhere near as slick and smooth as a good S&W. The price you pay for that sweet trigger is earlier wear, but only if you abuse it, like I did. These days, when I want to shoot Macho Man loads, I shoot a Ruger. When I want to enjoy my shooting or practice a lot, I shoot normal loads out of my Smith. Either will outlive my kids if properly cared for.

Papajohn

S.B. · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2005, 12:41:47 PM »

Quote from: Holiday

That's news to me. I thought the 586 and 686 L frames were brought out specifically to over come this. The K frame model 19 has issues with steady .357 use. Are you sure your sources aren't confusing the two?

If your theory is true, why did Smith drop K framed .357's and keep making J framed .357's?

HappyHunter · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2005, 07:08:44 AM »

Ask Smith & Wesson about the J frame .357.

Fact is that an L frame 586/686 is stronger than a K frame 19/66.

Gerald McDonald · « **Reply #9 on:** March 16, 2005, 11:30:20 AM »

J frames dont last very long either when subjected to a steady diet of full bore 357's. The K frame was designed as a 38 spec frame, the L was designed with 357 in mind.