Better break in ammo, 38 or 357? New 686

DeadWhiteGoose · Jun 1, 2011

Since I just got my new 686+ Pro Series, I had a question for the much more knowledgable people on here than me. Should I take it easy with the gun and shoot light 38 rounds through it to ease it in or go straight to 158gr 357s? Maybe we I should go for lighter weight 357s or 38 +p's? What are you guys thoughts on that? I definitely want to start off on the right foot and it's my first wheel gun, didn't know if I should treat it like a new car and take it easy for the first 50 miles (rounds)

OFT II · Jun 1, 2011

Go ahead and run either one. It will never notice the difference. Breaking in a firearm is more for the shooter's benefit than the gun.

.357magger · Jun 1, 2011

OFT II said:
Go ahead and run either one. It will never notice the difference. Breaking in a firearm is more for the shooter's benefit than the gun.

This.

You'd have to shoot about a bazillion 180 grainers thru that gun to cause wear or tear, or better yet 125 grainers, and even then it'll probably outlast you.

Enjoy your new revolver (bet it won't be your last) and let us know what it likes, how you like it, and your impressions of your first range session. Congrats on a GREAT choice.

gr7070 · Jun 1, 2011

38s are cheap.

And if for some exceedingly remote reason there is a problem, you'd rather find out with the low power stuff, if possible.

Lastly, aside from a carry gun or a serious competitior, I don't know that there's any need for a break-in period for a 686. Just clean it and shoot it; rinse and repeat.

roaddog28 · Jun 1, 2011

gr7070 said:
38s are cheap.

And if for some exceedingly remote reason there is a problem, you'd rather find out with the low power stuff, if possible.

Lastly, aside from a carry gun or a serious competitior, I don't know that there's any need for a break-in period for a 686. Just clean it and shoot it; rinse and repeat.

I agree that 38s are cheap and easier to shoot. But for me I bought my 686-2 to shoot 357 magnums. I shoot 158gr down to 125gr. Full power or medium power rounds. The 686 was made to shoot 357 magnums all the time. That is the reason S&W came out with the L frame revolvers. I doubt that you will ever wear the revolver out shooting 357 magnums.
Lastly, if I want to shoot 38 specials I have my model 10 and my K frame magnums to do this.

Good luck,
Howard

OKFC05 · Jun 1, 2011

Clean and lube your new gun before going to the range.
Load it up and shoot it all you want.
Repeat PRN.
There, it's all broken in...........

DeadWhiteGoose · Jun 1, 2011

Thanks guys, appreciate the advice to a novice. I had a private handgun lesson with my neighbor who is a a NRA Instructor and really helped my shot out. Sounds like I'll be blasting targets in no time. Thanks for the support guys! I'll write up a review as soon as I can.

Sportsterguy · Jun 2, 2011

OKFC05 said:
Clean and lube your new gun before going to the range.
Load it up and shoot it all you want.
Repeat PRN.
There, it's all broken in...........

That'll do it!

ab4ka · Jun 3, 2011

a 686 just screams for .357 Magnum loads. I shot a bunch of LSWC .38's through mine and I ended up having to scrub the heck out of the chambers to be able to load .357's in it after that. No more.

Tom C · Jun 3, 2011

I like to break in a new gun with jacketed bullets to help smooth out the tool marks left in the barrel. After a couple of hundred rounds the barrel is smoothed enough to shoot lead bullets without problems. Since I am loading my own, I tend to load these loads at less than full power, but it probably doesn't matter.

Better break in ammo, 38 or 357? New 686

DeadWhiteGoose

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OFT II

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gr7070

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OKFC05

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ab4ka

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