I sent the 686 6" to the shop to have the cylinder checked out.
I was getting jacket splinter "Fly back" that would hit me in the cheek
under my safety glasses and draw blood.

A new cylinder was installed and the barrel forcing cone was reamed
according to the packing slip.

For the last two years I have been heavy in doing loads for 9mm
and it has been a while since I lit off some full power loads.
Not to say the 9mm is wimpy but a full head of steam on a 158gr
bullet will also get your attention.

Tested out some top loads to see if they printed as well as when tested.
Looks like the old revolver is back and doing well for my old eyes.

I have a picture to post and surprise, I even left all the powder data on it
which I do not normally do.
For those that want the distance;
it was 15 yards with a wood block/foam top rest.

Nice shooting. What does the asterisk next to the charge weight mean?

Glad you are enjoying your 686, they flat out shoot with anything from mild to wild.

Just started doing a little testing with hot 357 loads also. Looking at testing several different 150gr to 158gr hp's and a 170gr fn. Wanted to take a hard look at a 3" bbl'd l-comp 586 7-shot.


That 586 bbl is actually 2 1/2" long, the last 1/2" is the comp. Figured I test the hot 357 loads in the 2 1/2" bbl along with 4"/6"/8"/10" bbl's. Did an initial test with mp-300 and started doing test loads with 2400.

Glad you posted your loads/results. Gives everyone some idea of not only what to expect but also lets them know there could be something wrong with their loads if they are not close to your data.

I'll look forward to the l-comp results. I run a little faster in mine ... 3N38, for the short little barrel. Good shooting Ed.

The white * is for the best group with that weight bullet for that outing.
However the last time I tested that 125gr load, the SR4756 load won.

I have a little problem with my breathing, trigger pull etc. now
that I am older and in my 70's.
A little less meat on the table when I go hunting also but the
doctor tells me to slow down on "Wild Game" at my age, so I
guess it is a good thing??!!

Just happy to have the 686 back at the house to enjoy and not
worry about brass hitting people when shooting, like the auto's.

(I also did test with a 3.5 and 5" 9mm that same day).

How much did they charge?

No charge.........

Outside shooting is not advised now with the 90* weather and dry cheat grass and materials that make for more fuel, plus the summer winds that are around.

Looks like the indoor range will get my coming business.

Stay safe.

Good shooting, Ed. Glad the good folks there in Springfield got that 686 of yours back to spec.

L-Frames are probably my favorite wheel gun. I'm fortunate to own several... and that Performance Center L-Comp that Forrest and Roger mentioned is probably my favorite. A little confession... I usually put Crimson Trace lasers on any handgun that is likely to see defensive duty - and I did, indeed, put a set on that L-Comp. It didn't look all that different from the second (rubber) set of grips that came with that gun, after all. But I couldn't stand not having those beautiful Rosewood Altamont grips that came with the gun. So I put those back on, in spite of the fact that that grip leaves your little finger waving in the breeze.

I'm usually a function over form kinda guy. But I do love the aesthetics of a beautiful gun and now and again I cave to what looks nice.

Enjoy that 686!