686-6 cylinder questions

S&W1006 · #1 10-31-2014, 01:06 PM

I have a 686-6 7 shot that I want to buy a second cylinder for that is a 6 shot and have it converted to 38 super. I would like to be able to switch back and forth between the 2. If I run into problems getting the 6 shot to time I will just pick up another 686 and convert it. I like the one I have because it is a 5" and they aren't easy to find so I would prefer to be able to convert the one I have now. What dash cylinders will work? I see a lot of cylinders pop up on ebay and gunbroker but they are usually the older cylinders. I know they changed the extractor and no longer use the alignment pins but will that cause any issues. Thanks.

drummer007 · #2 11-01-2014, 09:56 AM

I had a 686-5+ (7 shot) that I wanted to have a 6 shot cylinder fitted to so I could use it for IDPA SSR class, while still also using it with the 7 shot cylinder for bowling pin matches and steel challenge. I contacted S&W about having them do the work. They replied that they couldn't modify it to work with both a 6 shot cylinder and a 7 shot cylinder. I inferred (repeat: inferred) from their reply that internal lockwork (hand, etc) would also need to be changed out when the cylinders were changed.

tomcatt51 · #3 11-01-2014, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drummer007

I inferred (repeat: inferred) from their reply that internal lockwork (hand, etc) would also need to be changed out when the cylinders were changed.

I suspect it's because they won't use shims (endshake bearings) to set the cylinder endshake. Pretty much a given you need to use shims (vs stretching the yoke) if you want to set the gun up to have interchangable cylinders.

9146gt · #4 11-01-2014, 02:24 PM

Daniel, the cylinders can be changed. I would be concerned about shooting 9mm .355" or .38 super projectiles .356" in a .357"> .358" bore.

Tom

S&W1006 · #5 11-01-2014, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9146gt

Daniel, the cylinders can be changed. I would be concerned about shooting 9mm .355" or .38 super projectiles .356" in a .357"> .358" bore.

Tom

Since I will mostly shoot lead I am going to load some different size bullets from .356 to .358 in the 38 super case and experiment before I spend the money. If I size my 38 super brass with my 357 size die it will chamber and there is enough rim to extract it for test purposes before I have a cylinder cut. I planned to test this weekend but the weather didn't cooperate.

Tanners Owner · #6 05-04-2017, 10:07 PM

Apologies for resurrecting a zombie thread, but does anyone have experience with getting a 6 shot cylinder to work in a 686+ revolver? As was mentioned above, I have a 686+ and would love a 6 shot cylinder to use the gun in IDPA.

Can it be as simple as getting a new cylinder ?

Protocall_Design · #7 05-04-2017, 10:18 PM

I have done a few. Just made a 7 shot 38 super to go in my 6 shot 686. In this case, I had to counterbore the inside of the 7 shot to match the depth of the 6 shot so they could use the same crane interchangably. I lucked out and was able to make the same hand work for both. Now I can pull one screw, trade cylinders and go.

Other ones have had to use a separate hand for each cylinder. It all comes down to the dimensions of the parts you are starting with.