Recent content by teamgeek

Thanks to Protocall_Design, BTM and rwsmith for their great comments and questions. I can report that the barrel seemed very tight when I removed it. Based on the position of the barrel at a more reasonable torque, I calculated an amount I then removed from the shoulder of the barrel before...

I fired 12 fowling shots and then six consecutive 5 shot test groups through the 686 at 25 yards using my Ransom Rest. The ammo consisted of carefully prepared lead target loads in 357 cases similar to my best target 38 Special handloads. The average group size was 1.60 inches. This is an...

Hello to all those following this thread. As a next step, I ordered a 9mm throating reamer from Brownells. It arrived and was marked “35 CAL Pistol”. My measurements indicate that this reamer is .3595 inches in diameter on the cutting surfaces. I removed the barrel from the 686. Please see the...

I am grateful for all the input. Following suggestions from the Forum, I fired fifty 357 rounds loaded with 110 grain jacketed bullets using the maximum charge of WW 296 listed in the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center. Before and after pictures are included with the “after” picture being the...

I apologize for my delayed return to this thread. Family illness and a pistol tournament down in Phoenix got in the way. I was finally able to test the 686-6 for accuracy in my Ransom Rest. Following warmup shots from all cylinders, I fired five consecutive five shot groups at 25 yards on the...

Thanks for all the feedback. I failed to report that I sent this 686 revolver back a second time to S&W. They returned it three months later with the comment “No Repair Required” You have made many good suggestions. I am considering firing full power 357 loads with jacketed bullets, and/or...

I have a new 686-6 with a defective forcing cone. Referring to the digital bore scope image, significant burrs have been pulled off the side of each rifling land and laid over into the adjacent groove. This image is of the replacement barrel following return from Smith & Wesson. The first...