686 38 super conversion?

[sbeatty1983]

Im wanting to be able to shoot my 686 in idpa esr and ssr division. Anyone converted their 686 to super? I already load for 38 super and making 165 power factor is pretty easy. Where is the best place to have my cylinder milled for moon clips and is there a source for the clips ill need?

 

[stiab]

No conversion is necessary, the .38 Super will already shoot in your 686 without the moonclips. I have shot them in several Colt and S&W revolvers. Some factory loads will not fit, but all Winchester brands will.

 

[gdogs]

Check with Pinnacle, they should be able to help you out.

Pinnacle-Guns.com: Pinnacle High Performance Custom Gunsmithing

 

[snake charmer]

Is this legal in IDPA?

 

[LonChaney]

Probably the Enhanced Service Revolver division. I doubt it would be for Stock Service Revolver.

 

[BTS]

Sorry for the dumb question – but doesn’t 38 Super operate at higher pressure than the .357 mag? Is shooting 38 Super safe pressure-wise in a 686?

 

[TSQUARED]

S&W did offer a limited run of 686's chambered in 38 Super a number of years ago. You may be able to find one on either this forum or one of the auction sites.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

No conversion is necessary, the .38 Super will already shoot in your 686 without the moonclips. I have shot them in several Colt and S&W revolvers. Some factory loads will not fit, but all Winchester brands will.

Is it safe?

 

[stiab]

Is it safe?

I think so in modern steel guns, but am speaking for myself, and not encouraging other people to do it. When the subject comes up, some one usually says it can't be done because the 38 Super is not rimmed (it is) or that it is a tapered case (they are confusing it with the 9mm). The Super pressures do not typically exceed those of the .357 Magnum, and S&W made (maybe still does) a 38 Super revolver a few years ago. It definitely works, but again I am not saying everybody should try it if they don't want to. Winchester Silvertips are a good choice, in my opinion.

 

[Jim Watson]

It is one of those things that IDPA has contradictory rules on.

In the Rule Book under ESR:
"PERMITTED Modifications (Inclusive list):
6. Conversion from rimmed to rimless ammunition".

But the Rule Addendum says for ESR:
"Ammunition used must match the caliber
listed on the gun. The only exceptions would be: .38
special in .357 magnum, 9mm in .38 super, 40S&W in
10mm, 44 special in .44 magnum."

So I don't know if you could get away with it or not.
Best contact HQ or the Tiger Team before you cut metal.

The Tiger Team will make interim rulings if you can show a need and this certainly seems like a case.
http://idpaforum.yuku.com/forums/43/Ruling-Requests

 

[S-WLover]

I shoot 38 super+P in both of my S&W 60-14's
Works great!
Ejects just fine.

 

[David Sinko]

You will not be allowed to use such a thing at a sanctioned IDPA match.

Whether or not you can use it at a local match will depend on just whom you can beat when using it, if you get what I'm saying.

Dave Sinko

 

[snubbiefan]

I think the 38-Super by definition is considered +P. It's only a 38-auto round on steroids. I have never tried this, but something tells me I am about to.

 

[snubbiefan]

The cheap UMC stuff won't chamber in by dash-4. Are you guys SURE Winchester will? I am thinking it must be by accident. Like a slightly larger 357 chamber. The 357 case diameter is 9.6mm and the 38-super is 9.75mm as per SAAMI specifications.

 

[tenntucker]

Cut it for moonclips and it should be a go.

 

[snubbiefan]

This seems akin to shooting a 32ACP from a 32 S&W revolver. The 32ACP is also a semi-rimmed cartridge and can be fired from a revolver with some success. Why you would want to is another matter I guess, but you can. If the 38-Super (which is semi-rimmed) can be fired from a 686, I don't see any reason to cut it for moon-clips, if ejection is positive. The bullet diameter of the 38-Super is also slightly smaller at .355. Maybe some of the folks that have posted above can make some comments concerning accuracy. I would not ruin a good 686 just to be able to shoot 38-Super, but I may experiment with a spare cylinder.

Why would one want to do this.....I don't know. We're gun-nuts and gun-nuts like a challenge I suppose.