686 vs 686+...about to buy

[snowman]

The 7-shot cylinder is bigger in diameter than the 6-shot version...the cylinder is physically bigger in order to maintain critical thicknesses​

Sir,

Your statements here aroused my curiosity. I have both the six-round and seven-round versions, so I measured the cylinder diameter on both with my dial caliper. They are exactly the same; both measure 1.563

I suppose it's possible a change was made later on, but I don't know that the frame window would accommodate a larger cylinder.

Check me though; I would be curious to know if newer models are different.

Regards,
Andy

 

[one eye joe]

More than one article I've read over the years has theorized the 7-shot cylinder is actually STRONGER. It has to do with the bolt notches. On a 6-shot cylinder the notches are over the chamber - the thinnest part of the cylinder. On the 7-shot cylinders the notches fall between the chambers - the thickest part of the cylinder.

ONCE AGAIN, THE KERNEL KNOWS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT. IN THEORY, THE 7 SHOT CYLINDER WOULD PROVIDE GREATER STRENGTH, BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION OF THE NOTCHES……
REALISTICALLY, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BLOW UP EITHER CYLINDER WITH FACTORY AMMO OF ANY BRAND, INCLUDING THE LIKES OF BUFFALO BORE, ETC. DOUBLE CHARGED LOADS BREWED UP BY BUBBA, OVER A COUPLA 6 PACKS OF BEER IS A DIFFERENT STORY. ANY AMMO THAT DOES NOT EXCEED THE SPORTING ARMS & AMMO MANUFACTURERS INSTITUTE (SAAMI) SPEC OF 35,000 PSI CHAMBER PRESSURE IS SAFE TO SHOOT IN EITHER VERSION……
I HAVE BOTH VERSIONS. I FIND NO DIFFERENCE IN FUNCTION BETWEEN THE TWO. I HAD MY NO-DASH 2 1/2" CONVERTED TO A 7 SHOT @ S&W, FOR CARRY PURPOSES. MY 686 MOUNTAIN GUN IS ALSO A 7 SHOT. MY ONLY 6 SHOOTER LEFT IS AN 8 3/8" NO-DASH RANGE GUN, THAT SHOOTS LIKE A RIFLE. THERE IS NO COMPELLING REASON TO HAVE A 7 SHOT CYLINDER FITTED TO THAT REVOLVER. I FIND NO ADVANTAGE TO HAVING THE 6 SHOOTER. THERE ARE SEVERAL BRANDS OF SPEEDLOADERS AND 7 ROUND SPEEDSTRIPS TO INVESTIGATE, IF THAT IS A CONCERN……….

 

[Neumann]

A round that will blow up a 686 will blow up a 686+ too. However, hot loads have been known to bulge the chamber where it intersects with the notch, making extraction hard. It's something you look for in any used 6-shooter, but less likely to occur in an odd-shooter.

AFIK, the only difference is in the cylinder and star. Smith could probably fit another cylinder (they won't sell magnum cylinders, period), but you'd be better off selling or trading. I have no regrets or issues with the 686+, but I'm okay with six shots in other revolvers too. Aside from IDPA rules, the 7 shot version is more popular.

 

[Brian41]

I have the 686 plus as I found one lightly used at a good price. I had a 586 with 6 round cylinder as well and have liked both guns equally.
The downside of the plus was finding speedloaders and already owned the 6 shot ones. That and a molded holster has to be made for a 7 shot model which meant another expense.
Still I like the plus version and sometimes carry it too. I don't know the one extra round is important but suppose if you shot 6 you'd be glad for it

 

[at_liberty]

Get the extra round 686+. Also never heard about any problems with cylinder wall thickness. The 7-shot cylinder is bigger in diameter than the 6-shot version...it's not like they drilled an extra round into the base 686 cylinder and were left with thin areas...the cylinder is physically bigger in order to maintain critical thicknesses​

That couldn't be bigger by much because of cylinder window size in the L-frame.

 

[Pizza Bob]

An L-frame is an L-frame, is an L-frame. Snowman is correct - the limiting factor is the cylinder window in the frame. I've been down this road before because somebody argued that the 7-shot was a larger diameter based on the fact that it wouldn't fit his 6-shot kydex holster. I pointed out to him that the cylinder flutes were in a different location on the 7-shot gun and the holster was tightly molded. We then did some measuring and found them identical - as did Snowman. I also measured the cylinder of my 646 and found it also to be the same dimension.

I wish there was a measuring device (probably is) with which we could measure the wall thickness of a 6-shot cylinder, at the bolt notch, versus the wall thickness between chambers of a 7-shot cylinder. Remember, the circle described by both the 6-shot and 7-shot chamber arrangement would be the same diameter because the location of the hammer/firing pin is not a variable.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[theoneff]

"I'll probably end up with both after a while."
Yep Street just like most of us.

 

[jimsguns]

Sir,

Your statements here aroused my curiosity. I have both the six-round and seven-round versions, so I measured the cylinder diameter on both with my dial caliper. They are exactly the same; both measure 1.563

I suppose it's possible a change was made later on, but I don't know that the frame window would accommodate a larger cylinder.

Check me though; I would be curious to know if newer models are different.

Regards,
Andy

I had seen a video where a reviewer was comparing the two models side by side and made this comment. If you have measured the two and they are the same, then I stand corrected

 

[Usmc5811]

I love my 6" 686-5+ that I picked up in June of this year. No problems so far and have had a lot of ooh's and aah's when it is brought out. Even makes my father drool a little and he isn't a pistol guy. Go for it you will love it. The only problem I have noticed is my ejector rod loosened up occasionally so I just check it and tighten if needed.