dwpmusic
US Veteran
Simple question. Have the 7 shot revolvers met with much popularity? Just wondering?
7 Shot Revolvers
- Thread starter dwpmusic
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Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
I was sorely tempted by a 686+ with 3.0 inch barrel not long ago. I didn't buy it because my speedloaders are all for 6-shot revolvers, and frankly, the 686+ just looked "crude" to me. The lettering wasn't sharp and crisp, there were rough edges on the cylinder and other surfaces and I guess my 6.0 inch barrel 686 has spoiled me with pre-MIM and pre-lock - not that I'm trying to start any problems here. I'm glad I held out as I found one of my grail guns (Model 13 with 3.0 inch barrel, and yes, a 6 shot) a few weeks later.
Best of luck,
Dave
Best of luck,
Dave
Interesting. Well, it's just hard for old folks such as myself to think of a 7 shot wheelgun. Don't know why. I'm still trying to get used to my wife's 5 shot 642. Both seem a little unorthodox. Just me. Who knows? I might still find a good used Model 19. Just love guns, I guess.
Stu1205
Member
It's just not right.....
pageophile
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Got me one of them new fangled TRR8 8-Shot 357 N-frame revolvers.
Pretty impressed with it, nothing like having 8-shots of 357Mag at the ready.
Is it traditional, nope but it sure is a great piece to shoot
Pretty impressed with it, nothing like having 8-shots of 357Mag at the ready.
Is it traditional, nope but it sure is a great piece to shoot
MgoBlue
Member
I've got to say that the 620 is one sweet revolver. One of these days one will find its way into my stable, I'm sure!
Stainz
Member
While my examples of an older 7-shooter date from the 30's & 40's, the old Russian 1895 Nagant dates back to the end of the century before last. The Belgian brothers Nagant designed a wondrous piece of Victorian engineering - over four score years before the 586/686 hit the streets - before the 'plus' versions by a bit more. So... 7-shooters have been around for a while... they are 'traditional' - not so much as the sixshooter, granted.
While I have five Nagants, I only have one 686 - and it's a 686P - 7-shooter. Furthering it's odd nature, mine is a 2004 'Stocking Dealer Exclusive' - with a 5" barrel and a partial lug. It's a beauty - it came with Ahrends square conversion grips in cocobolo, a HiViz front sight, and a V-notch rear sight. It takes the HKS #587 speedloaders - which function fine with .38's or my wimpy .357M's. The trigger eased up nicely with break-in - and responded well to spring changes - a slick trigger which rivals my 66's. The 686P has one major fault... it isn't a 627! Seriously, my 5" JM PC627 V-Comp, my first 8-shooter, was a fine revolver - my best-ever trigger - just 'clunky'. I bought a 4" 627 Pro 5/08 - it started a trend - I bought more 627's! While 7 is nice, 8 is nicer!
Seriously, if you want an extra round - get a 686P - want two extras, get a 627. Obviously, I don't worry about the IL. I haven't found a new S&W that wasn't perfect, either. Oh, I find fault with some - oddly, two of my oldest - a 625-6 from 1996 and a 625-7 from 2001. Both have laser-etched barrel nomenclature - which has seriously faded over years of wiping the bright SS barrels with cotton rags. Roll-imprinted, they'd still be fine. Nitpicking!
Stainz
PS The 'other' 7-shooter:
While I have five Nagants, I only have one 686 - and it's a 686P - 7-shooter. Furthering it's odd nature, mine is a 2004 'Stocking Dealer Exclusive' - with a 5" barrel and a partial lug. It's a beauty - it came with Ahrends square conversion grips in cocobolo, a HiViz front sight, and a V-notch rear sight. It takes the HKS #587 speedloaders - which function fine with .38's or my wimpy .357M's. The trigger eased up nicely with break-in - and responded well to spring changes - a slick trigger which rivals my 66's. The 686P has one major fault... it isn't a 627! Seriously, my 5" JM PC627 V-Comp, my first 8-shooter, was a fine revolver - my best-ever trigger - just 'clunky'. I bought a 4" 627 Pro 5/08 - it started a trend - I bought more 627's! While 7 is nice, 8 is nicer!
Seriously, if you want an extra round - get a 686P - want two extras, get a 627. Obviously, I don't worry about the IL. I haven't found a new S&W that wasn't perfect, either. Oh, I find fault with some - oddly, two of my oldest - a 625-6 from 1996 and a 625-7 from 2001. Both have laser-etched barrel nomenclature - which has seriously faded over years of wiping the bright SS barrels with cotton rags. Roll-imprinted, they'd still be fine. Nitpicking!
Stainz
PS The 'other' 7-shooter:
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scooter123
Member
I think a look and S&W's catalog will reveal your answer. In the past year most of the 6 shot 686's have been dropped from production and the 686 + has become the new "standard". They didn't do that because it's less expensive to build the 7 shooter, they did it because the 6 shot 686 just isn't very popular anymore. What is left in the 6 shot version is the 686SSR and IIRC a 4 inch 686. As for why those remain, it's simply because IDPA only permits 6 rounds loaded in either SSR or ESR and indexing a 7 shooter during a reload costs time.
Biginge
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Boys, I carry a 686-5 in seven shooter configuration everyday. I made the decision to move away from the .45 auto several years ago and really liked the concept of 7 rds. Plus, I liked the concept (much better) of leaving my 19,24,26,27,28,29,14,etc. in the safe. Do I like the mim and the lock? Not really but I can leave my goods one for the range and hiding in the safe and carry this stainless 7 puffer to "sacrifice its' hide" in the holster. IMHO, only. I must confess I carry a 342 Ti when dress dictates.
Bill
Bill
scott625b
Member
The extra shot is nice if you are competing in ICORE, definately a fun gun.
caryg
Member
327 Night Guard ? Yea Man
I have had alot of guns in my life and when I ordered a used 327 8 shot night guard from Buds I was a little skeptical at first. Heard that Scandium was to light and wouln't last, also that The cylinder was just to big for CCL carry, also you couldn't find a speed loader for it, also that the black finish would wear off, Man, after so many negative things I still figured what the heck. I am glad I purchaced this fine gun now. At 27 oz's its very light, to me to carry. It shoots very good and having to carry it concealed in the pants here in Texas (Hot) no problems so far, I think that I also have more confidence in having 8 shots at my side. I had an old Colt new service for many a year and although I like 6 shots I think buy all means I like 8 better.
Thanks
I have had alot of guns in my life and when I ordered a used 327 8 shot night guard from Buds I was a little skeptical at first. Heard that Scandium was to light and wouln't last, also that The cylinder was just to big for CCL carry, also you couldn't find a speed loader for it, also that the black finish would wear off, Man, after so many negative things I still figured what the heck. I am glad I purchaced this fine gun now. At 27 oz's its very light, to me to carry. It shoots very good and having to carry it concealed in the pants here in Texas (Hot) no problems so far, I think that I also have more confidence in having 8 shots at my side. I had an old Colt new service for many a year and although I like 6 shots I think buy all means I like 8 better.
Thanks
Revolver King
Member
7 shooters
The 7 shooters are my favorite L frame I have several of them and all are moon clipped. I think they are quite popular.
The 7 shooters are my favorite L frame I have several of them and all are moon clipped. I think they are quite popular.
Heck, I'm 67 years old and all my revolvers hold 6 even my 617 no dash revolvers. Why, because I'm stuborn and also because they have always worked for me. If I need more then 6 rounds I carry a Sig with 16 rounds of 9mm or 15 40 S&W rounds and if I'm going to war again it won't be with a revolver.
robctwo
Member
Bought this used 620, like it, not my favorite.
WildBillD
Member
While I have nothing against the 686+, revolvers are called 6 shooters for a reason. All 4 of mine are 6 shooters.
remat457
Member
I love my 686+ it is built like a tank and the lock time is amazing! As mentioned above though the fit and finish is not like the K's of yester-year. It is more of a work gun for me.
My 686+ 3-incher is very popular with me!
I'm itching to get an N-frame and the 627, 629, or one of those NightGuards might just fill the bill. Too many tempting choices....
5-Star makes speedloaders for the 'oddball' cylinders and, as the other fellers have said, moonclips are an option (although you will have to send the revolver in for surgery).
Chris
I'm itching to get an N-frame and the 627, 629, or one of those NightGuards might just fill the bill. Too many tempting choices....
5-Star makes speedloaders for the 'oddball' cylinders and, as the other fellers have said, moonclips are an option (although you will have to send the revolver in for surgery).
Chris
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