Are 686 six and seven shot cylinders interchangeable?

[cgt4570]

Are 686 six and seven shot cylinders interchangeable?

I've read that the 8-shot 627 cylinders are chambered on a different axis than the traditional 627's. Are the 686's standard for both cylinders? Couldn't find any info.

I know a swap would most likely require a hand replacement, although I was pleasantly surprised that a 7-shot 351PD .22 mag cylinder works perfectly in an 8-shot 317 .22lr.

Thanks as always!

 

[Protocall_Design]

The cylinders both have the same bolt circle for the chambers. That makes them interchangeable. You still have the normal cylinder gap and headspace fitting that may or may not be required. The same hand may or may not work for both cylinders, depending on how the ratchets on both were cut.

 

[stu1ritter]

I sent mine to S&W to have it done. They charged $95 for the cylinder, part # 412160000 and 1.5 hours labor @90/hr=$135. There is no indication of a hand change. This was done 9/10/2019 and the gun is a 686-3.

Stu

 

[madmikeb]

I have a 686 Competitor that was fitted with a 7 shot cylinder. It was done at the factory and you can swap the 6 and 7 shot cylinder and it will time with each.
When I bought it the person that had it done said that it was a feat to have it time with both cylinders and they probably wouldn't do it again.
May be a load of you know what but that is what he said.

 

[steelslaver]

Actually the hands are the same. The amount of trigger movement before hand engages tooth is what changes and that doesn't matter. The face of the tooth and its relationship to the chamber and its stop notch remains the same.

There may or may not be a need for hand or ratchet adjustment. BUT, that is true of every cylinder change. Even changing a 6 shot cylinder from the same model out in a gun that had a 6 shot cylinder might need adjustment.

But, I have found that the yoke tube length is the most likely thing that will need adjusted. It is more apt to need ether lengthened or shortened to fit the cylinder than the hand or ratchet teeth

Case in point, I just got done fitting a 6 shot 32SWL cylinder and barrel in a model 36 frame. Even using the 32's original yoke I needed to trim the yoke tube very slightly to get enough endshake clearance for it to rotate. Once that was done the cylinder rotated and carried up perfectly despite the fact the 32 cylinder being a 6 shot and using the same trigger and hand from the 5 shot 38 cylinder.

In the case of a 5 shot to a 6 there is a change of 12 degrees of rotation between chambers, while on a 6 to 7 there is only 9.57

I have done one 7 to 6 conversions in a model 686. Used the same hand. I also fit a brand new never fit ratchet in a 7 shot. Had to adjust every tooth, despite it going in one that was originally a 7 shot. No surprise.