Can I counterbore a 686?

[mlevinson]

I just got my 686 and really love a counterbored cylinder. Just curious if S&W offers this as an upgrade, if not they should!

I imagine the firing pin may need to be changed for the longer reach.

 

[Owly]

I imagine the firing pin may need to be changed for the longer reach.

Um.... no.
Cylinder would need to be longer or headspace would be ridiculously excessive.

And no... the days of pinned and recessed are long gone. They won't do it as an upgrade just for you.

 

[steelslaver]

NO, if you counterbore (recess) a standard cylinder the round would move forward the thickness of the rim and you would have huge head space. Even if the firing pin was long enough to hit the primer well enough to make it go off the head space would cause the case to travel back way to far before it hit the recoil shield. BAD BAD. As the case travels it picks up speed and momentum. Very hard on things. Similar to holding a 12 gauge shotgun an inch or so away from your shoulder and pulling thee trigger. OW OW OW.

I believe some of the early stainless guns had recessed cylinders, Not sure if any L frames did. If they did one could be fitted to you gun with some work. Fit time, set back frame lug that keeps cylinder from moving back when open. etc etc.

 

[sodacan]

Sell the 686 and buy an early model 27. The 686 is a nice gun, but a dash two or earlier model 27 will change the way you look at S&W revolvers.

 

[mlevinson]

Sell the 686 and buy an early model 27. The 686 is a nice gun, but a dash two or earlier model 27 will change the way you look at S&W revolvers.

No way, I'll just add the 27.

I didn't think it was an option, but wanted to ask.

 

[jframejoey]

Im pretty sure no L frames were recessed.