how durable is the 686?

[l.carroll]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/newattachment.php?do=manageattach&p=
I'm new to the forum and I am in love with my new S&W...

but I have a question...

how durable is my new 686?

I've read of end-shake, shooting loose, and cylinder-stop peening...has me wondering if I can shoot the revolver as much as I did my semi-auto's...

I average around 200 rounds or more a weekend...mostly mid-range 38 special home brewn reloads with the occassional 38+p thrown in...

so, at around 10,000 rounds a year how long will my 686 go without major service of some kind?

I love this gun and can see myself committing to the 686 or maybe moving on up to the stronger N frame (627)if I need to...

how many rounds have you put thru your 686?

thanks.

 

[TwoPoundPull]

You'll probably wear out your rotator cup cranking the press before you wear out your 686.......

 

[parabarbarian]

The 686 was designed to overcome the problem of the 125 gr .357 magnum beating the crap out of the K-frame. If you are shooting 38's -- even +P stuff -- you are not even close to what the gun was designed for. Assuming good maintenance on your part and a check up every couple of years by a good gunsmith, probably the worst that will ever happen is the trigger pull will get smoother.

So how much longer do you plan on living? Multiply that by your estimated round count per year and be sure to designate in your will who will get the gun when you die.

 

[l.carroll]

You'll probably wear out your rotator cup cranking the press before you wear out your 686.......

whats a rotator cup? I use a single stage

It's a mechanical instrument, if you shoot it alot it's going to need some attention.

my springfield 1911 had over 60,000 documented rounds thru it...it was on its 2nd barrel. It needed at one time or another, slide-stops, barrel links, firing pins, extractors, springs, thumb safety, grip safety, and thats just off the top of my head...

my glock had one third the amount and only needed the occassional recoil and trigger spring change.

I was just curious what some of the 686 owners experience was with round count and parts change...

 

[Bullseye Smith]

You can put your 60,000 rounds of 38's down the tubes and it will come back for more, You are talking about a revolver - not want to be's. It will last a life time if- IF you clean it after use, use a lite oiling (ONE - TWO drops on the inside), every other cleaning do the inside of it. A clean Smith is a happy S&W. Last - don't play cowboy a swing the cylinder shut, treat it like a lady.

 

[l.carroll]

You can put your 60,000 rounds of 38's down the tubes and it will come back for more, You are talking about a revolver - not want to be's. It will last a life time if- IF you clean it after use, use a lite oiling (ONE - TWO drops on the inside), every other cleaning do the inside of it. A clean Smith is a happy S&W. Last - don't play cowboy a swing the cylinder shut, treat it like a lady.

pardon my ignorance...and I did read the manual...where do you put the oil exactly and what do you mean do the inside of it? I'll be honest I'm a little intimidated by taking a S&W side-plate off!

 

[Bullseye Smith]

First - your not ignorant for sure- There is movies around to show you how to strip down your gun but the best thing is Jerry Kuhnhausen manual for the S&W Revolver that is 20-25 dollars and it will show you how. Second - most of the time a S&W comes dry from the factory of oil, guess they think the the first rounds fired will smooth the action up or they are cheap . I tear my guns down every few trips and wipe every thing down, then put a drop or two on a Q-tip and wipe the surface areas down the post the hammer and trigger set on. Just two drops will make the whole inside will shine. Get yourself the book and enjoy you new buddie.

 

[scott625b]

I probably have fed my 686 10,000 rounds, range and competition. Smoothest action I have on any of my competition revos.

 

[Nframe357]

My oldest 686 has probably 10K rounds through it, a mix of my magnum handloads and 38 +P stuff and it's still going strong. The 686 will outlast you by a long shot if cared for properly.

 

[ab4ka]

other than straight-up abuse, you won't break it.

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

whats a rotator cup?

I think he means "rotator cuff."

I agree, you'll wear out a body part before you wear out your 686.

 

[Sportsterguy]

You can put your 60,000 rounds of 38's down the tubes and it will come back for more, You are talking about a revolver - not want to be's. It will last a life time if- IF you clean it after use, use a lite oiling (ONE - TWO drops on the inside), every other cleaning do the inside of it. A clean Smith is a happy S&W. Last - don't play cowboy a swing the cylinder shut, treat it like a lady.

I agree 100% with Bullseye Smith. If you go shooting heavy 180 gr. Buffalo Bores through it constantly it will get loose after a couple of years. Using .38's it'll last a lifetime.

I use Militec-1 lube and conditioner. GREAT stuff!

 

[Wayne M]

Well you're not gonna wear it out at 40K mixed HOT 38's and Magnums. How much longer they'll go I don't know 'cause I'M beginning to wear and the signs are sure more obvious than they are with the 686! For a revolver to grab and go the 686 would be my first choice REGARDLESS OF ROUND COUNT. They just keep going and going and .......!

 

[Nightowl]

I have an early 586 with a AAA serial number that I bought new and have may thousands of rounds through, virtually all .38 Special. It works just as good as when it was new, although the finish shows some wear. I don't think you have to worry about wearing it out. You might need a tune up after a few years, though, perhaps a wider hand, or a new cylinder stop. Minor stuff.

 

[Snowbandit]

I'm not so sure that an L-frame wouldn't outlast an N-frame in high volume use especially in .357 caliber. The additional leverage of the larger diameter and rotating mass of the N's cylinder would have to put more strain on the lock work. The point is moot in any event as either will last several lifetimes if maintained at all.

 

[Shorty4T]

Most of my shooting buddies have at least 1 686, in 20 years of dealing with this pistol and knowing numerous owners with them I've only seen one that was even a little loose. The owner had a reputation for running a lot of max or near max 357 handloads through this pistol. Even still there wasn't anything a gunsmith couldn't tighten up inexpensively.

As others have said you will wear out body parts before wearing a 686.

Cheers,
Sam

 

[l.carroll]

thanks...I'll order the kunhhausen manual asap...by the way how often do most of you detail strip your revolver?

 

[Göring's S&W]

If you go shooting heavy 180 gr. Buffalo Bores through it constantly it will get loose after a couple of years.

Even this is probably a logical guess but still unproven. It would be interesting to torture one, just to see. I think a 686 would exceed expectations. I know my 686-3 is still going strong, I only have maybe 1000 38s and 1000 357s through it, but I'm at least the 3rd owner so I'm sure it has much more than what I personally shot.

 

[gr7070]

by the way how often do most of you detail strip your revolver?

IIRC the manual never calls for such a thing. Just to clean and oil the exposed surfaces. That's it.

I would be interested to hear if there is even a remotely held conventional opinion - if there can be such a thing for cleaning any gun. ;-D

 

[Smith357]

...by the way how often do most of you detail strip your revolver?

I clean them once when I get them, and then only if the trigger starts to feel sluggish or gritty. I do it the first time because you never know what you are going to find on the inside.

This is the inside of a 586 no dash I picked up. It's now cleaned up and ready to shoot.