My New 686-6

[Hylander]

Sorry forgot to update the thread.
First Range day was a success.
Fired a total of 54 rounds, 30 of 357 and 24 of 38's.
Only fired single action because trigger is still horrible. Revolver shot and handled well. Had to adjust rear sight to the right more than I like and will be replacing the front with a green fiber. The 38's were a load I just threw together and did not do well.
However, the 357 load did great.
Gave her a thorough cleaning and no leading found, however I did shoot jacketed after the cast loads.
Overall, I like it and think I will do well at the matches, well for me anyways (lol).

 

[Protocall_Design]

I've had good luck with Bayou Bullets 138 gr. wadcutter running around 920 fps. In my 686, those are shooting about 1-1/2" groups at 50 yards. That is in a Ransom Rest, I can't do quite that well offhand.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

Sorry forgot to update the thread.
First Range day was a success.
Fired a total of 54 rounds, 30 of 357 and 24 of 38's.
Only fired single action because trigger is still horrible. Revolver shot and handled well. Had to adjust rear sight to the right more than I like and will be replacing the front with a green fiber. The 38's were a load I just threw together and did not do well.
However, the 357 load did great.
Gave her a thorough cleaning and no leading found, however I did shoot jacketed after the cast loads.
Overall, I like it and think I will do well at the matches, well for me anyways (lol).

Single action is where the trigger shines, but with time the double will break in as others have mentioned. Great shooting!

 

[Hylander]

S&W triggers are easy to tune to your individual liking & for me it's part of the fun of getting a new one.

Don't trust calipers for such readings of your bullets. Comparing caliper readings to micrometer readings is an eye opener. I made the same mistake originally too.

You need to invest in some pin gages though to use to confirm throat sizing & don't depend on bullets for that.

Typically, the S&W 357s have had proper sizing, certainly all of mine, but of course stuff happens.

Trust but verify.



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That is a Sweet looking Smith, Love the two tone.
an I ask what brand the Pin Gauges are and where you got them. I want to get a set.
Thanks

 

[Protocall_Design]

Check out Home page for the pin gages. They have different levels of precision, but even the cheapest ones will do fine for gunsmith work. You want at least the .251 - .500 minus set.

 

[357 shooter]

Sorry forgot to update the thread.
First Range day was a success.
Fired a total of 54 rounds, 30 of 357 and 24 of 38's.
Only fired single action because trigger is still horrible. Revolver shot and handled well. Had to adjust rear sight to the right more than I like and will be replacing the front with a green fiber. The 38's were a load I just threw together and did not do well.
However, the 357 load did great.
Gave her a thorough cleaning and no leading found, however I did shoot jacketed after the cast loads.
Overall, I like it and think I will do well at the matches, well for me anyways (lol).

Great to hear it shot well for you! I sure would not have contemplated any kind of cylinder work without firing it first regardless of measurements or bullet fit. How the gun puts shots on target is the first thing I would have done too. I've owned at least 5 686s and all have shot extremely well for me . The trigger on my most fired 686 is right at 4lbs 4oz and is as crisp as any handgun trigger I have owned.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

an I ask what brand the Pin Gauges are and where you got them. I want to get a set.

I bought my .251"-.500" minus set from Enco Tools.

My .011"-.060" set & .061"-.250" minus sets came from Shars Tools.



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That is a Sweet looking Smith, Love the two tone.

Thanks! Here's the pretty side.



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[Hylander]

Cleaned up the trigger a bit and installed the Wilson main spring and #13 trigger spring.
Single is now #4.9 and breaks like glass, feels more like #3
Double is #9.6 and is about a 75% improvement but not as good as I would like, but I can live with it.
She loves 158swc but hates Extreme plated.
Just need some better grips.

 

[stansdds]

I've had good success with plated bullets in semi-automatic pistols, not so good in revolvers.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Plated certainly aren't as consistently good shooters as jacketed & they might require a bit more testing with to find the right powder/bullet combo but it's doable.

I cleaned up the muzzle & forcing cone on mine & it made a good shooter even better.

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Ten rounds
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Muzzle before
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Muzzle after
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FC before
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FC after
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[Hylander]

Plated certainly aren't as consistently good shooters as jacketed & they might require a bit more testing with to find the right powder/bullet combo but it's doable.

I cleaned up the muzzle & forcing cone on mine & it made a good shooter even better.

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Ten rounds
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Muzzle before
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Muzzle after
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FC before
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FC after
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What tool did you use for the forcing cone?

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Brownell's Chamfering Kit

What tool did you use for the forcing cone?

The 5 degree cutter from Brownell's Chamfering Kit.

I especially like it when you don't want to make the F-C diameter any wider than you have to but need to smooth out the inner surface the most.
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