Posted: 1/11/2005 7:03:05 PM EDT
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I have a Smith&Wesson 686Plus (7-shot capacity; the 686 has a 6-shot capacity.) Mine has a 4-inch barrel. Most versatile length. 6 inch length is better if hunting will be a major use for the gun. The 686 is an L-frame, NOT a K-frame. L-frames are somewhat more sturdy than K-frames, have been specifically designed for a constant diet of .357 magnum rounds. K frames developed some problems- mainly cracks in the forcing cone - if hot 125 grain .357 loads were used extensively; hence S&W produced the L. No, I don't have any problem with spent shells sticking in the chambers. |
| "Get stuck" how exactly? A little stickiness is not all that unusual for a new gun with high-pressure loads, but severely stuck...as in having to pound the empties out...is not normal and should be dealt with by the factory. Even S&W can, and will, very ocassionally, build a lemon...but they will also make it right for you. |
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Take a look at the extractor and see if it is leaving an area of the case unsupported by the rim. If these loads are running a bit hot you may have the casing swelling a bit and sticking by the extractor. Think of how a 38Super may blow out in a 1911 with an unsupported barrel... Just a few thousandths off in the extractor and you could have the kind of difficulty extracting a shell if it expands just a tad while firing. One of my 2 N-frame S&Ws will do this with near max loaded 125grn Blue Dot loads, I mean HOT! I don't shoot these loads much because they play hell on my forcing cone and top straps. But I have run into this problem and identified the culprit on the one gun, modest loads or any of the factory loads out there and I don't have a problem but the hot loads are certainly nasty as hell. Anyhow, just something to consider or look for. |
The L frames were designed for heavier magnum usage than the K frames. But they were never intended to replace the K frame magnum. Thats why 25 years after the introduction of the L frame the K frames are still being manufactured. S&W intends to drop the K frame magnum but thats really an economical issue. The Ks just don't sell as well as they used to. |
Hence the L frames. The K frames shoot just fine with .357 loads, thats why they were the staple of medium framed S&W revolvers for the past 25 years. |