Any issues with strength or is it all positives when a .357 is offered in both a 6 vs 7 shot?
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Any issues with strength or is it all positives when a .357 is offered in both a 6 vs 7 shot?
How much revolver experience do you have? I am so used to six shooters if you stick a 7 shot in my hands I am going to eject a lot of live seventh rounds.
If I recall correctly, S&W has claimed that the 7 shot revolver cylinder is actually able to withstand higher levels of stress than is the 6 shot revolver. While the cylinder walls of the 7 shot are thinner, the cylinder notches are offset and are no longer directly over the chamber. Apparently the presence of a notch right over a chamber is a significant stress riser, which kind of makes sense considering the sharp features on a notch
If the cylinder notch is in between chambers on the seven-shot, the cylinder will likely be stronger (look at the various five-shot big bores). Cylinder materiel and heat treat also play a part. I once owned a S&W 686+ (seven-shot) and fired many full-power .357 rounds with no issue
Looks like choices are a gp100, s&w 586 plus or 686 plus.
Any others? (No Taurus or other cheap quality brands)
nothing wrong with the 7 shots.
both are strong enough, in theory the 7 shot is stronger
I had Gunsmith Andy Horvath trim this 6" barrel to 5", add a weygand front sight base / Dawson fiber, and replace the 6 shot cylinder with a 7 shot.
https://i.imgur.com/3O1yF38.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/qtugKJI.jpg
It's no different than carrying a five shot j-frame when you have six shooters also. OR like having different semi-autos with different magazine capacity. You have to KNOW what you are carrying for the day. It's all part of your situational awareness.
I LOVE my no lock 686 plus.
I have been jonesing for a 3 inch 7 shot 686. I want to get one and swap out the rear sight for fixed. Then I am going to carry it in a cross draw holster and yell at people "ya get killed walking your doggie!!!"
I remember a while back there was a thread or video about one of the 7 shots having the case rims jamming into each other. I believe it was on the new 7 shot GP100. Might be something to look into before you buy a GP100.