Is 7 shot weaker?
- Thread starter Gillis2
- Start date
It would have to be weaker wouldn't it? It's not a design flaw. More bullets in the same space just means they are closer together, and would have to have thinner walls between the rounds for there to be space for an extra round compared to a 6 shot. I wouldn't worry about it.
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
Are you going to intentionally load super-pressure grenade rounds?
Are you going to only load standard pressure rounds, loaded to either factory or other recommended specs?
If you answered no to the first and yes to the second, then stop worrying. The guys at S&W are not idiots and wouldn't knowingly release a defective product. Clearly the gun passed the engineering specs as well as test firing. Is it weaker, assuming same caliber and cylinder diameter? Of course, but it's still safe.
Are you going to only load standard pressure rounds, loaded to either factory or other recommended specs?
If you answered no to the first and yes to the second, then stop worrying. The guys at S&W are not idiots and wouldn't knowingly release a defective product. Clearly the gun passed the engineering specs as well as test firing. Is it weaker, assuming same caliber and cylinder diameter? Of course, but it's still safe.
Thinner does not mean weaker if the steel used can handle the pressure, Read and learn about this pistol. All steel comes with an MTR which is a pedigree that allows engineers to design things safely. If you contact an engineer at S&W I am sure your irrational fears will be put to rest.
thenewbieglockguy
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Ontario (GTA)
lol! Don't freak out with my 8 ROUND Smith and Wesson R8 revolver!
Given that we can't carry I don't see a real advantage to having 7 or 8 shots instead of 6. Also, accessories like speedloaders are much harder to find for the 7 & 8 shot versions.
For most shooting disciplines like PPC and bullseye, 7or 8 shot guns range from inconvenient to unsuitable.
If I could think of any advantages I'd say go for it but with no legal carry I can't except to say you have one (although maybe that's good enough).
For most shooting disciplines like PPC and bullseye, 7or 8 shot guns range from inconvenient to unsuitable.
If I could think of any advantages I'd say go for it but with no legal carry I can't except to say you have one (although maybe that's good enough).
Totally agree, the biggest disadvantage to having a 7 or 8 round cylinder isn't so much its structural strength, but the accessories (or lack thereof) and the restrictions placed on it in competition. IIRC, action shooting games don't allow you to load more than 6, which not only defeats the purpose, but makes it more inconvenient to shoot.
If you're plinking, less time reloading, more time pulling the trigger... More enjoyment of your purchase.
True, except without available speedloaders they also take longer to load so it's a bit of a saw off.
Speedloader for the 7 shots ARE available, I'got 4 speedloader for my 686p and they work great.
The cylinder is a touch weaker due to the thinner walls between chambers but at the same time it's a touch stronger at the stop bolt grooves because how the grooves are offset by half a step because you've got an odd number of holes.
In the end if you like that gun then go for it. It's not like it's a one off. The design has been tested and proven to be safe with full house magnums or the legal system in the states would have a field day with blown guns and S&W would be broke from the payouts.
There's also nothing at all wrong with shooting re-loads. And given the cost of factory .357Mag you'd be crazy or a lot more wealthy than most of us to be able to afford to shoot a steady diet of factory loads. You're looking at around 20 cents per round to reload even with a premium bullet and one of the good powders for Magnums. Compare that to the roughly 80 cents a round for factory and you'll realize that it won't take long to pay for the reloading setup.
In the end if you like that gun then go for it. It's not like it's a one off. The design has been tested and proven to be safe with full house magnums or the legal system in the states would have a field day with blown guns and S&W would be broke from the payouts.
There's also nothing at all wrong with shooting re-loads. And given the cost of factory .357Mag you'd be crazy or a lot more wealthy than most of us to be able to afford to shoot a steady diet of factory loads. You're looking at around 20 cents per round to reload even with a premium bullet and one of the good powders for Magnums. Compare that to the roughly 80 cents a round for factory and you'll realize that it won't take long to pay for the reloading setup.
Yes, just harder to find.
Cocked&Locked
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S. Ontario
but they are helluva good time in IDPA or IPSC....have both a 627 and a 686 pro.....very nice....but i see smith just released purpose built 9mm 7 and 8 shot revolvers....should be even more fun as the moon clips will have less wobble and the reloads should be super fast!
