Picked up my new 686 today, and shot 50 rd of 38 spl and 50 rd of .357. I thought the .357's might cause some "smack" due to the very skinny grips and the well-exposed backstrap. It's quite mild with .357's, but I still didn't much care for the grips, as they're very small in all dimensions, and hard to hold on to. I've already put on the N-frame grips from my 629 Classic. They fit great except they hang way back near the top. I'll probably leave the N-frame grips on, but I won't mess with them.




This was the first 5 shots at 10 yards, single action.



5 shots at 10 yards, double action.


15 yards, single action:


25 yd single action. Not a great group, but mostly 9's and 10's for an 88 on an NRA 25 yd slow fire target. Not bad for the first try.


The DA trigger is a bit herky-jerky, despite being pretty light. SA trigger is nice, a little heavier than my 27-2 or 19-3, but then it's brand new. I now have 3 brand new Smiths and I really have no complaints with any of them. The action is tight on this one, and cylinder gap at .004. The barrel is actually on straight. Hoping to put my Vortex Venom red dot on it soon.