1st impression of SSR

[JoeS]

With great trepidation I took my new SSR to the range today.
Having not owned a Smith with the dreaded IL I fully expected it to lock up solid, possibly disentigrate into a pile of metallic powder, except perhaps for the forged hammer and trigger, probably the only two good parts in the whole gun (at least if comments I've heard on forums are any indication)
Shockingly, none of this happened. I only had a chance to shoot about 50 wadcutters and 18 WWB 125 gain jsp .38s but it actually functioned flawlessly and seems to shoot about as accurately as most any Smith revolver I've owned (in other words, darned good).
The action, for a stock revolver is pretty smooth, heavy to be sure, but smooth. Single action trigger is quite crisp.
Perhaps my favorite thing about this piece is that it balances (to me at least) very much like a 4" Model 19 which is about my gold standard in revolver feel.
So far the only thing I am likely to chage are grips, I don't believe I care for the stock grip shape but I can say that about most stock revolvers I've owned.
I think this is a well done revolver by S&W. I don't know anyone who wouldn't rather see them lose the IL but its a fact of life at this time and I'd have to miss out on owning such a fine piece over such a minor issue.

[spearcrow]

I had just started a thread on this same gun when I saw this. I had the chance to look at one of these today at the general store. This was the first time I've seen an ssr and I was very impressed with it. I thought that it was a very good looking smith, even with the IL. I liked the way that it balanced, and I actually liked the wood ssr grips that were one it, it had kind of a slim profile and felt comfortable.

The one at the store today was used, but barely, in excellent shape. He had box/docs, extra set of rubber grips, and I think $695 on the tag. He is usually a little high on his smith's in my opinion, be interesting to see how this price compares with others that you all have seen.

Glad you started this thread, and glad you enjoy your gun...I may have to follow in your footsteps before long, this gun just looks so good!

[JoeS]

FWIW, the SSR I bought was sold as used, but unfired, I got it for $599 which I felt was fair.
The wood grips will probably appeal to a lot of people, I find them too slick and too thick at the bottom.
I think they succeeded in their goal of being close to PC performance. I think the action could benefit from additional tuning but thats about it.
Can't wait to get a chance to bench it with some good ammunition to see what its capable of. At the moment my offhand groups aren't so good, at least partially due to a rotator cuff injury and lack of practice. I was seeing about 2" at 15 yards and I know it will do better than that.

[Jeepster1]

I bought a 686-SSR about 2 months ago. I have put about 800 rounds through it. Load is IDPA power factor legal: (Win. 231, 4.7 grains, Berry's Copper Plated, 158 grain round nose). It is a tack driver, big time. I swapped out the stock grips for the Hogues (rubber) which feel great, and give great control. Trigger is smooth in double action, super nice and crisp in single action.The lock is a non factor for me. It seems like the contour of the barrel has more surface area exposed, which means that the barrel cools down quickly when doing a lot of firing. There is NOTHING that I do not like about this gun. I would buy it again without hesitation. I can hardly wait for IDPA shoots to start up this coming spring (this is Minnesota)!

[josephthreedogs]

I've been shooting 686PC which is the same gun but in 38 Super, for about 6 years. I have no complaints with it at all. I would like to find another one.

[peyton]