After years of looking I recently located a LNIB 2.5" 686-4+. It is wearing a set of S&W Combats with medallions.

I'm contemplating using this 686-4+ for serious purpose, loaded with Speer 158 grain 357's. Wood grips are not something I use on carry guns. Especially when firing 357's.

I am contemplating a new set of Pachmyar Grippers as well as a set of Hogue Bantam grips. What sort of grips are you 686+ snub owners using on your carry/working guns? Thanks! Regards 18DAI

For shooting I put Hogue Bantams on both my 2 1/2" 66-7 and 3" 65-3. Nice look and nice feel.

I like the old UM's on short barreled 357s. They look like the "combats" but they're rubber.

I use Pacmayr Compacs on my 2 1/2 inch 686. They feel great, reduce felt recoil of .357 rounds, conceal well, and are inexpensive.....

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

C'mon you already know the answer, Hogue Bantams!!

Hey fellas lets keep this thread alive. Whenever one of us has a new toy to show off, a serial number inquiry, or a born date request 18DAI is right there giving us information we need. Let's repay the favor. Show some of your 6 or 7 shot 686-4 snubbies with the grips you use for shooting/carry. If you don't have any pictures then just write about what you use.

Thanks all!

Thank you Roboto! I think you have made my mind up.

With your permission that photo will be my screen saver till I get my mitts on my 686-4 snub. Best regards, 18DAI

I like the look and feel of the Hogue's, but I think the Uncle Mike's are better at reducing the felt recoil of the magnum loads. I have used both on my 686, 2.5" and my 681, 3". Hope this helps!

-TS

18DAI

That's why we post our pictures so everyone can enjoy them. Let us know how it shoots once you bring her home.

Here is a picture of my dad's 686-4 7 Shots, too bad he's selling it :\. Factory hogue grips

Never used them on a 686, but Pachmayr Compacs are a favorite of mine on my 640 for the higher grip they give me. Reduce muzzle flip and felt recoil substantially.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I have 2 of them both with S&W combats.I like the way they feel.

For me, the Hogues have a "spread" of the finger grooves that feels slightly too "spread out"...and the placement of the pinkie groove causes me to "milk" the grip while firing.

I prefer the Pachmayer Pro Compac, which has no finger grooves, allowing me to grip the revolver as high as I want, and leaves the backstrap exposed, which also helps in concealment (less bulk) as well as keeping the overall package thin (I like that for gripping)

Here is a pic of a Pach pro compac on my 66 snub (same grip frame as a 686....but you already knew that )

I'm a Hogue Bantams fan. Pretty much have them on most of my K & L Frames. Here's a set on a 686P 2-1/2 incher. Sorry no full photo, so I threw in a 547 3-incher.

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Bob

Ok, I'll be the odd man out. Here's my 686 with Ahrends.

Deleted.

Didn't realize the thread was necroed.

Well, since this thread was brought back I'll provide an update.

I only kept that 2.5" 686-4+ for a matter of weeks. It was the second 686 snub I've owned and the last. Nothing at all the matter with the gun, I have just been spoiled by the K-frame snubs.

The L-frame snubs just don't point as naturally or handle as quickly, for me. Too thick and bulky for my liking.

I traded it for a LNIB unfired since the factory, 4 inch 19-5 and haven't regreted it or looked back once.......till I saw this post anyways. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Can anyone tell me what grips the 2.5 inch 686-4+ originally came with from the factory?