First revolver. (It's about time...)

ibrokepegasus · #1 03-30-2013, 02:00 AM

I'm pretty excited, also very impressed. I've been shooting pretty much my entire life. I've owned numerous firearms throughout my short adult life (if you call roughly 10 years short) haha. I guess it might be kind of sad to say/admit that today marked a new milestone in my firearm ownership. I purchased my first revolver, and along with that, my first Smith. It's actually an interesting story... (at least for me i guess). I originally had my sights set on a Ruger GP100 4 inch SS, and a co-worker of mine showed me a special TALO distributed Wiley Clapp edition GP. After seeing that, I changed my mind and thought for sure I was going to go with the blued version of it. After a few weeks of my boss searching for one (I happen to work at a LGS here in town), it became clear that I wasn't going to be able to get one. Out of no where, he brought out a Smith case, and set it down in front of me. I opened it, and inside sat a 686 SSR. I immediately fell in love with it, and decided to pick it up. Just put 50 rounds through it tonight, and must say again, I am VERY impressed with the way it shot! What are some of your guys opinions of the gun? Also, dry firing - snap caps or not? (I have dry fired my Glocks all these years, and haven't had a problem, but I'm not sure about the whole revolver with the hammer thing going on). I know it says on Smiths website that its ok. One more thing, any preferences on grips? (I kind of feel the want to preserve the originals). Is there a manufacturer of G10 or Micarta out there somewhere? Thanks!

chud333 · #2 03-30-2013, 02:10 AM

Looks nice and "Welcome to the Club".
You have just wandered onto a very slippery slope
which is shooting fine revolvers. I don't dry fire any
of mine so i can't help with advise there. Also i would
like to take this opportunity to thank you for your service sir.

Chuck

Gyrene6891 · #3 03-30-2013, 02:27 AM

Quite a day for both of us. I just put the same revolver on hold at my local gun store.have to wait on my next retirement check to pay it off. I have wanted a 686 every since i dry fired one in North Carolina way back in 1985. Guess i didn't want to move too fast. I was actually thought I wanted a Colt Python until I handled the S&W. Not my first S&W though I own a M&P 40 & a Shield 9.

KEN L · #4 03-30-2013, 02:46 AM

Dry fire away! Won't hurt a thing. Snap caps are okay, but seem like an unessessary expense to me when fired cases are plentiful and virtually cost free!

nawilson · #5 03-30-2013, 01:18 PM

You won't hurt anything by dry firing the centfire 686. Of course, the manual of arms for a revolver is very different than the autos to which you are accustomed. Snap caps are a great way to practice loading, unloading, and using speed loaders.

silentflyer · #6 03-30-2013, 01:30 PM

Welcome aboard, warning the quality steel and wood have a way of growing on you, makes one want to forget about tupperware and springs..especially when you find out how accurate quality big bore hand guns are.

OLDSTER · #7 03-30-2013, 02:33 PM

Congrats on the 686 and welcome to the forum.

kennyb · #8 03-30-2013, 02:40 PM

welcome to the forum....you picked a good one to start with!

48Blister · #9 03-30-2013, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibrokepegasus

I'm pretty excited, also very impressed. I've been shooting pretty much my entire life. I've owned numerous firearms throughout my short adult life (if you call roughly 10 years short) haha. I guess it might be kind of sad to say/admit that today marked a new milestone in my firearm ownership. I purchased my first revolver, and along with that, my first Smith. It's actually an interesting story... (at least for me i guess). I originally had my sights set on a Ruger GP100 4 inch SS, and a co-worker of mine showed me a special TALO distributed Wiley Clapp edition GP. After seeing that, I changed my mind and thought for sure I was going to go with the blued version of it. After a few weeks of my boss searching for one (I happen to work at a LGS here in town), it became clear that I wasn't going to be able to get one. Out of no where, he brought out a Smith case, and set it down in front of me. I opened it, and inside sat a 686 SSR. I immediately fell in love with it, and decided to pick it up. Just put 50 rounds through it tonight, and must say again, I am VERY impressed with the way it shot! What are some of your guys opinions of the gun? Also, dry firing - snap caps or not? (I have dry fired my Glocks all these years, and haven't had a problem, but I'm not sure about the whole revolver with the hammer thing going on). I know it says on Smiths website that its ok. One more thing, any preferences on grips? (I kind of feel the want to preserve the originals). Is there a manufacturer of G10 or Micarta out there somewhere? Thanks!

I have one of those I bought new in the box and it had a S&W combat grip with it.

Macinaw · #10 03-30-2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silentflyer

Welcome aboard, warning the quality steel and wood have a way of growing on you, makes one want to forget about tupperware and springs..especially when you find out how accurate quality big bore hand guns are.

I don't think a 686 is considered a "big bore". But, they are excellent guns to shoot. And also for competition.

ibrokepegasus · #11 03-30-2013, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nawilson

You won't hurt anything by dry firing the centfire 686. Of course, the manual of arms for a revolver is very different than the autos to which you are accustomed. Snap caps are a great way to practice loading, unloading, and using speed loaders.

I picked up an HKS speed loader and snap caps just for the purpose of practicing reloads. I guess I will have an added benefit of using them for dry firing as well.

also, anyone have any opinions on holsters? I tend to not be too keen on huge leather holsters that cover everything but the grip, as I personally like to show the gun off more than any fancy leather the holster might or might not be made of. :-)

tops · #12 03-31-2013, 12:00 AM

A Threepersons holster will show off the gun and a revolver should not be in anything but floral tooled leather. Larry

DR505 · #13 03-31-2013, 12:08 AM

Welcome aboard (that's Navy talk)! Good choice...you'll have a lot of fun with that revolver. But it won't stop there...the addiction starts small and grows. You'll need to acquire an actual big-bore revolver too!

papajohn428 · #14 03-31-2013, 08:43 AM

You are several feet from the top of the Slippery Slope, and rapidly gaining speed..........enjoy the experience! I have had a few 686's, I think the 4-inch version is the perfect "utility handgun", but I'm queer for 3-inch revolvers, so that's what I currently have. Don't EVER shoot one, or there will be a sudden impact upon your wallet. I think the 686 is about as good as it gets, and the triggers are as good as any.

(Gratuitous photo attached.........you're welcome.

)

ibrokepegasus · #15 03-31-2013, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tops

A Threepersons holster will show off the gun and a revolver should not be in anything but floral tooled leather. Larry

so is "threepersons" the style or a company?

Stirling · #16 04-01-2013, 05:16 AM

Check out this link. Congrats on your new acquisition. Tom Threepersons - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia